I have known about the Rapture of the church for my whole life it seems. I can remember coming into the house when I was just a little kid (7 or 8) and being afraid that I had missed the Rapture because I couldn't find my mother right away.
Oddly enough, I somehow pictured the rapture to be a square platform with a cable attached to each corner and then each cable on the other end gathered together. Odd I know.
I have a question: If the enormous crowd in Revelation chapter 7 is a multitude of people rescued from the great tribulation, presumably for not taking the mark of the beast (which is typically what most Evangelicals believe and which is not depicted until Rev. 13), then who is the group mentioned in Revelation 15:2 who are specifically noted as the ones who were victorious over the beast, his image, and the number of his name? Are we really expecting a crowd that can't be counted to come out of the great tribulation as we have traditionally defined it (i.e., those who are beheaded for not taking the mark)?
Another interesting thought about traditional evangelical prophecy interpretation and what the Bible seems to say literally is the term "great tribulation." Normally, pre-trib preachers and teachers group the entire seven year period under the rubric of the great tribulation, when in fact, the great tribulation is a time of great distress that will come upon the world at the time of the abomination of desolation (3 1/2 years into the seven year "tribulation" period).
Anybody still with me?
Trying...lol. I think your son's thesis paper is on this topic? Will I see any of your influence? Actually, I heard Beth Moore do a teaching on Daniel where she does talk about the Great Tribulation happening 3.5 yrs into the 'Tribulation.' Very good teaching, I thought.
ReplyDeleteIs this where I plea the fifth k80?
ReplyDeleteAll I can say secret rapture is What?
ReplyDeleteCould these be the people that were left behind? when the rapture takes place and lets say my loved ones are not saved, I (people)vanish before their eyes, will these left behind then realize that there was truth in what the bible said? Almost a second chance to believe?
ReplyDeleteScott, I believe the Rev 15 verse you mentioned could possibly be accounted with a "pre-wrath" Rapture stance(rather than a pre-Trib Rapture). God's people are not subject to the pouring of God's wrath signified in the "Bowls", but we may experience the world in the beginning of the A.C's troublemaking. Of course it's just a theory, and I hope with all that the pre-Trib people are right :D Whatever God allows us to endure, He is faithful to cover us with His grace.
ReplyDeleteSo in Rev. chapter 20 vs 4-5 describe the souls of them that were persecuted during the tribulation? Them that did not receive the mark of the beast on their forehead and their hands will live with Christ 1000 years.
ReplyDeleteTraditionally, we understand those who fit this category to be those who missed the Rapture but endured thru the trib and are redeemed.
ReplyDeleteThis verse doesn't say that they will live with Him but REIGN with Him. Pretty awesome.
Bottom line: a fresh reading of all of the texts on prophecy needs to be done.
To REIGN with Him would be awesome but I don't know about you I can"t even get my kids to clean their rooms now.
ReplyDeleteHa! Ha!
ReplyDelete