A Thought about The Rapture

Hello my friends.

Being a driver I sometimes find myself with a lot of time on my hands to sit and think. It was during one of these moments that this thought crossed my mind.

Now keep in mind I am far from being a religious person, so the fact that this even entered my mind is a bit unusual to say the least.

I was thinking about the rapture. Now if I understand it right in a nutshell that is, there will basically be a judgment day and all the righteous people will just suddenly disappear from where ever they may be at the time or from whatever they are doing.

So I got to thinking about that and the proverb, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Somehow that sounds a bit contradictory. My thought on it would be more like, what if it is the bad people that get rapture'd and taken away? Wouldn't that make more sense? I mean why leave a perfectly good planet to fools? There is so much heavenly beauty here on the this little gem of a planet if you consider some of the wonders of nature etc.. It would also explain how the meek might inherit as well.

Think about it. There are places in this world where people do actually get along with each other wonderfully.There is no hate or worries about someone causing harm to another.

I dont want to be long winded about this. Just throwing a thought out here is all, but I really think this could be a wonderful world if the bad guys left instead of the good guys, lol to put it in a nutshell. Maybe this is all ready out little slice of heaven, it is just cloudy with all the negative influences that surround us. I know when I saw the grand canyon for the first time, I felt a little closer to God and or Heaven. I know when I spend time in the woods,or dive in the ocean, the feeling is the same. So maybe, just maybe....someone got the story backwards???

*note:I put this here because I figure the Rapture is a from of prediction

Originally posted by onehuman
So maybe, just maybe....someone got the story backwards???

The result is the same even in reverse. The "good guys" become separated from the "bad guys".

The idea of "the rapture" is bizarre, sick and sadistic. It's the religious equivalent of snuff porn.

I see the rapture as Jesus taking his people out of the world before the start of the Tribulation. Like when God put Noah and family on the ark, or pulled Lot and his family out of Sodom. Those not saved go through the tribulation and great tribulation as God tries to get their attention. The remaining peoples all over all over the world then make their choice between God and Satan.

I'm not a Dispensationalist, which is where the notion of Rapture comes from, so I might have a few of the details mixed up, but here's a sort of "play by play" of the End Times (by that notion).

1) The Rapture - believers are taken up and brought to where ever believers who have died are (arguments about whether, as mortals, they die or disappear are out there.)
2) The Tribulation - evil runs amok, the plagues spoken of in Revelation are rained down on the Earth (arguments about whether this is 3 1/2 years or 7 years are out there)
3) Christ returns, ends the evil and there is the final judgement and resurrection in the body of all believers, who become the sole inhabitants of the New Earth

There are a bunch of different views -- some believe that the Rapture happens in the middle of the Tribulation, some at the beginning. Some believe that Christ's return heralds a 1,000 year reign of peace, followed by Armageddon, others see Armageddon happening within the Tribulation, etc, etc, etc. Lots of opinions, probably none of them right on the mark.

But the bottom line is that the fairly universal Christian view is that the ultimate destination is a New Earth, restored to the original pre-fall (of Adam) state, not a spiritual existence in heaven, because of the whole "resurrection of the body" part. So you're sort of right -- the naughty people will be taken away, and the faithful will be left on Earth, you've just got the order wrong.

reply to post by onehuman


Hey dude! Loved your post! I actually am a Christian so maybe I can give you a bit of perspective from my side being a believer in the rapture. So I am sure you know what happens when all true believers in Christ are raptured from the Earth. The reason why the "bad people" (in your words) are not raptured is because everyone on Earth has had more than 2,000 years to get right with Christ. To repent. To accept him into their hearts. The world is not as peachy cream as you might think it is. I am absolutely sure without-a-doubt there are communities and cities where people are as tight-knit and moral and good as they were 50 years ago. But there's alot more immoral and sinful people than there small communities. What you said about there being beautiful and gem-spots of Earth, why would we leave it? Well, I want to tell you right now that Earth compared to the Heavenly kingdom is practically NOTHING. Some spots of Earth that we deem so beautiful and immaculate are but a taste of what is in Heaven. I've read several accounts of NDEs and people that have had dreams and visions given to them by Jesus Christ about what Heaven is like and it is nothing like the movies. I would say that everything good and righteous and beautiful and makes people happy or love on Earth is what is in Heaven x1M. Landscaped and perfected rolling hills and green grass that never dies or turns brown. Flowers of various shape and size that glow with radiance and some even crystallized. Mountains upon beautiful mountains with snow peaks. Crystal-clear almost-glass type beaches and rivers. It's extremely beautiful. And alot of the people that have these experiences say as soon as they left their body and went toward Heaven, Earth seemed so dirty and perverse compared to where they were. So I would say we have YET to see the best of the best. We might look at somewhere like this.



And think it is absolutely breathtaking and no place better on Earth. And your probably right. That doesn't mean there isn't in another dimension and in Christs' kingdom! Remember, he created that island and everything else on Earth. Ponder it. If he can create all this on Earth, don't you think his own dwelling place is 1Mx better than what we have here?! Lol. So yeah, I absolute see where your coming from. But Earth is only a taste of the real beauty. Yes, I love the blue skies and blue waters and mountains I have seen. But I also love Christ. The people on this planet are increasingly getting worse and no one wants to come to him. It seems all over the planet the name of Jesus Christ brings hatred and anger. There's so much sin abounding. What used to be considered completely wrong and taboo just 50 years ago is now accepted as normal and right. What kind of crap is that?!

When Jesus raptures his bride (the church), Earth will NO LONGER be as beautiful as you think. Because what happens is the holy spirits leaves the Earth with us. And then Satan is given rule over the entire Earth. He will come in the form of a man attempting to give world peace and be a world leader. He will lead everyone to a one-world government and religion. But the catch side is, his demons also come with him. They are released from outer darkness and will be allowed to attack all the people that are left on Earth. The veil of being blinded toward the spirit world will be lifted and many will literally see the demons and some will still not. But they will attack them anyways. The earth will become desolate and unimaginably horrible place. The sky and water will probably never be blue. Most likely, everything will be grey, dreary, and evil. What was once green, will probably be brown colored, dry, and dead. Oceans of course are going to be poisoned eventually by the star Wormwood. A worldwide earthquake will hit the earth one of those days and even more catatrosphe and deaths will ensue. That earthquake will probably cause the whole earth to tilt it's axis. And I have read visions from people that have seen that as well. I mean, hey, this is the huge price many will pay. Fortunately, all of us who are alive right now have the opportunity to accept him as savior and don't have to experience any of this!

Reply to post by sonofliberty1776

There is no rapture.

Noah had to endure the flood, with God's help.

Israel had to live through the 10 plagued, with God's help.

Jesus had to endure the cross.

Lot had to wander the wilderness, but had God's help.

None of the Biblical peoples were removed to complete safety. They were instead, put in a position that tested their faith I'm God.

Howard sad is it that Yeshua suffered for you, but you want to take the easy way.

It is not going to happen. All must endure tribulations and a walk in the wilderness.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

OP, I like the idea of a "reverse rapture", and...depending on what group you subscribe to, it may be considered as such already

The thing that drives me crazy about rapture talk is no one can ever provide any actual scripture from the Bible relating to any real rapture.

The rapture is not mentioned directly in the Bible. It is the result of a scottish girls vision in the 19th century coupled with a relatively vague passage from the Bible regarding the saints getting caught up in the air to meet the Messiah just prior to the final battle of Armageddon. One take: many souls will get "raptured" (vaporized) if and when nuclear war breaks sometime in the future (2017-30). But those of you waiting to get "raptured" will be disappointed. All will undergo at least the first half of the Tribulation (and many will be martyred).

reply to post by onehuman


Cortesy of your friendly neighborhood Rob Brezsny

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," says the Bible. That doesn't mean what most people think it does. The word translated as "meek" is the Greek word praus, which in ancient times didn't mean "weak-willed, passive, mild." Rather, it referred to great power that was under rigorous control. For example, soldiers' warhorses were considered praus. They heeded the commands of their riders, but were fierce warriors that fought with tireless fervor.
www.villagevoice.com...

Originally posted by Lemon.Fresh
Reply to post by sonofliberty1776

 

There is no rapture.

Noah had to endure the flood, with God's help.

Israel had to live through the 10 plagued, with God's help.

Jesus had to endure the cross.

Lot had to wander the wilderness, but had God's help.

None of the Biblical peoples were removed to complete safety. They were instead, put in a position that tested their faith I'm God.

Howard sad is it that Yeshua suffered for you, but you want to take the easy way.

It is not going to happen. All must endure tribulations and a walk in the wilderness.

 

Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

 

As a matter of fact, some believe the "rapture" doctrine is the so-called "end time delusion" spoken of in

2 Thessalonians 2
Geneva Bible Translation

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie
gsb.biblecommenter.com...

There is no rapture.

God says there is.

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Noah had to endure the flood, with God's help.

Noah did not endure the flood. If he endured it, that would imply he was INSIDE the waters and enduring the flood attempting to survive. Noah and his family escaped the flood and were kept on the boat. And they were completely safe and secure.

The Bible mentions that in the last days it would be as in the days of Noah.

1 Thessalonians 4:17
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

God said in the last days (which we are in!!) it would be just like in the days of Noah. How could be like in the days of Noah when according to you most of us in the world will be in tribulation? Who's going to be given in marriage when marriage rates are at the lowest levels in more than 100 years? In the tribulation, we would be trying to survive day by day. Under tyrannical rule of Satan, we couldn't even purchase regular food at the grocery store because that would require us to take his mark. Most of the world will be turmoil from damaged crops and poverty and earthquake destruction. So who's going to be eating and drinking when there is going to be so many famines and pestilences not only in various places but all over the Earth?! Not to mention guillotines cutting off Christian's heads! Marriage will be the last things on people's minds.

Israel had to live through the 10 plagued, with God's help.

The 10 plagues were judgments on the Egyptians. And it was because of the Pharaoh!! Not Israel!!

Jesus had to endure the cross.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins! He did not HAVE to do anything for us! He CHOOSE to do it. So that we could live! Do you not understand that he could have easily just asked God to take him from Earth?! It was THAT easy. He was God's son. He was curing people of blindness, leprosy, and all other kinds of illnesses. I'm pretty sure he could have been transported to Heaven and left the people on Earth behind with no qualms about it. But he cared about us and loved us unconditionally so much he choose to do it.

Lot had to wander the wilderness, but had God's help.

Lot escaped the wrath of God from Sodom and Gomorrah. Lets take a look at Luke!

Luke 17:26
"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all." "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed."

Later on he goes on to say

Luke 17:34
I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.

Taken?! Christ not only says that in the last days, it will be as in the days of Noah! But he also says some will be taken and the other left!! WOW!! And Jesus mentions this taking away again!!

Matthew 24:41-42
Two shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord does come.

We don't know the day or hour before the Lord returns?! But surely this cannot be because he clearly tells us the exact day he is coming?!

Joel 2:31
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Two seperate events!! The rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ!!

None of the Biblical peoples were removed to complete safety. They were instead, put in a position that tested their faith I'm God.

Excuse me?! Noah escaped the flood because he had faith in God already! I mean, really, he was building that ark for more than 80 years! If he didn't have enough faith in God, I am sure he would have quit after 10. Lot was personally visited by angels so that he escaped the wrath of God from Sodom and Gomorrah. And I KNOW you won't try to refute the fact that Enoch and Elijah were both literally raptured from the Earth.

Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire as seen by the prophet Elisha.

2 Kings 2:11
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

WOW!!! I guess it's impossible to be spared from tribulation huh?!!

Howard sad is it that Yeshua suffered for you, but you want to take the easy way.

I don't want to take the easy way. The easy way was provided to me by Christ. Grace through faith. I don't think you understand that he died so we wouldn't have to. He did all the suffering for humanity on that cross.

It is not going to happen. All must endure tribulations and a walk in the wilderness.

I'm going to go back to Thessalonians with you.

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The rapture mentioned a second time!

1 Corinthians 15:51
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

How are we suppose to be alive to meet Christ in the air when clearly were suppose to go through tribulation and be martyred? How could death be swallowed up in victory if we are suppose to die?!

Jesus also said here

Mark 9:1
And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

But I thought you said we would have to die?! After all, humans die at a certain point in life. Jesus clearly says otherwise!

Matthew 24:42
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night

2 Peter 3:10
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

Now the Lord says we cannot know the day nor the hour of his return. He says he will come as a thief in the night and many will be unaware. But if the church goes through the tribulation, how could he come as a thief when he tells us once again to the day when he is coming?!

Joel 2:31
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Two separate and distinct events. The rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ. Case closed.

Here's what I don't get if this Rapture is real and possible.

Why should I forego my belief that there is NO Jesus, NO God and that all of man made religion such as Christianity, Islam etc is bogus and phony just to be "saved" from pain and depair on a dying planet?

Why does Rapture and Bible speak talk of only those who believe in Jesus Christ and have him as their "saviour" will be "spared" when there are good people from all other religions and good people who don't believe in religion at all?

Because I've lived a fairly isolated and pious life (though admittedly not through my own decision to do so), do I still have to suffer because I did not and will not accept Jesus into my life?

The rapture will be when the aliens arrive to evacuate before Nibaru causes extinction of life.
The meek shall inherit the earth, nothing says that those in the rapture wont return.

Originally posted by Lunartik
The rapture will be when the aliens arrive to evacuate before Nibaru causes extinction of life.
The meek shall inherit the earth, nothing says that those in the rapture wont return.

That's the thing, despite the far out nature of such theories, something tells me there's at least a little truth to it.

People have dreamt and had visions through meditation that all show that exact thing and all seem a piece of a very large puzzle.

Considering Christianity and its Creationism is wrong and way off the mark, who's to say that this Rapture also hasn't been misinterpreted by believers in that particular man made religion?

reply to post by adjensen

I am ignorant but it does say :
Matthew 24:
verse 29: Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened and moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
versE 30: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth
mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

It would appear that tribulation might be occuring while men and women are doing their usual earthly tasks etc..
but I am not sure. Just be careful...I have heard that even some high up church officials do not really believe
everything in the bible..not sure so don't quote me..I like the King James version..the newer ones SOME say
are missing exact wording of the King James version.

Example: In Job 21, 10th verse it says:
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

I think, don't quote me, other versions of the bible may leave the word gendereth out of the text..and IF in
biblical history the word gendereth indicates that the male determines the sex of the offspring, then
the NEW VERSION IS WRONG AND THEY HAD BACK THEN THIS BIOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE.

Originally posted by curious7
Here's what I don't get if this Rapture is real and possible.

Why should I forego my belief that there is NO Jesus, NO God and that all of man made religion such as Christianity, Islam etc is bogus and phony just to be "saved" from pain and depair on a dying planet?

Why does Rapture and Bible speak talk of only those who believe in Jesus Christ and have him as their "saviour" will be "spared" when there are good people from all other religions and good people who don't believe in religion at all?

Because I've lived a fairly isolated and pious life (though admittedly not through my own decision to do so), do I still have to suffer because I did not and will not accept Jesus into my life?

No offense but there are thousands of these supposedly "good people" in Hell. People that act good on the outside and we see as good, are probably not as good on the inside and to God's eyes. I learned that real quick having an atheist friend a year ago. I thought she was the sweetest person I ever met. Very much into nature. Wouldn't hurt a fly. Calm and cool personality. Until she talks about God. She had a project with her satanist best friend about rock-n-roll. Go figure. They were talking about how Christian parents told the kids in the 50s how evil rock was and you should have seen her face. She was scoffing and rolling her eyes and doing all these things in the midst of a whole class that was Christian. Because we all were. She didn't care to respect our religious beliefs because in her mind, we were all crazy. And she was totally off the wall from how she usually is. She sweet demeanor changed and she had a smug smile on her face describing how 50s evanglical parents were concerned. And I thought it was so ridiculous and ignorant of her to completely dismiss the fact that as soon as rock was came into play, young people started having pre-marital sex, drugs use rised, STDs were beginning to come into motion, and they took God and prayer out of school, everything went down hill. That is exactly what I'm talking about. That's why I don't believe anyone when they say they are a good person or lived a good life but have yet to accept Jesus as their savior. Because these same people will go on Atheist websites and forums and completely talk trash about Christians and Jesus Christ with no qualms about it. They will believe in mother nature and UFOs, but will deny the Lord and blaspheme his name in the same day. So I definitely don't believe ANYONE that claims to be a good person but has no belief in Christ. They do not go together.

To answer your question, yes, only true believing Christians will be raptured. NOT ALL CHRISTIANS though! But yes, MILLIONS of people from other beliefs and faiths including worldly Christians will be left behind for 7 years on Earth to be under the rule of Satan. Ever since Christ died, we've had more than 2,000 years to get right. There will NO EXCUSE for anyone left on Earth. From what I know, the gospel has been preached in virtually all the nations of the Earth. The only thing left to do is publish the Bible in the versions of their languages. And so far, there is only about 12 more languages it's going to be published in. The Bible says when Jesus returns, it's going to be just as in the days of Noah. In the days of Noah, EVERYONE perished and only Noah and his family was saved. What does that tell you?! Billions of people on Earth will be left! And then and ONLY then will they know that Jesus was the only way to eternal life. It's sad, but what are going to do? Most people on Earth love their sins too much to come to Christ. And unfortunately, many pay everyday when they die and find out that they are in Hell. Getting left behind, although tragic, will be a sort of a blessing. Because your given ONE LAST CHANCE to get right with Christ. The people in Hell are there for an ETERNITY!! So think about how getting left behind is the last chance for God to get your attention and come to him.

Now fortunately for everyone living and breathing on this Earth, there is STILL time to avoid ALL OF THIS and come to Heaven and join in on the feast of the marriage of the lambs in Heaven! It is so simple to go there!! All you have to do is believe in your heart and confess with your mouth Jesus is the son of God and that he died on the cross for your sins! It's that simple!! Also confess all your sins to him and ask for forgiveness and you will be saved for an eternity!! People make that so hard and it really isn't!! Being a Christian is not about religion or being religious. It's about having a relationship with God pure and simple!

Originally posted by curious7

Being a Christian is not about religion or being religious. It's about having a relationship with God pure and simple!

So I am curious and must ask. If I find solace in Gods tree and choose to talk to it, or the wild life in my yard, or the mountain I may be standing on, am I not having a relationship with God, if my heart feels sincere in that manner? If my heart knows this is right for me, isn't that what important to God? I don't understand why it must have a label and directions to follow. Afterall, God gave me the tune of my drum,I think it would be insulting to say the least to not follow it. Actually, I feel fortunate that I recognize the beat of my drum for many go through life trying to dance to other peoples drum beat. Sad really.....

reply to post by onehuman


Onehuman,

To me, the rapture, as spelled out in the biblical cannon, refers to the upcoming ascesion, or the transition from the third density to the fourth density. In late 2012, those whose hearts are orientated to service to others will leave this physical plane and enter the fourth density, inhereting the 'new' earth. Those who still have lessons to learn here will remain for some time, and it will be close to half of the population that will ascend at first. This relates to verses in the Bible, such as Luke 17:34-35 ("Two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; the one will be taken, and the other left.") Chapter 17 also tells us that in order to prepare for this ascension, we should not think to go back into our homes to get our material goods. One of the cheif lessons of fourth-density reality is to overcome the physical. In order to evolve spiritually, we must first learn that we are not our bodies, and that attachment to material things impedes our progress. I have had very vivid dreams and visions of this new earth. Please feel free to comment on what I have written here or ask me any questions.

Light and Insight!

reply to post by curious7


What I have to say on this subject may seem somewhat controversial, at the very least, espically coming form a Christian. It is my belief that one need not believe that Jesus lived, or that there is a God in Heaven, in order to be 'saved.' We will be judged by the contents of our hearts and how we treat each other. There are many people in the world who do not conform to any type of organized religion, but who nonetheless are loving, thoughtful, kind, and generally want what's best for everyone. There is no way that these people will be punished because they spent their Sunday mornings eating late breakfasts with their families, or cheering on their favourite NFL team. Jesus is a Saviour, beacuse he teaches us by example how to live in harmony with one another and how to cultivate our potential as human beings. I believe what Christianity is really saying on this matter is that if you live like Jesus asks us to live, whether or not you believe he actually lived on this planet in physical form, you will inherit the earth.

Light and Insight!

You may think this earth is great,i bet the place the saints get taken too is even better.