The Blessed Hope

[Gnarwhal]

The rapture is a message of hope!! Why does it say" comfort one another with these words" 1 thes 4, if we are looking for the tribulation instead of our blessed hope! The 2nd coming and the rapture are 2 different events. One, Jesus comes for His own, the other, He comes at the end of the tribulation. That will be a time for judgement and a time for the gathering of the elect who are saved from the judgement . More on the elect and who they are later.

1 Thessalonians 4 does not describe, in any measure, some sort of escapist fantasy rapture. No. It's symbolic language that St. Paul used when writing the letter to describe a type of event that the Thessalonians would have been familiar with already, it had existing cultural significance.

The language used by St. Paul is a technical term to describe when an official of the Roman Empire would visit somewhere, the city next to where his ship would come into port would empty out and receive the official in a celebration. Things wouldn't end there though! No, they would then all return, with the official, back into the city to celebrate his coming.

In the same way, when Christ returns we will receive and celebrate his coming, but it's not going to be some kind of disappearance fantasy that those pillocks like Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins concocted. The reality is, upon greeting Christ we will escort him here, as he is the rightful King.

Christ will return and the dead will rise, all on the last day.

 

[ebedmelech]

"For God has NOT appointed us to WRATH, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."
1Thessalonians 5:9

These verses alone provide the proof we need, but, if you require logic, why would our sins be paid by Jesus but still need to be punished in the tribulation? Does not make sense huh?

I don't think so. I will hold that the "wrath" Paul is speaking of is the wrath Jesus brought on Jerusalem/Israel in 70 AD...that's why Paul used the word "us"...he was speaking to the Thessalonian believers of the tribulation they would incur. Their salvation would be realized in the death of many...and we know Paul and Peter were martyred by Nero.

If you will kindly go to verses 1-11 of 1 Thessalonians 5...and take particular note that Paul is using very similar language that Jesus spoke in the Olivet Discourse...you can understand it.

Yet still...futurism ignores that Christ came in judgment on Jerusalem ...and because they don't grasp that...they look to a future judgment, when the only future judgment is that of the "quick and the dead".

We as believers will face tribulation as Romans 5:1-5 points out...we should never forget that those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution...if we dare live for Him, we will be persecuted and we will suffer tribulation...thing is...so many saints are straddling the fence today and want to be politically correct.

We need to check ourselves...

 

[Interplanner]

to bibletruth469
the only rapture paragraphs in t he NT are in THess letters, very early, because of the misunderstanding of what would happen to people who die normally, and because the situation in Israel and half of the ROman empire was going to burst. We don't have those situations any longer. We are well past the DofJ and we know that CHristians die in a normal sense.

JUst re-read them closely and ask: what was paul trying to solve here, and why did th ey have the misunderstandings they had?

 

[iamthelordsforever]

I am sorry that there are so many mistaken Christians out there. New article incoming....

 

[Gnarwhal]

I am sorry that there are so many mistaken Christians out there.

Don't worry, it's never too late, the mistake of believing in a rapture can be remedied.

New article incoming....

No thanks.

 

[iamthelordsforever]

Sorry, led by God, not snide remarks....

 

[ebedmelech]

I am sorry that there are so many mistaken Christians out there. New article incoming....

Are you sure you're not mistaken??? I promise you no one view is 100%...especially futurism.

 

[bibletruth469]

to bibletruth469
the only rapture paragraphs in t he NT are in THess letters, very early, because of the misunderstanding of what would happen to people who die normally, and because the situation in Israel and half of the ROman empire was going to burst. We don't have those situations any longer. We are well past the DofJ and we know that CHristians die in a normal sense.

JUst re-read them closely and ask: what was paul trying to solve here, and why did th ey have the misunderstandings they had?

To understand the bible and prophecy , a person needs to take a literal approach. Yes, the bible is an historic book, however it is also very prophetic . To understand scripture properly, we need to understand certain things.

Literal interpretation -
1) mind of the author
2) historical background
3)context of passage
4) basic rules of grammer

These are some guidelines to follow for true biblical understanding .
The book of revelation for example is full of symbols. Each symbol means something. Scripture interpreters scripture ! Search the scriptures ; it will reveal truth! Look at John 5:39-47

 

[Gnarwhal]

Sorry, led by God, not snide remarks....

How wonderfully sanctimonious of you.

 

[iamthelordsforever]

20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
John 18:20 & 21

 

[iamthelordsforever]

Are you sure you're not mistaken??? I promise you no one view is 100%...especially futurism.

Actually futurism is the only 100%. There has to be a right view and Pretrib is it. You can argue and argue, but, in the end, it will happen the only logical way.

 

[Tzaousios]

Troy?

 

[zeke37]

Actually futurism is the only 100%. There has to be a right view and Pretrib is it. You can argue and argue, but, in the end, it will happen the only logical way.

pretrib is not the only view in futurism
it's the errant one.

 

[zeke37]

Troy?

ohhhh...ok, I won't bother

 

[iamthelordsforever]

Troy? What does that mean?

 

[iamthelordsforever]

My posts are not to cause strife but to inform. So that you are not blameless or ignorant. Fortunately, the sheep are many and the shepherds are few.

 

[lismore]

'
In conclusion, if you are saved, begin reading and researching the Rapture for yourself. It will be the most important event in your life. In Part 2, I will explain the main differing opinions about the timing of the Rapture. Will it be Pre or before the tribulation? Midtribulation? Posttribulation or at the end of the tribulation?

Excellent teaching brother God Bless You

 

[Gnarwhal]

Troy?

Or Jen...

 

[iamthelordsforever]

Excellent teaching brother God Bless You

Thank you very much! It is wonderful to be edified by a brother or sister in Christ. God bless you and I hope to hear more from you.

 

[Tzaousios]

ohhhh...ok, I won't bother

Glad that I was able to save you some invaluable time!

Or Jen...

Same (il)logical ending!