What is The Rapture - anyway? Part 1
*** The Rapture is one of the major doctrines of the Christian Church, which has split and confused many! It is an over view! ***
Date: 11/17/2013 3:51:05 PM ( 11 y ) ... viewed 9054 times BUFF SCOTT, JR.
Essayist
How valid is the “Rapture” doctrine? Will it stand up in the Court of Heaven? Have “Rapture” enthusiasts been led astray?
Origin Of The Rapture Doctrine:
Part 1
In 1997, in an issue of my publication The Reformer, I issued a challenge to anyone who could document any evidence that the “Rapture” dogma, as publicized today, was taught by any “church leader” or “church father” prior to 255 years ago.
No one came forward. It is now 2007. I’m still waiting.
In my research, I discovered that in 1742-44 Morgan Edwards wrote a book on the modern-day “Rapture” doctrine. It was published in 1788. Thus began the contemporary “Rapture” melodrama.
Morgan became a Baptist leader of notoriety, confirming my conviction that the “Rapture” doctrine is largely a Baptist doctrine, not a doctrine of Jesus and his apostles.
As far as my research implies, there’s no record prior to 1742 of the “Rapture” doctrine being taught or its details being published by anyone, not even by the “church fathers.” It strikes me rather odd that if the “Rapture” doctrine is a divine teaching, why did our “church fathers” fail to write about it?
They wrote about all other major doctrines of the apostles. Why would they overlook a major topic as important as the “Rapture?”
It should be noted at this junction that the “Rapture” teaching has Jesus descending twice more, once to “rapture” saints and once to put an end to the so-called “Tribulation” and “Armageddon,” followed by a thousand-year earthly government.
In this matter, the “Rapture” advocates sellect a few distinct, highly symbolic passages from the Book of Revelation, tie them in with the Thessalonian verses, and the screenplay is consummated.
It is wise to remember that nowhere in scripture is it taught, or remotely indicated, that Jesus will personally and visibly return twice more.
His second advent is alluded to time after time, but never a third advent. Nor do the scriptures speak of saints ascending into heaven twice, once at the so-called “Rapture,” and once again “when the thousand years are over,” as the doctrine is advocated.
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