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Post by HomeAtLast on Apr 3, 2004 0:26:30 GMT -5
I asked this question on another thread and received no replies to it, yet. I am very curious how my brothers and sisters in Christ who believe in "the rapture" would feel if the tribulation started tomorrow and you had not been raptured up? for example: would you feel that you had misplaced you love and devotion to Jesus? Would you think that the rapture had occurred and you were not included?
I am very curious about this and certainly do not want to argue with anyone or convince anyone of anything.
Blessings to all, Ann
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Post by Jan on Apr 3, 2004 1:04:45 GMT -5
If it started right now, and I was still here on Earth, I would immediately get on my knees, face on the ground, and tell Him I was sooo wrong in not understanding who He really was and is! Repenting of not truly understanding Him and what He did for me I messed up!! ... or I wouldn't have been "left behind" <><
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Post by Nicodemus on Apr 3, 2004 1:11:52 GMT -5
I asked this question on another thread and received no replies to it, yet. I am very curious how my brothers and sisters in Christ who believe in "the rapture" would feel if the tribulation started tomorrow and you had not been raptured up? for example: would you feel that you had misplaced you love and devotion to Jesus? Would you think that the rapture had occurred and you were not included? I am very curious about this and certainly do not want to argue with anyone or convince anyone of anything. Blessings to all, Ann If they are "brothers and sisters in Christ" this would be a non-issue - for all that are sealed of the Holy Spirit will be taken up at the rapture - it doesn't depend on our obedience or lack of it, only our "position" in Christ. But if you are speaking of the "brothers in sisters" in denominations - they will probably be right here posting away until the news hits - then shock, followed by pandemonium - and then acceptance, and then business as usual. Soon after that - if not concurrently with everything else, the strong delusion will overcome them and they will soon be praising the one that will come claiming that he is Christ. They will then take his mark, and ultimately perish without hope. Because they rejected the Gospel when they had the chance. Harsh sentiments, yes; but nontheless true.#nosmileys
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Post by Jan on Apr 3, 2004 1:19:03 GMT -5
I don't believe it would be "business as usual" for those who understand what has happend - I truly believe that many would repent and accept Christ <><
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Post by Nicodemus on Apr 3, 2004 1:25:10 GMT -5
I don't believe it would be "business as usual" for those who understand what has happend - I truly believe that many would repent and accept Christ <>< Assuming that they have not already heard - and rejected - the Gospel. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be d*a*m*n*e*d WHO BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thess. 2:11-12). verse 10 says, "because they received not the love of the truth that they MIGHT be saved. A person that has never heard the Gospel (or understood it) - AND has not suppressed WHAT truth they have - may still be saved.
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Post by Jan on Apr 3, 2004 2:07:13 GMT -5
Could be, but you can't say that one who just heard of the Gospel today and the rapture happens two minutes later, or two days later, would be lost, or do you? <><
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Post by Nicodemus on Apr 3, 2004 2:15:52 GMT -5
Could be, but you can't say that one who just heard of the Gospel today and the rapture happens two minutes later, or two days later, would be lost, or do you? <>< No. I would not believe that. Often times a person needs to hear the Gospel a couple of times before they truly understand it. Understanding is the key. Now, on the other hand - if that person heard the Gospel today - and rejected it with his full intellectual capacity, preferring rather his sinful lifestyle - well, this person could very well enter into the delusion. It isn't that we speak of these things with glee or a sense of joy - because we truly wish that folk would set aside their "religions" today and come to Christ - Who is able to fully and completly forgive and to absolutely save the repentant sinner. But alas, people continue to reject His love and plan. Considering that a person that comes to Christ during the Tribulation must "endure to the end" I would not expect a person that so easily rejected Him in grace to do any better under law.#nosmileys
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Post by Jan on Apr 3, 2004 2:29:41 GMT -5
Absolutely, Nic - I was 42 when I came to know Christ as my Saviour (amost 50 in few months) and I am thankful that His Church was not not fully "built" yet - I know now that He had plans for me since 1995, even though I was a late "bloomer" Amen! <><
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Post by SetFree on Apr 3, 2004 2:43:26 GMT -5
Considering that a person that comes to Christ during the Tribulation must "endure to the end" I would not expect a person that so easily rejected Him in grace to do any better under law. When I read the above statement this scripture came to mind: Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
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Post by SetFree on Apr 3, 2004 3:06:55 GMT -5
I asked this question on another thread and received no replies to it, yet. I am very curious how my brothers and sisters in Christ who believe in "the rapture" would feel if the tribulation started tomorrow and you had not been raptured up? for example: would you feel that you had misplaced you love and devotion to Jesus? Would you think that the rapture had occurred and you were not included? I am very curious about this and certainly do not want to argue with anyone or convince anyone of anything. Blessings to all, Ann I have always been a believer in the rapture coming before tribulation...until end times started to unfold so drastically. I have now been re-reading and praying and asking the Lord for understanding because it appears to me as if I had been taught incorrectly in church. The rapture appears to be the second coming of Christ and the more I read, study and pray...this becomes more clear to me. I do not know everything about scripture but this I do know... Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? I know in whom I believe. amen.
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Post by Nicodemus on Apr 3, 2004 5:30:16 GMT -5
I have always been a believer in the rapture coming before tribulation...until end times started to unfold so drastically. I have now been re-reading and praying and asking the Lord for understanding because it appears to me as if I had been taught incorrectly in church. The rapture appears to be the second coming of Christ and the more I read, study and pray...this becomes more clear to me. I do not know everything about scripture but this I do know... Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? I know in whom I believe. amen. SetFree, Not to argue about end time events, but just as something to consider: If the christians are to endure the Tribulation Period, thereby making it necessary for the church to be here, why would God feel the need to send two witnesses? Wouldn't that be unneccessary if we were all here?
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Post by SonWorshiper on Apr 3, 2004 11:26:07 GMT -5
Good point, Nic! Not only that, but there is absolutely no way the AC will be able to pull off his plans of global deception with The Church still here. Right now, there are just too many Christians in key positions, and with large and loud voices, for him to be able to deceive the world. Now, with The Church taken out of the world, that's a different story.
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Post by HomeAtLast on Apr 3, 2004 11:26:41 GMT -5
What if the tribulation started and no one was raptured......how do you think that would affect you and would it affect you faith?
Blessings, Ann
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Post by Nicodemus on Apr 3, 2004 11:30:24 GMT -5
Ann,
That the tribulation is not for Christians is settled upon pure deduction. Not only are we replete with many verses that promise the child of GOD to be spared from the time of Jacob's trouble, not the least of which is the angels proclamation to Daniel that "seventy weeks are determined upon THY people and upon THY holy city" (Dan. 9:24). Daniel was a Jew and Jerusalem is a Jewish city. The Tribulation is a time for GOD to deal with His covenant people.
We also have the absence of any mention of the church after Revelation 3.
However, another proof that the Tribulation is not for the child of GOD that has been bathed in the crimson flood of the blood, is the Mark of the Beast itself. That the Mark is not for the Christian to fear is clearly seen.
1. The Mark of the Beast is not something a Christian need worry about.
The Mark is the result of a decision to reject CHRIST. One who is in CHRIST has already made his/her decision for eternity. To assume that a Christian can accept this mark is to create a doctrinal position that a Christian can choose hell and negate the death of CHRIST on the cross. This is to suggest that all of the sins that have been nailed to the cross and been put away, covered, and forgiven will be resurrected to once again condemn the child of GOD.
2. The Mark of the Beast is the result of deception.
The only ones that will accept this mark are those that are deceived into believing the lie of the Antichrist. That this is not possible for Christians is clearly seen in II Thessalonians 2:10-12
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be ed who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
-Unbelievers rejected the love of the truth - they despised the Gospel message of Salvation. Christians accepted the love of the truth - and they came to CHRIST to be covered with His blood. Our salvation is the seal of our faith in CHRIST, while the Mark will be the seal of the unbeliever's choice to receive the Antichrist.
-Unbelievers believe a lie - they accept that there are other ways to heaven than through JESUS CHRIST. True believers have received the SAVIOUR and are no longer at risk of hell. Those that take the Mark are only proving that they prefer the broad road that leads to destruction.
-Unbelievers enjoy unrighteousness - for they are going about seeking to establish their own righteousness, which is not of GOD. Believers have put on the righteousness of CHRIST.
3. GOD does not tempt man with evil.
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man" (James 1:13)
It is not in GOD's nature to make a person choose twice when once is sufficient. To tempt a saved man to take the mark is not in the character of GOD. To suggest that GOD will force believers to choose between heaven (which is already theirs) and the mark (which would be to their souls) is a very dangerous heresy.
Many, many verses of Scriptures must be ripped out in order to buy into these ungodly theories. Ephesians and the gift of GOD which is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD is rendered null and void. Paul's instruction to Titus that salvation is not by works of righteousness which we have done is now rendered a lie - for the ultimate good work would be choosing to starve and suffer deprivation rather than to take the Mark.
The problem with error is that it feeds upon itself - but it can not stand the light of truth
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Post by SonWorshiper on Apr 3, 2004 11:31:10 GMT -5
HomeAtLast,
It wouldn't affect my faith at all. Jesus has the words of eternal life. To what would I turn? A sinking, dying, decaying world? I don't think so!
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