Does anyone REALLY think we still have years before the Rapture?

[SteveJM]

Being a lady, a good ole Southern butt whoppin from me would consist of me smiling and saying "Well, bless your heart!"

Down here, that's a backhanded insult.

I'll keep that in mind, next time I'm in the South. I think I might have been told that a few times.

[This]

Back on topic.

So...

Does anyone here REALLY think we still have years before the Rapture?

[Chris]

Back on topic.

So...

Does anyone here REALLY think we still have years before the Rapture?

Not me. I'm expecting it anytime NOW!!!!

[Neohistory]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say this, because I trust in the Lord God. I truly believe I was saved in 2008, I still have the baptism photos someone in my folder of exponentially increasing digital files (about 50GB of random stuff over the years.) I was dorment spiritually, and here within the last year, something has happened to me and I've just awoken and the fire of the Holy Spirit is within me. I'm starting at page one of the Bible again but using a study Bible, and I find myself praying multiple times a day, and seeing all these things increasing as I've been watching Bible prophecy for the time I mentioned earlier of a year.

So what am I saying? I suppose, in my own opinion, the Holy Spirit inside me is reaching up, lifting my chin up to the Lord God, and I really feel - which I have never before like this - that the time is VERY close. Am I saying I know? Nope, however, it's that gut feeling and it's not human intuition, I feel it is spiritual intuition in a sense that just as the birth pangs are going on around the world, so too is the Holy Spirit ebbing in flowing within me and man, I'm just really fired up for Jesus Christ! Amen!

[Saved Through Jesus]

I have believed in Jesus my entire life. I knew about the rapture since i was young, but didn't know too much about it (or the prophecies concerning the Tribulation). In January of 2011, God opened my eyes to end time prophecy, and i had a realization of how near it is. I am constantly amazed at prophecy that is being fulfilled... it is always amazing to me, that prophecies written thousands of years ago.. are coming true in my own life time.

I am not nearly as old as most on here.. so i cannot remember what it was like in previous decades. But as for me, i believe the time is short. If someone were to ask me the over/under, i would put it at 3 years from now. But the exact day is not for me or anyone else on earth to know, but God himself.

Do i look forward to it? Me saying i "look forward to it" is the understatement of the year. I CANNOT WAIT to meet the King of Kings, who loves me with an undying and everlasting love. A sinner such as myself. I am in awe that someone so powerful, so wise - God himself, can love someone like me with the purest form of love known.

With that said, we who are saved are truely blessed to have this knowledge. We often take our salvation for granted - think of the millions of atheists and agnostics who do not know what will happen to them when they die. If i were an atheist or agnostic, something as simple as driving to the store would put me in a state of paralyzing fear.

It is because of this knowledge, and the Holy Spirit within, that we need to be convicted to preach, without shame or fear, to as many as we can. I want nothing more than for the people i love and meet to be blessed with the same hope and joy that i am blessed to have. I want all of them to be able to have that first encounter with the Lord, face to face - knowing that they get to spend eternity with him.

I think God is just going to have the most awesome personality.. i think so many people picture heaven as boring stringing harps on clouds. Uh uh. Our Lord is going to be so amazing to be around.. there is going to be so much fun and love, that i eagerly look forward to it. But until then, PREACH PREACH PREACH.

I look forward to meeting you all there as well.

God Bless.

[Neohistory]

I have believed in Jesus my entire life. I knew about the rapture since i was young, but didn't know too much about it (or the prophecies concerning the Tribulation). In January of 2011, God opened my eyes to end time prophecy, and i had a realization of how near it is. I am constantly amazed at prophecy that is being fulfilled... it is always amazing to me, that prophecies written thousands of years ago.. are coming true in my own life time.

I am not nearly as old as most on here.. so i cannot remember what it was like in previous decades. But as for me, i believe the time is short. If someone were to ask me the over/under, i would put it at 3 years from now. But the exact day is not for me or anyone else on earth to know, but God himself.

Do i look forward to it? Me saying i "look forward to it" is the understatement of the year. I CANNOT WAIT to meet the King of Kings, who loves me with an undying and everlasting love. A sinner such as myself. I am in awe that someone so powerful, so wise - God himself, can love someone like me with the purest form of love known.

With that said, we who are saved are truely blessed to have this knowledge. We often take our salvation for granted - think of the millions of atheists and agnostics who do not know what will happen to them when they die. If i were an atheist or agnostic, something as simple as driving to the store would put me in a state of paralyzing fear.

It is because of this knowledge, and the Holy Spirit within, that we need to be convicted to preach, without shame or fear, to as many as we can. I want nothing more than for the people i love and meet to be blessed with the same hope and joy that i am blessed to have. I want all of them to be able to have that first encounter with the Lord, face to face - knowing that they get to spend eternity with him.

I think God is just going to have the most awesome personality.. i think so many people picture heaven as boring stringing harps on clouds. Uh uh. Our Lord is going to be so amazing to be around.. there is going to be so much fun and love, that i eagerly look forward to it. But until then, PREACH PREACH PREACH.

I look forward to meeting you all there as well.

God Bless.

Amen my brother in Christ! Paul said to comfort each other with the words of the blessed hope. I may not preach to a mass of 400 people or 1000...but I have come across a few people here and there and plant the seed in their minds, hoping and praying that the Holy Spirit will help them to nourish it and come to the saving realization that Jesus Christ IS THE TRUTH. It is so sad looking at history...it's all a battle between God and satan. People who are lost just can't see it; God I pray for the lost. Think of what Jesus is seeing that we cannot...Our hearts break for those we know and we pray for people we cannot see or do not know...Jesus knows them ALL, and sees them all. Let the Holy Spirit loose from within and ignite words of passion for the Saving Grace we all have received, Amen.

[readytogo]

The tribulation could still be years away, but I don't believe that it's "tied" to the rapture. I hope and pray that the rapture happens any second now!

[OliveOilMom]

From the first time I heard about it, I heard that it was going to be any second now. Needless to say, I was terrified as a child, because the way the preacher shouted it out at chapel, it did not sound like a good thing, and he sure made us all sound so bad that even as a kid before the age of accountenment I knew I was going to hell for everything I did. But I thought it was going to be soon.

My grandmother used to talk about the rapture too. Even as that horrible man made religion she knew about it and believed in it. (sorry, couldn't help that) and she said that she probably wouldn't live to see it but that she hoped and thought I would. So, I grew up hearing about it. Until I forgot about it sort of.

I think it could happen tonight or it may happen a thousand years from now. We only know what we see now, and have no idea or concept of how bad it may really get or how things may change first. We have to leave it all up to God and wait and see.

I hope it's soon on one hand and on another I hope to be here to live a long life and enjoy my time here too. Either way, whichever happens I know that is the best option because it's God who decides.

I'm ready to board the plane, but I'm also ready for a flight delay. Either way, I'm happy.

[JoelH]

My take it that we cannot uphold any position other than "we don't know when". By definition the "Last Days" as defined in Hebrews 1 extends from Jesus' Ascention until the rapture, so the rapture has as much chance happening over the next second, as on a day 80 years later well after our lifetimes.

Some try to deduce a likely scenario that lines up the prophetic pictures through reading and paying close attention to world news, and then backdate the rapture in this manner. At best, it is more an exercise in educated guess in geopolitics, and worse, I think we should look to Christ instead of Antichrist. Moreover it has a logical problem: even if things line up, so what? Even if the stage appears set, it doesn't necessarily follow events will line up and fulfill in a linear fashion via the most direct sequence of events as our educated guesses would like to see.

This is why a more sober breed of dispensational teachers, including Thomas Ice, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Charles Ryrie, etc, always point out the rapture's timing is imminent, not soon. Soon means it can't be more than 2-3 years away, but imminency could mean tomorrow or 100 years later.

The exhortation is 1. we are to look for Christ rather than the signs of the world (it is debatable whether Jesus' rebuke means we are to watch oevr signs of events than looking at him - there are lots of debates over the meaning of that passage), 2. continue to share the gospel to the unbelievers, 3. and continue to grow in the Lord by getting the meat instead of milk.

[SteveJM]

To return to the topic from my previous diversion, I'll add this thought. If someone would have asked me the question posed by the thread in the late seventies when I was attending a Jack Van Impe crusade, I would have answered "I really don't think we have years." That was nearly thirty-five years ago. As much as I look forward to the rapture and seeing Jesus Christ face to face, I also know it will be hard, for I know where I've failed, and that I could've done more with my life. I could see myself being like Schindler as portrayed by Liam Neeson, wringing my hands, asking myself why didn't I sacrifice more, reach out more and help bring more to safety?

Jesus is coming again, of that I'm certain, and I need to do more, of that I'm certain. I do sense, as another has mentioned, a greater drawing and influence of the Holy Spirit in my life over the last several years. It may just have to do with getting older, having to face my mortality and the Holy Spirit preparing me for that journey, or maybe it's something else. Maybe the Holy Spirit is getting my attention not only for my sake but for the sake of those who are lost, backslidden, and those who are distressed with the times we're living in, not only because they need someone to show them the Way, but also because time is short. He has my attention. I have experienced my Savior and know Him without physically seeing Him. I think of how much He loves us. I know the depth of love I feel for example for my grandson. I told his mother that when I play with him, interact with him, observe him, or just think about him, he has my whole heart. The great love we have for our spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, family and friends, gives us a glimpse of the great love that Jesus Christ has for us.

As GlennO has stated earlier

"I hope to be numbered among those occupiers mentioned in verse 13....."

Luk 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
Luk 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Luk 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

My suggestion for all of us is to remove ourselves often from the distractions, including all of the noise from the world, and listen for the voice of God, read His word, meditate, and act on it. I believe that as the time of His coming draws near, even while there's a falling away, there will be many who become on fire with the Holy Spirit's presence and power and be compelled by the love of Christ to, as we watch events unfold, reach out with great boldness and compassion to the lost. May we be part of the latter group, may we already be there.

[Kenny64]

Why do folks say it's selfish to want the rapture and second coming to happen sooner than later? The bible assumes that we are anxiously awaiting and commands we do so in several passages.

I Peter 1:13b, "set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."

2 Timothy 4:8 "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

1 Corinthians 1:7-8 –“as you eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Titus 2:13-14 – “while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, who gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness.”

Hebrews 9:27 – “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”

I particularly like Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

[mattfivefour]

My take it that we cannot uphold any position other than "we don't know when". By definition the "Last Days" as defined in Hebrews 1 extends from Jesus' Ascention until the rapture, so the rapture has as much chance happening over the next second, as on a day 80 years later well after our lifetimes.

Some try to deduce a likely scenario that lines up the prophetic pictures through reading and paying close attention to world news, and then backdate the rapture in this manner. At best, it is more an exercise in educated guess in geopolitics, and worse, I think we should look to Christ instead of Antichrist. Moreover it has a logical problem: even if things line up, so what? Even if the stage appears set, it doesn't necessarily follow events will line up and fulfill in a linear fashion via the most direct sequence of events as our educated guesses would like to see.

This is why a more sober breed of dispensational teachers, including Thomas Ice, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Charles Ryrie, etc, always point out the rapture's timing is imminent, not soon. Soon means it can't be more than 2-3 years away, but imminency could mean tomorrow or 100 years later.

The exhortation is 1. we are to look for Christ rather than the signs of the world (it is debatable whether Jesus' rebuke means we are to watch oevr signs of events than looking at him - there are lots of debates over the meaning of that passage), 2. continue to share the gospel to the unbelievers, 3. and continue to grow in the Lord by getting the meat instead of milk.

Excellent, Joel! I also agree with Steve JM and the others who have written in like vein.

It is too easy to spend too much time and effort trying to figure out the time rather than spending the same time and effort to do the work He has given us to do.

[Olga]

I personally think it's possible the Rapture could still be years away. A year is really not that long. It can seem like it when you're living in a sinful world, but it really isn't. I don't believe it's decades away or anything, but another few years wouldn't surprise me. Of course, I could be wrong. It could happen the next time I go to do laundry, or go to take the dishes out of the dishwasher.

[YeuEmMaiMai]

You have to be careful you are just willing the rapture to happen through selfish reasons, america is not the world, you need to fix squarely on what scripture says and watch.

Uhm I hate to break this to you but at this time WE ARE the world in terms of economic and military power. Why do you think the attacks are so stong against what we stand for? Our form of Government is a barrier to the anti-Christ and it has to be removed. How do you do that, you ask? Simple, cause us to collapse and when we do, the rest of the world will follow suit thus leading the way for the anti-Christ to come to Global power.

[YeuEmMaiMai]

After the Rapture, the war against the Devil will span seven years...

Please, remind me who will fight that fight? Who will suffer their sins more and prove their right to join Jesus when he recreates earth into the Heaven it was always meant to be?

Where are the Chinese in this battle, or the Indians (or the Japanese, or the....)?

All these cultures are deeply religious (I met a Shinto Monk in Japan, who can trace his families' religious devotion to the good of all men and devotion to peace and tranquility to well before the birth of Christ, and I see no mention of them being involved anywhere in the Rapture.) It makes me sad that many of my Christian brothers and sisters would not even take the time to talk to this man, let alone respect his religious beliefs.

I will never lose faith in God, I will never lose faith in Jesus.

All of you help me lose faith in men, slowly, every single day.

Christianity is becoming a relic and a minority religion...why?

Because of ridiculous websites like this.

Being a Christian once meant that you were understanding, compassionate, educated, and able to have a respectable conversation with anyone from any faith or belief.

Because of fools like all of you, Christianity has become a joke. The ignorance I see among my "so-called" Christian brothers and sisters is why, every day, we lose a seat at the moral table we once were able to hold our heads high at.

Read your Bible again, and look in the mirror. You might see something for the very first time. Reality and common sense.

Please erase this post quickly, because the only thing that my Christian brothers and sisters hate more than the truth are condoms...

I have to say it even though I do not want to. It's people like you who have a total lack of understanding about what it MEANS to be Christian and what Scripure says is in store for those whom have rejected God. Do you think it's going to be pleasent living on earth once all of the Christians are gone? Do you think the world's problems will magically be corrected if Israel was removed from the map?

Being religious does not mean squalt, just take a look at the pharases and how "religous" they were only to be rebuked by Christ every single time they tried to "trap" him.

We all, I repeat ALL fall short of the glory of God and are all sinners and if it was not for the Grace of God, none of us would be here discussing the rapture at all....

as to the OP's question:

Rapture Status: Imminent
Rapture date and time: Unknown and impossible to guess.

[daygo]

My honest opinion is that it can happen anytime, yet it could be years away, then again I have a feeling in my water so to speak with all thats going on in the middle east I cannot see past 5 years before the rapture happens, whatever the timing is, it isn`t the thing, its to do with our attitude and what our relationship is with the lord. Thats what matters.

[WKUHilltopper]

I have believed in Jesus my entire life. I knew about the rapture since i was young, but didn't know too much about it (or the prophecies concerning the Tribulation). In January of 2011, God opened my eyes to end time prophecy, and i had a realization of how near it is. I am constantly amazed at prophecy that is being fulfilled... it is always amazing to me, that prophecies written thousands of years ago.. are coming true in my own life time.

I am not nearly as old as most on here.. so i cannot remember what it was like in previous decades. But as for me, i believe the time is short. If someone were to ask me the over/under, i would put it at 3 years from now. But the exact day is not for me or anyone else on earth to know, but God himself.

Do i look forward to it? Me saying i "look forward to it" is the understatement of the year. I CANNOT WAIT to meet the King of Kings, who loves me with an undying and everlasting love. A sinner such as myself. I am in awe that someone so powerful, so wise - God himself, can love someone like me with the purest form of love known.

With that said, we who are saved are truely blessed to have this knowledge. We often take our salvation for granted - think of the millions of atheists and agnostics who do not know what will happen to them when they die. If i were an atheist or agnostic, something as simple as driving to the store would put me in a state of paralyzing fear.

It is because of this knowledge, and the Holy Spirit within, that we need to be convicted to preach, without shame or fear, to as many as we can. I want nothing more than for the people i love and meet to be blessed with the same hope and joy that i am blessed to have. I want all of them to be able to have that first encounter with the Lord, face to face - knowing that they get to spend eternity with him.

I think God is just going to have the most awesome personality.. i think so many people picture heaven as boring stringing harps on clouds. Uh uh. Our Lord is going to be so amazing to be around.. there is going to be so much fun and love, that i eagerly look forward to it. But until then, PREACH PREACH PREACH.

I look forward to meeting you all there as well.

God Bless.

Out of the mouth of babes!

[WKUHilltopper]

Read your Bible ...

With all due respect and with a sense of urgency, please do this. You're being "conned" by the world and its nonsense. You're being "spoon fed" garbage. The Scriptures are very clear. Truly, I implore you do read the Bible!