Is there anyone that has considered the RAPTURE?

Hi brother. There has not been anyone on this forum for a long time. The last time I heard from Paul, the moderator of this forum, he had cancer. It is likely he has passed on. 

I love the Lord, love His word, and yes, I have considered "the rapture." Although the word "rapture" is not in the Bible, the thought of God sowing Himself into His chosen people as a seed, then coming to "harvest" the crop, the mature ones certainly is. 

Matthew 13:23 But the one sown on the good earth, this is he who hears the word and understands, who by all means bears fruit and produces, one a hundredfold, and one sixtyfold, and one thirtyfold.

Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, Send forth Your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come because the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Have you considered the rapture?

Hi Fred...I'm saddened about this new about Paul yet as we all will soon enter our real home with our Lord & Savior.  

I agree the exact word Rapture is not in the bible but it is in the Latin Vulgate by Jerome the word certainly appears to be interpreted RAPTURE from the Latin.

1 Thess 4:17

I firmly believe in the RAPTURE and when I consider the world situation as it is today, I see all the FUTURE PROPHECIES given in Scripture coming to fruition faster and faster.  I see no more hope for this world and now I'm just running around forums attempting to waken the dead as many as God allows and the SOWER PARABLE (my very favorite) is the one that keeps me going.  

I'm paying attention to the 2024 American election and get some weird responses to God's role.

Prov 21:1

21 THE KING'S HEART IS LIKE CHANNELS of WATER in the HAND of the LORD;
HE TURNS IT WHEREVER HE WISHES.     NASB  (1995)

Nucc said:

I agree the exact word Rapture is not in the bible but it is in the Latin Vulgate by Jerome the word certainly appears to be interpreted RAPTURE from the Latin.

I completely agree with brother Jerome that "caught up together with" could be interpreted (maybe not translated) as "rapture." May your mission to wake up the dead be blessed.

I don't generally visit Bible forums. I have been posting on this one for a few years because I enjoyed the discussions, primarily with PaulfromNYS. He was a gentle soul and a true seeker of Christ. My experience has been mixed. Forums seem to be haunted by Jehovah's Witnesses, people trying to sell a book, or very opinionated and dogmatic religious types with no interest in seeking or knowing Christ in the word. Pity. Occasionally, I have met an honest, open fellow traveller with the grace and love for the truth to allow others to have a view different from their own.

2 Thessalonians And in all deceit of unrighteousness among those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved.

I know what you're saying Fred and some people I share with actually allow me to share without mockery but somehow think that even though Conservative minded they think all this can be solved politically but as I read the Scriptures the world has gone way beyond the point true repentance.  So now I'm trying to get away from arguing a point unless I sense seeking heart.  Otherwise, I just point to the Scripture, love them, and pray they open the door to the Author.  Who knows?  Maybe there'll be another world Spiritual revival.  Isa 55:8,9.

Nucc said:

...some people I share with actually allow me to share without mockery but somehow think that even though Conservative minded they think all this can be solved politically but as I read the Scriptures the world has gone way beyond the point true repentance. 

I think we are in agreement brother. In fact, I cannot find where Jesus got involved with, or had anything to do with either religion or politics. In fact it was religion (of the Jews) and politics (Pilate and Herod) which crucified our Lord and put Him to death.

What will solve the ills of this world is the Lord's return (parousia) and the turn from this present evil age to the age of the kingdom. John the baptist's message was REPENT...for the kingdom! Jesus followed him saying REPENT...for the kingdom!

Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.

Matthew 4:7 From that time Jesus began to proclaim and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel trumpeted; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.

Well there's no doubt  repentance is needed but people I've talk with rationalize with repent from what?  I say it's to do for yourself for your own salvation but I've had even nominal Christians give me the brush off.

I can't find the specific link but it was a True Christian website showing a graph that 80% of regular church going people 40 years ago were reading their Bible everyday and today, while attendance has also dropped out of all regular church goers today about 80% DON'T read there Bible everyday.  I think of the verse in the Parable of Sower.

Luke 8:14
14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.        NIV

Nucc said:

Well there's no doubt  repentance is needed but people I've talk with rationalize with repent from what? 

That the denominations (both Catholic and Protestant) are in a state of degradation is without question, and "repent from what" is a good question. If we do not know what the will of God is, it is difficult to know how to respond to the admonition to "repent!"

Here is a good prayer of Paul the apostle:

Colossians 1:9-11 Therefore we also, since the day we heard of it, do not cease praying and asking on your behalf that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, To walk worthily of the Lord to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and growing by the full knowledge of God, Being empowered with all power, according to the might of His glory, unto all endurance and long-suffering with joy,

This is not praying to know God's will to make me happy and blessed, but to know God's will as in what does He want? What is it that He is after? What makes Him happy? How do we "please Him in all things?"

Essentially, God is after a bride, a counterpart. The Bible begins with a couple in Genesis 2 and concludes with a wedding in Revelation 19:7 and chapter 21-22. The Bible is a romance between man and God. There is a detailed illustration of this divine romance in Song of Songs.

Whatever is not involved with our "making ourselves ready" to be the bride we should repent from. He is coming!!!! This would include not being in the washing in the water in the Word.

Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult, and let us give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.

Fred (fnorthrup) said:

Whatever is not involved with our "making ourselves ready" to be the bride we should repent from. He is coming!!!! This would include not being in the washing in the water in the Word.

I use this verse from Paul when certain non believers feel guilty when committing  a sin but don't understand that acknowledging a sin doesn't go far enough.

2 Cor 7:10

10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads US AWAY FROM SIN and RESULTS IN SALVATION. There's NO REGRET for THAT KIND of sorrow. BUT WORLDLY SORROW, which LACKS  REPENTANCE, RESULTS IN SPIRITUAL DEATH.

Nucc said:

I use this verse from Paul when certain non believers feel guilty when committing  a sin but don't understand that acknowledging a sin doesn't go far enough.

Good point and good verse. I looked up the Greek word translated "repentance" in 2 Corinthians 7:10 which is metanoia, or literally, a change of mind. 

For an unbeliever, this change of mind would be to realize that without Christ, we are dead in our trespasses and sins, and to receive the Lord by drinking the living water. 

 For the believers in Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia, (2 Corinthians 1:1) to repent would be to realize that their hearts are turned away from the Lord, who as the Spirit with our spirit as a fountain of water springing up.

John 4:14 But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall by no means thirst forever; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life.

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.