What is this all about? Why should I care? Can I have your stuff?

This may help:

http://tinyurl.com/cnupg 

you should care because according to a lot of bumper stickers, there's going to be some serious traffic problems if this rapture thing actually takes place.

I like the ideal of a song better.

No......and I'm willing to bet my soul that I am right.

Ditto, TV. I'm willing to bet your soul that I'm right.

I believe in Jesus Christ.

hmmm, the song brings up an interesting question. if the song were to play in a vehicle with a bumper sticker that reads, "In case of RAPTURE, this vehicle will become unmanned," does that person then forfeit control of the vehicle?

c'mon, i know you guys have seen those bumper stickers. a couple of you probably have one.

Good for you Country. I thought this was about the Rapture.

I thought you were a former minister of some sort or another. Are you here to tell us we're wrong if we do? Why does it matter?

Heather

You are right Buckwheat, it is about the Rapture. Sorry for mentioning Jesus in a thread about the Rapture, won't happen again.

Hey Country, sorry, I was just being an ass. My point was that all that believe in Jesus don't necessarily believe in the Rapture. Where, specifically, does the new test. go into the Rapture?

That was kinda my point as well. In reading your thread I began thinking through theology class pinpointing my real belief of the rapture in my heart of hearts. Not what I've been taught to believe in church but, what I really do believe. I began typing and all that came out after " I believe" was Jesus Christ.

I wish I had more understanding in subjects such as "The Rapture" but to be honest right now " I believe in Jesus" and am waiting for the rest to come if it ever does.

Country

It is a good question. It is part of the mythology. No one even knows for sure who wrote the book of Revelation, except that he refers to himself as John. Was it a vision borne of hunger and sickness, or was it Divinely inspired? Don't know. Do I believe in it as a possibility. Sure, God can do whatever He wants to. Do I believe in it as a probability? Don't know. Ask me again if it happens.

Heather

Where in the book of Revelation does it go into the Rapture?

The bible doesn't say the word Rapture anywhere in it. (I'm trusting that you already know that) The word rapture means "to be called up". Depending on your "pre-trib" "post-trib" beliefs the rapture is understood as when those who follow Christ will no longer be in the battle that is being fought with those who rejected Christ's place in their life.

its revelation chapter 4, verse 1. "come up hither"

Personally, I think that the Council of Trent royally messed up when they canonized the books that they did. They included too much hooey. They also should have made everyone read the books in the original Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic or Latin. Toooooo much is distorted when translations occur.

I actually think that most believe that it is in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. I guess one can read anything they want into many of the biblical verses. Deriving prophesy from the bible is like deriving prophesy from the New York Times. It can be done, but it doesn’t mean that it is the word of God.

As a lifetime committed Christian I believe every word of the teachings about the rapture, and am eagerly looking for it. I believe this way, not because of what a church says, but because of what the scriptures plainly teach. I've read the bible completely through myself more times than I can remember,as well as much other material. The bible teaches of this event from early in the Old Testament, all the way through the bible. Virtually every book refers to it over and over. Although I don't agree with the actions of many "Christians", when they judge others, are unkind and rude, and condemn you if you don't believe exactly like they do, this doesn't change what the scriptures teach about what is going to happen. Jesus Christ came once, and He is definitely coming again. Before this, all true believers in Christ will leave this world in an event that has come to be called the rapture. And I enjoy cigars! Christ didn't say one word about the evil of cigars, He did say much about love, understanding, caring, not judging others, gossip, not being holier than thou, and not applying for God's job. So many churches spend way more time on their rules than the teachings of the Lord. But don't let that turn you away from the God who loves you, and wants to save you from the destruction that is coming. Some refuse to listen and believe it, and He said this would be so - but everyone will believe it, one second after it occurs.