Will NotReady, or Petr666 explain the rapture to me

[Roland32]

As a nonbible reader and atheist I find this extremely intriguing, but lack any sort of frame of reference. There seems to be a schism within the christian sect in regards to this. I know that Jack Van Impe preaches that Jesus will stay here on Earth, but most say that the saved will physically ascend to heaven.

What is the Catholic view on all of this?


Oh and would this actually work.
postrapturepost.com
The site is run by an Atheist who for a fee will deliver prewritten letters by those who where saved to loved ones left behind.
I actually think it is a good idea, if it was actually feasible, but I do not know enough about the rapture to really know.

[Peter666]

Hi Roland,

Catholics don't believe in what some Protestant sects call the Rapture.

Catholics do believe in the Last Judgement. Basically, Christ will return in a second coming to give a universal judgement on the living and the dead. Every human soul that existed will receive its body once again and then either be sent to Hell or Heaven. The world will be destroyed and history will come to an end. There is no concrete way of knowing when this will be.

There is a branch of theology studying such matters called Eschatology.

I've watched some of the "Left Behind" series, but only for the sake of entertainment. Very bad B grade entertainment. And I appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit of postrapturepost.

[Roland32]

Thanks for the reply Peter, I thought that was the case but uncertain.

[NotReady]

[ QUOTE ]

There seems to be a schism within the christian sect in regards to this.


[/ QUOTE ]

When I first became a Christian there was a lot of interest in eschatology and I studied it for awhile. I soon came to the conclusion that it was impossible to determine which faction was right. Prophecy has always been difficult. The Bible says that Jesus will come like a thief in the night and that no one knows the time but at the same time we should live as if He would return at any time. That finally settled it for me. I still read about future things, but not to determine times, but just to get some idea of what's coming.

[David Sklansky]

"When I first became a Christian there was a lot of interest in eschatology and I studied it for awhile. I soon came to the conclusion that it was impossible to determine which faction was right."

Be willing to say that about a few other technical issues, and you can assume your right place in the Christian world.

[NotReady]

[ QUOTE ]

Be willing to say that about a few other technical issues, and you can assume your right place in the Christian world.


[/ QUOTE ]

Evolution. Eternal punishment in hell. Inability to lose salvation.

Ok, do I get the mitre now?

[Bill Haywood]

Has anyone else seen the rapture episode of Six Feet Under?

The funniest thing to ever come out of a tube.

[Taraz]

[ QUOTE ]
Has anyone else seen the rapture episode of Six Feet Under?

The funniest thing to ever come out of a tube.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure I saw the whole series arc, which one was it? I can't remember at the moment, but maybe if you gave me a quick refresher.

[Bill Haywood]

[ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure I saw the whole series arc, which one was it? I can't remember at the moment, but maybe if you gave me a quick refresher.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was the opening sequence of the weekly random death. Starts with a lady in an SUV with one of those rapture bumper stickers. Then it cuts to a couple schlubs in a garage who are breathing helium out of a hose and talking funny. Who's gonna die and how?

Turns out the guys are filling life-size dolls with helium and loading them into a truck. A series of unfortunate traffic accidents ensue....

Brutally funny.