----- Original Message -----

From: Name and Address Withheld

To: reborn@oraclesofgod.org (Paul Stringini)

Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 3:22 AM

Subject: The Shepherd Chapel

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul Stringini

To: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 1:24 PM

Subject: Re: The Shepherd Chapel

Hi XXXXXX

I think Dr. Murray is right, that the rapture, as it is commonly understood, is a deception, but I also think that he deceives people by telling them that no evil will come upon them. Outside of advanced nations the "rapture to escape the tribulation" doctrine is nonsensical.  Where Christians are already dying for their faith and suffering persecution and lack of all things, the hollowness of American Christianity is laid bare. 

They are already suffering and dying, but when the suffering and dying spreads to the whole world, to America, people over here like to think that they will not experience that real suffering. 

 

Phil 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

 

Among the Apostles it was considered to be nothing less than an honor to suffer for the Lord's sake.  But the rapture (and Dr. Murray) do despite to the honor.  They do not prepare people to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.

 

Jer12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

 

If the very thought of suffering hunger, pain, loss, torment, and death is enough to turn their itching ears to fables, then how will they react when faced with the realities of such things?  Because they will surely come, if not on them, on their children or grandchildren.  And they that follow in the folly of their forefathers will reap the bitter harvest of that which was sown of those who went before.

 

This is, to me, the most important factor.  I desire to suffer for the Lord's sake.

I confess, I would it were not now, I want to raise my children in peace, but, before I die, I want to suffer for his sake.  Even so, as the Lord determines, I submit. 

 

If in your question to me you had hoped I would go into the technical reasons I reject the rapture I'm sorry if this is at all disappointing, you ought to be familiar with the pros and cons.  I think I have made clear what I believe.  Others disagree and I have seen them make some infuriatingly convincing arguments to the contrary.  Ultimately, people believe what is in their heart to believe. 

 

Ro10::6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, ...8 The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

The heart is deceitful, it will lead us to believe things contrary to the truth and contrary to objective considerations.  And God has helped the deception by hiding the truth in parables and in vagaries.  I can tell you the truth and you may not believe it.  I can tell you a lie and you'll swallow it whole.  It is what is in your heart to believe. 

If your heart is charged with excitement and thrill to serve God and even die at the hands of the wicked for his sake, then you will believe me.  If you fear such things, but rather cherish and relish the thought that your god would never let any harm come to his precious bride (as if it were any real harm) well then you will believe what you love. 

Maybe it is in your heart that on hearing the truth your heart should be changed from fearful to brave.  It is all in the heart.  And God has put it all there, for good or for evil.

And I have transferred all these things in a figure to you and I, understand, I'm not calling you a coward or anything, while we are young we still have not found out what sort of men we are.  Only when faced with a true test will the truth come out, who believes in the Lord, and who believes in him not.

Sincerely,
Paul Stringini