Rapture? Looking forward to Christ's Return? Help?

[ErichsGurl2]

I need a little advice and comfort.

I’m finding it very difficult to look forward to Christ’s second coming. It’s not that I don’t want it to happen, it’s just that I’M TERRIFIED. How can we, as Catholics, look forward to the event without being scared out of our wits? What can I read or who can I talk to to get over this fear?

I’ve been plagued all my life every so often of dreams of a rapture and Christ’s second coming, even as a child (who was not formally religiously educated.) At the time I had most of these dreams, about one or two a year, I had no knowledge of the rapture, pre, post, or mid…tribulation -non of it. -Other than the fact that I knew Christ would return and take us to heaven with Him someday. I guess I just kept a child’s view on the subject. They are extremely vivid and terrifying dreams. So much so that I’ve awakened shaking and in tears. -Or overwhelmed with a feeling of immense love-almost tangible. I agree with the Church’s standing on the subject about rapture and tribulation and all, but find it difficult to not panic when I think about it. I am a good and sound person and even though I am God-fearing, I genuinely believe I will live eternally with God, although, of course, that is up to Him. So I’m not really “afraid” to be judged…that’s not what makes me fear this. It’s even made me wary of certain church’s and parishes I visit. I always look at the altar and the floor of any church I enter fearing that I will see what I’ve seen in my dreams.

Please don’t think I’m nuts…I haven’t really talked to anyone about it because I’m sort of embarrassed about it and don’t want to sound like I’m missing some of my marbles. -But these dreams do bother me very much and I guess I just feel like seeing what you all have to say about it.

I am willing to share the entire recurring dream if any of you are interested, of course as long as it’s understood that it is a dream and not something I believe is real. Like I said, I’m not nuts. Anyway, if you have a suggestion for me about how I can get over being afraid of this, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[ErichsGurl2]

By the way, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted. My husband and I have worked everything out, and we are doing wonderful!!! Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and advice!

 

[Mannyfit75]

I need a little advice and comfort.

I’m finding it very difficult to look forward to Christ’s second coming. It’s not that I don’t want it to happen, it’s just that I’M TERRIFIED. How can we, as Catholics, look forward to the event without being scared out of our wits? What can I read or who can I talk to to get over this fear?

We have to be prepared for his second coming. He will come like a thief in the night. No one knows the hour nor the day.

I’ve been plagued all my life every so often of dreams of a rapture and Christ’s second coming, even as a child (who was not formally religiously educated.) At the time I had most of these dreams, about one or two a year, I had no knowledge of the rapture, pre, post, or mid…tribulation -non of it. -Other than the fact that I knew Christ would return and take us to heaven with Him someday. I guess I just kept a child’s view on the subject. They are extremely vivid and terrifying dreams. So much so that I’ve awakened shaking and in tears. -Or overwhelmed with a feeling of immense love-almost tangible. I agree with the Church’s standing on the subject about rapture and tribulation and all, but find it difficult to not panic when I think about it. I am a good and sound person and even though I am God-fearing, I genuinely believe I will live eternally with God, although, of course, that is up to Him. So I’m not really “afraid” to be judged…that’s not what makes me fear this. It’s even made me wary of certain church’s and parishes I visit. I always look at the altar and the floor of any church I enter fearing that I will see what I’ve seen in my dreams.

Well, there is no Rapture (In a Protestant scheme of things). We do believe in General Judgement and Final Judgement.

When we die, we will be judge by God according to our deeds while we were here on earth.

Please don’t think I’m nuts…I haven’t really talked to anyone about it because I’m sort of embarrassed about it and don’t want to sound like I’m missing some of my marbles. -But these dreams do bother me very much and I guess I just feel like seeing what you all have to say about it.

I am willing to share the entire recurring dream if any of you are interested, of course as long as it’s understood that it is a dream and not something I believe is real. Like I said, I’m not nuts. Anyway, if you have a suggestion for me about how I can get over being afraid of this, please let me know. Thanks!

Pray often and obey the commandments. Keep these in mind.

1. Seek first the Kingdom of God.

2.Avoid Sin thus you avoid hell.

1. If you sin, repent, go to confession.
2. Received Holy Communion Daily if possible.

 

[Sideline]

You aren’t nuts.

Nothing you’ve said sounds nuts.

I’m afraid of spiders, even though I know they are mostly harmless. My Mom is afraid of airplanes, even though they are mostly safe.

Life as you know it ending is kind of scary. The remote possibility that you will be cast out from every good thing that you can imagine is scary. Being plunged into an existence that is totally foreign to the one that you know now is also scary.

I can’t really comfort you, but you are definitely sane.

 

[ErichsGurl2]

We have to be prepared for his second coming. He will come like a thief in the night. No one knows the hour nor the day.

Well, there is no Rapture (In a Protestant scheme of things). We do believe in General Judgement and Final Judgement.

When we die, we will be judge by God according to our deeds while we were here on earth.

Pray often and obey the commandments. Keep these in mind.

1. Seek first the Kingdom of God.

2.Avoid Sin thus you avoid hell.

1. If you sin, repent, go to confession.
2. Received Holy Communion Daily if possible.

I said in my post that I agree and know the stance of our Church on this subject. -Maybe my choice of words threw you off when I talked about the “rapture”. I do agree that we believe in a final judgement, and I believe in that as well. But, I cannot control what I dream about…and I do dream about a rapture occurring. How do you, as a Catholic person, honestly say that you look forward to the last day? That is where my problem lies. I cannot honestly say that without being absolutely terrified. This is what I’m trying to move past.

 

[Della]

I said in my post that I agree and know the stance of our Church on this subject. -Maybe my choice of words threw you off when I talked about the “rapture”. I do agree that we believe in a final judgement, and I believe in that as well. But, I cannot control what I dream about…and I do dream about a rapture occurring.

Dreams of being suddenly lifted into the air are, as I understand it, not all that rare. Many people dream they can fly under their own power, for example. But, the rapture theories have one thing right–St. Paul tells us that those alive at the second coming of Christ will be lifted up to greet those coming with him, so that part of your dream is scriptural. The rest of the rapture theories are based on stringing Bible verses together to make it seem as though such theories are correct–and since you don’t believe in them you have nothing to worry about there.

How do you, as a Catholic person, honestly say that you look forward to the last day? That is where my problem lies. I cannot honestly say that without being absolutely terrified. This is what I’m trying to move past.

For me, I think of it as preparing for my heavenly wedding. What do we gals do when we prepare for something like that? We make sure that everything will be ready for the great day when we will be united with our beloved. And that’s what the end times will be–uniting with our Beloved Jesus.

If love for God is the motivating factor of all you do, you have nothing to fear. Our time on earth is for preparing ourselves (and helping others to prepare) for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

Perhaps if you think of it in those terms you will be able to deal with any fears you may have.

 

[ErichsGurl2]

For me, I think of it as preparing for my heavenly wedding. What do we gals do when we prepare for something like that? We make sure that everything will be ready for the great day when we will be united with our beloved. And that’s what the end times will be–uniting with our Beloved Jesus.

That’s a nice way to think about it. Thank you

 

[Della]

That’s a nice way to think about it. Thank you

Glad it helped you–it helps me!

 

[Lev23]

The rest of the rapture theories are based on stringing Bible verses together to make it seem as though such theories are correct–and since you don’t believe in them you have nothing to worry about there.

The pre-trib rapture “theory” does not come from just stringing bible verses together, but is tied into the fact that Israel is still in God’s prophetic plan leading up to the second coming of Jesus.

 

[Mannyfit75]

The pre-trib rapture “theory” does not come from just stringing bible verses together, but is tied into the fact that Israel is still in God’s prophetic plan leading up to the second coming of Jesus.

Pre-Trib is John Darby’s theory. It is based on his interpretation. Take a look at John Darby and google him. Non-Catholics who fall into the pre-Trib Rapture idea are completely misleading.

The End Times is simply this. When the Son of Man comes in Glory, he will separate the good and the bad. He will put the good or righteous on his right and the bad on his life. He will welcome those who are good into the House prepared for them by the Father. On his left, they will be cast into hell forever. We will be judge according to our deeds.

The Pre-Trib Theory states, that believers in Christ will escape the Great Tribulation and taken up into heaven. While un-believers will remain on earth and suffer. That is un-Biblical. It also flat out denies the Christian concept of “taking up your own cross,” or self-sacrifice “by giving up your own life for your friend.”

The Early Christians in the first tribulation in the 1st Century were even raptured. They were burned at the stake, eaten by lions, beheaded, and even crucified.

Read Matthew 25:31-46, that is the general summary of End Times Judgment.

John Martignogni in his two min Apologetics explains the bad theology of the Protestant Concept of the Rapture.

ANS: No, there’s not. The “Rapture” refers to a passage in First Thessalonians, chapter 4, which talks about Christians being “caught up” in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Many Christians believe, and the “Left Behind” books promote, that this being “caught up” to meet the Lord will occur before the Great Tribulation which is headed our way in the near future. Christians will simply vanish, meet Jesus somewhere in the air, and then return with Him to Heaven to await the end of time

But notice, in verse 17, Paul says that “…we who are alive, who are left,” shall be caught up. Remember that…those who are “left” get caught up to meet the Lord.

The “Left Behind” books get their name from a passage in Luke 17 and a similar passage in Matthew 24 which talk about the coming of the Lord being like the days of Noah and the days of Lot. Matthew 24 puts it this way: “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man…they ate, they drank, they married and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Then two men will be in the field, one is taken and one is left. Two women grinding at the mill, one is taken one is left.”

“See,” Rapture enthusiasts say, “One is taken, one is left…the Rapture! Jesus takes the Christians and leaves behind non-Christians!” Two problems with that interpretation: First, Jesus’ coming is being compared to the days of Noah and the days of Lot. After the flood, who was left? Noah and his family…the good guys…the bad guys were taken! After Sodom and Gomorrah went up in smoke, who was left? Lot and his daughters…the good guys…the bad guys were taken! Second, remember 1 Thessalonians? It says that those who are “left” get to meet Jesus in the air. The good guys are left behind to meet Jesus.

In other words, you want to be left behind so that you can get caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air and accompany Him back to earth at His 2nd and final coming. There will be no Rapture like the one the Left Behind books talk about…that view is not scriptural.

biblechristiansociety.com/2min_apologetics.php?id=13

 

[savedsinner]

Well, one thing is for sure, you will meet Jesus face to face within the next 80 - 100 years.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Well, one thing is for sure, you will meet Jesus face to face within the next 80 - 100 years.

True, that’s when we die. We face judgement.

 

[Lev23]

Pre-Trib is John Darby’s theory. It is based on his interpretation. Take a look at John Darby and google him. Non-Catholics who fall into the pre-Trib Rapture idea are completely misleading.

The End Times is simply this. When the Son of Man comes in Glory, he will separate the good and the bad. He will put the good or righteous on his right and the bad on his life. He will welcome those who are good into the House prepared for them by the Father. On his left, they will be cast into hell forever. We will be judge according to our deeds.

The Pre-Trib Theory states, that believers in Christ will escape the Great Tribulation and taken up into heaven. While un-believers will remain on earth and suffer. That is un-Biblical. It also flat out denies the Christian concept of “taking up your own cross,” or self-sacrifice “by giving up your own life for your friend.”

The Early Christians in the first tribulation in the 1st Century were even raptured. They were burned at the stake, eaten by lions, beheaded, and even crucified.

Read Matthew 25:31-46, that is the general summary of End Times Judgment.

John Martignogni in his two min Apologetics explains the bad theology of the Protestant Concept of the Rapture.

biblechristiansociety.com/2min_apologetics.php?id=13

Yeah, Ok, lets cut the to point. Amilleniumism may think it is teaching the safest, more accurate way to interpret prophetic end-times scripture. But simply, it denies that Israel, the land and the people, have anything to do with Jesus’ second coming. At best, some will teach some willy-nilly conversion of some Jews. The Apostle’s Creed teaches that he will simply come back to judge the quick and the dead, but there is so much scripture that gives the raw details of the events that will take place when he comes back. And where will he come back to? Israel, on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. He will come back to the same place he left. (Acts1:9-11/Zech14:4)

So where does the rapture fit in this? Jesus meets his bride, the church in its entirity, first those dead raised and then those who are alive, in the clouds and go off to be with him forever. With his bride, filled with the Holy Spirit gone to be with him, the world will be set up for the entrance of the anti-christ. The focus will be back on Israel. And once again, God will use Israel, 144,000 of them, to give the world and its own country, the good news of the risen Jesus and his coming. These are the “bretheren” Jesus is referring to in Matthew 25. There are “sheeps”, “goats”, and how they treated his bretheren in that judgement in Matthew 25. Compare that judgement to Joel 3. Just look at the fuss the world gives attention to Israel, the land and the people today. Most of the world today wishes Israel will fall into the sea and be done with that “problem”. “Zionism” has been compared to racism. Israelites lose all biblical senses and listen to the world when they are ask to give away land for worldly peace. It will be worse for Israel in the tribulation.

The only peace that will come to Israel is when their Messiah, Jesus comes back, when they are ready to call for him.(Matthew 23:39)

In John M’s mp3 talk, he stresses “THE LAAASSST DAY”. In other words, he tries to use this to teach the day of the Lord is a short moment, or at the most a 24 hour period. Now all end times prophecies from the Old and New Testaments can be squeezed into one event, now that he doesn’t have to explain where Israel fits into anything. The millenium is now and not for Israel. For instance, John M tries to use 1Cor15:23-26 to show that when he comes back to those that belong to him, that is it and no millenium will take place. But in light of the events in Revelation 20, Zechariah 14 and lots of other kingdom scripture that there is more to prophecy than that.

Before anybody debunks the “rapture theory”, they better explain how Israel, the land and the people, are now cut from their own prophecy.

When Jesus walked throughout Israel, he proclaimed the Kingdom is at hand. That is, nothing had to happen for it to come. But for the most part, it was rejected at that time by Israel, as prophesied, and they killed him, as prophesied. But before that and still is today, Jesus is calling all those, Jews and Gentiles, to put their faith in him, to be his bride, his church, filled with the Holy Spirit. The church has his peace now, not a worldy peace. The only thing that is “at hand” now is his stealing away of his bride like a thief in the night, the entrance of the anti-christ and the start of the wrath God will pour upon the earth.(Rev 1:3)

 

[Mannyfit75]

Yeah, Ok, lets cut the to point. Amilleniumism may think it is teaching the safest, more accurate way to interpret prophetic end-times scripture. But simply, it denies that Israel, the land and the people, have anything to do with Jesus’ second coming. The Apostle’s Creed teaches that he will simply come back to judge the quick and the dead, but there is so much scripture that gives the raw details of the events that will take place when he comes back. And where will he come back to? Israel, on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. He will come back to the same place he left. (Acts1:9-11/Zech14:4)

So where does the rapture fit in this? Jesus meets his bride, the church in its entirity, first those dead raised and then those who are alive, in the clouds and go off to be with him forever. With his bride, filled with the Holy Spirit gone to be with him, the world will be set up for the entrance of the anti-christ. God’s focus is back on Israel. And once again, God will use Israel, 144,000 of them, to give the world and its own country, the good news of Jesus. These are the “bretheren” Jesus is referring to in Matthew 25. There are “sheeps”, “goats”, and how they treated his bretheren in that judgement in Matthew 25. Compare that judgement to Joel 3. Just look at the fuss the world gives attention to Israel, the land and the people today. Most of the world today wishes Israel will fall into the sea and be done with that “problem”. “Zionism” has been compared to racism. Israelites lose all biblical senses and listen to the world when they are ask to give away land for worldly peace. The only peace that will come to Israel is when their Messiah, Jesus comes back, when they are ready to call for him.(Matthew 23:39)

In John M’s mp3 talk, he stresses “THE LAAASSST DAY”.

In other words, he tries to use this to teach the day of the Lord is a short moment, or at the most a 24 hour period. Now all end times prophecies from the Old and New Testaments can be squeezed into one event, now that he doesn’t have to explain where Israel fits into anything. The millenium is now and not for Israel. For instance, John M tries to use 1Cor15:23-26 to show that when he comes back to those that belong to him, that is it and no millenium will take place. But in light of the events in Revelation 20, Zechariah 14 and lots of other kingdom scripture that there is more to prophecy than that.

Before anybody debunks the “rapture theory”, they better explain how Israel, the land and the people, are now cut from their own prophecy.

When Jesus walked throughout Israel, he proclaimed the Kingdom is at hand. That is, nothing had to happen for it to come. But for the most part, it was rejected at that time by Israel, as prophesied, and they killed him, as prophesied. But before that and still is today, Jesus is calling all those, Jews and Gentiles, to put their faith in him, to be his bride, his church, filled with the Holy Spirit. The church has his peace now, not a worldy peace. The only thing that is “at hand” now is his stealing away of his bride like a thief in the night, the entrance of the anti-christ and the start of the wrath God will pour upon the earth.(Rev 1:3)

The outcome of Israel is not ours to decide. It belongs to God. Whether they accept Jesus Christ or not is upon them, not ours. We can preach, and the Jews have a free will to accept Jesus as the Messiah or not. Either way, all nations including Israel will be judged by the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings.

I would avoid trying to focus so much on END TIMES Prophecies which Protestants are so fond of. Rather, **Christians ought to prepare for his coming rather than trying to predict **when the Son of Man will come in Glory.

A man who dwells to much on End Times Prophecy will not find peace within himself. You might find yourself like one of those Protestants who tried to predict the Second Coming and ended up the So called “Great Disappointment.”

I assumed you believe in Rapture Theory that you will escape the Great Tribulation by having yourself assumed into heaven avoiding death… Correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[Lev23]

The outcome of Israel is not ours to decide. It belongs to God. Whether they accept Jesus Christ or not is upon them, not ours. We can preach, and the Jews have a free will to accept Jesus as the Messiah or not. Either way, all nations including Israel will be judged by the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings.

I would avoid trying to focus so much on END TIMES Prophecies which Protestants are so fond of. Rather, **Christians ought to prepare for his coming rather than trying to predict **when the Son of Man will come in Glory.

A man who dwells to much on End Times Prophecy will not find peace within himself. You might find yourself like one of those Protestants who tried to predict the Second Coming and ended up the So called “Great Disappointment.”

I assumed you believe in Rapture Theory that you will escape the Great Tribulation by having yourself assumed into heaven avoiding death… Correct me if I’m wrong.

Yup, as I expected, I am labeled a crazy-eyed, time guessing, end-times junkie, with no peace within me. Nice out you left yourself with.

And get over it, someday there will be those alive here on earth in Jesus’ church that will be translated into heaven. No where did I claim this will happen in MY lifetime.

 

[Church_Militant]

Remember the roots from whence we come my dear sister.

Are we better than St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Polycarp who suffered so much for our most holy faith? Consider the martyrs from whom we Catholics descend. For the first 300 years of our history we paid a terrible price for our faith. Can I do less later in history? God forbid!

The Tribulations and persecutions to come do not frighten me overmuch. I’m and Irish/Polish Catholic and so I come from fighting stock all around. If I perish in such times I would consider myself in exalted company that I might suffer for my faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember also what St. Paul writes to us:
Romans 8:31-39
[31] What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?
[32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?
[33] Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies;
[34] who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] As it is written, “For thy sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
[38] For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
[39] nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Lev23]

Rather, **Christians ought to prepare for his coming rather than trying to predict **when the Son of Man will come in Glory.

Correct me if I’m wrong.

Where did I predict a time when Jesus comes back?

I’ll help you out, no where.

 

[Church_Militant]

Yup, as I expected, I am labeled a crazy-eyed, time guessing, end-times junkie, with no peace within me. Nice out you left yourself with.

And get over it, someday there will be those alive here on earth in Jesus’ church that will be translated into heaven. No where did I claim this will happen in MY lifetime.

You can believe that if you want to, but it’s not scriptural or even historically traditional.

I don’t think you’re a wild-eyed anything except wrong…

I sum it up in this post.

The Rapture?

 

[Mannyfit75]

Where did I predict a time when Jesus comes back?

I’ll help you out, no where.

Do you believe that every Christian Believer during the Great Tribulation will be assumed into heaven? Just like the bumper sticker says, "In case of Rapture, this car will be unoccupied?"

Well, you didn’t. I’m just making clear to know not to be decieved into the Protestant concept of the Rapture because that doctrine or theory is false and Un-Biblical. It is man-made Biblical interpretation.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Yup, as I expected, I am labeled a crazy-eyed, time guessing, end-times junkie, with no peace within me. Nice out you left yourself with.

And get over it, someday there will be those alive here on earth in Jesus’ church that will be translated into heaven. No where did I claim this will happen in MY lifetime.

Well, I didn’t labelled you as either crazy eyed,… The Rapture if you want to use the turn means this. Jesus on the last day will come in glory.

When he does, all Christian believers will be overjoyed with, and are caught up. Similiarily when a Soldier returns from a deployment, the family are overjoyed for his returned. So are we. When that happens (When Jesus comes in Glory), they will judge us and if we are find righteous based on the deeds we done on this earth, we will be rapture up into heaven. While the those who remain unfaithful will be cast into the eternal fires of hell.

I also like to note that Not all Protestants believe in this so called John Darby invention of Rapture Theory… or should I say Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins Left Behind Series… His book itself is completely Anti-Catholic. In his Book the Pope is name Pope Peter II, the Anti-Pope… and like the mainstream Protestantism, they view the Church as nothing more as a false Christian Church which man-made doctrines. The book is completely Anti-Catholic…

I don’t know why some of you believe in this, but Rapture Theory is a 19th Century invention…