"the rapture"

[Kevincent401]

a guy i know is always talking about the lord, hes a born catholic, but he aint no more, well hes always telling me about how the world is so evil and how evil people are and theyre all going to hell, even muslims and whatever religion or faith that have in a higher being/creator, and im like well jesus created them theyres plenty of good people from other religions, he says no if you dont know jesus your going to hell for not believing in him,
and he keeps talking about the rapture and he doesnt wanna be left behind when the antichrist comes into world power for 7 years and stuff like that. what do you think about this rapture thing where people vanish into thin air being a catholic ? by the way i watched the movie left behind with kirk cameron and i sort of understand it and it could be possible since everything is possible with the lord. whats your opinion on the rapture he says its in the bible but i know it isnt i remember the quote about being caught in the air or something and he doesnt believe in purgatory he thinks catholics just made that up, how is that is if the catholic church is the 1st 1 true church of jesus christ ? hes a good guy though, but dont totally agree with him like he does with me, lol we agree to disagree alot, hes just christian i guess. thanks

 

[Dokimas]

a guy i know is always talking about the lord, hes a born catholic, but he aint no more, well hes always telling me about how the world is so evil and how evil people are and theyre all going to hell, even muslims and whatever religion or faith that have in a higher being/creator, and im like well jesus created them theyres plenty of good people from other religions, he says no if you dont know jesus your going to hell for not believing in him,
and he keeps talking about the rapture and he doesnt wanna be left behind when the antichrist comes into world power for 7 years and stuff like that. what do you think about this rapture thing where people vanish into thin air being a catholic ? by the way i watched the movie left behind with kirk cameron and i sort of understand it and it could be possible since everything is possible with the lord. whats your opinion on the rapture he says its in the bible but i know it isnt i remember the quote about being caught in the air or something and he doesnt believe in purgatory he thinks catholics just made that up, how is that is if the catholic church is the 1st 1 true church of jesus christ ? hes a good guy though, but dont totally agree with him like he does with me, lol we agree to disagree alot, hes just christian i guess. thanks

I believe the NT teaches a happening we call the rapture.

I Thessalonians 4:
13 ¶ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:
51 ¶ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed––
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

a guy i know is always talking about the lord, hes a born catholic, but he aint no more, well hes always telling me about how the world is so evil and how evil people are and theyre all going to hell, even muslims and whatever religion or faith that have in a higher being/creator, and im like well jesus created them theyres plenty of good people from other religions, he says no if you dont know jesus your going to hell for not believing in him,
and he keeps talking about the rapture and he doesnt wanna be left behind when the antichrist comes into world power for 7 years and stuff like that. what do you think about this rapture thing where people vanish into thin air being a catholic ? by the way i watched the movie left behind with kirk cameron and i sort of understand it and it could be possible since everything is possible with the lord. whats your opinion on the rapture he says its in the bible but i know it isnt i remember the quote about being caught in the air or something and he doesnt believe in purgatory he thinks catholics just made that up, how is that is if the catholic church is the 1st 1 true church of jesus christ ? hes a good guy though, but dont totally agree with him like he does with me, lol we agree to disagree alot, hes just christian i guess. thanks

I think it’s a load of rubbish.

But it’s been popularised in some Protestant circles, particularly through the medium of fiction. Story telling is often better for a getting an idea across than a dry as dust theological debate. That’s why Christ spoke in parables. The only ones who get turned on by terms like apologetics, hermeneutics, evangelism, sacraments, etc. are theologians. The rest of us would prefer a good story. So it’s taken a strong grip in some fundamentalist circles.

For a Catholic position on it, have a look at the following link -

americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac1005.asp

It’s based on a couple of Bible verses, mainly the one about people being “caught up in the air” at the end-times, and a particular interpretation of millenialism, found in Revelation.

It also involves a second “Second Coming”. There’s only going to be one. Full stop.

If the anti-Christ is around today (and personally I think he is, but that’s only my opinion), they’ll have to suffer the consequences along with the rest of us. And unfortunately for American fundamentalists, I think the anti-Christ might be a lot closer to home than they think.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I believe the NT teaches a happening we call the rapture.

I Thessalonians 4:
13 ¶ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:
51 ¶ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed––
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The Catholic church teaches that this event will occur on the last day, when the Lord comes again in glory, to judge the living and the dead. At the Ascension the angels told those present that Jesus would come again just as He left (The Book of Acts, Ch.1). Nowhere is a third, secret coming of Jesus mentioned.

 

[Dokimas]

The Catholic church teaches that this event will occur on the last day, when the Lord comes again in glory, to judge the living and the dead. At the Ascension the angels told those present that Jesus would come again just as He left (The Book of Acts, Ch.1). Nowhere is a third, secret coming of Jesus mentioned.

A beautiful passage: Acts 1 that you refer to.