Rapture.

[x n0ise]

This is a very hot topic...the Bible does state that He will rapture the Church of Christ.  Although I don't totally remember what it all said about it.  My boyfriend has a been a serious Christian all his life and knows a lot of this...very knowledgeable.  Although no one really knows, he predicts that it will take place around 2020.  <br>
This is a very serious topic...and I will admit, it does scare me a bit.  

What do you guys(Christians, I suppose)think about this?

[Toxic-Avenger]

I think the way it's going to work is we'll all be drawn up into heaven when Christ comes back.  The dead before us will rise first, then the rest of us.  I wonder if we'll die, then be resurrected right there, or be like Enoch in the Old Testament?  He didn't die, but was suddenly with God.

[-*- Little Miss Strawberry -*-]

I don't know loads about this as yet, but no one knows when Jesus will come back and in many cases we're wasting our time predicting. He could come back in five minutes, for all we know.

[vbkimber07]

There's also that thing where Jesus doesn't even know when he is coming back.  That really confuses me, but it does say so in the bible.  If God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are 3 in 1, then how can God know something that Jesus doesn't?  I guess I don't worry too much about the little technicalities - I make sure I have the big picture down.

[Toxic-Avenger]

Very true.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-- whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone:
"Watch!"   Mark 13:32-37

The issue in this passage is alertness in the face of uncertainty. It is easy to be watchful if you know when an event is going to happen. But when imagined deadlines come and go, it is also easy to let up and become drowsy. The terms "be on guard" and "watch" in these verses literally mean to be sleepless. By combining this with the admonition to pray, it is clear that even if it means losing some sleep, through vigilant prayer we are to be spiritually alert.

I think the idea of Christ not knowing when He'll come back is sort of faith-building thing for us.  Obviously the Son of God knows just as much as the Father because he was God in the flesh once.  You are right that God, the Son and Holy Spirit are one.  And all are all knowing.  <br>
FYI, an easy way to think of the Trinity is to think of yourself.  One person, many different people.  God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

YOU, are a friend, a daughter, a neice, a grandaughter, a student, many different people, but you are still one and the same person.

I think Jesus told His desiples that He did not know the hour so noone would keep pumping Him for information.  To stay holy and vigilant.  That way we couldn't sit there and think.  "Okay, Christ won't be back till 2022, so I can screw off and do whatevever I want till 2021.  Then I'll get it together and be real good like."

That's why there's so much speculation and false prophesies about Christ's return.  It was a warning and an encouragement to be ready because Jesus could be back . . . right NOW!  Or it'll be another 2,000 years.

[vbkimber07]

That is the key.  Nobody knows.  If we all knew, people would just screw off until the moment before and then ask for forgiveness.  God is giving an opportunity for the true believers.  The time before and after the rapture will be ultimate chaos.  The Left Behind books, although fiction, paint a really good biblical based picture of the rapture.

[excessive_energy2]

What the heck is Rapture???

[vbkimber07]

The rapture is when Jesus comes back to take all the true believers to heaven.  Can anyone else word it better or explain it more?

[-*- Little Miss Strawberry -*-]

^^^ I'll try.

Firstly, Christians believe there will be an end to the world and at that time, they believe that Jesus will come back to earth to take to heaven those that believe in Him, ie. Christians. He will take back with him his believers; those that have confessed to believing in and knowing him. Christians believe that Jesus is a form of God, and that he knows their hearts and knows their true beliefs.

This thread is about when Jesus is set to come back to earth again. The truth is, no one knows, which is why Christians see it as important to let everyone know the Good News about Jesus and how he is there to forgive them because of God's great unconditional love. Many people have tried predicting the end of the world; but it is impossible to do so.

I think that's right anyway!

[Semi-Charmed.Life]

When you say that Jesus will return to take the believers, does that mean that the believers will come back to life or will those believers be living at the time that he returns?

[Larigirl]

^^ both

the spirits of the believers who have already died will be ressurected and taken with Christ.

the believers who are still living will also be taken.

[Semi-Charmed.Life]

Oh, so you believe that everyone won't experience death?

[Larigirl]

^ right, I think that some people will be taken directly from earth and will never have to actually die..... of course I coudl be wrong, .... anyways, that's how i've always understood it.

[eyezofgold]

I definitely believe that there is going to be a rapture. I know there is going to be. I think that he only way to get into heaven is to be right with God. Obey him, and his word, and then you won't be left behind.

[SunShine]

What happens to the non-believers or the people unsure?