Discussion about Jesus’s death which now encompasses creationism and the second coming. Thread 2

Saw this thread encompasses the Second Coming so wanted to pop on and say I once had a dream about the Second Coming and it happened in Sweden.

Looking forward to finding out if I'm a prophet.

@KeepHopeful I too believe in the Rapture and yes it is refered to in the Bible although the Greek word 'harpazo' (meaning 'to snatch' 'take by force' 'to seize') is used. You did miss out the dead rising before the living however, and it will all happen 'in the twinkling of an eye' so not over hours or days, it will be an instant thing.

There will be no signs before the Rapture happens. The Tribulation may not happen immediately afterwards but if you imagine all the people who just vanish that would cause some chaos on Earth so it may propel events towards the Tribulation. The Tribulation doesn't begin until the AntiChrist signs a 7 year peace covenant with Israel. That then signals the start of the 7 years and all sorts of truly awful events no-one would want to have to go through but many will. The Rapture will likely be explained by those remaining in some other way, such as aliens taking those people or something ridiculous. By then people will believe just about anything, many already do!

Certainly not all Christians believe in this, although they do believe in the Second Coming of Christ (which ends the Tribulation after 7 years have passed), but again some Christians believe we already live in the Tribulation and others believe it already happened a long time ago and we are living in the Millennial Kingdom, although that view makes no sense to me.

Watching for the signs was referring to the destruction of Jerusalem not the second coming. I don't believe in the rapture, I know some Christians do.

You’re getting into the realms of silliness now if you believe this science fiction nonsense. People are supposed to just accept that their mother, father, son, daughter have just vanished into thin air but it’s ok ‘because god done it’. If this is the sort of garbage people are being fed and believe then I’m very glad to not be a part of it. Unless of course you are on a wind up and know perfectly well it’s rubbish lol.

One species can evolve into another ....did't birds come from dinosaurs. Lizards with feathers found etc.
I find there is more concrete evidence for evolution than creationalism however uncomfortable that is.

What are the signs to watch for?

Taking those who are ready for Heaven out of the impending Tribulation sounds very loving to me.

God is a loving God. Love demands justice. How well do you know the Bible? God's love, justice, reward and punishment won't make sense unless we consider them in context.

The site linked here may help:

https://biblehub.com/q/why_does_a_loving_god_allow_hell.htm

Note that God always tells people what He requires, helps them to achieve it, and warns them of punishment and danger so that they can avoid it.

When everybody has heard about Jesus, going through the Tribulation and/or going to Hell is a consequence of their own choices.

As I said,

"Disclaimer. Some Christians have different interpretations, but I believe this one is the majority view."

It is the view of a great majority. Mid or post Trib rapture is pretty hard to support scripturally.

Don't know about unicorns, I wasn't there.

He is indeed, a good and loving God. However, not all Christians believe in the rapture. I'm not convinced by it, I think it depends on your eschatological stance. It's not explicitly referred to in the Bible.

Were there unicorns on the ark, or did they miss the boat? Is this why people think they're imaginary?

God is a good loving God. The Bible speaks of a great shout, so I imagine people will have time to finish their toilet visit or whatever. My point really was that people won't be saying goodbye to everyone and doing other stuff.

The Bible says that several prophets were taken directly to Heaven, as was Jesus. I have spent enough time with a very charismatic church, and heard and read enough about extraordinary things God does - you would be amazed - to doubt the "beaming up" as we might call it! To the God who made the universe, transporting people is not challenging.

You actually believe people will just disappear as if they’re being beamed up by Scotty on the Enterprise? Mid sandwich, mid toilet visit, mid sex, mid giving birth?

Come on now. You cannot be serious.

I’m sure if you sat down with Sir David Attenborough he would kindly explain why that statement is wrong and show you the evidence accross multiple species including humans.

Jesus said watch for the signs and be ready. The signs are here. No more Bible prophecies need fulfillment before the Rapture. Remember, the Rapture is before the Second Coming.

It will happen quickly. Whether minutes, hours or days we don't know, but not a long time. Believing Christians will suddenly not be here any more. No goodbyes, no finishing jobs, putting things in order or tidying up. Just supernaturally picked up and carried away.

It's more than just numbers. A lot of people with a restraining influence on the world won't be here. The Antichrist will be revealed. The world will become chaotic and evil at a much faster pace than we see even now. A lot of people will then come to realise that Jesus is real, and will believe in Him. But they will be stuck here during the Tribulation. That won't be pretty.

There have been some films based on it. I saw one on TV some years ago. Quite thought provoking. Look on YouTube.

How will we know the Rapture is happening?

These are all excellent:

Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne
Evolution: What the Fossils Say and Why It Matters by Donald Prothero
The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins

Ok, what books would you recommend?

That AiG is highly regarded among YECs is no more notable than the fact that there are some really popular flat earth youtube channels. They are both fringe belief that rely on bogus scientific claims and conspiracy theories.

If you want informative and reliable sources for information about evolution then I repeat my offer to suggest some good books for you.

Christians have been saying it'll be soon for 2000 years! Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour

I know they are highly regarded among some other young earth creationists and that I have found their articles on creation to be informative and reliable. There are plenty of places that have some good information and some not so good. AiG isn't perfect, but that doesn't mean that nothing they produce is useful or true.

One thing just as sure as death and taxes is Christians predicting the imminent return of Jesus. Exactly the same predictions that have been made every year for two millennia.

I get what you say about the possible sales approach. Evangelical organisations exist to spread knowledge. They cost a lot of money to run, and selling books and vids is a normal way to raise funds. Offering $20 worth of ebooks for 99 cents, almost nothing, doesn't strike me as grasping.

There are many evangelical organisations in America. I just picked this site becauseI thought the way it explained the subject suited this MN thread.

This is not a top name, and I doubt if it will get a huge number of sales.