THE RAPTURE ACCOUNT

Well, intrepid readers of my blog, I have decided to use today's post as a workspace for research into the topic of why there seem to be no eyewitness accounts, outside of the New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, of the Rapture.

WHAT IS IT?

Perhaps I should define terms here. The Rapture is the Biblical doctrine that the saints of God living on the earth at the time of Jesus' coming again would be caught up, or "raptured," into the clouds "to meet the Lord in the air."(1 Thessalonians 4:17)

WHEN?

Were it not for the abundance of "time texts" in the New Testament spelling a "near" and "at hand" context for this event, i.e., the first century (or more explicitly, 70 A.D.), , we could rightly speculate a future coming in the clouds of our Lord Jesus with equal amounts of certitude and uncertainty.

I listened to RC Sproul just now about the Rapture of the Church. While it is not a soteriological mandate, i.e., salvation-at-risk issue, to believe one way or the other (at least, I do not think it is), heresy can be merely relative in nature.

By that, I mean Martin Luther was labeled a "heretic" for his anti-ecclesiastical, pro-Scripture stand. I wonder sometimes if we contemporary believers are doing the same thing by anathematizing (condemning) each other for differing opinions on what are popularly called future events.

I plead ignorance about the existence or lack of extra-Biblical sources describing the Rapture taking place in 70 A.D. I do know that an argument from silence is no argument at all. I would probably consult Josephus or others to help verify my tenuous position. I am a sinner, after all. 

AND FINALLY

Let us recall the theological category of eschatology, or "last things," as being the study of those things which the Bible describes as attending "the end of the age [not "world"]."

I am willing to be corrected as being "wrong," as long as I really am!

WHAT IS A BLOG?

A blog is a collection of Twitter tweets that ran too long, beyond 140 characters.

A blog is a place to vent, wax eloquent, or practice pontificating.

A blog is your own newspaper, magazine, and multimedia outlet for news and commentary.

A blog is a really edifying way to divert one's attention from the more pressing matters of the day, so that one may recharge one's "battery" and regain a renewed sense of re-everything!

Now go blog the day! Carpe bloggem.

I BLOG, THEREFORE I AM

Okay, so that is not a very inspired blog post title. I know. But then, I am not in a very inspired mood-- I guess.

Being unemployed is a double-edge sword, a mixed blessing.  You get the idea. Too much time to think about too many things. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise. I choose to think it is.

Perhaps this blog is a prayer that someone else in the universe (including God Himself) will read what I wrote. God knows what I will say before I say it, as well as what I do not say! 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Having exhausted all means of distraction from the task of finding gainful employment, I turn to the only skill I enjoy, writing.

How may I turn a skill into a paycheck? Must I resort to relationship marketing of Juice Plus (which will probably not "sell" to my circle of friends)? 

Is this another self-absorbed screed about nothing? I think so.

Enough time killed. On to the next thing...?

EXPLOSIVE EVIDENCE

Time to get the word out about Architects and Engineers For 9/11 Truth.

Here is their full-length video: Explosive Evidence: Experts Speak Out

Watch it. I am!

THE 9/11 PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

The saddest part of 9/11 is not that "we were attacked," but that we were attacked from within.

And what started this philosophical tailspin into Conspiracy Theory Land? A reminder that evidence points to something our critical thinking should have alerted us to long ago, had our mass media not distracted us from its revelation:

"The 11th Anniversary of 9/11."

THE PROBLEM

Over a period of time, we schoolchildren were indoctrinated to think the same way, rather than educated to think for ourselves. Critical thinking skills is a buzzword I recall applying to the purpose of sitting in a classroom and taking notes by the ream.  I do not see those same skills being applied to what happened on September 11, 2011.

I am a patriot to the extent America does the right thing to its neighbors and to itself. I consider myself mature enough by the grace of God to look at the possibility that the USA is not a government always seeking the will of God.

I have been forced, figuratively, to watch "Loose Change," for example, a video chronicling the long-term, governmental, and financial conspiracy to orchestrate the destruction and subsequent overhaul of the powers-that-be. The purpose of that conspiracy continues to be to effect paradigm shift, sea change, and monetary gain.

Time will not permit me to exhaustively show my own journey of disbelief and persuasion that the "powers-that-be" made all of this happen. History bears witness that conspiracy is the name of the game. We common folk go about our business, while people more rich and powerful than we go about theirs. Yet somewhere, an evil bigger than ourselves is at work.

THE SOLUTION

God is bigger than evil. (1 John 4:4) There is "no contest."

To borrow a saying from John Politan:

"Prayer changes nothing. Prayer, plus humble obedience, changes everything."

I believe God allowed "9/11," just like He allowed "Pearl Harbor," and all other bad things happening to "good people." Can we rise to the challenge of overcoming evil with good?

God commands it.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) 

POST ELECTION

I purposely used the term "election" in a dual sense here: 1) the upcoming  primary election (which I already cast an early ballot for :) ; and 2) the election of God to save some but not all sinners (all of us).

I fully realize that today's post has absolutely nothing to do with the first meaning. But it has everything to do with the second.

Election is the call of God to choose sinners to be His people, the ones whom Jesus came to save. Are you one of them? I pray you are. Many will reject Him and His salvation.

"Many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)

The process is completely a work of grace.(Ephesians 2). We did nothing to earn, deserve, or merit salvation. But He offers it freely, and we must accept. Period.

Rejection is not a (good) option.

WHENCE ELECTION?

So we are left with the dilemma: how did we come to believe in election? The word itself is the English translation of the Hebrew word for "choice:" bachir.

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights." (Isaiah 42:1)

This is a Messianic reference to the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. Interesting is the way God refers to His people using the same word, bachir ("chosen") in the very next occurence:

"For the sake of My servant Jacob, and Israel My chosen..." (Isaiah 45:4)

The first occurence of the word "choose" (bachar) used about God, to the best of my knowledge, is found in Numbers 16:5.

"The one whom He chooses, He will bring near to Him."

And,

"The man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one."(Numbers 16:7)

CHOSEN BY GOD

And just to beat a dead horse... dead, here is the more broad application of being chosen by God:

"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."(Deuteronomy 7:6)

 Sounds like God is in the business of "choosing" people, does it not? This is why we tremble at His Word, and thank Him for His grace. We need it. Anyone who will not see their need of God's grace is a "fool." (Psalm 14:1)

IT'S YOUR MOVE

The "freedom/bondage of the will" is a topic worth exploring separately. Suffice it to say, we all have a choice to make.

"Choose (bachir) this day whom you will serve."(Joshua 24:15)

ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED

I did a search on this blog using my handy search box in the right side and found that I have not blogged about Romans 11:26... yet!

"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:"

The futurist perspective is represented by the commentaries on Biblos.com, which I searched and found here.

The preterist perspective is represented on Eschatology.org, for example, by the article: "And So, All Israel Shall Be Saved! Romans 11:25-27."

Basically, there is a contrast between the two views because on the one hand, you have something to look forward to. On the other hand, you have something to look back on-- an historic event!

I regretfully admit the preterist view clears up all speculation as to the so-called "end of the world." It is also questionable in some circles whether there even is an end!

Worth thinking about and praying about.

THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL

It is incumbent upon Christian believers to discuss matters of faith and practice among ourselves, as iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). It behoves us to arrive at the same place in that conclusion as the Apostles and Prophets of old.

Witness Matthew 15:24.

"But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

It is good to know Jesus' mission on Earth as being a focused, but not exclusive, one. He came to seek and save that which was lost: that was the overall scope of His mission.  He came "for the lost sheep of the House of Israel:" that was His initial focus ("to the Jew first," Romans 1:16).

How fortunate (blessed) we are as Jews and Gentiles to have been included in that mission's scope! How sad that most of the Jews and Gentiles of His day were not saved because of their unbelief!

And so it is today.

Here is commentary from Biblos. By the way, RefTagger is functioning, i.e., hover your mouse pointer over the Scripture references.

"CHURCH FATHER FOR THE POST-MODERN ERA"

Having seen Eric Metaxas at my church speaking this past Saturday night, I wanted to watch something on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I found an "extended interview" on YouTube.


I also found the edited, though prettier, version of the same interview on The 700 Club. Here it is.

SOME RAPTURE - I PREFER THE BIBLICAL ONE!

It is eminently helpful to hear the gospel of God again and again, especially when we fallen creatures forget what we have already learned!

Witness "The Rapture."

Below is a video episode of "Morning Musings" by Don Preston. Here, he has beautifully explained the Biblical view of being "taken," and how it is not to be confused with being "caught up."

Of course, "being caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" is Biblical! (I Thessalonians 4:17)

But so is being "taken." The Biblical view frowns upon being taken when it refers to God's judgment. Therefore, it prefers being left behind and avoiding God's judgment (Matthew 24:36-44), as in the case of Noah avoiding the Great Flood by obeying God. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the coming of the Son of Man.(Matthew 24)

In warfare, the conquering army would capture "the best and brightest" from the country being conquered. Hence, they were "taken" captive in judgment and enslaved for the good of the enemy.

Some rapture!

FIRST CENTURY LEFT BEHIND

In continuing my tradition of blogging about paradigm-shifting topics, I want to post this link to a friend's blog about the very feasible doctrine of full preterism. I do not wish to shift anyone's paradigm single-handedly!

All things predicted (prophesied about) in the Old Testament were fulfilled in the New Testament. All things prophesied about in the New Testament were fulfilled by 70 A.D.

Any questions?

I thought so. Here is one place to start, besides the myriad other sites and resources I have cited here at Worldview Window. It is called First Century Rapture. It is published by a good friend of mine and his co-author and friend. Please visit their site and learn.

REMEDY FOR A ONE WORLD COMPANY

You have certainly heard of The New World Order, a One World Government, and so on. I like one man's turn of the phrase as "one world company." I think it should be called One World, Inc. You get the idea.

The remedy for this financial tyranny is our own Constitution of the United States of America. Couple this with prayer to our Creator and eternal vigilance!

For a great primer online course, check out Hillsdale College.

BILDERBERG UNPLUGGED

Because I do not have the heart to embed this video on Facebook, I will do it here:



Live video from your Android device on UstreamIf this event is not on the evening news, it should be. How exciting! The movers and shakers (world "mafia") are meeting and mingling informally to collaborate on world events. Now we know why things happen (depressions, wars, assassinations, etc.)!

Go, Alex! Godspeed. Prayers for God's protection in Jesus' Name, amen.

OUR FUTURE IS IN GOD'S HANDS

Speculating about my future, by extension, is speculating about our future.

I am listening to (and watching) Alex Jones' live video feed (rerun) of his coverage/"reportage" of the Bilderberg Group meeting in Chantilly, Virginia this week. I was inspired to think maybe a global conspiracy such as the Bilderberg Group would explain the unexplainable.

Why do depressions, recessions, recoveries, prosperity, and poverty happen? Is it not because of our depravity as a fallen human race in the world created by God but allowed to fall because of our sin? Is it not because we war and lust against one another? (James 4)

Would not "spiritual wickedness in high places"(Ephesians 6:12) explain this mysterious cycle of rising and falling empires?

I know God is in control. But I feel and believe He allows his creatures (us) to make decisions for good or ill based on our natures, sinful or sanctified. Perhaps it is worth my while to speculate on the possibility that my economic welfare is, yes, ultimately in God's hands. But it is also affected by the "powers that be"(Romans 13:1) which He has ordained.

If I keep that in mind, then Bilderberg, do your worst!

POST HASTE

Okay, the pun was intended.

I wanted to embed this video live feed of Alex Jones at the Bilderberg Group meeting to see if it works.

Stay tuned...

 
Live video by Ustream

VIDEO IS WORTH...

...more than a picture! A thousand words or so about our present situation in Washington, D.C.:

WEBLOG, TAKE ME AWAY!

Sometimes your blog is nothing more than a place to refresh your sense of who you are and what you think, a place where it is okay to think! I was just reviewing some of my material here on my blog (i.e., posts, ads, design, etc.) and felt relief from the stress of workplace pressure.

But here is the rub: I do not have a job, per se. My job is to find work and do it to the best of my ability the way my boss wants. And do not be afraid to go above and beyond the call of duty!

That's it, in a nutshell. To the glory of God. The only pressure I feel right now is self-imposed-- and possibly Spirit-led (I hope).

WORK THEOLOGY

Wayne Grudem talks about work to a faculty conference at Talbot Theological Seminary.

SOCIAL IMAGINEERING

It's a small world, after all.

President Barack Hussein Obama was born in Kenya... until he wasn't.

Witness a comprehensive story in World Net Daily about the growing body of evidence from the past (i.e., pre-election days) showing a definite thread of being:

•  born in Kenya
•  from Indonesia
•  a "foreign student" 
• etc.

The literary agent who made a "fact-checking error" in publishing a brochure for Obama's forthcoming book (which never came) figured after 16 years, he ought to correct that "error" -- especially since Senator Obama was running for president of the U.S.

So now we have spin control spinning out of control. Fun to watch, but tragic in consequence. When truth becomes "error," God says, "Woe!" (Isaiah 5:20)

VETTING THE UNVETTED

Let's have a look at Breitbart.com's story about the duly-elected President BHO and his antics to cover up his origins which would disqualify him from holding the office he tenuously holds now.

Can you say "double-crossed?"

I visited Infowars.com on a whim and, presto, there it was in all its digital glory:

Obama "was born in Kenya!"

Now it has been "immortalized" for all to see forever.

If that is not enough, here is yet even more in-depth coverage of the unfolding refuge of lies (Isaiah 28:17) hiding the "most powerful man in the world."