• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

In it till the Rapture!

The vast majority of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen at some point in the future.

A small subset of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen within a double digit number of years.

Glad I am able to clear that up.
 
:confused:

No it isn't.

Yup, I think This Is The End has summed it up.

when talking about "the Rapture" in these terms, like you, I would think that's supposed to be imminent, or at least within a lifetime.

believing in a day of judgement is not the same.
 
In a global survey of Evangelical Protestant Leaders, " Six-in-ten leaders (61%) also say they believe in the Rapture of the Church — the teaching that believers will be instantly caught up with Christ before the Great Tribulation, leaving non-believers behind to suffer on Earth."



http://www.pewforum.org/2011/06/22/global-survey-beliefs/

Interesting in context of the GOP's relationship with evangelicals

With near unanimity, the Lausanne leaders see two practices as essential to being a good evangelical Christian. Virtually all of the leaders surveyed (97%) say it is necessary to follow the teachings of Christ in one’s personal and family life. Nearly as many (94%) say that working to lead others to Christ is part of being a good evangelical.

Smaller but still substantial majorities of leaders also agree on several other essential behaviors. About three-quarters (73%) say working to help the poor and needy is essential for being a good evangelical Christian; 24% say this is important but not essential. There is widespread agreement about this activity among leaders from all regions of the world. Fully 74% of leaders from the Global North say helping the poor and needy is essential, as do 72% of leaders from the Global South.

And in answer to Skeptic Ginger's point - there is only a slight majority in favour of an imminent Rapture

A slight majority of leaders (52%) believe that Christ will either probably (44%) or definitely (8%) return in their lifetimes. Six-in-ten leaders (61%) also say they believe in the Rapture of the Church — the teaching that believers will be instantly caught up with Christ before the Great Tribulation, leaving non-believers behind to suffer on Earth.

ETA: But only a minority in the Global North (which includes the US, as well as Australia)

When it comes to these beliefs about eschatology or the End Times, regional differences once again are notable. Two-thirds of Global South leaders (67%) say Christ definitely or probably will return in their lifetimes, compared with a third of Global North leaders (34%). Renewalist leaders are also more likely than non-renewalists to believe that Christ is likely to return in their lifetimes (60% vs. 47%). Among leaders from the Global South, 73% say they believe in the Rapture, compared with 44% of Global North leaders. But majorities of those surveyed from all regions except Europe believe in the rapture of the Church; evangelical leaders from sub-Saharan Africa are especially likely to believe in the Rapture (82%).
 
Last edited:
In a global survey of Evangelical Protestant Leaders, " Six-in-ten leaders (61%) also say they believe in the Rapture of the Church — the teaching that believers will be instantly caught up with Christ before the Great Tribulation, leaving non-believers behind to suffer on Earth."

http://www.pewforum.org/2011/06/22/global-survey-beliefs/

I thought about citing that but assumed it will fall on deaf ears because it's specifically about leadership. Here is something more on point for someone who needs a water is wet explanation:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2010/07/14/jesus-christs-return-to-earth/ (ETA: I'm tempted to predict the excuse for ignoring this one).

The fact is that, in the US, the number are such that it's pretty close to arithmetically impossible for any large Christian sect not to be dominated by Rapture believers of some kind. Rapture belief and related ideas, such as evolution denial, are rampant in the US.

http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/
http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/interpreting-scripture/
 
Last edited:
See my last most before this one for links.

:confused:

No it isn't.

While you are technically correct that not all Evangelicals are believers in the Rapture the majority are. If not Evangelicals, then who? Which sect did you think had the most? You apparently thought they'd be a fringe group amongst Evangelicals. In the US Rapture believers are so numerous that they can't be a fringe group in any large Christian sect. There's just too many of them for the numbers to work any other way.

The vast majority of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen at some point in the future.

A small subset of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen within a double digit number of years.

Glad I am able to clear that up.

That "small subset" it actually still a majority of Evangelicals.
 
I thought about citing that but assumed it will fall on deaf ears because it's specifically about leadership. Here is something more on point for someone who needs a water is wet explanation:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2010/07/14/jesus-christs-return-to-earth/

The fact is that, in the US, the number are such that it's pretty close to arithmetically impossible for any large Christian sect not to be dominated by Rapture believers of some kind. Rapture belief and related ideas, such as evolution denial, are rampant in the US.
As your earlier wiki link showed, the second coming and the rapture are not necessarily the same.
 
I wish there were a rapture-believer in here - I have some questions about the mechanics of this event.
 
I wish there were a rapture-believer in here - I have some questions about the mechanics of this event.

I've a friend who's a rapturist and has kept me up-to-date on the relevant details, perhaps I can be of assistance?
 
Do the rapturees get any advance warning? I mean, I think I'd be really pissed off if I spent my last days on earth doing laundry and scrubbing the floors and paying off debts when what I really wanted to do was relax and have a beer, and then POOF the good-for-nothing clowns next door end up not only with all the beer but a basket of clean undies too!
 
Yes, yes, yes, but can we have their stuff?

What makes you think the sort of person who would get raptured would even have any stuff you'd want? DVD box set of "The Waltons", perhaps, if they even have a DVD player. No alcohol, no sex toys, no porn. Possibly not even soda. They're not people who have Grand Theft Auto, a freezer bag full of coke, and a collection of exciting leather costumes is what I'm getting at. These are people who are too boring to get into Hell.
 
The vast majority of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen at some point in the future.

A small subset of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen within a double digit number of years.

Glad I am able to clear that up.

And you know this, how?
 

Back
Top Bottom