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Originally Posted by arcura

Your hate for the USA is showing

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What hate Fred? Just for bringing up that I wonder why all these books, these statements, these expectations, and all that interest in the rapture is primarily originating in/from the US?
I am well informed of what happens here in Europe in the religious field, but here? Nada, niente, nothing, nichts : hardly any interest here in that rapture at all!!

So what makes the US population so interested in that part of the Christian religion? Is it perhaps that they know they are one of the worlds worst abusers of natures richness and human resources - so is it caused by guilt? Or are they as nation extremely gullible to religion? If so : why? Or is it the US capitalistic system that explores and misuses Christianity and Christians for the last available penny in the quest for financial richness?

Peace and kindness, Fred

John

Fred, I think you are missing something. I know you accept Paul's writings so consider this.
1Thes 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(KJV)

Notice that "the dead in Christ shall rise first:" This is not a complete resurrection, because we see here:
Rev 20:5
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(KJV)

Plainly 2 different resurrections.

Then, "we which are alive--" telling us two things. "We" indicating those hearing Paul, not the general population, and also that Paul expected it to occur in his own lifetime. He later realized that it would not be in that time frame, but his first opinion was that it would be.

Whether it is secret or not is not stated, as far as I know, but if you were not present with one caught up, you might not see or hear anything at this event. There is another event:

Jude 1:14-15
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
(KJV)

Obviously, the "saints" have to already be with Jesus in order to come with Him when He comes to reign.