Why Worry About The Rapture?

Why study this rapture issue?
That we not wind up like the Thessalonians, totally vulnerable
to false teachers who will tell us of "secret" comings in remote places (see Matthew 24:26-
27). And for several other reasons:

1. The integrity of Scripture is at stake. Is the Bible true? Can we trust its statements,
even when they speak against our pet doctrines, cultural ways, and even our "common
sense" and human logic?

2. The method of Biblical interpretation is important. Shall we look at Scripture literally
whenever possible or only when it suits our theories? Shall we adamantly affirm with
Agur in Proverbs 30:5, "Every word of God is pure", or shall we cloud the meanings of
Scripture with "revelations" that have come later? Certainly when Jesus is telling a parable
we look for "interpretation" but if no obvious figure is intended we must trust God's Word
as it is.

3. Though such matters as the timing of the rapture may not be on a par with the teachings
regarding salvation and the Deity of Christ, do we have a right to classify any Scriptural
theme as "unimportant" when so often we fill our minds with Hollywood fantasies, or the
triviality of game-playing known as "sports", or the ramblings of the stock market? Are
those who glibly say, "Well, Jesus is coming, that's all that really matters," occupied in the
collecting of the world's knowledge and calling that important? Why shouldn't God's people
be excited about even the smallest of the Bible's issues?

The teacher in particular is warned in Matthew 5:19, "Whoever therefore breaks one
of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom
of heaven..." This passage refers to the eternal law of God that His people keep by their new
life in the Spirit, but shows us how God values everything He says to a prophet or an apostle.

Things we want to call "little" are not necessarily so.

Perhaps by the time you have examined the evidence you will see that this issue is
not so trivial anyway. Returning to the Thessalonian context, the issue was big enough to
warrant two letters of Paul to correct! A misplaced return of Jesus brought confusion and
desperation to that assembly. In our day, imagine the plight of those who fed on the Hollywood-
style dramas made by pre-tribulation rapturists, when they see antichrist arise before
them, and Jesus has not yet returned. At best these people will be angry with those who sold
them a bill of goods with no clear Scriptural evidence. These folks were expecting years of
bliss in Heaven while hellish things happened to "tribulation saints" on earth. They will bitterly
reflect that some very godly-sounding men led them astray.

That's why we need to study the rapture.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

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