I've been reading this amazing book, titled "Are you Rapture Ready?". It is written by Terry James and Todd Strandberg. As the title makes obvious, it talks about the Rapture and Tribulation. This book educates you on things such as failed Rapture predictions, theories as to where in the Tribulation is the Rapture going to take place, and signs that the Rapture will be soon. It's a very, very interesting read, and it helps people like me who aren't entirely sure on the issue. I recommend that you read this. I'm pretty sure you can find this book on Amazon.

Popeye116 :

There will be no rapture. It is not biblical. It wasn't even talked about until the early 1800s. The book of Revelation is largely metaphorical in it's prophesies and many of them have already happened.

Does the book use a lot of scripture as evidence?  Do you know how much research is behind the book?  I don't know anything about it or the authors, so I'm not trying to dissuade you. My only concern is that often.... people can -sound- convincing and sell an idea to you.... but that doesn't make their knowledge any more viable.

Did you mean this thread to be a discussion on the book, or were you asking us if we are actually 'Rapture Ready'?

Unfortunately, I'm afraid I am not, and I fear I won't be.  I, like most people, am so full of sin.  We never know what day is going to be our last, however, and it's something I've been reflecting on a lot, recently.  I try to ask myself "If today was your last day, would you be ready to die?"  As in, would I be confident that I'd be meeting Jesus?

I think as Christians, we always have doubt on that subject.  We feel guilt over our sinful nature and want to be that image of perfection Jesus exemplified.  That's a goal we will always strive for, so can we ever truly  -feel- ready?  I am certainly grateful that we have a forgiving God!  That is my mercy, and is a blessing indeed!

The rapture won't happen, as it was stated by two posts above me, it's not in the bible. There is no way that it is real, and I don't believe in it. Do guy who did the math on when the rapture will happen has been off every year for forever, so I kind of don't believe in it anymore.

Basically, if the rapture is real and will happen, then no,I am not ready for it to happen. I sin a lot, and I don't mean to, but I just can't help it. If you aren't supposed to sin, and with plenty of sins you it'll not be taken back by the rapture, then I guess I'm out of not. Almost everyone has sined a good bit, but as we know you have to forgive and forget as Jesus did. But truthfully, I think I have sined just a little too much to really be taken back with the rapture. If it were to happen right now, I will not be one of the people taken back, in a world of not many people. If it were to happen now, I would be too afraid of being left behind I would sin even more trying to relieve my sins.

So to put all of my babbling simply, I am not ready for the rapture, but I do not think it will happen so I can safely say I'm fine.

Singelli : Yes, the book uses lots of scripture as evidence, and no, not all of it is from Revelations. In fact, i believe that at least 30% or more of the scripture evidence isn't from Revelation. And I do believe there's a lot of research, because it is a rather long book for the little evidence on the topic.

Txgangsta :
Barathemos : It does tell about the Rapture in the bible. It doesn't specifically say the word "rapture" (this word was made up from Greek and English language or something), but it does give evidence that was told about in the bible, such as the rise of the European Nations, the reformation of Israel, a massive spike (not sure if that's the right word) in technology, and more. Plus, it says that Jerusalem (and maybe Israel, I have to look that up) will be the main target of the Antichrist. And with the conflict in Israel right now.....Well, I believe the time is close. Plus, to Barathemos, you are right with the guy who did the math on the rapture. He wasn't false because the Rapture isn't real, but Matthew 24:36 states, "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

I've been taught my entire life that the Rapture will happen, and I'm not just going to drop it that easily. Also, if the Rapture were to happen or if I were to die today, I don't think I would be ready.

Popeye116 :

The evidence you listed of a rapture is a Rorschach. Nations have risen and fallen for quite a while now, and rapturists have (for 2 centuries now) said, "Oh lookie! It's a prophesy fulfilled!". It's just not true.

And lots of people have been taught rapture their whole life. People have been taught it when they were born and taught it to others as they died.

It doesn't say "rapture", but it doesn't talk about a rapture either. Would you post verses where you think it talks about a Left Behind styled "rapture"?

Txgangsta :
Barathemos :


Hold on.  Don't be so quick to dismiss this and just say, "There will be no rapture. It is not biblical."  Txgangsta - I would like to know why you feel so strong about this and why you are so sure about this not happening.  We don't need to start a full blown argument / debate on this and we can agree to disagree, but I'm really interested to know your stance on this.  There is in fact a couple of places in the Bible, ex. Revelation that strongly indicate that this event in fact will take place.  I have made a thread on end time events where I briefly discussed and given Biblical references to the Rapture here so I'm not going to repeat myself again and go into the detail at the moment unless there is someone that wants to know more about the subject


I really can't explain it better than the experts so here are a few resources if you're interested:

-Rapture of the Church by John McArthur PART 1

-Rapture of the Church by John McArthur PART 2

-The Last Trumpet by Dr. Thomas Ice
-Will the church go through the Tribulation? by Dr. John Walvoord


As far as prophecies and set dates for the Rapture goes, I'll stick to believing the Bible and not man's word, since all of the Rapture prophecies made by man failed.


Singelli :

Just know that you are not alone and the only Christian feeling this way. Just remember that we should not be wallowing in our guilt.  It's an old trick used by the Enemy.  If you sincerely confess your sins to God, "He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ( 1John 1:9).  It says there that He WILL forgive and WILL purify.  Not "might" and "perhaps".  Believe it.

SoL@R :  I understand we are not to let guilt overrun our spirits. In my opinion, there is a difference in sinning or stumbling.... and living a sinful lifestyle, however. I worry about that fine line.  There is one sin I struggle with in particular, and although I have bouts of time where I can fight it off, I feel like I never completely get rid of it. It always resurfaces and when I get stressed, I don't even try that hard to fight it. My conscious will tell me I am sinning, but I will ignore that little voice or make excuses.  I fear this negligence is what pushes me over that line of 'lifestyle sin', and therefore puts me at risk spiritually.