|
|
|
|
The RAPTURE of the CHURCH !!! by John Roy Bohlen & John 5:30
THE DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE!
Until less than 150 years ago, the "Doctrine of the Rapture" of the Church was virtually unknown and untaught. The word "rapture" is not found in the Bible. Apparently, a couple of single spinster sister ladies came up with the idea, over in Europe. The study of the End-Times is known as "eschatology". There are several points of view among those who call themselves Christians, although sometimes these differing points of view are shared in a most un-christ-like way. Let's define some terms, as a means of clarity: Eschatology: The study of the End-Times, and End Time events Rapture- the "catching away of the Church" into heaven. Millennial - having to do with what many perceive to be a 1000 year reign of Christ with His saints here on earth, prior to the final defeat of the devil and the anti-christ and their forces, prior to eternity. Pre-millennial - having to do with the idea that Jesus is coming back for His Church before the 1000 year reign. Post-millennial - meaning that Jesus is coming for His Church after the 1000 year reign takes place. A-millennial - means that the Kingdom of God will be established gradually, that the world will get better and better, and that, essentially, there will be no sudden catastrophe, and, perhaps no millennium at all. Restoration Theology: The idea that the Christ in us is so great, that He will become greater and greater in us, and eventually take over the world and establish His Kingdom through us. Dispensational: The idea that down through history, God has dealt with people at different times in different ways, and that the rules of relating with God changed dramatically from one section (or dispensation) of history to another. Roughly speaking, these dispensations go: 1. The Garden of Eden - the ideal time before the fall 2. Before the Flood - when people did what was right in their own eyes 3. From the Flood until Abraham: when people operated under the Covenant of Noah. 4. From Abraham until Moses: The Covenant of Abraham 5. From Moses until Christ: The Covenant of Moses 6. During the ministry of Jesus, until the Day of Pentecost 7. The Church Age until the Rapture 8. The Great Tribulation 9. The Millennium 10. Eternity. The Great Tribulation: A period of 7 years when the devil and anti-christ rules, along with the beast, during which time people will be forced to take the Mark of the Beast The Mark of the Beast: A special mark, 666 or something, that people will be forced to take, a credit card number or something, in order for people to be able to buy or sell, or be martyred, but if one takes it, they will be damned. Kind of like being forced to sell your soul in order to stay alive. This mark is to be given on the forehead and/or the hand. Some believe that it will be an embedded computer chip or tattoo. Pre-Tribulation Rapture: That the rapture will take place before the tribulation of 7 years, which would mean that Christians will not have to go through the Tribulation. Mid-Tribulation Rapture: That the rapture will take place during the middle of the tribulation of 7 years. Post-Tribulation Rapture: That the rapture will take place after the tribulation of 7 years. Pan-Theology: The idea that if a person walks really closely and intimately with the Lord, that everything will "Pan" out all right in the End. This mentality follows the idea that if we "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, that all of these things will be added unto us.", and that if we "delight ourselves in Yahweh Father God that He will give us the desires of our heart.". and that if we focus on the fulfillment of the Great Commission, that, Lo, Christ will be with us always. The idea is shared that one can have the right doctrine with a wrong heart attitude, a wrong relationship with God, and be left out; as opposed to one who has a sweet relationship with the Lord, but does not have the End Times figured out, but will be taken care of by the Lord, because one is His friend, and is abiding in Him. Mosaic or Composite of Truth: The story is told of 5 blind men from India, each of whom were asked to stand in a circle and describe an elephant. Here were their respective reports: 1st blind man: "Like a rope." Upon feeling it's tail. 2nd blind man: "Like a wall." Upon feeling it's side 3rd blind man: "Like a pointy spear." Upon feeling it's tusk. 4th blind man: "Like a large leaf." Upon feeling it's ear. 5th blind man: "Like a big snake." Upon feeling it's trunk. Each man was sure, positive, totally convinced of their description, to the point that they were willing to defend their description with their lives and reputations. Each was convinced that the other's perception was wrong, to the point where friendships were ruined, and hatred fighting, and murder resulted. The "Eclectic" Approach: That approach that draws from the Big Picture, from all of the Scriptures embraced by every theological perspective, that takes the Scriptures as a whole, and refuses to throw out or reason away or ignore ANY Scripture, as if these Scriptures may be part of the End times "mosaic of truth" that makes up the Big Picture. With the first coming of Christ, try to imagine that there were theologians, star gazers, priests, levites, sadducees, etc., who were arguing about the first coming of Christ. There were, for example, certain Scriptures that said that Christ would be coming out of Nazareth, other Scriptures that said that Jesus would be coming out of Egypt, and, still other Scriptures that said that Christ would be coming out of Bethlehem. Can you picture these people standing around in the Temple, arguing fiercely about their particular Scriptures? So, today, there are those who pick Scriptures that seem to support a particular bias, so like the five blind men from India, choose the idea that is most appealing to them and insist that their point of view is the correct one. This eclectic approach would recommend that one live before God in such a way as to be prepared in case of an imminent rapture, or to be about the business of fulfilling the Great Commission as though the Second Coming of Christ depended upon it, but to also be prepared for martyrdom or tribulation of the worst kind. Many of those who have tunnel-visioned themselves into believing in the any-moment rupture, have done so purely because they have an escapist mentality that wants the easy way out. If, in reality, these were called upon to lay down their lives for the cause of Christ,
QUESTIONS: Who is the Ancient of Days spoken of in Daniel 7? Who is the Man-child spoken of in Revelation 12? Who is the Woman spoken of in Revelation 12? Who are "the rest of her children" spoken of in Revelation 12? Who is the "Joel's Army" spoken of in Joel 2? Who are the "Overcomers" referred to in the Book of Revelation.
Only registered users can write comments. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
||
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
