The Rapture

William Miller (1782-1849) believed that the New Testament, interpreted correctly, revealed that Jesus would return between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844.   Miller started a movement (dispensationalism) that is stronger than ever!  Believers argue that they  will be 'raptured' into the sky to meet Christ, and then the earth will undergo a 7-year Tribulation Period.  The Left Behind series has popularized this notion by selling more than 100 million copies.

Rapture-mania is hotter than ever.  The Rapture Index (at 184 on April 18, 2011) is at an all-time high.  The end is 'very near'. In fact,  www.ebiblefellowship.com proclaims that Judgment Day is May 21, 2011 and the end of the world will be October 21, 2011.

Let me say three things about the rapture:

1)  It is unbiblical.  Wonderfully imaginative, yes -  biblical, no.

2)  It is silly - 'In case of the Rapture, this car is unmanned....'. What can I say?

3)  Perhaps more than being silly, it is a dangerous distraction. Did Jesus say 'spend your time speculating about the end of the world' or did he say 'feed my sheep'?

If the end of the world is October 21, 2011,  I don't need to be concerned about hunger, poverty, climate changes.  Imagine that - timing the end of the world immediately following the World Series.  (Does this mean the Cubs are going to win?)

Trying to keep my  sanity in an insane world,

Pastor Tim

P.S.  As we continue to look at fundamentalist foibles, next Monday's FF "Reading the Bible Literally instead of Seriously."