Questions About the Rapture

[Drich]

1) Do you believe in the Rapture? yes

[2) If so, how do you support it Biblically
The Koine Greek of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 uses the verb form ἁρπαγησόμεθα (harpagisometha), which means "we shall be caught up" or "taken away", with the connotation that this is a sudden event. The dictionary form of this Greek verb is harpazō (ἁρπάζω).[18] This use is also seen in such texts as Acts 8:39, 2Corinthians 12:2-4 and Revelation 12:5.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture

3) Why is this such a relatively recent idea?
The idea isn't new. it is apart of 1 thess 4. The doctrine (details) following the passage are what is 'new.'

4) Why is it primarily a U.S. Christian doctrine only?

It's not. All forms of christianity believe in the rapture, but the subsequent explaination as to what that means varies.

reformatted for clarity: my questions in bold and Drich's answers in italic.

Many many Christians will be surprised to hear that they believe in The Rapture. The Roman Catholics, The Eastern Orthodox Church, The Lutheran Church, The Anglicans, The Presbyterians, and the Seventh Day Adventist have all taken an official stance against any pre-trib rapture. Brief History and Speculation About the Rapture, by Mary Fairchild http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/march20...nation.htm And there aren't any early church references to it at all.


It is the rapture I'm asking about not the second coming. Do you believe in The Rapture?

Seriously? I am the only one who voted in Your poll, I voted yes and I answer yes to your first question. What about my single word answer is giving you so much trouble that you feel you need to ask me again?

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Maybe carefully read what I wrote again, all your questions have already been answered.