I think I can send this e-mail to my sister basically outlining everything and take it from there.
Stacy.
At 10:58 AM 11/21/2002 -0600, you wrote:
Explain first of all that we have modern scripture that gives us new inputs.Keep it basic, don't get very specific, because we don't have full specifics on it (just many opinions, such as mine). Tell her that we believe that in the last days there will be many wicked on the earth, ripened for destruction. The saints and other good peoples may have to gather in places of refuge (what we call Zion and her stakes) for protection, just as they did in Enoch's day prior to the Flood. We believe that eventually the Jews will be attacked by a vast army from a world empire (modern Babylon), which will be Armageddon. After 3 1/2 years of fighting, Christ will come down for the Second Coming. the wicked will be destroyed from off the earth, while the righteous (terrestrial and celestial) will be blessed to dwell in a paradisiacal earth for one thousand years with Christ as King. We do not believe in the Rapture, as many evangelists believe. The Rapture has no biblical support. There is an article on the Internet by Gary North (an evangelist Christian) discussing the history of this belief. It started in England in the 1800s in a small Church and quickly gathered support from people who liked the idea of avoiding the huge dangers and destructions at the last days. The Rapture theory says that 3.5 years before Armageddon starts, the righteous will be carried up to God, avoiding the dangers. Nothing in the Bible says that. The Bible does talk about Translation. Paul says that at Christ's coming, there will be people who will be lifted up to see him. These will be changed, so as not to taste of death. Previous peoples that have been translated are Enoch and his people, Melchizedek and his people, Alma, Moses (perhaps), John the Revelator, and the Three Nephites. There may be some individuals who will be translated prior to the Second Coming of Christ, as the Lord tells us there will be two in the field and one will be taken as in the days of Noah (people were translated up to the city of Enoch, in order to avoid the Flood.) It reads: (Matthew 24:37-42.) 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 ¶ Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. You'll note the translations occur with the Second Coming, not years before. This is probably the biggest evidence agaisnt the rapture. Also, why should Christ and other good people of the past have to suffer so much, but the righteous avoid it in the last? K'aya K'ama, Gerald/gary Smith gszion1 @juno.com http://www .geocities.com/rameumptom/index.html "No one is as hopelessly enslaved as the person who thinks he's free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Stacy: My sister is asking about our view of end times. Since this gets very complicated--explaining things even from the beginning basics to someone who really has no desire to convert--how would you suggest I explain this subject to my sister? I am in a quandary. Stacy. ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.399 / Virus Database: 226 - Release Date: 10/09/2002
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