This May Sound Silly – We Might Disappear

Greetings Dear Reader,

There have been bad movies and odd books about this issue.  Many who believe what I believe have a hope that one day Jesus will return.  The first “stage” of that is a thing we call the rapture.  There is even an impending TV show, The Leftovers, which hints at this.  I am going to lay out the framework of the belief and then discuss it from my limited perspective.  This is what started the conversation with my Daughter.

Christ followers call the event “the Rapture.”  It is basically belief that one day Christ will begin the end of this era by snatching all those who follow him from the world.  This will happen “in a moment; in the twinkling of an eye.” 

There are some very clear things about this event.  The first is that NO ONE can predict when it will happen.  The purpose is that we are supposed to be constantly following Christ in such a way that we are always prepared for it.  Many people try to get around this fact by generalizing about the when of it. 

Second, there are a couple of words one should know.  Maranatha means "come Lord."  Parousia means "a coming."  You will hear Christ followers use these words and not bother to explain them.  I apologize and sincerely hope you forgive us for not communicating as we should.  We really want God to intervene in history and bring us home.  

Third is that it will happen without warning.  It is up to God alone when this happens.  "No man knows the day or the hour."  Sometimes I do get weary of waiting.  I get and "always winter but never Christmas" feeling.

Occasionally some idiot will say he knows when it will happen.  This is not only silly but wrong.  It is going beyond what God allows us to know.  This is one of those things we are supposed to hope for in faith.  Remember that faith and hope are intangible essential to following Christ. 

Here is the thing.  Do we not want such a thing to be true?  Do we not long for the world to be rescued from disease, famine, war, abuse, and injustice?  The problem with many is that they want it on their own terms.  To me it is not silly to hope that God will intervene today at this moment and stop it all.

For those who do not share my faith I realize this does sound silly.  I deeply believe it is true.  So if I and many others go suddenly missing please remember this post.  Questions?

Maranatha – Michael Card

Maranatha is a cry of the heart

That's hopeful yet weary of waiting

While it may be joyful with the burdens it bears

It's sick with anticipating

To long for the Promised One day after day

And the promise that soon He'd return

It's certain that waiting's the most bitter lesson

A believing heart has to learn

Maranatha,

How many more moments must this waiting last

Maranatha, we long for the time when all time is past

A commotion, a call then that will be all

Though it's not yet the hour

The minutes are ticking away

Maranatha is the shout of the few

Who for so long in history’ve been hiding

Who truly believe that the sound of that call

Might actually hasten His coming

For no eye has seen and no ear has yet heard

And no mind has ever conceived

The joy of the moment when He will appear

To the wonder of all who believe

Maranatha,

How many more moments must this waiting last

Maranatha, we long for the time when all time is past

A commotion, a call then that will be all

Though it's not yet the hour

The minutes are ticking away

Maranatha, how hungry we are just to see Your face

Parousia, to finally fall in one long embrace

A commotion, a call and that will be all

Though it's not yet the hour

The minutes are ticking away

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."