[angelwings]

I don't know what to believe with regards to 'the rapture'... this is one topic that troubles my young christian mind!


People are often unreasonable, llogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

[TeamManager]

>I don't know what to believe with regards to 'the rapture'...
>this is one topic that troubles my young christian mind!
>
>
>People are often unreasonable, llogical and self-centered.
>Forgive them anyway.

The most important thing is that you know where your eternal destiny lies......the reason for your hope.

[sleeze]

And what I am doing here
>is alerting those who are steadfast in adhering to God's call
>about the very ploy that those sinners have against them.

I'm amazed at the stuff/readings you have. Thank you for excusing my pun… :) I like using the handle in the most simple and contextual manner possible so as to provoke thinking...in simplicity an answer lies... The most common weapon against simplicity is dogma/traditions/rituals twisted both in truth and falsehood, in the end it leaves the mind deficient of any real teaching worthy of grasping……..

I appreciate very much your bringing the whole matter into context.. i.e. the works and in particular the movement of the Jesuit community and this has not gone unnoticed!

The commendation of the brean community you have mentioned emanates principally from their attitude towards bible teachings allowing their own traditional belief system to be challenged by bibilical evidence as presented. This is the right attitude and it beckons that we study scripture thoroughly since we are told that;

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2Timothy 3:16,17).

It is interesting and I will not call it a coincidence that for the second time this week that some one has brought into my attention that the church might have to pass through tribulation. (I’m still trying to search and understand this)

If you think systematically, by understanding the framework of the present church climate (apostate state)…it also becomes interesting also to note that Malachy should articulate this concern. that the last pope or the next one for that matter (Petrus Romanus – Peter the Roman) would be in the tribulation time.. “In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations”

Most Christians adopt the Noah’s Ark principle where salvation/ rapture of the body of believers (Enoch) precedes a cataclysmic/destructive event while another body of believers (Noah and family) pass through this event but still get saved…. I’m myself unsure of the exact placing of Christ’s bride (Present Church).. and hence the timing of the Church’s rapture… but never the less.. rapture as illustrated biblically will take place.. we can take a small hint from the wedding feast example where “many will be invited but few chosen” ..to signify the exclusivity of Christ’s bride (Church) in a major forthcoming event . .many articulate this to be the rapture.. (Luke 12: 36-39). Not that the surprise emphais by scripture so much so the surprise element here..is rooted to the topic and hence urges the calling for a level of critical preparedness of sorts.. this preparedness may possibly not be referring to the world’s witnessing its end and destruction as referred to in Rev 6:13-17b and which goes by the term
”the great day of the Lord” or Judment day/ the end of all things/time…

So clearing there are two mutually exclusive events to consider here… thus the rupture theory…. :)

[biwotmoi]

Eternal is a Life myth.

Man's sole quest in life in HAPPINESS. nothing more nothing less. even when people pray to God, in all instances they are just soliciting for divine help to achieve worldly happiness that is more often than not, elusive. look back at the times you have said a prayer...what were you asking God for? to save your skin when you had gotten into some kind of trouble, for financial breakthroughs, to pass your exams and then what after passing your exams...a home with a white picket fence with a beautiful wife chasing your cute kids around....?

man is so fixated on pursueing happiness that he invents religion as a vehicle of achieving that kind of happiness that cannot be achieved through worldly efforts. listen to people give testimonies of how "they discovered the Lord" and you shall see that it is just a variety of narratives of people either cornered by various earthly afflictions or malleable minds that get impressioned by a strong sermon just like they would by an articulate politician.

the main reason why people follow a religion and i shall limit myself to Christinity which i am most familiar with, is not so that they can live an ethical and fulfilling life here on earth but so that they can be rewarded with everlasting LIFE! just take a moment and think; how many christians would be left on earth if you took away the dangling carrot...if God one day announced that there is not going to be any punishment in hell for sinners!! it is almost as if people have to be scared into believing. our love for happiness is so great that we want to make sure that even after we die, we end up some place that we are going to be happy; forever and ever and the only way to hope for that is through the adherance of a religion that teaches eternal life.

[angelwings]

>>I don't know what to believe with regards to 'the
>rapture'...
>>this is one topic that troubles my young christian mind!
>>
>>
>>People are often unreasonable, llogical and self-centered.
>>Forgive them anyway.
>
>The most important thing is that you know where your eternal
>destiny lies......the reason for your hope.

Sure thing, coz there are so many different theories, i decided to concentrate on what i'm sure of first... btw, i been reading the 'Left Behind series' quite good reading!


People are often unreasonable, llogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

[teejay]

>>>I don't know what to believe with regards to 'the
>>rapture'...
>>>this is one topic that troubles my young christian mind!
>>>
>>>
>>>People are often unreasonable, llogical and self-centered.
>>>Forgive them anyway.
>>
>>The most important thing is that you know where your eternal
>>destiny lies......the reason for your hope.
>
>Sure thing, coz there are so many different theories, i
>decided to concentrate on what i'm sure of first... btw, i
>been reading the 'Left Behind series' quite good reading!

>People are often unreasonable, llogical and self-centered.
>Forgive them anyway.

Angel You know when the Makers of the movie and the book were questioned they actaully tried to excuse themselves by saying it was all fiction. It then became apparent that they were just avoididing biblical accountability. I find that excuse in bad taste.In fact it is rubbish ole garbage! This people apparently dont know that there are sincere christians who are fervently following and accepting their teaching as the absolute truth. It is doign alot of Damage.

It is good that you are reading it(book)so that you can compare it teachings with biblical writs.

[teejay]

>Eternal is a Life myth.

Eternal is a myth created in your mind biwotmoi. As for me eternal is a gift that God wants me to have. And it was granted to me at all cost. His only son had to die to make sure that we have this eternity.

>Man's sole quest in life in HAPPINESS. nothing more nothing
>less. even when people pray to God, in all instances they are
>just soliciting for divine help to achieve worldly happiness
>that is more often than not, elusive. look back at the times
>you have said a prayer...what were you asking God for? to save
>your skin when you had gotten into some kind of trouble, for
>financial breakthroughs, to pass your exams and then what
>after passing your exams...a home with a white picket fence
>with a beautiful wife chasing your cute kids around....?

It is true that man’s sole quest is happiness and that is how God intended for them to live – Happiness. But the entrance of sin marred God’s intent. So now Satan controls this world and we must therefore as Christians seek refuge in God at all time. And more so when trouble knocks for it is easy for one to draw back from God when afflicted. But then our strength to carry on even in such times lies in the Lord. One must therefore read their bibles to understand God’s will for them and why some things happen the way the y do. I gather that many people of today read not their bibles. They depend on what comes from the mouth of their pastors and bishops etc. In so doing they fail to see that these are men capable of fallacy and here is where the church is driven away from God.

>man is so fixated on pursueing happiness that he invents
>religion as a vehicle of achieving that kind of happiness that
>cannot be achieved through worldly efforts. listen to people
>give testimonies of how "they discovered the Lord" and you
>shall see that it is just a variety of narratives of people
>either cornered by various earthly afflictions or malleable
>minds that get impressioned by a strong sermon just like they
>would by an articulate politician.

Nobody as far as Christianity is concerned Created religion. It is as a result of divine pleading that We Christians obey and rally behind the divine having being convicted and realized that our sins only increase the proximity between us and the Lord our creator. If a person gives a testimony it is because s/he is witnessing. This is one form of evangelism. If you go through your bible in the epistles (Paul’s letters to the apostles and their Activities) you will find powerful testimonies about them. And thorough these testimonies they won more people unto Christ. The bible itself is a witness the Old Testament being one and the New Testament being another. If one does not believe in what these witnesses say then nothing will help these skeptics. It may be well of you also to note that in this world there is no peace and only when we turn to God whom our ancient parents had Long ago rebelled from then we shall find true rest and peace. Christ is the mediator between our world and God.

>the main reason why people follow a religion and i shall limit
>myself to Christinity which i am most familiar with, is not so
>that they can live an ethical and fulfilling life here on
>earth but so that they can be rewarded with everlasting LIFE!
>just take a moment and think; how many christians would be
>left on earth if you took away the dangling carrot...if God
>one day announced that there is not going to be any punishment
>in hell for sinners!! it is almost as if people have to be
>scared into believing. our love for happiness is so great that
>we want to make sure that even after we die, we end up some
>place that we are going to be happy; forever and ever and the
>only way to hope for that is through the adherance of a
>religion that teaches eternal life.

Well you call it the carrot I call it, The divine ultimate gift. Eternity which was God’s designation for Man since the beginning. It is this that God wants all of us to get. He want to all to go there(Paradise) and get this life. A life that subdues death. That is why He wants his message of divine Love to Go everywhere to all the people of this earth so that none can is left an attended by God’s pleading.

One thing am Glad of is that God is not you. He is faithful and can never think like you at any one time. What he has promised He will pour out to those who truly serve him. He knows the hypocrites among his flock and when time comes He shall separate the two groups and remain with those that are worthy of his gift. Those of us who adhere to Christ’s message know that He is the way the truth, the life and resurrection and without his death for us our earthly sojourn is but in vain. So don’t think religion think of true religion- Christ. Then only will you be at peace with Him who beckons for our attention everyday so that ye may receive life abundantly. Religion without Christ is vain worship.