by William Wright

Created on: September 04, 2010   Last Updated: September 13, 2010

Standing on the top of a hill recently a vision appeared to me. It was of Jesus trumpeting his way down to earth,  being somewhat familiar with current rapture theories; I knew the dead were to be lifted out of the ground first. Instead I heard Jesus say, "Yes, yes, this is just what I had in mind. " Screaming back as loud as I could I said,  "You mean all of this"? Not another word passed from His mouth, and the vision receded in a cloud of greenish haze until it was completely gone. Pinching and kicking myself gave me the proof that sleep wasn't involved; and yes, this deserved more investigation.

Many Christan's have proclaimed to me since they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they can do no wrong. All sins have been forgiven, and if they sin once again, they too will be forgiven ... hmmm ... haven't you thought, somehow, somewhere, there must be a few screws lose for this to hold up to scrutiny in this world. Has it not been written when a Christan once forgiven of sin must never look back?

Finding my friend Ruth, I had the chance to ask her about this, she being somewhat of an expert on the subject; and although a bit tight lipped at first, she got out that it was an interpretation proplem. Words and definitions from two thousand years ago,written in other languages, seem to trip up people in the 21st century - seems plausible, does it not? Then we came to the rapture issue, and amazingly she was clueless.

Imagine driving in your car with three friends,and you see Martha and George disappear from the back seat. My bet is you would think like me, and realize a heap of trouble has just come pouring down. Your friend is yelling, "Where did they go, oh boy,  we have to get the guns,our credit cards, the ski masks in case we have to loot, and we can't forget my fifty pounds of salt which will be worth more than gold ... why , why, why, did I not buy gold"? This according to the rapture folk is what could happen, people disappearing in all walks of life and positions ... like your airplane pilot.

Apparently the current idea of rapture is fairly modern,started in full force by a group of Englishmen, and Scotsmen,  with the help of a fifteen year old girl around 1830. Margaret McDonald, Edward Irving,and John Darby, started a group called the Irvingites, and made the table for what we see today.

My preference is to remember some of the teachings of the Master Jesus, "Heaven is on the earth and men do not see it." That is certainly a powerful one, or how about, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as Thyself, I will never leave you nor forsake you, I have meat and drink ye are not aware of ", and a personal favorite, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways your ways." The list is long, the meaning tremendous, but alas, we also have two hundred meanings for the same message. Implausibly we are willing to kill each other over who is right ... this is a definite way not to get to Heaven. This then is the art of polemics, right and wrong, just who is supposed to be the judge?

Cast no dispersions,try not to judge, understand that a house built without the Lord's help is a house built in vain. If a word said in just the right way, or a two day prayer, a phrase that would bring us to the door of heaven; would we not all be there by now? Are we not already at the door, but do not see it?

"I am" is something to ponder,along with the meaning of love. The "New Testament" tries mightily to teach us about love, and that my friends, is the key that opens the doors ... of Heaven. Just a little thing called love!

Learn more about this author, William Wright.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.