** Here we continue with part 5 of 6.... Rebutal is present **

Date:   11/17/2013 5:05:39 PM ( 11 y ago)

A Spiritual Kingdom vs. The “Rapture”

Part 5

Up to this point, I have described in detail the “Rapture” theology, taking my information from those who advocate this teaching. I think it only fair that I allow you to hear from two of my readers who support the position I take. The first brother was, at one time, an ardent modern-day “Rapture” enthusiast. Apparently, he knows what he’s talking about. The second brother raises a point you won’t want to miss.

“I can come up with hundreds of internal contradictions they [‘Rapture’ enthusiasts] have to explain away on the basis of logic, supposition, and just plain guesswork. The secret is to listen to what they have to say, then ask them to explain the details.
If you let them talk long enough, they will only confuse themselves. You don’t really have to attack or refute them. They do it themselves. It’s even better when you get two or more of them in a room together, because you will never see any two agree completely on the details.

“How do I know this? I was raised in a ‘pre-tribulation’ and a ‘pre-millennial’ church. I used to argue these positions and made myself look like a fool. Needless to say, I no longer believe in a ‘pre-tribulation’ Rapture. But I certainly don’t believe in using it as a test of brotherhood, as so many do.” — Rick Presley.


“I think it is interesting, albeit sad, that I’ve heard so many ‘rapturists’ and ‘premillennialists’ on the one hand speak of the short-sighted Jews of the first century who could not see the spiritual reign of Jesus in His earthly appearance, yet turn around and are guilty of doing the same thing by speaking of an earthly kingdom and reign the Messiah will usher in!
I see no distinction in their follies.” — Joel Cranford.

This brother makes an excellent point. I’d like to comment. The Jews in Jesus’ day failed to envision His reign as spiritual because they were looking for an earthly kingdom with all of the political trimmings that accompany earthly kingdoms. “Rapture” enthusiasts are making the same mistake.

They’re looking for a “glorified kingdom” with all of the “glorified trimmings” that accompany “glorified kingdoms.” In the meantime, they fail to understand that such a kingdom or reign has existed since the very moment Jesus was “exalted [enthroned] to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33). His kingdom is not earthly, palpable, and tangible. It is spiritual in that its King reigns from heaven and in the hearts of His subjects.

continued in part 6!

 

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