What About The Rapture?

[sheep wrecked]

(02-06-2009 09:53 AM)ceebee Wrote:  I'm looking forward to the rapture and I hope I am included. Does one really know if it is the 'catching away' that's in the Bible or is it another made up story ?

One night I dreamt, maybe I had a cheese sandwich before bed but it felt real.

I had been praying and crying and really heartbroken and had been asking God to forgive me. I was on my knees convinced I was going to hell. I prayed the Sinners Prayer on a daily basis not knowing if I was forgiven and trying to quit smoking and winning then failing. I was really defeated.

I dreamt about the rapture and it was beautiful. I felt so peaceful and it was like being awake and watching myself with thousands and thousands others floating upwards and saying to myself ITS THE RAPTURE and feeling so pleased ! It was so real that when I woke up I remembered it exactly and I felt a bit sad that it was only a dream, It was probably wishful thinking but after that I didn't have the crying jags so much.

Has anyone else had a dream or vision of anything similar ?

Hey, ceebee!

I think we all have thoughts about Christ's return - what a glorious day that will be!!!

The word "rapture" is pretty much used today to promote a specific doctrine that Jesus will come back and zap people up into the air and take them to Heaven, leaving unbelievers behind for the tribulation. That concept is a false one as Scripture does not say that.

However; the true "rapture" will be when Jesus returns, with the sound of the trump and a loud voice. EVERY eye will see Christ, not just a few - and all will bend the knee to Him - believers and non-believers. The dead in Christ will rise first, then believers will rise with them and forever be with the Lord. That does not say or imply we will be whisked to Heaven, but that we will be with the Lord as He comes to earth. Heaven is coming down here where there will be a new earth and a new Heaven in which we will live forever with God. I am not sure of the order of how these things happen. Revelations gives us some pretty fantastic pictures, but I don't think anyone really knows exactly how God is going to do things.

I hope I didn't complicate it too much. I don't really like to get in too deep on the last days [eschatology] stuff as it tends to take the emphasis off of just living for Christ everyday until we die or He returns.

Just a note. God heard you the first time you repented and asked for His forgiveness. He is faithful to forgive us when we ask because Jesus paid for it on the cross, once and for all. If we don't "feel" anything, it's not important. That is where faith comes in - by reading His Word - visions and dreams do not build faith because then one bases their "faith" on what is seen, not on what the Word says .

We are told that God forgives those with a repentant heart in the NT. This is why it is so important to keep reading the Bible. Our faith is built because we the words that God has given to us are written on our hearts and they put our hope and trust in Him --- because they are living words inspired by His Spirit

To be honest, I once thot that I had to spend days in repentance when I first converted because I did not feel anything. That is when someone showed me that we need to have faith in God according to His written Word. It was then, when I accepted God's truth, that the peace of Christ settled in my heart and has never left :cloud9:

So, have you quit smoking?