An entire discussion forum for what will happen to pets when “The Rapture” happens. Yeah.
People, there’s nothing in the Bible about the Rapture. Check out the two biblical passages that are the basis for this belief:
“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.” (Matthew 24:40-41)
“[Christ] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Philippians 3:21)
Generally, an elaborate set of predictions about the end times is constructed from these sets of verses, together with various interpretations of the Book of Revelation and the predictions of Christ’s return in Matthew 24:30-36. In general, believers in the rapture consider the present to be the end times, and offer interpretations of the various symbolisms in the book of Revelation in terms of contemporary world events.
Wrong. Certainly there are stupid discussions going on like the pet discussion you mentioned, but those are not the two best verses used to teach what the rapture is. Below is the best one. It’s pretty clear.
—According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
Clear about what? It’s clear about the return of Christ. It’s clear that he intends to gather up the dead first, then the living.
But the “rapture” as people have interpreted it, especially in examples like the “left behind” series, is no where in there.
And the idea that suddenly people will float up to heaven and their cars (and pets!) will be left behind? Not there, either.
I totally agree that “Left Behind” is ridiculous, but my “clear” comment was refering to the fact that 1 Thess does say, “…will be CAUGHT UP together with them IN THE CLOUDS to meet the Lord IN THE AIR.” That’s pretty clear.
So no, there will not be a “Left Behind” rapture as described in LaHaye’s FICTION books, but He will come and gather His elect (Matt 24:29-31) to Himself.
Dave
RAPTURE:
Where did the term “Rapture” come from?
We give you seven facts in order to define the source of the word Rapture…
Fact #1 – The Bible’s Old Testament was originally written in the Hebrew language. The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language.
Fact #2 – First Thessalonians 4:17 is a KEY verse pertaining to the Rapture. 1 Thes 4:17 tells us Jesus will catch us up into the clouds to be with Him. Notice that “caught up” is a translation of the Greek word harpazo.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thes 4:17
Fact #3 – The meaning of harpazo is defined by Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance as: Strong’s 726. arpazw harpazo to seize:–catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Fact #4 – In the early days of the church, the Roman Empire ruled much of the civilized world. The Empire’s principle language was Latin. Accordingly, in 382 AD the great scholar Jerome began translating the Bible into the Latin language. It took him 25 years. The result was the Vulgate Bible.
Fact #5 – In the Vulgate Bible, the Greek word HARPAZO in 1 Thes 4:17 was translated into the Latin word RAPIEMUR. It is from rapiemur that we get the word Rapture.
Fact #6 – Thus, “Rapture” has the literal meaning of being caught up or snatched away.
Fact #7 – When Jesus returns in the clouds (soon!) He will rapture His people — living and dead — right up into the clouds to be with Him always. Halleluyah!
Also in 2 Corinthians 12:2-3, Paul says “I was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don’t know; only God knows.”
Paul plainly says “ He was caught up into the third heaven”.
Again the Greek word for caught up here is Harpazo.
Elijah and Enoch were raptured also. Check it out for yourself.
Please study to show yourself approved before speaking about what you think you know.
You can find a copy of the Latin Vulgate online at StudyLight.org. Check out 1 Thes 4:17 there for yourself.
Also note: Check out books or videos on the Jewish wedding. This is a forshadowing symbol of the rapture.