Hello- I am new here but not to hearing sermons on here. I would like to ask anyone who wants to respond this question. Do you believe Jesus true followers will ALL be taken in the rapture...whether or not they are living in harmony with Christ? Like if one is backslidden but became a child of God - do you believe thye will be taken in the rapture? Thanks. I have my own thoughts but will wait until you share yours. Thank you!
Hello- I am new here but not to hearing sermons on here.Hi Welcome, thats great you have been hearing the sermons on here! :-D and I am glad you have chosen to participate on the forums. Please next time try to post the topic in the right place, the 'rapture' topic could have be placed in the Doctrines of the Bible or Scriptural Debates for example. Thats just an idea for next for you ;-) Do you believe Jesus true followers will ALL be taken in the rapture...whether or not they are living in harmony with Christ?First of all, I really don't agree with the idea of a secret rapture. I believe that Jesus will come once bring back the saints to heaven and to Judge the world. I think it's quite simple: either we are in Christ or not in Christ. Either we are living for Him or for ourselves. 'He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.' We should be living in holiness in light of the coming of Christ. The real question is do you know God not just know about Him. For he comes to just those who 'do not know God' and 'who do not obey the Gospel'.2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (niv) - and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.2 Peter 3:11-14 (niv) - Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
I do believe in a 'rapture' if that is what you want to call it. I like to think of it as a taking away. I do not think it will be a secret thing. Jesus will come as He left (Acts 1:9-11).I also think it is a simple thing. God's word doesn't make it difficult for me. 1 Thes. 4:16-18.Hebrews 9:28 makes it clear also that He will appear a second time for salvation to those who eagerly await Him. A backslider is not eagerly awaiting Him. A backslider in heart is filled with their own ways not God's.May we all be eagerly awaiting His return and loving His return.Mike
I think it's quite simple: either we are in Christ or not in Christ. Either we are living for Him or for ourselves. 'He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.' We should be living in holiness in light of the coming of ChristThat's so good. It says it all. Who cares if there is a rapture or not. We cannot live by that. I know when i believed in a rapture- as the rest of Christendom- I was very lukewarm. I believed what all the books (Left Behind, etc...) said.I guess I even figured that if I happened to "miss" the rapture because of some sin, then I'd still have a second chance- even though it would be alot harder. But still , it was "try to be pretty good and hope that I'd be raptured- or at second best- go through the tribulation and then God would still have mercy on me when I really was "forced" to live for Him".There is something about believing that we won't just fly away someday that makes you live every day as righteous as possible. Because then there are no second chances. He could come back tomorrow - who knows and everything as we know it would be destroyed. I sure want to make sure I'm living as I should right this moment.Just some thoughts. Again, if I'm wrong, then great- but it has made me change the way I live my life. :-)
I know when i believed in a rapture- as the rest of Christendom- I was very lukewarm. I believed what all the books (Left Behind, etc...) said.I guess I even figured that if I happened to "miss" the rapture because of some sin, then I'd still have a second chance- even though it would be alot harder. But still , it was "try to be pretty good and hope that I'd be raptured- or at second best- go through the tribulation and then God would still have mercy on me when I really was "forced" to live for Him".Chanin, when I was a young Christian I glibly accepted the pre-tribulation rapture theory also, it was the only thing that was really taught to me. I felt also like you that somedays if the rapture happened I wouldn't be a part of it and be forced to make it up to God in the tribulation period. God has shown me that there is no secret swooping away the saints, but there is a distinct event of Christ's coming back which the whole world will be aware of at once.I am living for Christ everyday and I want to be able to look up with confidence when Christ comes back (lift up my head):Luke 21:28 (niv) - When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.Redeem us from this earth Lord, we thank you for your continual work of redemption IN your saints!
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