As much as our government has been infiltrated by the enemy, so has the church. Maybe even moreso.
This is a dangerous doctrine. IT IS NOT FROM SCRIPTURE.
I do realize some big lofty names in the bible scholar community are big time rapturists. Moody - for example. But I've been on a quest for a week or so to find anyone of them making solid arguments with actual scriptural foundation to support the dubious claims of the rapture doctrine - and they just simply cannot support it in the scripture.
If you want me to explain further I'll be happy to. But what you should do is go to the bible and find where it makes any claim that Christians will be removed from earth BEFORE or in the middle of the tribulations described in prophecy.
The oft cited verses in Mathew are literally right after Jesus warns you not to be deceived and explains how not to be deceived by knowing the signs of the season of His return. In Luke he even says that "two men will be lying in one bed, one will be taken the other left behind." I don't know why there are two dudes in one bed but I want the rapturist to question why someone sleeping in bed would be raptured (I notice many claiming that you must be alert and watching at the special time).
In Thesolonians 4: Paul clearly teaches that the dead in Christ will be resurrected before the beloved verse about we who are alive at the time going to meet Jesus in the air. I don't have a problem with that - just don't misunderstand that the dead in Christ go "FIRST".
In Rev 20 - Jesus gives us more clarity and explains that in the "First resurrection" people who refused the mark of the beast unto death would rise in that "First resurrection" too.
The rapture doctrine is dangerous for our generation. We appear to be appointed for this time, please do not be deceived.
I think we agree. I'm just applying that concern to doctrine that the devil seeds into the field. Some of it has taken root.
I think the times ahead will really test faith. And some of us boast a little in our faith. We say we're forgiven and yet we carry guilt. Jesus wasn't very impressed with anyone's faith except for a few who simply believed in Him.
Some think of the rapture as an escape from any test of their faith. I'm just cautioning people, hold fast to Jesus. Things are going to get bumpy.
Yes I definitely see that. That's why it's such a narrow road. Ditches on both sides and staying balanced in all things is a constant fight. And I do believe things will get very rough regardless of when we go out of here. We have had it so good we forget even our brothers and sister who have gone before us have been slaughtered for centuries.