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Title: Internet 'Rapture Index' has been garnering major media attention during war in Lebanon
Source:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Rapture_Website_attracts_m
URL Source: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/R ... ajor_media_attention_0813.html
Published: Aug 13, 2006
Author: Ron Brynaert
Post Date: 2006-08-13 21:09:09 by Zipporah
Keywords: None
Views: 406
Comments: 24
"Last week, the forums at Rapture Ready, the site devoted to the notion that the endtimes are near, bizarrely atwitter with excitement when Israel and Hezbollah started trading blows," Tom Zeller Jr. reports in Monday's edition of The New York Times. "This week, posts on what the foiled London terror threat means," the article continues. Rapture Ready is a Website which features the Rapture Index, billed as sort of a "Dow Jones Industrial Average of end time activity," created by Todd Strandberg, "a night supervisor at the spare-parts store at Offutt Air Force base, Nebraska" according to a UK newspaper. "Mr Strandberg began the Rapture Index in the 1980s as an attempt to standardise signs that the end-time was a-coming," Christopher Howse wrote in a column for The Telegraph. "In 1997, he renamed his site Rapture Ready, but it still features the Rapture Index, adjusted weekly." According to Howse, each week Strandberg "picks a basketful of indicators of the end time." "These include False Christs, Nuclear Nations, Persia (high this week), Unemployment, Apostasy, Beast Government (moderate, with what he sees as the possibility of the EU splitting up), Wild weather (high), Anti-Semitism (also high this week) and Satanism (low)," Howse wrote. An archived>http://www.novia.net/%7Etodd/rap2.html">archived cache of Strandberg's Rapture Index from 1997 shows that it once contained a disclaimer of sorts. "The Rapture Index by no means is meant to predict the rapture, however, the index is meant to measure the type of activity that could act as a precursor to the rapture," the site said. The Website for Harper's Magazine also recently reported on the Rapture forum boards, in a post called "Silver Linings and a Cross of Gold." "This is the busiest I've ever seen this website in a few years!" wrote one Rapture board user, as noted by Harper's. "I have been having rapture dreams and I can't believe that this is really it! We are on the edge of eternity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" On July 24, CNN featured Rapture Ready in a report on how some evangelicals believe that the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict "is a sign that the Bible's final chapter, the Book of Revelation is unfolding before our eyes." "Take a look at the Rapture Index on the World Wide Web," Zahn reported. "It assigns numerical values to wars, earthquakes and disasters." "And tonight, it's at 156, which is in the 'fasten your seat belt' category," Zahn continued. "So are we really at the end of the world?" DEVELOPING...MORE TO COME FROM MONDAY'S TIMES COLUMN...
A Website devoted to "calculating" how long the world has until "endtimes" arrive has garnered a lot of media coverage since the war in Lebanon began a few weeks ago, RAW STORY has found.
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#1. To: Zipporah (#0)
I swear to Jeebus, somebody needs to start a "Religion as a mental illness" ping list.
"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, "And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left." This is as clear as can be: during the days of Noah, those who were left, lived; those who were taken, died. There will be no Rapture. Those who are left will live; those who are taken will die. Oh, I forgot: John 17:15 "I pray NOT that thou shouldest TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD, but that thou should keep them from evil."
"Benjamin Franklin was shown the new American constitution, and he said, 'I don't like it, but I will vote for it because we need something right now. But this constitution in time will fail, as all such efforts do. And it will fail because of the corruption of the people, in a general sense.' And that is what it has come to now, exactly as Franklin predicted." -- Gore Vidal
There will be no Rapture. Those who are left will live; those who are taken will die. Yertle: please do not misunderstand me -- I hold no brief for these "rapture index" maniacs. Still, I have to ask you: how, then, do you read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18?
Go for it..!
I do not put the words of Paul above the words of Jesus.
"Benjamin Franklin was shown the new American constitution, and he said, 'I don't like it, but I will vote for it because we need something right now. But this constitution in time will fail, as all such efforts do. And it will fail because of the corruption of the people, in a general sense.' And that is what it has come to now, exactly as Franklin predicted." -- Gore Vidal
totally agree.. these people are nuttier than I can even begin to say.. Falwell and his ilk are misleading millions of people and it's on their heads..
its a matter of order.. not a rapture as the premilliennialists believe.. this is about the end not about the return .. meeting the lord in the air and remain with HIM forever.. doesnt say hes coming to earth to build an earthy kingdom does it?
Maybe we're having a definition problem. What's your definition of "rapture?"
I don't either. Are you saying that the epistles aren't real scripture? Or that some scripture is more authoritative than other scripture? Or something else? I'd really like to understand.
My definition is that it's a misinterpretation of scripture... I could go on about this but here is a good explanation: http://www.preteristarchive.com/Preterism/hochner-donald_p_08.html
Thank you, Zipporah. It's my bedtime now, but I'll read the material over my lunch hour tomorrow and get back with you.
Quite right. The Thes verse refers to the one and only return of Jesus at the END..the rapture stuff is a strong delusion...and yes there will be an END of the world, but I'm not going to bother proving it Biblically. [see below] I could post several essays from several Christian pastors which dissect and destroy the rapture theory Biblically, but it would do no good for those who've already made up their minds, so I will not bother. It's not worth the effort unless someone has an open mind and is willing to listen. Most of these folks do not..and will not. They will just call me an apostate and a blasphemer.
"Freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in ...into an unbearable hell and a choking life." Please read the articles at the link above with an open mind. "Freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. government will lead the American people in ...into an unbearable hell and a choking life." Indeed...the faith of millions will be broken and corrupted when "things don't pan out" as they have been led to believe.
Nite Enderby... have a good evening..
that is for sure. the 'end-times' concept as far as I'm concerned is fundamental to the christian faith. and I think we're living in 'end-times'. Judgement is a fundamental concept too. and after judgement we are separated. Jesus returns at the end of the end times and he judges or at least supervises judgement. we will be separated suddenly just as at the time of Noah the flood came suddenly. that is the whole meaning of the rapture verses IMHO. Yertle Turtle is about attacking the faith, that is why he distorts the meaning of verses and will not discuss.
I know.. there will be many disenchanted people for certain.. So are you trying to say you're a 'pan'millennialist? :P
thats their problem.. from what I've seen it's these same people that are the very ones that are cheering the deaths in Lebanon.. hardly scriptural.. WWJK? (who would Jesus kill?)
I have my beliefs, but I would agree that it will "all pan out in the end". Yes, indeed.
:P
And you don't believe, we're on the eave of destruction?
this really is nuts.
"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." -James Madison and here it is, folks! These same Christians call Islam a death cult - talk about a glass house.
You didn't ask me, but because I think this rapture hoax is a dirty trick they are playing on silly Christians, I will add my two cents' worth. I'm a partial preterist, believe most of the book of Revelation was fulfilled in 70 AD, that we have been living in the so-called milennium for almost 2,000 years, that a lot of the book was symbolic, couched in terms that the heathen authorities would not understand, as the Christians were being persecuted, and were in fact, in TRIBULATION: Rev 1:9 — I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/1/9.html Therefore, I believe it refers to these people: 1) The disciples, most of whom would die a martyr's death, and one, at least, of whom would remain until Jesus came to take vengeance on His enemies: Jhn 21:15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs........ Jhn 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry [thee] whither thou wouldest not. Jhn 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Jhn 21:20 ¶ Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? http://www.blueletter bible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/21/20.html Jhn 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what [shall] this man [do]? Jhn 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? follow thou me. Jhn 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? Jhn 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true...... And 2) those who were beheaded [or slain] for the Word of God: Rev 7:14 — And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. http://www.blueletterb ible.org/tsk_b/Rev/7/14.html Rev 20:4 ¶ And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the "thousand years" were finished. This [is] the first resurrection. I believe Jesus's Second Coming was in 70 AD, or thereabouts [if you go to Josephus' Jewish Wars at preteristarchive.com, you will see the chapter where the heavenly battles that took place over and in the city were described], when the disciples and those who were beheaded [or slain for the word of God] were raised up, along with those disciples who remained [John?], where they reign with God....and that He will come again, with all the saints, for that final battle when He will put down ALL opposition, and He will reign on earth with all the saints, after the resurrection of the rest of the dead, and the Final Judgement: Rev 20:12 — And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/20/12.html Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Rev 5:10 — And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth....... Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/5/10.html Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. That's the way I see it, and I agree EXACTLY with YertleTurtle's reply in Post #2. It will be the evil ones who will be taken AWAY, as they were swept away in the flood, and as they were turned to dust at Sodom and Gomorrah. I believe the last weapon will be a surgical strike against all those who are fighting against the New Jerusalem: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Zec/14/12.html http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat013.html#41 http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/13/41.html The "rapture" is a hoax. The Romans did something similar. They told some of the people to climb up in a tower because their God was coming and they should wait for Him there. Then I think they burned the tower. It's just a mechanism to keep the Christians disarmed and unopposing, whilst the NWO builds their antiChrist police state around their victims.
cage goes into salsa, shark's in the salsa. Our shark! - Dakmar Quint
#2. To: Zipporah (#0)
(Edited)
#3. To: YertleTurtle (#2)
This is as clear as can be: during the days of Noah, those who were left, lived; those who were taken, died.
#4. To: Esso (#1)
I swear to Jeebus, somebody needs to start a "Religion as a mental illness" ping list.
#5. To: Enderby (#3)
Yertle: please do not misunderstand me -- I hold no brief for these "rapture index" maniacs. Still, I have to ask you: how, then, do you read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18?
#6. To: YertleTurtle (#2)
There will be no Rapture.
#7. To: Enderby (#3)
13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.
#8. To: Zipporah (#7)
#9. To: YertleTurtle (#5)
I do not put the words of Paul above the words of Jesus.
#10. To: Enderby (#8)
#11. To: Zipporah (#10)
#12. To: Zipporah (#7)
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
-OBL
"Prohibition...goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes at the very principles upon which our govt was founded."
- Lincoln
All our liberties are due to men who, when their conscience has compelled them, have broken the laws of the land.
--William Kingdon Clifford
#13. To: Enderby (#11)
http://www.whitehorsemedia.com/articles/artMaster.cfm?catID=14
You may be enlightened :)
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
-OBL
"Prohibition...goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes at the very principles upon which our govt was founded."
- Lincoln
All our liberties are due to men who, when their conscience has compelled them, have broken the laws of the land.
--William Kingdon Clifford
#14. To: Zipporah (#6)
Falwell and his ilk are misleading millions of people and it's on their heads..
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#15. To: Enderby (#11)
#16. To: IndieTX, Yertle Turtle, Enderby (#12)
They will just call me an apostate and a blasphemer.
#17. To: who knows what evil (#14)
Indeed...the faith of millions will be broken and corrupted when "things don't pan out" as they have been led to believe.
#18. To: IndieTX (#12)
#19. To: Zipporah (#17)
So are you trying to say you're a 'pan'millennialist?
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#20. To: who knows what evil (#19)
#21. To: Zipporah (#0)
We are on the edge of eternity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I've already said too much.
#22. To: Zipporah (#0)
#23. To: Zipporah (#0)
#24. To: Enderby, Red Jones, YertleTurtle (#3)
I hold no brief for these "rapture index" maniacs. Still, I have to ask you: how, then, do you read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18?
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