RAPTURE, RAPTURE, RAPTURE.

RAPTURE, RAPTURE, RAPTURE.

In some circles that is all I hear is, "rapture".

But what is "rapture".   My dictionary gives

this definition;

"3. a carrying away or being carried away

in body or spirit:"

Is "rapture" a Biblical fact or teaching.  Yes, a

 thousand yeses.  And I am looking forward to

it - if I am still alive.  However the word "rapture"

is not in most versions of the Bible.

BUT.

The problem is that most people using the word

"rapture" are using it as the next main event in 

history and even worse they have relocated it to

a time that is more pleasing to them than where

the Scriptures put it.

I'll try to be simple and use only one Scripture

portion.  You will see that the "rapture" is only

one detail in the main event.  And that event will

be the most outstanding event in the history of the

universe.

"We tell you this directly from

the Lord:  We who are still living

when the Lord returns will not meet

him ahead of those who have died.

For the Lord himself will come

down from heaven with a com-

manding shout, with the voice of 

the archangel, and with the trumpet

call of God.  First, the believers

who have died will rise from their

graves.  Then, together with them,

we who are still alive and remain on

the earth will be caught up in the

clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Then we will be with the Lord for-

ever.  So encourage each other

with these words."  

(1 Thessalonians 4:15 - 18 NLT)

And added thought.  You want a time 

line on history and how this fits in?

Jesus is the one coming and Jesus knows

a whole lot more about his coming than

Dr. Know-it-all, Dr. Blowhard or Dr. Drydust 

does.  So get your Bible out and read 

Matthew chapter 24.

You will see where Jesus himself puts

these things.  You may not like it.  But

Jesus does the arranging, not us.