While the majority of Christians believe in the 'Rapture', there are quite a few die-hards who are adamant that it is not in the Bible. Well...it's not. The movie 'Left Behind' gives the impression of most if not all Christians 'disappearing' in a pre-tribulation rapture. The Bible however is clear that's not going to be the case and it's not because of sin.
As a matter of fact the burden of proving a pre-tribulation "catching-up" is really on the pre-tribbers because the scriptures such as Matthew 24: 29 VERY clearly tells us "IMMEDIATELY AFTER the tribulation". In order to grasp a pre-trib timing you have to practically do back flips through the Bible to understand their reasoning because there is not one scripture that directly supports it. In addition, pre-tribulation rapture theory teaches TWO returns for Jesus, which is completely non-scriptural. Scripture can be made to support pre-trib rapture, but it is twisting of the text and it is really what I call a sneaky interpretation. It was not until after around 1840 that "pre-tribulation" rapture started to be taught on a widespread basis because of a man named John Darby.
Whether true or untrue there is a story that a young teenage Plymouth Brethren girl (this is in Great Britain) is reported to have had a vision. It was circulated around the churches and initially many actually thought it to be of a demonic source. Therefore I am very unclear if this is the source of "pre-trib" rapture doctrine. Most believe it is... The bottom line is the pre-tribulation rapture teaching became WIDELY taught and believed AFTER around 1840. Prior to this time there is some scant evidence of this belief but this was only discovered after very much digging and research by the pre-trib camp to try and bolster their interpretation of scripture. The pre-tribbers want to try and show that this view WAS taught and believed prior to that time so they do not appear to have created a "new doctrine". (Just as I stated with the "Passion of the Christ nonsense...no one questions where things come from or why certain beliefs exist). All so called proper religious upbringing is child abuse wrapped up in a ribbon of deception.
Pentacostalism at it's core is based on the fantasies of 3 people: Macpherson, Darby and McDonald and cultivated by Scoefield, a name that should be familiar, he has published a couple of Bible translations. Paranormal activity is the source of scriptural interpretation...nice. It's true that the Rapture-ists are opposed to environmental precautions. One old time evangelical was noted to say that environmentalism was akin to "polishing the brass of the Titanic". Guess there is no need to figure out what to do with your beloved cat fluffy because the only way you will be off this rock is if you hitch a ride on the shuttle. The rapture is a farce and Jesus, if you follow the scripture will not return more than twice. A secret rapture, which is taught and believed will have him return 3 TIMES.
Should anyone care about what a bunch of true believers espouse? Yes, because there is a sinister political subtext to end-time religious belief: Rapture subscribers believe that the Jews must control all of their original territory - extending, some say, all the way into Iraq - before the temple can be rebuilt and Jesus can return. They welcome conflict in the Middle East and dismiss Palestinians (including the many Christians) as little more than human chaff.
Premillennial Dispensationalism is a deceptive teaching. Those who promote these views and fill the minds of God's people with this nonsense are perpetrating a hoax. It's time to wake up AND TAKE THE RED PILL.
