The "Rapture"

Seeker, for me, looking for the rapture, and even if that didn't exist, for the second coming of Christ is what gives me hope for living today. This hope, that things will eventually become fair, and get straightened out by the Almighty himself, helps me to put up with the chaos and confusion and unfairness and even evil that exists in our world today.

I can't say we will have earthly bodies. We will have "new" bodies as you stated. If I combine what little I know of physics, and what experience I have with meditation and vision quests... I am not concerned with exactly what our new bodies will be. I do believe that our energy is not destroyed (neither for those who go separate places eternally.) Energy remains energy, but the form can change. Whatever form we become, I believe there is Scripture to show that we remain recognizable as who we were in this earthly form.

I'm sorry the thread discussed the rapture, but isn't that in the subject line? You know you may change the course of the thread at any time, being the originator. TC!

seeker I have a question that I am totally confused about which for me is not hard to do loo. you said you are a believer right? just curious if you are a believer how can/do you not believe in the rapture? never heard this one before. not debating just curious

Go here, www.preterist.org

Many answers to the futurist views can be found.

Hi, Bebop..
I grew up a Protestant Christian and still retain much of that belief. Rapture was never part of my relligious learning, and I have only learned of in as an outside observer of this philosophy. This does not mean I am an "unbeliever," thoiugh I do see the Rapture as an offshoot of conventional Christian beliefs.
My dad believed in the Rapture, though I look at it with skepticism. Really...who can know?
Patty

I think if you believe in God and the Bible that says it all really. but by you questioning the existance then am I right in thinking you might be open to it?

50s... the preterist believes all the prophecy has been fulfilled already.. ALL of it including the second coming, armaggedon, the new heaven and earth, new world order...and all that is that right?

Hey Seeker...I grew up Methodist also, and never heard anything about the Rapture...but I believe in it...My belief is that there is heaven where we go when we leave this earth...I believe that Jesus went to Paradise, which was the first resting place, before His resurrection...Once he was resurrected into heaven to sit on a throne on the right side of the Father, then man went into heaven...While Jesus was here he said that he was going to heaven to prepare a place for us, where there are many mansions...for me, if he has spent thousands of years preparing that place then it is awesome...in my belief, righteous men who died could not go into heaven until the final sacrifice was made, and that was accomplished when Jesus died on the cross, and was raised on the 3rd day...I believe he is was no longer separated from the father(due to our sin)and once he was resurrected, and neither are we...as for the rapture, I was very skeptical, with all of the pre-trib, post-trib stuff, but then read a really good book about the rapture, and it changed my view of it...It gives me hope...because I trust that God is in control, and my faith in the one who gives me life, abundant life, is mighty and great...I really respect so very much how you are inquisitive about the whole rapture thing...that is what opened the door for me to learn more...take gentle care...

personally...i am greek orthodox...not that that matters...anyway i see it like this....we die....our dead bodies go underground....our souls retreat to a place...no not purgatory...but it is a place...that if you are going to heaven you get a "taste" of what it will be like ...and if your going to hell...you get a "taste" of hell...andwell first people who have always believed in Jesus Christ and are to go to heaven dissappear.....then the AntiChrist comes...and things will happen...its all in Revalations..no need for me to go into it.....and then after all is said and done....The Second coming of Christ comes....and all is well....he and his angels rage war against Satan...and obiviously it says Christ will wipe out Satan no problem. So as for peoples physical bodies rising...think of the people who just...dissappear....so they dont have to deal with the AntiChrist because they have already shown their loyalty to the true God. But then on the other hand seeker is also right....because there are souls there...and we will ultimatly regain new bodies .....so lets say you are both right??? hehe..i tried...

food for thought. what about the idea that while there are only 3 dimensions here, outside of our time... time is completely different? what if while we die at different times here, we reconvene at the same time there? what if? just food for thought.

I guess I think it's a lot of convoluted Judeo-Christian jargon...Not sure I believe in a Heaven and Hell! I think people who have committed sins and crimes have done so, in most cases, because of the environmental/social circumstances into which they were unfortunately born. Will they go to Hell? I guess some people just choose to be evil, but there is also the circumstance thing which propelled people into lives of "sin." I really think much of what we perceive as Hell and damnation has evolved from the Medieval church, and its control over people in that era.
What happens when we die? Really...who can say? I believe we do have a soul or "essence" beyond our physical bodies, and it leaves us...to where I have no clue, but even those who are criminals and "sinners" are transported and enlightened. It could even be a matter of reincarnation.
As for the Rapture, for me, it's too far-fetched, and seems a religious concoction! Sorry if this offends.
Patty

I agree with everything you just said, Patty. But that goes back to the "judging other people" issue and doing so, to me, speaks of a very different moral code than I have. Way too arrogant and dogmatic for my taste.

3 demensions I believe is true. Rapture I'm just not sure anyone has the exact truth to it. Close maybe and Rapture is that word truth?

patty, i agree with you. i've felt this way for years........

i think i crossed posted with someone last time........

xoxox pat

I believe that the highest of powers will one day come. It is written that all will know; will see from north south east and west and will know. Not cuz someone says so.

Sky,
That would be full preterism. Iam a partial preterist in that I believe that most prophicies have been fulfilled with the destruction of the Temple in 70AD, however, we are awaiting the physical return of Christ to set up His Kingdom.
We now live in the spiritual Kingdom of the Holy Ghost within us.

Which faith is "the" faith by the way, Sky?

Just wondering.

Balzac

OT Maybe you would like to begin a new thread on that Balzac, giving what the faith is to you, and all of us can explain what the faith is to us?