Dumb Question #52 - Do You Believe In The Rapture?

Pre-Trib? Mid-Trib? Three-quarters-Trib?  Well done-Trib?  Medium rare-Trib?  Or perhaps you do not believe in the rapture at all?

Pre-Wrath.

Pan-Trib.

I believe in the rapture....just no completely convinced when it's supposed to occur.

I'm inclined to believe in the pre-Trib Rapture.....however, I have heard people make pretty convincing presentations to argue for other options.

I used to believe in the Rapture, but the more I read and study, I don't really see any conclusive support for it Scripturally and it seems like something 19th century Christians made up so they could believe they are more special to God than those heathen sinners.

Yes I do. Pre-Trib. Work like it will be in 200 years; live like it will be in my next breath.

I believe in a literal return of Jesus to take a home.  I mean more mid-Trib but feel we should study all the theories.  None of us truly know when he will come again, and each end-time belief has different ramifications and expectations for us believers.

Just want to offer an explanation for the reason behind my original post.  I became to the faith in 1979 while reading Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth" and have lost track the number of 'End Times prophecy' books I have read over the years, although I skipped the "Left Behind" series. 

The past week I re-read one such book in which the author suggests that the scripture verses currently used to support the rapture actually apply to the Second Coming instead.  Those that are 'caught up' are taken at the literally point when Christ returns.  Hence, you might describe his theory as actually 'post trib' instead!   

But therein the problem lies in that the author also does not believe in a seven year tribulation period or a literal one world 'Antichrist' world leader.  His view on prophecy is actually 'historic' based as based to the 'futuristic' view of Lindsey and the "Left Behind" series.

Please note that I am not taking a stance either way (I do not necessarily subscribe to the Historic point of view and am not attempting to suggest what is right or wrong) but the author does make some interesting points and certainly got me thinking- or at the very least challenges certain lines of thinking I have taken granted for years.  In terms of specifics, the author draws a lot of his conclusions from how the Reformers during the Middle Ages interpreted prophecy.

I am not certain what to think but also feel it is important to be open minded and discerning.  In other words, whether pre-trib, mid-trib or no trib, be ready regardless and all the same.  The classic Resurrection Band song "American Dream" summed things up succinctly when it suggested:

It WILL happen...
Just don't think about it!

On a side note: I am kind of on the fence in regards to a lot of the End Times and prophecy teaching and am not certain what to think, so hopefully the topic will be open to friendly discussion and debate.  Also, I hope Pastor Brad chimes in and offers his thoughts.

For a really decent end-times/Rapture read, check out James BeauSeigneur's Christ Clone Trilogy.  Kind of hard to find, but worth it.

Mid trib

Samson wrote:

Mid trib

Because you can only take so much?

I guess I'm ultimately pan-trib. It all pans out in the end. (I wish I could take credit for that, but I think that came from the old CMR.)

But seriously, I'm really not sure who to believe. I've heard convincing cases of all sorts. In the end, I believe that I am God's child and that He has the power and grace to keep me His until the day I die, no matter how.

+1 trillion

Yep, I believe in the rapture.

I always like to quote something I think I read in a Heaven's Metal interview: "I'll tell you when it happens."

deathisgain wrote:

I always like to quote something I think I read in a Heaven's Metal interview: "I'll tell you when it happens."

Oh man, that's fantastic.