S
l used to believe in the rapture and now I do not after re-examining the bible and realizing that there is not enough biblical evidence.
I preferred to believe in the rapture theory because it is what is commonly preached. I liked the world ending that way. With me being raptured and not going through the tribulation. The theory suited me.
But I can no longer believe things which do not have enough evidence in the bible because they are appealing to me. Even if many pastors are preaching it and I have friends and family members and colleagues that believe in the rapture.
I am writing to plead that if you suspect that something is the mark of the beast or image to the beast, ask the Holy Spirit whether it is or not and make a decision not to receive it. The bible is infallible, but pastors are.
I preferred to believe in the rapture theory because it is what is commonly preached. I liked the world ending that way. With me being raptured and not going through the tribulation. The theory suited me.
But I can no longer believe things which do not have enough evidence in the bible because they are appealing to me. Even if many pastors are preaching it and I have friends and family members and colleagues that believe in the rapture.
I am writing to plead that if you suspect that something is the mark of the beast or image to the beast, ask the Holy Spirit whether it is or not and make a decision not to receive it. The bible is infallible, but pastors are.
The next thing I would suggest is that you change your explanations to "you do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture" rather than not believing in a rapture. You are assuming that the pre-tribulation view of the rapture is equal to a belief in the rapture and that is not the case at all.
You are probably in agreement with what is usually called a "post tribulation, pre millennial view of the rapture" The rapture being that event spoken of by Paul where the dead in Christ rise first and they that are alive at the time are instantly changed into a glorified state like the resurrected but without seeing death first. This event (call it a rapture for brevity sake now that we have identified the scripture reference) is going to occur. We can be sure of that. No one should say they do not believe that this event will occur. That would be heretical. It would deny our blessed hope. When this event occurs in relation to the Great Tribulation is a matter of interpretation and you and many others believe that we will be divinely protected from the outpouring of judgments described in Revelation and then the rapture will occur at the end when Jesus comes down and begins His 1000 year reign. Is that correct? If so then say I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, rather than I do not believe in a rapture. You should still preach about this event if you believe it happens at the end of the tribulation is not so important as that you believe in this event and that you hope for it and that you preach it to encourage and comfort your brothers and sisters like Paul said to do. Never disrespect the doctrine of the catching away (rapture) in an effort to disrespect the doctrine of the pretribulation rapture. In the scope of essential doctrine it is kind of a big deal!
- 1
- Show all