My question is about the "Rapture".  Although this word doesn't appear in the Bible, I have been reading about this event and would like to know more about it.  I was raised in a Bible Presbyterian church and now attend a United Methodist church.  My wife and I both believe the Premillennialist point of view.  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 points this out very clearly.  We also believe this because Scripture is clear in 1 Thessalonian 5:9 that we as the church and christians are not appointed to wrath, so we will not be here during the tribulation.  One scripture that isn't clear is Daniel 12:10-12. The 'abomination of desolation' is clearly the anti-Christ, but I don't understand the daily sacrifice and the period of time referenced in the Bible as 1,290 days.  Please help us understand or clarify this passage of Scripture.

Sincerely,
Preferring Premillenialism

Dear Premillenialism,

There are quite a few problems with the premillenialist viewpoint.  ‘Premillenialism’ comes from ‘pre’ and ‘millenial’ because it teaches that Christ will come back before (pre) He sets up a 1,000-year reign (millennial) on Earth.  Premillenialism gained popularity in the 1800’s and has gained even further popularity because of the fiction series ‘Left Behind’.  Popular is not the same as correct.  1 Thess 4:15-17 simply addresses what will happen to christians when Christ returns – it never says anything about a tribulation event or a millennial kingdom reign.

The problem with premillenialism is that its teachings are based upon the idea that Christ failed to set up His kingdom on this earth.  Premillenialism teaches that when the Jews crucified Christ, they “rebuffed” His efforts to set up a millennial kingdom and that Jesus started the church as a temporary measure until He could return and set up His kingdom for real.

If this is true (and it isn’t), Jesus was lying when He said that His kingdom would be set up within the lifetime of those He was preaching to (Mk 9:1).  In fact, it would make Jesus a false prophet (Deu 18:20-22).  The truth is that Jesus has already set up His kingdom – the church is that kingdom (Col 1:13).  Jesus never planned on setting up a physical kingdom on this earth (Jhn 18:36).  Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that reigns forever within the hearts and lives of christians (Lk 17:20-21).  In fact, it was Jesus who rejected the Jews when they tried to make Him king of a physical kingdom (Jhn 6:15).  Premillenialism isn’t a doctrine from God; it contradicts Scripture.

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I have been living with my boyfriend for three years and having sex.  I’m getting very into Jesus and God’s will for me!  I have cut him off, and he’s not taking it well.  How can I explain to him that part of changing my life is following God’s Word?

Sincerely,
Becoming Chaste

Dear Becoming Chaste,

If you are going to serve Christ, you have to commit yourself to living by His standards.  You can show your boyfriend verses like Jhn 15:14 and Eccl 12:13 to explain this concept to him.  However, regardless of your boyfriend’s reaction, you need to move out and set up proper Biblical barriers.  Your decision to serve God must always supersede all other relationships (Matt 10:37).  You are doing a great job of making the difficult decisions to start a new life.  We recommend you read, “What Must I Do To Be Saved” to further your journey of obedience to God’s Word.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

I have a quick question; I am having problems understanding this verse in the Bible; please help me understand.  Thanks for your help!

Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.

Sincerely,
Visions Of Answers

Dear Visions Of Answers,

This particular set of verses gives quite a few people problems because these verses seem like a prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled.  The key to this prophecy is to understand that it was fulfilled a long time ago.  Peter says that particular prophecy (from the book of Joel – Joel 2:28-29) was referring to what happened to Israel during the time of Christ (Acts 2:14-16).

For 400 years, the Jews had received no word from God – no prophets, no visions, no dreams, nothing. Then, after all that silence came:

• Zacharias and the angel (Lk 1:13)
• Elizabeth’s prophecy (Lk 1:41)
• Simeon’s prophecy (Lk 2:26)
• Anna’s prophecy (Lk 2:36)
• The shepherds’ vision (Lk 2:8-9)
• John the Baptist’s preaching (Matt 3:1)
• Jesus’ miracles (Jhn 2:11)
• The miracles of Jesus’ seventy disciples (Lk 10:17)

There was a veritable explosion of supernatural events. Peter is explaining how this influx of miracles, visions, and prophecy were a fulfillment of what Joel said would happen in the last days of Israel.  ‘In the last days’ doesn’t mean the end of the world in this circumstance; it means the end (or last days) of the Old Covenant.  Peter is using these verses from the book of Joel to illustrate that Jesus really is the Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for.  Jesus fulfilled Joel’s prophecy, and today we reap the benefits of it.