Revolutionary Leaders

You've Got Hell!
by Greg Stier

So the internet and blogosphere is all a-twitter with shock and awful opinions of a new website called You've Been Left Behind.

Essentially, these folks offer a $40 yearly service that allows you to compose and store up to 62 e-mails that will go to your unsaved friends and loved ones (should you be taken in the Rapture) - and give you one more chance to share that Jesus is their only hope of salvation.

In a word…wow.

Now I know that you're reheheheally thinking that I'm kidding.
Nope. Fer real - www.youvebeenleftbehind.com

OK - so people are concerned about what might happen to their loved ones and friends left on earth after the Rapture. I get that. What I do not get is the methodology here. What about a letter like, right now? And do you think that if millions of people disappeared in a flash that people would need a post-disaster Captain Obvious e-mail to let them know what happened?
And are we assuming that the internet will be fully functioning on the heels of the greatest human disaster in history??? Heck, mine goes out every couple days in perfect conditions - I'm thinking that the Rapture might cause a few servers to go down.

My thought is this: take the $40 and take your friends or family members out to lunch. Tell them in a non-condescending and non-judgmental way about how Christ has completely changed your life and given you the hope of heaven when you die.

Oh - and also let them know why Christians who believe in the Rapture aren't all crazy-as-a-sack-full-of-ferrets trolls.

Unfortunately this reputation can sometimes be well deserved, but that's not because of a belief in the Rapture - rather the point and laugh behavior that ensues from mostly well meaning believers.

Maybe you're not sure why many Christians believe in the Rapture? Perhaps you've heard that the word ‘rapture' isn't in the Bible, and the whole idea of Christians disappearing from the earth is just a recent idea?

The word ‘rapture' is from the Latin ‘rapio' - meaning to ‘be caught up' - which is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. So yes, it is specifically used in the Latin translation of the Bible, and the concept is very clear.

So what about the idea of believers booking out of planet earth in one main event being a recent trend?
Well I guess, if you believe Jesus' teachings are recent ideas:

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world —from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left (Matthew 24:30-31; 37-41).

The Apostle Paul makes a clear statement about the rapture as well:
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).

At face value - it almost seems unbelievable that an event like this could take place. But of course, the idea that the God of the universe would wrap Himself in flesh, and die for our sins is mind-boggling as well - right? And the fact that ‘smart' and ‘rational' people poke fun at us for believing in the rapture does not make it untrue. The thing to remember is that the truth about the rapture is intended to be a source of hope and comfort for Christians - not a way to judge and condemn others.

Make no mistake - Jesus Christ will return - and the biggest question you should be asking is not ‘should I get an e-mail ready to send after I'm gone?' - rather it is ‘how can I best prepare for this incredible event?'. In other words, live each day like Jesus is returning at any minute.
Because He just might!

Head: What you need to know about this truth
The rapture is a future event that is clearly stated and predicted in the Bible. Believers should live each day with the expectation of Jesus' return.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
The fact that I could be ‘caught up' with Christ at any second of any day makes me feel incredibly excited and motivated to be prepared.

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Hands: No matter what you believe about the end times, those that are left behind face a very grim future. That's why it's critical to talk to people about this subject - even at the risk of being ridiculed. I'd much rather have the approval of Jesus Christ than the acceptance of skeptics and mockers. How about you?

For opportunities to Go Wide with the message of the gospel and share your faith with your friends, check out this week's Culture Commission on You've Been Left Behind Website.