Re: Christian Zionists

Befurther.

I've met those people too. I knew a christian who was in deep credit card debt and went on a shopping spree racking up charges "through the roof." I asked him what he was thinking. He used the Rapture as his excuse. He said: "Hey, I won't be here so I won't have to pay the bill." Not only was it unwise but not in a good spirit of things. Those who use Christ's appearing as an excuse for their foolishness, wickedness or laziness not only do a discredit to the rapture but these are people who are not doing the Word and would most likely act the same no matter what they believed. But, like any group of people, we have to evaluate on a person by person basis or we run the risk of unfair judgments that result from stereotyping and generalizations.

It's a beautiful thing you wrote here. Thank you for presenting that balance. You said:

"Not to say that there are those that are not active despite their belief of the pre-tribulation rapture, for I have met many who believe in it as well that are actively helping those in need."

That's the kind of person I strive to be. But not despite my belief in a pre-tribulation Rapture but BECAUSE of it. I find the idea that at any future moment, Christ will appear to be a great motivator. It keeps me on my toes. It's like the person who just found out they have 6 weeks to live. I have heard that, for some people, once they get over the initial devastation of their short life expectancy, they begin to live like never before. Time has become precious to them and they begin to take life seriously and the important things come to the forefront like love. That, to me, is the best way I can describe how the pre-trib Rapture effects my walk with God and with Christ. This is the day to do good, to be kind, to show love.

Your question:
"Are you talking about pre-tribulation rapture? or merely rapture in general?"

I've read both. That the Rapture in general originated with Darby while others credit him with the pre trib view. Then there are the articles that accredit the origin of the Rapture to some guy in the 1840s (don't remember his name) who set a date for the Rapture (somewhere around 1842 I think) and then, when it didn't happen corrected his calculations and then set another date a few years later. They also accredit him with inventing the term "Rapture".* They also like to throw Margaret MacDonald -as a pre trib rapture instigator- into the mix. I've read her "vision/prophecy" and it has nothing to do with a pre-trib Rapture.

The internet if full of a variety of views as well as many false statements. Usually we like the articles that agree with our point of view. Can't help it. It's just how we're built. I've caught myself a number of times doing just that. But the problem with that is that it will greatly curtail our quest for truth.

*As for the word "Rapture".
In the Latin bible, the Latin word "rapio" is the word they translated "...shall be caught up" from 1Thes 4:17. "Rapio" is the word from which it is said the word "Rapture" was derived.

1Thes 4:
17 Then we which are alive and remain SHALL BE CAUGHT UP (seized, snatched out or away) together with them (the dead in Christ) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

In my original post I brought up a few things as well as the scripture verses that make mention of this event. I'll add some more here as well.

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