Reboarding my previous train of thought…

Yes, there are many astronomical events that will occur in 2012.  However, the events are not one-day moments.  They will be gradual events that could span many years.

Some say it is “bad astronomy” to make a big deal about these alignments. It might very well be “bad astronomy” but that does not change the fact that God created the stars and the planets and that he uses them and intends them to show times and seasons. Astronomers do agree that there will be some interesting occurrences in the skies during the winter of 2012.  But what does that mean for us?

As I said before, I do not believe that the world is going to end in 2012.  I do, though, believe that a series of events will be set into motion for those who are paying attention.

Jesus did not tell his disciples to ignore the signs of the times. On the contrary, he told them to keep their eyes open.

Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect–if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

24 “But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

No one knows when this day will be, but we have been given things to keep an eye on, in our lives. Are you watching?

When I got to my computer this morning (even before coffee!) I found a question waiting for me in reference to my post regarding a pretribulational rapture.  I thought I would share my answer here on my site, taken from my note to my reader.

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Good morning!

A couple of things about 1 Thessalonians. I see that book as evidence of the man as he wrote what God gave him to write.  Paul believed still, in that letter, that Christ’s return was imminent…as in within his — Paul’s — lifetime or shortly thereafter.  That understanding changed for him by the time he wrote his second letter to the churches of Thessalonika.

Now having said that, lol, let me address your question.

[1 Thessalonians 4] 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord.

Paul says that there will be Christians alive when Jesus returns. Many of those to whom he was writing had expressed concern, scholars infer, that those who had died already would not be resurrected to live in Heaven. That only those who were alive would see the Lord.  Paul is addressing this worry — for it can be a debilitating one!  He is telling the people that those who have died in the Lord will rise FIRST.  So not to worry.  And then those who are alive will join them in the air and be with the Lord forever.  A joyful anticipation!

He is addressing the issue of hope, in this section of his letter.  And there is hope indeed for all who are in the Lord, whether dead or living.

As pertains to any “rapture” event… this passage only describes the great harvest, spoken of in the book of Revelation, in chapter 14:

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!” 14 Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and One like the Son of Man was seated on the cloud, with a gold crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15 Another angel came out of the sanctuary, crying out in a loud voice to the One who was seated on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, since the harvest of the earth is ripe.”  16 So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

This is pretty much exactly what Paul was talking about, don’t you think?  :)  This event in the book of Revelation occurs, in my reading and understanding (see my “Tell Everyone” page at my website if you want the full, 50-part study on Revelation. It’s available for free download in a PDF) in the interlude between the trumpets of the angels during the tribulation and the beginning of God’s outpouring of wrath as depicted by the bowls.