The Rapture Event

[Webers.Home]

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FAQ: Supposing I don't believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. Will I be left
behind if perchance it turns out to be true?

REPLY: Well; it appears to me that the only prerequisite to being taken up is
that people be "in Jesus" a.k.a. "in Christ" (1Thess 4:14-17) In other words:
there is some information in the Bible that's nice to know but not essential to
one's safety.

* I kinda suspect that when many of us get to Heaven we'll be whisked off
to a sort of Bible camp where all our errors will be corrected and all the
blanks filled in so that when we're released into general population there
won't be any arguments.
_

 

[Webers.Home]

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To the best of my knowledge to date; Jesus is on track to return to Jerusalem
seven years after the rapture and of course everyone unified with him will return
too. Well; I for one plan on taking some time off to visit all the sights I missed
this time around.

For example, the only foreign country I've ever been to is Mexico and even
then just the border towns of Tijuana and Tecate so I have a lot to catch up
on; that's if anything is left. It appears to me from accounts in the book of
Revelation that the world will undergo catastrophic damage during the
interim between the rapture and when the Lord gets back so I may be in for
some disappointment on a few fronts.

But what the hay; at least I won't be on the wrong side of things with that
myriad of lost souls down below who have nothing to look forward to except
the great white throne event depicted by Rev 20:11-15.

Oh! and another thing; according to Matt 26:29, Luke 22:15-16, and Luke
22:28-30, folks who make the cut for the Lord's kingdom will be able to dine
upon ordinary foods and beverages. Just imagine the pleasure of touring the
world and tasting samples of cuisine in every culture on earth; and in perfect
safety too because according to Isa 2:4 there won't be any war zones to
worry about.

Yippy Yiyo Ky-yay!
_

 

[randyk]

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The Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13)

It's commonly supposed that the five unwise girls were faulted for not
bringing along enough oil for their light sources. That may be true, but I
rather suspect that their mistake was scarcely related to the oil and mostly
related to abandoning their posts.

Had they stuck to their guns (so to speak) they could've joined the
procession along with everyone else. They may have endured a measure of
chagrin for letting their lamps go out, but at least they wouldn't miss the
party.

In other words; they let something relatively minor distract their attention
from something far more important; sort of like Nero concerning himself
with trifles while Rome was on fire all 'round the city.

● Matt 25:10-12 . . While they were on their way to buy the oil, the
bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the
wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. Sir!
Sir! --they said-- Open the door for us! But he replied: I tell you the truth, I
don't know you.

The thing is: while the entrance was open, the general public was welcome
to come on in and join the celebration, but once the door was shut and
festivities commenced, late arrivals were permitted inside only if they were
the bridegroom's friends; which emphasizes that the invitation, though
generous, offered a limited window of opportunity which if missed, was lost
forever.

NOTE: It's commonly proposed the oil in the parable of the Ten Virgins
relates to the Holy Spirit, but had the five girls returned with the Holy Spirit,
the groom would've readily allowed them entrance because the Spirit is
depicted in the Bible as a credential validating one's inclusion in Christ's
family circle. (Rom 8:9, 2Cor 1:21-22, Eph 1:13-14, Eph 4:30)
_

Although what you say is true I don't personally think the parable was set up that way. It appears to be set up so that the 5 virgins were *required* to bring oil, and of necessity had to go out and buy more, since it was running out for them. This may seem nonsensical, so I could be wrong.

But I do think that the "oil" can be compared to the Holy Spirit, although that is not directly identified in the parable. It had to do with the need to have sufficient measure of something. And I think that best relates to the difference between the New Covenand and the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant runs out, but the New Covenant doesn't.

It seems to have been Jesus' way of saying that in order to get access to the wedding, a transition has to be made beyond the Law, requiring mercy to get through the door. In the New Covenant, it is the Holy Spirit given by Jesus that guarantees Eternal Life, as opposed to temporary application of God's Spirit under the Law, which never can get past the condemnation of sin unto death.

The Holy Spirit had not yet been given under the New Covenant, but this parable demonstrates the need for oil that doesn't run out, conveying the sense of a miracle, perhaps, such as the widow at Zarephath given by the prophet Eliajah (1 Kings 17) to have oil that does not run out. It is reflective, I think, of the OT need for eternal mercy, which in the NT is Christ's Grace.

 

[Webers.Home]

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The US Navy's SEAL school is deliberately designed to fail students.

In a similar manner, Jesus' parables were deliberately constructed to be
difficult to interpret.

● Matt 13:10-12 . .The disciples came to him and asked: Why do you speak
to the people in parables? He replied: The knowledge of the secrets of the
kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

One of the problems that Jesus had to cope with was indifference. Quite a
few of the people he encountered during his journeys were not all that
interested in understanding his teaching and preaching. His parables were
useful for culling the runts from the herd, so to speak; for example:

● John 6:66-69 . . From that time many of His disciples went back and
walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Do you also want
to go away? But Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? You
have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that
You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Peter hadn't a clue what Jesus was talking about in a large portion of the 6th
chapter of John, but he wasn't deterred. One thing we have so say about
Peter: he knew a golden opportunity when he saw one whereas many of his
countrymen didn't.
_

 

[Psalm1]

I'm not sure what your concern here is? The parable is given in the context of Israel while she was still under the Law. At that time, Israel was not yet the "Bride," but only servant-maids of God. They were to be awaiting the coming of Messiah, who would betroth Israel to God forever, as opposed to an endless series of national failures and deportations.

It is significant that only 50% of the servant women were able to properly prepare for the coming of the Groom. Israel, at the time, was in the "Valley of Decision," either adopting a continual fire in their soul, ie the Gospel, or depending on only a temporary moral code, namely the Law.

That "insignificant" dynamic from heaven is reinforced twice almost in the same breath.
Jesus himself used it.
In Matt 24 half are taken.
In Matt 25 half are taken just a few sentences later.
Jesus confirms his word to minimize misinterpretation.
The Bible says "let my word be confirmed in two or three Witnesses".
So my friend I'm afraid you're stuck with trying to find some group where half are Taken/half left behind.
I can tell you right now there's only one group that fits the "half are taken/left".
Concerning the parable of the 10 virgins, the bride is Gentile which is Illustrated in the Book of Ruth, Ruth being the bride and Naomi being the inheritor of the land. Naomi is given the child or offspring between Boaz (Jesus), and his Gentile bride the church. I think part of the problem here is your starting place.

only the pre-trib Rapture Doctrine incorporates Romans 9, 10, 11.
Without that understanding that the Jews have been blinded for a season and then brought back in, it gets totally into error and the next step is to not understand what the tribulation period is for. Those two erroneous starting places go hand in hand. When we actually get the correct starting place we understand the Gentile Church gathered and the times of the Gentiles ending, as Jesus proclaimed.
then God turning his attention to his Wayward wife (the Covenant Israel). That is what you're actually seeing, in scripture, but I know it totally goes against what you've been taught.

 

[Psalm1]

Although what you say is true I don't personally think the parable was set up that way. It appears to be set up so that the 5 virgins were *required* to bring oil, and of necessity had to go out and buy more, since it was running out for them. This may seem nonsensical, so I could be wrong.

But I do think that the "oil" can be compared to the Holy Spirit, although that is not directly identified in the parable. It had to do with the need to have sufficient measure of something. And I think that best relates to the difference between the New Covenand and the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant runs out, but the New Covenant doesn't.

It seems to have been Jesus' way of saying that in order to get access to the wedding, a transition has to be made beyond the Law, requiring mercy to get through the door. In the New Covenant, it is the Holy Spirit given by Jesus that guarantees Eternal Life, as opposed to temporary application of God's Spirit under the Law, which never can get past the condemnation of sin unto death.

The Holy Spirit had not yet been given under the New Covenant, but this parable demonstrates the need for oil that doesn't run out, conveying the sense of a miracle, perhaps, such as the widow at Zarephath given by the prophet Eliajah (1 Kings 17) to have oil that does not run out. It is reflective, I think, of the OT need for eternal mercy, which in the NT is Christ's Grace.

OT saints were not VIRGINS.
NOT pure, set aside, OR undefiled. ( They were NOT born again believers), or virgins
Born again believers, (virgins), ALONE have that transformation

That is why it was necessary that Jesus descend into the lower parts or paradise and Hades where they were located.
It was necessary that he preached the gospel to those people and that they in turn receive him as Lord master and savior.
All the saints that died before the New Covenant, had not been purchased, the price had not been paid.
Do a study on the wayward wife.
It is strictly OT.
WHY? Because the analogy of "wife" is COVENANT.
ALREADY EXISTING covenant, nut the wife is rebellious and goes awhoring.

The NT is BRIDE. Espoused to her groom.
Do a study on it.

Plus ask yourself why ONLY PRETRIBS bring all these facts to the table.
All others NEED it to be different.

This thing goes really deep.
It fits like a basket weave.

If the concept and Truth of the Bride, verses the Wayward wife, and the concept of the Jew and the Gentile, and God's purpose in the tribulation, and the concept of Romans 9, 10, 11. ,Is finally put on the table, Plus the fact that Jesus said, "Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles to the times of the Gentiles is completed".
Then we connect the dots with the book of Ruth.
it is beyond clear and Vivid that the church is the Gentile bride and that Naomi is The covenant jew that comes in later.
If you look at the two examples in the Old Testament of the Wayward wife they are taken out of bad circumstances they're taken out of bondage and sin.

It is just so uncanny how absolutely Vivid this is portrayed, but only pre-tribbers catch any of it

 

[Psalm1]

.
The Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13)

It's commonly supposed that the five unwise girls were faulted for not
bringing along enough oil for their light sources. That may be true, but I
rather suspect that their mistake was scarcely related to the oil and mostly
related to abandoning their posts.

Had they stuck to their guns (so to speak) they could've joined the
procession along with everyone else. They may have endured a measure of
chagrin for letting their lamps go out, but at least they wouldn't miss the
party.

In other words; they let something relatively minor distract their attention
from something far more important; sort of like Nero concerning himself
with trifles while Rome was on fire all 'round the city.

● Matt 25:10-12 . . While they were on their way to buy the oil, the
bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the
wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. Sir!
Sir! --they said-- Open the door for us! But he replied: I tell you the truth, I
don't know you.

The thing is: while the entrance was open, the general public was welcome
to come on in and join the celebration, but once the door was shut and
festivities commenced, late arrivals were permitted inside only if they were
the bridegroom's friends; which emphasizes that the invitation, though
generous, offered a limited window of opportunity which if missed, was lost
forever.

NOTE: It's commonly proposed the oil in the parable of the Ten Virgins
relates to the Holy Spirit, but had the five girls returned with the Holy Spirit,
the groom would've readily allowed them entrance because the Spirit is
depicted in the Bible as a credential validating one's inclusion in Christ's
family circle. (Rom 8:9, 2Cor 1:21-22, Eph 1:13-14, Eph 4:30)
_

I think what's going on is somebody's trying to make this a either/or dynamic and it's not that at all. It's like the children we're all waiting at the bus stop for the school bus. Of the 10 children five had forgotten their homework so they went back home to get it. While they were away the bus came and took the wise children that had their homework.
Why did they miss the bus?
was it the homework ,or was it that they were at their house? That argument is not "either /or", it is both

 

[Psalm1]

It results in a millennium of the LORD's peaceful rule if the ones taken (out of the way) are the wicked.

no possible way.
Never has , and never will ne half earths population saved or half lost.
That concept is a grand canyon leap.
Not even remotely possible.
It is a group where half are ready, half are not.
Only fits pretrib rapture where even those left are saints.
Nothing else fits.

 

[Psalm1]

He's coming to evict the wicked from His presence. They will be given one last chance to attempt to 'regain' dominion after the millennium when the dragon is released and gathers them against the King of heaven and earth. But, of course, we know, as scripture tells us, that this attempt results in failure.

Rev 19 PRECEDES the mil.
The harvest of earth has been COMPLETLY finished.
Even the Jewish gathering of rev 14 has been completed.
All pre mil.
The gwtj is at the end of the mil where both good and evil people are resurrected.
That is the lof judgement.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Rev 19 PRECEDES the mil.
The harvest of earth has been COMPLETLY finished.
Even the Jewish gathering of rev 14 has been completed.
All pre mil.
The gwtj is at the end of the mil where both good and evil people are resurrected.
That is the lof judgement.

He's referring to Rev 20

 

[Mem]

Rev 19 PRECEDES the mil.
The harvest of earth has been COMPLETLY finished.
Even the Jewish gathering of rev 14 has been completed.
All pre mil.
The gwtj is at the end of the mil where both good and evil people are resurrected.
That is the lof judgement.

I'll be at the first resurrection, which one are you planning to be at?

 

[randyk]

That "insignificant" dynamic from heaven is reinforced twice almost in the same breath.
Jesus himself used it.
In Matt 24 half are taken.
In Matt 25 half are taken just a few sentences later.
Jesus confirms his word to minimize misinterpretation.
The Bible says "let my word be confirmed in two or three Witnesses".
So my friend I'm afraid you're stuck with trying to find some group where half are Taken/half left behind.
I can tell you right now there's only one group that fits the "half are taken/left".
Concerning the parable of the 10 virgins, the bride is Gentile which is Illustrated in the Book of Ruth, Ruth being the bride and Naomi being the inheritor of the land. Naomi is given the child or offspring between Boaz (Jesus), and his Gentile bride the church. I think part of the problem here is your starting place.

only the pre-trib Rapture Doctrine incorporates Romans 9, 10, 11.
Without that understanding that the Jews have been blinded for a season and then brought back in, it gets totally into error and the next step is to not understand what the tribulation period is for. Those two erroneous starting places go hand in hand. When we actually get the correct starting place we understand the Gentile Church gathered and the times of the Gentiles ending, as Jesus proclaimed.
then God turning his attention to his Wayward wife (the Covenant Israel). That is what you're actually seeing, in scripture, but I know it totally goes against what you've been taught.

I wasns't taught my Postrib belief, except perhaps indirectly. I was raised up in the Lutheran Church, which is fixed on Covenant Theology. or Amillennialism.

I became Postrib when I memorized 2 Thessalonians, and recognized it was explicitly teaching Postrib. You are quite wrong that I was tuaght this. At the time I had become a Pretribulationist, because all of my friends wee Pretribulationists. I was compelled, by Paul's message in 2 Thessalonaisn to disbelieve my friends and to accept the apostle's message, not to expect Christ to return for his Church until the Antichrist appears 1st. Then Christ comes to defeat him and to rescue the Church. This is the explicit message of the letter of 2 Thessalonians.

On the other hand, you have in fact been *taught* Pretribism. This Dispensationalist view did not exist in the Church for 1800 years! Nobody had believed in it--not even those who for countless generations had read the Bible through and through, never seeing such teaching and therefore never teaching it.

Pretrib, or Dispensationalism, is the product of John N. Darby, who was in the process of reviving Premillennialism, after centuries of Amill teaching. I share his belief in Premill, and I congratulate him for it, in some ways. But in several ways, Dispensationalism misses the mark, in my view. And I certainly wish he had not added Pretribism to the mix!

The 50-50 formula, referenced above, may have been the biblical way of expressing a choice, yes or no. Moses had been led to establish two mountains to show Israel that they could either be blessed or cursed, depending on what they did with the requirements of the Law.

Since we are apparently fixed in our beliefs, there's no sense arguing it. But we do share a belief in Futurism, Israel's national Salvation, and Premillennialism. Thanks.

 

[randyk]

OT saints were not VIRGINS.
NOT pure, set aside, OR undefiled. ( They were NOT born again believers), or virgins
Born again believers, (virgins), ALONE have that transformation

Are you basing this assertion on explicit biblical teaching, or by drawing conclusions based on inexplicit biblical teachings? The Law forgave sins, as surely as the NT forgives sins. The only difference is that OT forgiveness lacked the capacity to grant eternal life. You could, I should think, be a "virgin" temporarily, ie until one sinned again?

That is why it was necessary that Jesus descend into the lower parts or paradise and Hades where they were located.
It was necessary that he preached the gospel to those people and that they in turn receive him as Lord master and savior.
All the saints that died before the New Covenant, had not been purchased, the price had not been paid.
Do a study on the wayward wife.
It is strictly OT.
WHY? Because the analogy of "wife" is COVENANT.
ALREADY EXISTING covenant, nut the wife is rebellious and goes awhoring.

NT saints can be just as "wayward" as ancient Israel was under the Law! Read the 7 letters to the churches in Asia in the book of Revelation! Read Paul's letters to the Corinthians!

The NT is BRIDE. Espoused to her groom.
Do a study on it.

I was the one who just shared this reality with you!

Plus ask yourself why ONLY PRETRIBS bring all these facts to the table.
All others NEED it to be different.

Why don't *you* to a study on "Covenant Theology?" I don't adhere to that particular school, but it contains all that you are claiming doeesn't exist outside of Dispensationalism.

it is beyond clear and Vivid that the church is the Gentile bride and that Naomi is The covenant jew that comes in later.
If you look at the two examples in the Old Testament of the Wayward wife they are taken out of bad circumstances they're taken out of bondage and sin.

It is just so uncanny how absolutely Vivid this is portrayed, but only pre-tribbers catch any of it

Nobody here is denying that the international Church is the Bride of Christ! What i deny is your division of Israel from the Church when the reality is that only the *nation* of Israel is currently lost, whereas a remnant of Jews remain within the fold.

When Christ returns I believe he will restore not just a few Jews, but the whole nation to the place of national blessing. Israel will become a Christian nation in the Millennium.

Dispensationalism is unbiblical, and the product of John N. Darby. Why didn't Bible teachers find this teaching in the Bible for 1800 years? It was because it just wasn't there!

The parable we refer to was given to Israel while it was under the Law. Therefore, I believe its terms and symbols should apply within that particular context, at best applying to the Gentile Church only after the fact by way of extension or principle. Take care....

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

When Christ returns I believe he will restore not just a few Jews, but the whole nation to the place of national blessing. Israel will become a Christian nation in the Millennium.

Yeah because it will be filled to the brim with resurrected saints

 

[Blain]

Matt 24.29 Immediately after the distress of those days
‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

I mean no offence to my brothers who are Dispensational and Pretribulational, because that is what I once was, as well, and that is the position of my church. But I have to advance what I believe--not what others believe.

So respectfully, I do not see an imminent Rapture here, ie belief that Christ could come "at any time." I do not see Jesus calling upon us to expect him imminently, that we should continually expect that he can come at any moment.

Rather, I see here Jesus put our gaze on a future event that will end the present age, when he will come again to gather up, through his angels, his people who have been waiting for him and living for him. We are called to look for him, and in this way curb our ungodly ways and determine to live godly lives in expectation that he will judge the whole world by his righteousness.

Our anticipation of his coming, therefore, determines how we live. And this is to be the kind of expectation we are to have, even as we await his coming to terminate the present ungodly age.

It is said that in the above reference there is no evidence of a "Rapture" event. Well, that may be because the Bible does not refer to Christ's Coming, to gather his saints, as a "Rapture." Rather, it is here referred to as a gathering by angels at the sound of a trumpet.

On the other hand, Paul describes this event as a "Rapture," not calling the event that name, but describing it as such. When we are gathered, we do not rise of our own accord, but are rather, "seized" by angels, to deliver us by the powers of heaven, and not by our own strength or ability.

So we may call it a "Rapture" if we like because that is how it is so described. But the event is called, biblically, as a gathering of saints, when the Son of Man returns from heaven with the clouds.

And where does this teaching come from? It comes from Daniel 7, where the Son of Man is said to have conferred with God his Father in heaven, receiving the mandate that will destroy the Antichrist and establish God's Kingdom on earth. In that place we are told that the Son of Man will come to earth, defeat the Little Horn, and deliver the saints from his abuses. In my view this is not an imminent event to be expected, but rather, the ultimate result of our waiting for it.

So how are we to relate this "gathering of the saints" to what Paul described as a "Rapture" in 1 Thes 4? At the time Jesus said this he was still under the Law and addressing only Israel. The "saints" he addressed at that time were Jewish believers, and not the international Church, though later this lesson can be applied to us all.

So Jesus was describing the future history of Israel, as only a remnant would be saved, and the many would be scattered across the earth in the Jewish Diaspora. Israel's national salvation would take place only after the return of the Son of Man.

And so, Jesus described this ultimate salvation of the nation addressing the Jewish saints of his time, while they were sitll under the Law. And now, we can apply this to all Christians, which is precisely what Paul did in 1 Thess 4.

When the Son of Man returns from heaven, we are gathered up to heaven by the angels of heaven. And we do so because we must do what Christ did when he said, "Do not hold me because I must return to my Father in heaven."

And so, we must, in order to be fully glorified, go to heaven to where the Son of Man is, to obtain from him our glorified bodies. In this way we may return with him in glory to establish his glorious Kingdom on the earth. And I believe this will happen immediately, in a moment of time.

So the mechanics of our leaving and returning with him is not the significant thing. What matters is that we be glorified with the Son of Man in order to enter into his rule together with him, so that the Kingdom may be established among mortal men on the earth.

Hello and many blessings to you today, to be honest I stopped trying to figure out the timing or what comes first a long time ago.

Rather I figured if even Jesus himself was not made known when he would return neither will we so I just listen to what the spirit says to me

U have had to many rapture dreams to count some recent but I also have had dreams where we are filled with an overflowing empowerment of the spirit as well so what does the spirit say to me? your redemption draws nigh

That redemption could be a whole other level of being baptized by fire or it could be the rapture either way I say even so Lord come I am here I am waiting I am ready

 

[randyk]

Yeah because it will be filled to the brim with resurrected saints

Yeah because it will be filled to the brim with resurrected saints

For sure. When Christ returns he will immediately resurrect all saints who had died previously, giving them new glorious, immortal bodies. He will not raise them in their old bodies. He will create for them new bodies.

The spirits of these departed saints are already with Christ in heaven. They just receive new bodies in the same instant that Christ is determined to return.

Immediately, at virtually the same time, Christ will transform the few living saints who remain alive on earth, who are walking with Christ and obeying him. They also will be "seized" by angels and given new glorious, immortal bodies.

The vast number of Christians on earth will likely not be "raptured," because they are ignorant of Christ's power and are not walking, at the time, with him. I'm not saying they won't be saved--just that they had not yet entered into a walk with Christ, only carrying the name of "Christian." They will enter into the Millennial Age as mortals.

This is all so that as Christ descends from God in heaven, the saints will join him in perfect bodies like he has. And they will bring to the earth, instantly, a new rule on earth.

I don't think the world that survives Armageddon will fully appreciate Christ and this "army" that is glorified when they come. But they will definitely see his reign take effect. That is, how Christ is seen I can't say, but the world certainly will see him come in some way.

I'm not sure we're in any disagreement on this?

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

I'm not sure we're in any disagreement on this?

No disagreement at all. Nice write up

 

[randyk]

Hello and many blessings to you today, to be honest I stopped trying to figure out the timing or what comes first a long time ago.

Rather I figured if even Jesus himself was not made known when he would return neither will we so I just listen to what the spirit says to me

U have had to many rapture dreams to count some recent but I also have had dreams where we are filled with an overflowing empowerment of the spirit as well so what does the spirit say to me? your redemption draws nigh

That redemption could be a whole other level of being baptized by fire or it could be the rapture either way I say even so Lord come I am here I am waiting I am ready

That's the whole idea--whatever your view of the "Rapture," we are always to be "ready" for the Kingdom. In my belief we are ready and prepared simply by maintaining a clean, holy, and righteous life. That is being "ready."

For Pretribbers, being 'ready" means expecting Jesus could come on any day. I don't need that kind of expectation to maintain a godly lifestyle every day.

But the important thing is just to be "ready" by living for Christ and by expecting that his Kingdom is near and coming soon. It will judge us all.

If we live for Christ we have nothing to be worried about. God bless.

 

[Blain]

That's the whole idea--whatever your view of the "Rapture," we are always to be "ready" for the Kingdom. In my belief we are ready and prepared simply by maintaining a clean, holy, and righteous life. That is being "ready."

For Pretribbers, being 'ready" means expecting Jesus could come on any day. I don't need that kind of expectation to maintain a godly lifestyle every day.

But the important thing is just to be "ready" by living for Christ and by expecting that his Kingdom is near and coming soon. It will judge us all.

If we live for Christ we have nothing to be worried about. God bless.

I agree completely the issue that arises with those that call themselves pretribbers is that there is a lot of them that stop living for him and instead chase after every hint that the rapture is about to happen.

This isn't to say all but there are many. in fact for some it's kind of like refilling the gas tank for hope it can even become very draining to a point. These are the ones who will miss it because they seek it yes they are not wanting to be a part of this world yes but their hearts are not set on Christ himself youtube is absolutely swarmed with such people I have seen it first hand

 

[randyk]

I agree completely the issue that arises with those that call themselves pretribbers is that there is a lot of them that stop living for him and instead chase after every hint that the rapture is about to happen.

This isn't to say all but there are many. in fact for some it's kind of like refilling the gas tank for hope it can even become very draining to a point. These are the ones who will miss it because they seek it yes they are not wanting to be a part of this world yes but their hearts are not set on Christ himself youtube is absolutely swarmed with such people I have seen it first hand

For sure. For me, the point is, expecting Christ at any moment isn't what gets the job done. It is our determined love for Christ that we continuously stir up that keeps our Christian lives on fire. It is training ourselves to be in love with his righteousness, doing what his word commands day after day, out of loyalty to him.

What we believe about prophecy can make a difference only if allied with the love in our heart for God and His ways. We simply have to focus on his Word, and then do what His Word commands.

The Scriptures say that if we claim to love God we will choose to live like Jesus. This is how we prove our love for God.

1 John 2.3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Prophecy can certainly be exciting! But it is vastly more important to carry in our heart an intense devoted love for Christ. This is the very center of Christianity--our love for him.