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Originally posted by leira7
I know this might sound crazy but if you here me out, it might make you re-think some things. I have done my research on the Christian perspective of the ends times. Now as some may know, in the past there have been instances where priests or common men have avidly proclaimed that they themselves were able to interpret and shed light on prophetic sections of the bible. I believe that these types of men's interpretations on the book of Revelation to be one of the biggest misconceptions in the Bible. I want to put my focus on one single issue that has been modernized and 'sold', so to speak, to people. There are so many movies, books, and talk about how the supposed "end times" is to take place.
One of the main events that many Christians await is called "The Rapture". And again this may be old news for some of you, but for the ones who haven't heard, the word "rapture" is not mentioned at all in any of the books of the bible. Instead the translation of the original Latin word, "rapturo" translates to the Greek verb meaning "Caught up". It was the Jesuit Priest Ribera who coined the term "rapture". When the mid-1800's came about an anglican minister, John Nelso Darbey, began to speak of "dispensationalism" that is a sort of 'secret rapture'. Anyways, the point I'm getting at is that rapture and caught up can mean two different things. The idea of rapture in the minds of fundamentalist Christians consist of a vanishing of some sort in which one minute a person will be there and no more than "a blinking of an eye" they will be gone.
As an outsider looking in, it may be difficult to grasp such a concept, unless that is if you have an open mind about UFO's and higher beings of intelligence (but that's another discussion). Christians also back this belief in the rapture up by qouting what can be found in the book of Matthew when the apostles ask Jesus about the ends times . He responds, "Two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other one left.."(if you want to read the whole paragraph it's Matthew 24:37-42).
If you listen to the evangelists, preachers, authors, and such, you'll begin to notice that all follow a sort of cronological path all including the rise of the anti-christ (which this word is also not mentioned in the Bible instead it says "the beast" but again this is another argument) and either before/after the powershift the rapture takes place, the great battle at megiddo and then finally the glorious "second coming" of Christ. My question to you is, could it possibly be that neatly put? Is it not obvious that the second these things begin to fall into place that the people will not say, "hey I saw this in a movie" or "hey that's what my neighbor was talking about" or "hey, those damn Christians were right" (no offense mind you). Perhaps I'm just a complex person but I really sat back and thought about in. I asked myself what would draw massess of people to one man and almost immediately (within or around the period of seven years) transform them and bring about global peace. That alone sounds impossible, not to mention having one government, one religion, one currency, and so on. How could one man truly do this? I concluded that something far worse than what has already been witnessed in the history of man must occur and I tied this to the concept of a rapture.
[the meat and potatoez]
I am not shutting down the rapture I do believe that something is happening but I think it's been interpreted wrong. I believe that being caught up means spritually leaving the body. Now a perfectly healthy body without a soul makes that person brain dead right? Now on a grand scale picture millions of people being "caught up" leaving perfectly good bodies behind. If demons truly do exist, would they not take advantage of this moment by possessing these bodies? If you think this is a stupid idea then I ask you this, why does it say that "the dead in christ shall rise first" if their souls are already in paradise? Sounds like zombies to me.
[edit on 23-1-2007 by leira7]
Originally posted by mazzroth
The Rapture is I believe where 144 000 of the most worth journey to Gods region in the upper universe close to him. This journey is done via the Spiritual Earth when it splits away from the Temporal Earth ( reversal of the Union of Polarity ) with the rest being left here ( HEll ) to fend for ourself.
I have spoken about this in numerous threads, its just my opinion based on reading lots of similar stuff.
Originally posted by SpeakerofTruth
People don't step back from their modern day minds and try to put themselves in the shoes of those who saw the visions. Can you imagine what the appearance of a tank must have been like to the mind of an ancient prophet? Pretty horrifying.
Now, I don't mean to make light of a serious topic, but people's ideas about how the "end times" will be and how they actually will be are two separate things all together.
To really understand the book of Revelation, one must understand the mindset of the prophet. A warship probably appeared very much like a floating city to the mind of the prophet... Any machine that had the capability of coming out of the water and banking on the shoreline most probably seemed "beast like" to the prophet.
[edit on 25-1-2007 by SpeakerofTruth]
You have voted ilandrah for the Way Above Top Secret award. You have one more vote left for this month.
The text itself says a number of virgin male jews, evenly drawn from each of the 12 tribes of Israel will be 'raptured', totalling 144,000 men
You summed up my idea of what the "rapture" essentially will be. The "rapture," in my opinion, will not be this "wisping" away that so many have in their minds, and it most likely will not be the ones who think they will get the seal of God that actually gets it.
Originally posted by Judaz_Escariot
Interesting opinions...
But you're all right. The Rapture is a seling point Priests use. It isnt mentioned in the texts. Besides, when the 7 seals are opened, the 144,000 will remain on earth. They are given seals with the name of god and they will be spared from the plagues. Remember "The Beast" will go to make war against them.
That which inspired, awed, frightened and cowed tribes of goat-herders a few thousand years ago should be taken in the context it was written and preached, way back then. 144,000 was undoubtedly a 'big number' then. And as jews dictated what their God did and did not mean, it's logical they would include only themselves in their god's plans.
I strongly suspect MY God is not the jews' god.
Originally posted by Judaz_Escariot
. As a matter of fact, I heard an argument between two friends (thet seemed to be friends) about the Jews killing the Christ. I wanted to get involves so bad that my head hurt... It was the Romans who killed the Christ.
You have voted Dock6 for the Way Above Top Secret award.
Originally posted by Judaz_Escariot
Afterall, it is also believed that "The Beast" is Roman. Scholars today say that Nero Ceasar's number is 666. And he was notorius for slaying Christians. Also the "7 Heads" of the beast represents 7 Hills, and Rome is known for its 7 Hills. The 10 Heads could be the Roman Empire and its predecessors. John wrote Revelations during the time of Nero. However, the visions of Daniel talks about the end of days. John's visions started with his current events, then Michael showed him the visions Daniel had.
In all honesty...think about it. Italy consider themselves to be the most religious place on eart. with the Popes and the Vatican and all, but they harbor dark secrets and curses passed from generations. I think its blasphemy for the vatcan to be named a Holy City when most of the REAL Christians who walked with Christ and the Apostles were killed on their grounds.
[edit on 29-1-2007 by Judaz_Escariot]
Originally posted by Judaz_Escariot
In all honesty...think about it. Italy consider themselves to be the most religious place on eart. with the Popes and the Vatican and all, but they harbor dark secrets and curses passed from generations. I think its blasphemy for the vatcan to be named a Holy City when most of the REAL Christians who walked with Christ and the Apostles were killed on their grounds.
[edit on 29-1-2007 by Judaz_Escariot]