I happened to peruse a train of comments on a rapture-related article today. It's interesting to me how many views there are about events in the future, even when we all have one Bible to lead us.
It doesn't concern me, as I know GOD does what HE pleases in the end, and we needn't fear His love for us, even as we follow and believe. What happens, happens to all of us who believe, whether or not we believed it!
The Bible, in its wonderful way, gives an outline of hope to every person who ever believed for the last two thousand years. Even the earliest Christians awaited Christ's return. They believed in a rapture that no-one could predict the timing of.
Watch and be ready!
That belief still exists. The Bible states that we don't know the time or the hour.
On the other hand, the time of Christ's return to earth is a well-known time frame. It is preceded by seven years---literal years---of terrible hardship. It will be easy for people to see the timing of Christ's eventual return when the time of tribulation, or "Jacob's Trouble" comes upon the earth.
Will some people survive as believers during that time? Those who come to know Christ after the church is swept away may endure to the end of the that tribulation.
I believe the Bible indicates that they do. So have hope, friends who come to Christ after the rapture! The Bible predicts a thousand year time period where Christ reigns on the earth. I think we can take that literally, and see 1,000 years as 1,000. People have to be here to have that kingdom.
The church is considered the Bride of Christ---in contrast to the nation of Jews being symbolic of the bride of the Father. It's there. Its imagery is stunning.
Our promise, as the church, is to come back with Christ, on white horses (see Revelation) to keep order on earth during that 1,000 year time period. Then comes a judgement. Everyone will be judged. Those under Christ's blood and redeemed by His death on the cross escape eternal death.
Eternal death exists according to the Bible.
Now, remember, I don't try to make up my own ideas. I take them from the Word of God. If the Word of God says it, that defines it for me. We weigh one idea and passage against all passages and ideas. An intricate and thorough knowledge of the Bible is absolutely imperative to understanding the Christian walk. How else are you going to know what to believe?
You can't make it up. You can't pick and choose. You can't dismiss the parts you disagree with. That's idolatry. So don't do it.
Give in to God's Holy Word, His precious plan for you, for the future.
One thing more: if you have learned your doctrine entirely from one or two preachers of the same denomination, perhaps you haven't learned it from God Himself. Try a few other teachers of different views and weigh their words. Practice discernment! Let the Holy Spirit lead you, and not some preacher. There is such a danger of following a person, and not the Lord Himself when you listen to such a limited resource.
There will be differences, opinions, disagreements, discrepancies. That is completely normal, and even spiritually healthy. Peter and Paul had a few of those too.
What I have loved about the social media world is the linking of fellow believers in Christ world-wide. We all share a common spirit, a tight bond of loving Christ, and awaiting His return. We are kindred. We love each other immediately, as we share a hope that is like no other. We encourage each other, strangers perhaps in one sense, but bonded family in our spirits. It is the most beautiful thing. How exciting to look forward to eternity together, just serving Christ Jesus.
I've been grateful for the precious gift of prayer and support from these brothers and sisters in Christ, especially during these past weeks. God is good. He's prepared these bonds of friendship for these hard times.
Maybe that helps clarify a few things for anyone who may be questioning ---Exactly what does the Bible say about the future?
Lots. It's FULL of prophecy. It's all happening, too. The next event is the Lamb's Supper.
Exciting.
It doesn't concern me, as I know GOD does what HE pleases in the end, and we needn't fear His love for us, even as we follow and believe. What happens, happens to all of us who believe, whether or not we believed it!
The Bible, in its wonderful way, gives an outline of hope to every person who ever believed for the last two thousand years. Even the earliest Christians awaited Christ's return. They believed in a rapture that no-one could predict the timing of.
Watch and be ready!
That belief still exists. The Bible states that we don't know the time or the hour.
On the other hand, the time of Christ's return to earth is a well-known time frame. It is preceded by seven years---literal years---of terrible hardship. It will be easy for people to see the timing of Christ's eventual return when the time of tribulation, or "Jacob's Trouble" comes upon the earth.
Will some people survive as believers during that time? Those who come to know Christ after the church is swept away may endure to the end of the that tribulation.
I believe the Bible indicates that they do. So have hope, friends who come to Christ after the rapture! The Bible predicts a thousand year time period where Christ reigns on the earth. I think we can take that literally, and see 1,000 years as 1,000. People have to be here to have that kingdom.
The church is considered the Bride of Christ---in contrast to the nation of Jews being symbolic of the bride of the Father. It's there. Its imagery is stunning.
Our promise, as the church, is to come back with Christ, on white horses (see Revelation) to keep order on earth during that 1,000 year time period. Then comes a judgement. Everyone will be judged. Those under Christ's blood and redeemed by His death on the cross escape eternal death.
Eternal death exists according to the Bible.
Now, remember, I don't try to make up my own ideas. I take them from the Word of God. If the Word of God says it, that defines it for me. We weigh one idea and passage against all passages and ideas. An intricate and thorough knowledge of the Bible is absolutely imperative to understanding the Christian walk. How else are you going to know what to believe?
You can't make it up. You can't pick and choose. You can't dismiss the parts you disagree with. That's idolatry. So don't do it.
Give in to God's Holy Word, His precious plan for you, for the future.
One thing more: if you have learned your doctrine entirely from one or two preachers of the same denomination, perhaps you haven't learned it from God Himself. Try a few other teachers of different views and weigh their words. Practice discernment! Let the Holy Spirit lead you, and not some preacher. There is such a danger of following a person, and not the Lord Himself when you listen to such a limited resource.
There will be differences, opinions, disagreements, discrepancies. That is completely normal, and even spiritually healthy. Peter and Paul had a few of those too.
What I have loved about the social media world is the linking of fellow believers in Christ world-wide. We all share a common spirit, a tight bond of loving Christ, and awaiting His return. We are kindred. We love each other immediately, as we share a hope that is like no other. We encourage each other, strangers perhaps in one sense, but bonded family in our spirits. It is the most beautiful thing. How exciting to look forward to eternity together, just serving Christ Jesus.
I've been grateful for the precious gift of prayer and support from these brothers and sisters in Christ, especially during these past weeks. God is good. He's prepared these bonds of friendship for these hard times.
Maybe that helps clarify a few things for anyone who may be questioning ---Exactly what does the Bible say about the future?
Lots. It's FULL of prophecy. It's all happening, too. The next event is the Lamb's Supper.
Exciting.
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