So what is this Rapture theory?
What makes it so popular?
And why is it a major doctrine in the majority of the Christian churches?
Today there is considerable disagreement among Bible theorists
(those are people who develop their own doctrines and
then look for scriptures to support them) as to when this Rapture occurs.
We have the Pre-trib, Mid-trib, and Post-trib theorists ("trib" is short for tribulation).
The Pre-trib theory is the most prevalent
and states that Christ returns before the tribulation of Antichrist
and "takes away" His church.
Furthermore, this event could occur at any moment
(which is the reason my Grandma said I should always wear clean underwear).
The antichrist is then left free to wreck havoc and destruction upon the earth,
something akin to a WW III.
Sound reasonable to you?
Hey, sounds great!
We just fly up in the air before the battle and save our own skins?
Do you for one moment think that men and women of God are afraid to take a stand
and face losing their lives (in the flesh) if need be to defend their loved ones?
They have proven time and again they are not afraid, else we would not be free today!
To make matters worse, many Christians are told
that when Antichrist is here they are going to be flown to a place of safety!
It is embarrassing that our brothers and sisters want to "flee into the wilderness"
(most are told they are going to Petra) to be protected by a bunch of rocks.
They've been listening to people with rocks in their heads, promoting a sick woman's dream.
We don't need sheltered caves to protect us!
We're men and women of God, Christians!
Our ROCK is around us at all times.
Besides, Satan is not going to be firing bazookas and bullets at us anyway...
he's going to firing lies at us,
those fiery darts of deception (Eph 6)!
We need to wake up and quit listening to the uneducated!
Remember what E.W. Bullinger suggested in the opening of this study.
Put this Rapture theory to the test of common sense and scripture.
If you can document it in God's Word then by all means hang onto it.
But if it comes up short then forget it!
Be thankful to drop it like a "hot potato".
YOU must decide for yourself based upon your consultation with the Word.
Arnold Murray