Slade>>"I too don't understand why people think that the church will go through any part of the Tribulation."
Do you think that has a lot to do with a certian denominational backgrounds? A misunderstanding of scripture because the "shepherds" have either misinterpreted or misguided their flocks?
Goldenknight, yeah and there are people that are all set for the trib and think "Bring it on!" Not me, I want to be with our Lord.
and can anyone be as 'bold' as the Apostle John referring to himself, 'the apostle Jesus loved' . .
John, the beloved is a 'picture/window/foreshadow' of the 'church' being caught up. , our Lord Jesus saying to John in His Book of Revelation, 'come up and I will show you things to come hereafter
Stinking thinking for sure! Or the lack of it! Wouldn't it be funny if the Lord dealt with each of us according to our theology! Heh, if the HS can't get through, how can I? Post trib rapture, salvation lost, then maybe people could spend multiple lifetimes trying to be righteous enough. Seems like people would rather rely on the "spirit of stupid" rather than God's free gift. Go figure.
Oh, I agree with you, Donna.
TR, LOL...that's so true. Can I borrow that from you on occasion - "spirit of stupid"? That had me laughing yet in a sense it's very sad because we know this is eternal.
On more than one occasion in the scriptures, the Lord would send angels into enemy camps and bring confusion. I have lovingly referred to this as the "spirit of stupid". Some people don't need any help from God, this spirit is everywhere. And in no way discriminates!
they will not believe Jesus in Revelation Chapter THREE ...they refuse His counsel .
Jesus : " I will keep you from that Hour coming upon the whole earth to try men ."
It's the religious spirit in our church. Misunderstood Grace. Somehow believing your works have merit to get your foot in the door. As if Christ started the process, but we must finish it.
This isn't maturity in the faith. These are the folks who balk at true Grace, who don't believe Christ's blood was enough. OR, that His sacrifice covered our life up until we're Born Again, and then it's up to us.
Satan has a field day with Christians such as these. He keeps their mind on bondage to Law instead of freedom in Christ. He deliberately twists Grace and makes it sound like Grace, if taken at face value, would turn the Church into a brothel. Not realizing the whole point of being Born Again is to be sanctified into the image of Christ.
We are free from the bondage of Law, free from the penalty of sin, and we obey now because we LOVE Him and want to BE like Him in this world. It is a massive responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ, to wear His name -- the Highest Name in all the universe! Do we show our love by purposely disappointing Him and breaking His heart? No, we live holy because we desire it, not because it makes us any more righteous before God.
In fact, to insinuate that we can become more righteous is blasphemy of the highest order, because one assumes that Christ's righteousness as God incarnate is not enough. I pray for these people...
