Congratulations! You are now fulfilling the Bible which says “Come now, and let us repeat together.”
Be sure to repeat what Walvoord, Lindsey, LaHaye, Ice etc. repeat what their own teachers repeat what their own teachers repeat etc. etc. etc.!
Repeat that Christ’s return is imminent because we’re told to “watch” (Matt. 24, 25) for it. So is the “day of God” (II Pet. 3:12) – which you admit is at least 1000 years ahead – also imminent because we’re told to be “looking for” it?
Also repeat the pretrib myths about the “Jewish wedding stages” and “Jewish feasts” (where’s your “church/Israel dichotomy” now?) even though Christ and Paul knew nothing about a “pretrib stage” and neither did any official theological creed or organized church before 1830!
You should read “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” on the “Powered by Christ Ministries” site to find out why you shouldn’t repeat everything your pretrib teachers repeat.
Do I have to repeat this?

(just spied the above on the web – Irving

I would agree with Wright that there is no such thing as a “rapture” according to dispensationalist eschatology. The word itself is made up (taken from the Latin word rapio) from one passage in 1 Thess. The idea that we will escape the world and miss suffering is completely foreign to Scripture. This popular view didn’t even originate until the 19th century. We will indeed be “caught up” with Him. Yet, the New Testament teaches that we will then be with the Lord forever after the resurrection of the dead. To put it plainly, when Christ comes a second time… that’s it, it’s over.

Thank you for following. I really appreciate your thoughts and the portion of Christ that you share. Peace.

Well, I dunno . . . central Florida and now SD. I guess now that you mention it, there’s not a lot of teaching on Heaven by any description. I read the book “Heaven” by somebody–can’t remember–and he kept harping on how people believe we’ll spend eternity in Heaven, as in up in the sky.

I was surprised because I did a long study on Revelation when I was a teenager (every teenager studies Revelation, I suppose) and it’s pretty clear about us spending eternity on the new earth in actual bodies. I guess I always figured we’d be doing cool stuff.

The AOG church I attended as a young adult had an associate pastor who taught quite a lot on Heaven, but his version of Heaven was the New Earth with God living there, so I can probably credit him with at least some of my nonconformity. But honestly, I don’t quite understand how the other story got started. The catching up, yes, but the bit about spending eternity in the present Heaven.

I’ve read about Wright not believing in the catching up (the rapture). Not sure I believe in the sense of “Left Behind”, but on the other hand I’m not convinced it’s not literal. Not that we won’t suffer–I firmly believe we will have that honor–but I can’t figure out any way to read Thessalonians any other way. Wright’s certainly a highly educated man, whereas I’m not that much, but I’m still not ready to accept that bit, and if I do get his book it will be to read what he has to say on that subject.

I always enjoy reading your blog, David, and pray God will bless you always.

Cindy

Interesting review. That a book like this needs to be written puzzles me, as does the idea that it disagrees with the proposition of dispensationalism. Maybe with some versions, but it seems compatible to me, by and large. Maybe my definitions are too simplistic. I was surprised to learn fairly recently that the idea of spending eternity on a new earth was foreign to many Christians?? But that’s what the bible says–quite clearly. Why is this revolutionary? I thought all the cartoons of goofy-looking people with wings and harps sitting on the clouds were just funny, but apparently there are knowledgeable people out there who really believe this. I don’t get it.

God bless, Cindy

Maybe we should not use the “Anabaptists” in our discussion so that we can more easily get down to what is actually being said. Although I seriously can’t imagine what anyone could find against the example of the Anabaptist, I get a feeling you’re not too excited about them.

“you make a fair distinction… I see how you’re looking at it.”
I am thankful that we are making some progress in our discussion. I am always thrilled to know I (we) have made a connection and understand what the other person is saying. It’s always good to be able to agree or disagree after we have fully received and understood each other. I value this much more than agreeing, as I’m sure you do as well. I value your friendship!