Church of Christ - wrong teachings **MERGED**

[Jesus's Girl]

Sorry if this has been posted already in another thread, but tonight at work a man tried to argue with me that he doesn't believe in the Rapture and the Second Coming and that he also added - doesn't make sense - that the Rapture already happened! This made my stomach churn. He was trying to "sell" his church to me. He wanted to give me his church's card and information too, but I said no because I believe strongly, unbudgingly in Jesus's return for me. It's a Church of Christ... weird. He's a man with no hope. If the Rapture already happened I wouldn't be here and it would have been recorded in history. Why do people say this? It's so irrational. He told me he believes in the Bible... but alot of the Bible is prophetic, including Jesus's coming and death on the cross. That was prophecy at one point and now is history. He's completely disreguarding alot of the Bible. This "belief" just doesn't make sense. Is this what Jesus warned of as the scoffers in the last days? How should we respond, especially if they are trying to argue and prove they are "right"?

[Wally]

.... And YOU'RE STILL HERE???!!!??? Whoa.....


I guess I would ask some questions


Why are you appointed to wrath?

What about Israel?

Do you see an angel in the sky proclaiming the Gospel?

Where is the Restrainer?

[acceptedintheBeloved]

I'm not certain, but it sounds as if he may have been a Preterist (they believe all prophecy was fulfilled in 70AD, including, say, Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation... and that Christ came back "spiritually" when the temple was destroyed at that time).

Depending on the person and the conversation, I might have mentioned how "biblical prophecy" has been fulfilled in the past century, with Israel becoming a nation again precisely 2520 "biblical" years from 537BC, and Jerusalem being recaptured precisely 2520 "biblical" years from 518BC... in preparation for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:14, etc (regarding literal Israel) and the literal future Millennial Temple which is described in Ezekiel 40-45 (for their future, literal, promised/prophesied earthly Millennial Kingdom, which will last for a literal 1000 years). The Church being distinct from Israel.

Then ask how they can explain that.

[frankotheway]

The Thessalonians were upset by false teachers that they had missed the rapture, so Paul addressed their concerns in 1Thess 4&5 and 2 Thess 2. Remember, we live in the age of deception, but we have the Bible.

[Hootmon]

What to say to a person who thinks the rapture already happened?

If this is the Millenial Kingdom, Id like to discuss a few things with the Management.

[IamPJ]

If this is the Millenial Kingdom, Id like to discuss a few things with the Management.

[james46888]

Sorry if this has been posted already in another thread, but tonight at work a man tried to argue with me that he doesn't believe in the Rapture and the Second Coming and that he also added - doesn't make sense - that the Rapture already happened!?

Ask him how he knows it already happened and on what date it happened in history? BTW, are you sure he said he "knows" it happened already or did he just say he thinks it may have occurred? The latter position, although still extremely odd, would make more sense than the former position. But, as you said, if it had happened, it would've been recorded in historical records. Or maybe - and this could be more likely - he believes in some sort of spiritual rapture rather than a literal catching up of believers from the earth.

[Sheprdboi]

I'd say, Wow! When did this happen, Why are you still here, oh but wait a minute, why am I still here? OH MAN!

Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me

(Thank Hee Haw Gang)

[Wally]

OHHHHHH!

[IlovemyJesus]

Same as others....why is he still here? Does he believe in Christs physical return to earth and reigning? If so....where is Jesus?

[Miggy]

If this is the Millenial Kingdom, Id like to discuss a few things with the Management.

Exactly right, brother!

Although, I imagined he'd say that his church also doesn't believe in a Millenial Kingdom. I don't know where these people think we're headed if all those events have passed or are non-existent.

[ronbo477]

I was listening to a christian radio station. They had a biblical teacher(Church of Christ) who said people needed to study their bibles because the rapture isn't even inferred and Israel lost her blessing. It kind of took me back. Then I regrouped. The Lord said Israel did not deserve the regathering and purification but that it would happen for the glory of God.

[iSong6:3]

Merging with a similar post on the Church of Christ wrong teachings. They're getting around, aren't they?

[IamPJ]

Not all Church of Christ believe this. I was raised in COC and was raised believing in the rapture, millenium, etc. I think some of them differ...

[iSong6:3]

Not all Church of Christ believe this. I was raised in COC and was raised believing in the rapture, millenium, etc. I think some of them differ...

That's good to hear. Do you know if the Church of Christ has an *official* prophecy belief or are all pastors on their own in terms of their understanding and teaching?

[Mtown]

I'm not certain, but it sounds as if he may have been a Preterist (they believe all prophecy was fulfilled in 70AD, including, say, Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation... and that Christ came back "spiritually" when the temple was destroyed at that time).

Depending on the person and the conversation, I might have mentioned how "biblical prophecy" has been fulfilled in the past century, with Israel becoming a nation again precisely 2520 "biblical" years from 537BC, and Jerusalem being recaptured precisely 2520 "biblical" years from 518BC... in preparation for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:14, etc (regarding literal Israel) and the literal future Millennial Temple which is described in Ezekiel 40-45 (for their future, literal, promised/prophesied earthly Millennial Kingdom, which will last for a literal 1000 years). The Church being distinct from Israel.

Then ask how they can explain that.

Was Israel returning as a nation predicted in the bible by years? What I mean to say does it actually say how many years until Israel would return as a nation?

[acceptedintheBeloved]

Was Israel returning as a nation predicted in the bible by years? What I mean to say does it actually say how many years until Israel would return as a nation?

Here are a few links (with the Scriptures used):


"The Bible: Proof of Its Supernatural Origin" (scroll down about 1/3 of the page to "Ezekiel's Prophecy of Israel's Rebirth in 1948" and the section under that, about Jerusalem):

http://www.gospeloutreach.net/bibsuper.html


"Prophecy Fulfilled: Israel Becomes A Nation In 1948" by Britt Gillette

http://www.end-times-bible-prophecy....n-in-1948.html


"Timely Speculation? Ezekiel's 430 Days" by Chuck Missler

http://www.khouse.org/articles/2000/276/

[Mtown]

Here are a few links (with the Scriptures used):


"The Bible: Proof of Its Supernatural Origin" (scroll down about 1/3 of the page to "Ezekiel's Prophecy of Israel's Rebirth in 1948" and the section under that, about Jerusalem):

http://www.gospeloutreach.net/bibsuper.html


"Prophecy Fulfilled: Israel Becomes A Nation In 1948" by Britt Gillette

http://www.end-times-bible-prophecy....n-in-1948.html


"Timely Speculation? Ezekiel's 430 Days" by Chuck Missler

http://www.khouse.org/articles/2000/276/

Thank you! Awesome links

[acceptedintheBeloved]

You're welcome!

[icebear]

my sister was a COC once... she left once they started almost worshiping one of their elders. they taught baptisim was necessary for salvation. i was a new Christian at the time, but from reading my Bible, i knew that wasn't right- though i could not articulate it at the time. Anyway, this was in San Diego CA.