The Rapture is imminent?

[Garand Hunter]

When the Almighty says its time, go bring them into my presence, then and only then, how soon, ? I say the number coming in to the church.....hasn't yet reached the number HE is looking for, not what we want. Looks close.....but not yet.

Psalm 1

[bruss01]

Many pastors on YouTube said that the Rapture should happen during the Jewish High Holidays, especially the Feast of Trumpets.

Leviticus 23:23-25 talks about celebrating during the Festival of Trumpets (the Jewish are encouraged to celebrate). Notice "23" as in our current year, 20-23.

The Feast (or Festival) of Trumpets will end on September 17, 2023 at nightfall which is at 7:07 PM in Jerusalem. Keep in mind, the number "7" is one of God's favorite numbers.

1 Thess. 4:16 "For the LORD himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God..."

Friday, September 15th at sundown is the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets, at the same time a new moon will appear.

Well, we will see what happens in September. God bless you all.

I did a lot of eschatology (end times) study in my youth.

For decades I was a believer in the "rapture" and that it would be followed by a Great Tribulation.

I heard arguments both for and against the "rapture" doctrine, so I've seen all the verses and heard all the best arguments on both sides.

At this late date, I am putting less weight on what is said by men, and more weight on what I can see in the world around me.

I am seeing a lot of evidence that I believe points toward a Tribulation of some sort (Great or otherwise) shaping up. I believe we will see a Great Tribulation (or something indistinguishable from our vantage point) in our lifetime - probably within 20 years.

If there is a pre-tribulation "rapture", it'll be a pleasant surprise. But I think anyone who is counting on it, relying on it... is engaged in more wishful thinking than I choose to rely upon.

People do not want to contemplate facing the great hardships such a tribulation would bring. They also do not want to have to face a test of their faith, such as resisting until death (the scriptures cite that many "saints" will be slain for their faith in the GT). Most people would not even stand up to the very recent test of their faith, and received an indelible and irreversible "medical treatment" because they were threatened with not being able to go on vacation or keep their job. You can say "that wasn't the Mark" but to the vast majority of folks, it wouldn't have mattered if it was. Harsh truth, when people are told their central bank digital currency doesn't work to buy anything, anywhere, unless they capitulate and take it, they'll be lining up for it and castigating those who won't do the "responsible thing" to fight "disease", "terror", "crime", yada yada and calling them simpletons and being GLAD that those who won't are forced become digital outcasts in a society that intends to starve them out, refuse medical treatment, refuse shelter and basically every necessity of life. When the Mark does come, it will be marketed/packaged in much the same way, along with similar threats and promises, and the ones that folded before (unless they have had an awakening of some kind) will line right up for it, just as they did before. Their faith in the ones making the threats and offering the promises will be greater than their spiritual faith in that with which they believe themselves to be aligned, and their actions & choices will speak much more forcibly than the words they mouth (or type in online forums). Sadly, I think a lot of folks are mistaking what they think they believe with what they really believe, which is a lot easier pit to fall into than most of us realize... a crucial distinction that is frequently only realized when called upon to make a hard choice with real consequences. A lot of folks don't want to face that sort of harsh truth and real test, and believing in a "rapture" allows them to not worry about it and not have to prepare themselves for it. Which I have come to believe, is a mistake, an error, and a delusion of wishful thinking.

If I am wrong in this, which I may well be, then there really is no consequence that I can't easily shoulder. But if the rapture doctrine turns out to be the mistake, how many will end up finding themselves in a bad situation that they are totally unprepared for, when they were counting on the rapture to be the spiritual version of Calgon bath suds, whisking them away from all this unpleasantness.

"Calgon, take me away!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJsFvLBdOi0

[Kokopelli]

If there is a pre-tribulation "rapture", it'll be a pleasant surprise. But I think anyone who is counting on it, relying on it... is engaged in more wishful thinking than I choose to rely upon.

In Revelation Chapters 1-3, Jesus is addressing the age of the church.

Revelation 3:10 -
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Chapter 4 begins with, "After this." After what? After the church age. The church is never mentioned again throught the tribulation described in the rest of Revelation.

[bruss01]

In Revelation Chapters 1-3, Jesus is addressing the age of the church.



Chapter 4 begins with, "After this." After what? After the church age. The church is never mentioned again throught the tribulation described in the rest of Revelation.

As mentioned, I've heard all the arguments before. Someone trying to get people to believe in the "rapture" concept will cite the verse here as you have.

Someone arguing against that point, will say "Let's zoom out just a bit and see WHO that promise is being made to:

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

They will say that it is the Church in Philadelphia to whom this promise is made, and arguably, kept.

I don't have a problem with what scripture says. My issue is with people who try to make it mean one thing or another by cherry-picking or by deciding what context to set it in. In this case I can see reasonable people making claims on both sides of "what does this mean, who is being promised" etc etc.

What it boils down to for me, is not who is correct here, but rather, what does it cost me if one is wrong, and I believe them, vs the other? That's why I say I look less at what men like you and I are saying the scripture means, and more at what the course of events in the world around me is telling me about what the scripture means. I guess that boils down to saying "talk is cheap" and experience is expensive. I think that anyone who looks at it from that viewpoint will have to agree that a rapture, if it happens, is a nice bonus... but doesn't sound like something you want to bet on happening for certain. Why? Because of the down-side if that turns out to be mistaken.

Of course, the same can be said of nearly any spiritual belief... what if you and I are both wrong, and the Hare Krishna's got it right? Or the Hindu's or any of a hundred other world religions with millions of believers in their own faiths? So where does that leave us? To follow our own inner light, I suppose.

It's not my intention to criticize anyone for their belief. By all means, if that's your belief, I wish you the best with it, and (for the record) I hope you are right. But I do have concerns over whether you've considered, what if you are mistaken. I have re-evaluated my own position on the matter, and this is where that led me.

[kayaker]

I remember being in church in the early 60's and the preacher was telling us that the rapture was imminent then. Turns out that the rapture has been imminent for over 2,000 years.

[Garand Hunter]

Ditto Kokopelli ! Chapter 4 and on is after the Church age.

Psalm 1

[bohoki]

i am a bit confused how it is supposed to work the second coming and the rapture and the tribulation the beast/anti-christ

jesus said he would come back and it must be before the rapture because otherwise it wouldnt make sense for jesus to come back and say hi to all the heathens

[Barang]

^^^
Rapture is only for believers.

Tribulation is God pouring out His wrath on earth for the wicked people.

Second Coming is for the whole world to see to set up His 1,000 years reign.

[bohoki]

^^^
Rapture is only for believers.

Tribulation is God pouring out His wrath on earth for the wicked people.

Second Coming is for the whole world to see to set up His 1,000 years reign.

wait so people will be unraptured down to earth

if every believer is raptured there wont be any christians left for him to reign with

[Barang]

wait so people will be unraptured down to earth

His Second Coming will include the christians that will be raptured up.

if every believer is raptured there wont be any christians left for him to reign with

consider the verses below. two witnesses and the 144,000 Godly people in tribulation, the wishy-washy christians and those who love the world more than God.

1 Timothy 4:1 nkjv
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 Timothy 4:3-4 nkjv
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Revelation 3:10 nkjv
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 11:3 nkjv
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.?

[ZapThyCat]

Regardless of what happens with a "rapture" or tribulation, it sure does seem like something major is going to be happening in the fall, especially September.

But we'll see.

[eta34]

September? Why?

[Featureless]

John 15: 18-25 .........."A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me they will also persecute you."

Mark 13: 9-13 .........But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings, for my sake, to bear witness before them.........And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given to you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit"

So we will not escape, we will be put to the test. But we will also be filled with the strength of the Holy Spirit [if we keep our faith]

[The Gleam]

No.

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[Sailormilan2]

As believers we should live as if Lord Jesus will come back tomorrow. Personally i feel we have less than 20 years max.


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You plan your life as if He is never going to come. You live your life as if He is coming tomorrow.