Rapture - Idea created in 1830? NO!!!

No indeed! The 1830 date for the Rapture Doctrine is debatable. I do agree that an increased interest has existed since the 1800's and as we draw nearer to Christ's return I believe that interest will continue to rise. A sermon by a Greek Orthodox theologian named Ephraem was discovered speaking of the rapture. He died before 400 A.D. Some scholars claim it is not the work of Ephraem, but of a later theologian who was influenced by him, and that it was actually written before 700 A.D. In either case, it substantially pre-dates the alleged 1830 date. Some people believe that the Rapture doctrine comes from a vision by a 15-year-old girl named Margaret Macdonald. Her vision was of a post-tribulation Rapture. She stated that the Holy Spirit would protect the Church through the Tribulation. Also, it has been said that theologian J.N. Darby around 1830 proposed the idea of the Rapture (or a pre-tribulation Rapture) and it was based on the alleged prophetic vision of Margaret Macdonald. Darby was declaring a pre-tribulation Rapture as early as 1827. This was three years before Macdonald's vision. Whether you agree or disagree with this doctrine the important thing to remember is to be right with the Lord. I know there are differing opinions on the Rapture. The word Rapture is not mentioned in the bible but the term being caught up is and that is where the rapture word came from. Whether you believe in the Rapture of the believers or not, is really not that important to me. I would like for you to come to the knowledge and belief of what Jesus did for you and who he is, but that is your choice. You see we all have a choice to accept or reject Christ, that's how it was meant to be. So if you believe in the RAPTURE like I do, then great, if you don't but still accept Jesus as your savior, well that's ok. If you choose to reject Jesus, it makes me sad, but again, it's your choice. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." So what do I believe the concerning the chronological events concerning the end times? 1. The rapture of believers 2. The great tribulation (7 years), the reign of the Antichrist 3. The Battle of Armageddon 4. Satan thrown into the bottomless pit, the AntiChrist (the Beast), False Prophet and the great whore (apostate church) thrown into the fiery lake. 5. New Jerusalem and new earth created 6. The 1000 year reign of Christ 7. Satan released for a short time (many will follow him) 8. Satan and his followers thrown into the fiery lake 9. The Great White Thrown Judgment 10. Believers live forever with Christ

Grandchildren are a Blessing from God...

I now have two wonderful granddaughters who are a true blessing from God. I think how blessed I am by having a beautiful loving wife, two great children and their spouses who I am so proud of and now two adorable granddaughters. God is so good!

Dear Lord thank you for your blessings and thank you for my family. Protect them I pray. I am so unworthy of your mercy and grace. You have given me so much and I often let you down. Lord, without you I am nothing but with you I am a child of the King.

Yes, I am truly blessed!

I do not Care for Religion...

I do not care for religion. If you are going to church just to say you've gone then you are wasting your time. God does not want your religions he wants a relationship with you. We are living in the "Church age"; this is biblical from the book of Daniel. Daniel's prophecy (vision) spoke of seventy sevens. There is a time of seventy times seven years before the end of the biblical tribulation. Sixty-nine of these groups of seven years have passed and that puts us in the "Church age" which is a time when the church (God's people) are to go out and spread the news of Christ. After this unknown time then comes the tribulation. I have said all of this to say you should get you heart and life in order. No one knows the day or hour of Christ's return. Develop a relationship with God and he will never leave or forsake you.

The Bible - The Inspired Word of God

Without the Word of God (the Bible) we would be lost, searching for truth. The Word is one of God's ways of communicating with us. Any relationship would suffer without communication. The same is true with God. We must talk to him often and listen to him through his Word. Everyone should read and study the Bible.

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21; "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible speaks about those who discount the word of God and says this is evident of the last days. "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Peter 3:3,4

Jesus Died So We Can Live

God didn't demand that Jesus should die, he gave his son, there was no other way. Why? I don't know, but I do know this, that he loved us so much he was willing to do it for us and Jesus was willing to die, he didn't have to, but he did... Jesus died a horrible death for you and me. He could have called 10,000 angels but he chose not to. For you to be saved, he had to pay the ultimate sacrifice and he did so like a lamb to slaughter. No greater love exists.

The following is from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 1986;255:1455-1463, William Edwards, M.D. (Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic), Wesley Gabel, M.Div., and Floyd Hosmer, M.S, AMI: They published the results of their investigation "On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ." "The scourging produced deep stripe-like lacerations and appreciable blood loss and probably set the stage for hypovolemic shock, as evidence by the fact that Jesus was too weakened to carry the crossbar to Golgotha. At the site of the crucifixion His wrists were nailed to the patibulum and, after the patibulum was lifted onto the upright post (stipes), his feet were nailed to the stipes. The major pathophysiological effect of the crucifixion was interference with normal respirations. Accordingly, death resulted primarily from hypovolemic shock and exhaustion asphyxia. Jesus' death was ensured by the thrust of the soldier's spear into His side. Modern medical interpretation of the historical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead when He was taken down from the cross."