Difference between revisions of "Rapture"
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The '''Rapture''' (first proposed by the [[United Kingdom|British]] preacher John Nelson Darby in the mid-19th century) is believed by some Christians to be an event that will take place sometime in the future. The theory of the rapture is derived from the [[Bible]], specifically, but not limited to, the [[book of Revelation]], the last book of the Bible. The belief is that [[Jesus]] will return to earth, gather up the believers, and then return to Heaven with the Church.<ref>1 Thessalonians 4:13-18</ref> | The '''Rapture''' (first proposed by the [[United Kingdom|British]] preacher John Nelson Darby in the mid-19th century) is believed by some Christians to be an event that will take place sometime in the future. The theory of the rapture is derived from the [[Bible]], specifically, but not limited to, the [[book of Revelation]], the last book of the Bible. The belief is that [[Jesus]] will return to earth, gather up the believers, and then return to Heaven with the Church.<ref>1 Thessalonians 4:13-18</ref> | ||
| − | Some evangelical commentators suggest that the following events need to occur for the Rapture to take place: | + | Some evangelical commentators {{who says}} suggest that the following events need to occur for the Rapture to take place: |
* The countries of the world must have the same currency. | * The countries of the world must have the same currency. | ||
* Peace in [[Israel]]<ref>Ezekiel 38</ref> | * Peace in [[Israel]]<ref>Ezekiel 38</ref> | ||
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Once these conditions have been met, and a [[red heifer]] has been sacrificed in the [[Temple of Solomon]], [[Jesus]] will rise once again to wipe away the sinful world and reward all the faithful.{{fact}} | Once these conditions have been met, and a [[red heifer]] has been sacrificed in the [[Temple of Solomon]], [[Jesus]] will rise once again to wipe away the sinful world and reward all the faithful.{{fact}} | ||
| − | There is some debate in such circles over whether the Rapture will occur before, during or after the reign of the [[Antichrist]], but the original reference by St [[Paul]] that "we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" at I Thessalonians 4:17 clearly dates it to the time of the [[Second Coming]], and does not suggest in any way that it will result in Christians being spared in advance the horrors of the [[Last Times]], as is sometimes proposed. Matthew 24:29- | + | There is some debate in such circles over whether the Rapture will occur before, during or after the reign of the [[Antichrist]], but the original reference by St [[Paul]] that "we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" at I Thessalonians 4:17 clearly dates it to the time of the [[Second Coming]], and does not suggest in any way that it will result in Christians being spared in advance the horrors of the [[Last Times]], as is sometimes proposed. Matthew 24:29-35 seems to favor the post-tribulation position, however: |
| + | |||
| + | {{Bible quote|Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 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. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.|book=Matthew|chap=24|verses=29-35|version=KJV}} | ||
Revision as of 02:03, July 8, 2007
The Rapture (first proposed by the British preacher John Nelson Darby in the mid-19th century) is believed by some Christians to be an event that will take place sometime in the future. The theory of the rapture is derived from the Bible, specifically, but not limited to, the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. The belief is that Jesus will return to earth, gather up the believers, and then return to Heaven with the Church.[1]
Some evangelical commentators [Who says?] suggest that the following events need to occur for the Rapture to take place:
- The countries of the world must have the same currency.
- Peace in Israel[2]
- One World Government, like the Revelation's 7th beast.
- Jerusalem must rebuild the Jewish temple.
- The Jewish people must control Israel.
- The Antichrist must be walking the earth in human form.
The website 'Rapture Ready'[3] maintains an index of how close we are claimed to be to the Rapture.
Once these conditions have been met, and a red heifer has been sacrificed in the Temple of Solomon, Jesus will rise once again to wipe away the sinful world and reward all the faithful.[Citation Needed]
There is some debate in such circles over whether the Rapture will occur before, during or after the reign of the Antichrist, but the original reference by St Paul that "we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" at I Thessalonians 4:17 clearly dates it to the time of the Second Coming, and does not suggest in any way that it will result in Christians being spared in advance the horrors of the Last Times, as is sometimes proposed. Matthew 24:29-35 seems to favor the post-tribulation position, however:
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 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. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:29-35 (KJV)
References
Sources
- Armstrong, K., The Battle for God (Harper Perennial, 2000)
- Cruden, A., Complete Concordance to the Old and New Testaments (Lutterworth, 1930)
- The Holy Bible (King James Version)
- The New English Bible (Oxford & Cambridge University Presses, 1970)
- The New Jerusalem Bible (Darton, Longman & Todd, 1990)
- Peake, A.S., Commentary on the Bible (Nelson, 1962)
- Young, R., Analytical Concordance to the Holy Bible (Lutterworth, 1939)