Actually, no one but God the Father knows the answer to the question: 'When will the rapture happen?' After the disciples asked it. Jesus answered them by telling them that only His father knew the time, but that there would be signs that would let people know it was approaching.
People who knew Jesus during His earthly ministry expected Him to return during their lifetime because He said that their generation would not pass away before the end. However, two thousand years later, believers are still waiting. Many times people have thought that the time was ripe; they often fasted, prayed, and gathered together on rooftops in anticipation of being 'caught up in the clouds'.
The Bible is our best source of information on this subject. Since the event happens in the future, the prophecies given both in the Old Testament and the New are our only clues. This means, of course, that Christians must 'take it on faith' that the event will happen when the time is right. Those who do not believe the Bible or its prophecies do not believe in the rapture of the church.
There are many different opinions about this world-changing event, even among believers. Some Christians don't give credence to a rapture of the Church. Some ministers think that the end is near, while others don't focus on coming events. There are those who believe they will escape the tribulation, and others who are stockpiling food and other supplies against the impending judgement. The study of the end times is called 'eschatology'.
The idea of the removal of believers before the tribulation starts dates from about 1830, when a popular preacher of the day began to expound this theory. Supposedly it was based on a prophetic vision of a teen-age girl. However, there are differing accounts of the vision and when the preacher began to take this view. The earliest Christian teachers did not deal with this event, as far as scholars know.
The biggest-selling series of books ever are the fictional stories of people 'left behind' after a pretribulation rapture. The main characters are people who come to faith in Jesus after the event and fight against those who follow the antichrist. There are movies made from the series and a companion series written for young adults.
There are many books, sermons, and sites on the internet that cover this subject. Although believers should seek to understand the Bible and the plan of God, they should remember that God tells them to 'occupy until He comes'; in other words, live life fully according to God's instructions and trust Him to handle the things people cannot control.
The end of the world and the return of Jesus is an event that many eagerly await. People today point to frequent earthquakes, strange weather, and 'wars and rumors of war' as signs that the time is near. However, nothing is certain, and the debate goes on.
People who knew Jesus during His earthly ministry expected Him to return during their lifetime because He said that their generation would not pass away before the end. However, two thousand years later, believers are still waiting. Many times people have thought that the time was ripe; they often fasted, prayed, and gathered together on rooftops in anticipation of being 'caught up in the clouds'.
The Bible is our best source of information on this subject. Since the event happens in the future, the prophecies given both in the Old Testament and the New are our only clues. This means, of course, that Christians must 'take it on faith' that the event will happen when the time is right. Those who do not believe the Bible or its prophecies do not believe in the rapture of the church.
There are many different opinions about this world-changing event, even among believers. Some Christians don't give credence to a rapture of the Church. Some ministers think that the end is near, while others don't focus on coming events. There are those who believe they will escape the tribulation, and others who are stockpiling food and other supplies against the impending judgement. The study of the end times is called 'eschatology'.
The idea of the removal of believers before the tribulation starts dates from about 1830, when a popular preacher of the day began to expound this theory. Supposedly it was based on a prophetic vision of a teen-age girl. However, there are differing accounts of the vision and when the preacher began to take this view. The earliest Christian teachers did not deal with this event, as far as scholars know.
The biggest-selling series of books ever are the fictional stories of people 'left behind' after a pretribulation rapture. The main characters are people who come to faith in Jesus after the event and fight against those who follow the antichrist. There are movies made from the series and a companion series written for young adults.
There are many books, sermons, and sites on the internet that cover this subject. Although believers should seek to understand the Bible and the plan of God, they should remember that God tells them to 'occupy until He comes'; in other words, live life fully according to God's instructions and trust Him to handle the things people cannot control.
The end of the world and the return of Jesus is an event that many eagerly await. People today point to frequent earthquakes, strange weather, and 'wars and rumors of war' as signs that the time is near. However, nothing is certain, and the debate goes on.
About the Author:
You can visit www.columbianarestorationchurchofgod.com for more helpful information about Deciding When Will The Rapture Happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment