Rapture

yes I have two questions

....first is about the rapture I know some about who came up with the idea and that the word is not mentioned in the bible...but can you tell me what the catholic view of this is...and if it is not believed as true by Catholics what was the true meaning in the passage that was misinterpreted by the creators of the rapture idea.....

the second question is about the Spanish inquisitions or any of the inquisitions that are held against Catholics to try and debunk our truth. I also would like to know about the Copernicus or earth is center of the universe/flat deal. people of other faiths always try to rip me down with this stuff...can you give me some info about it. I sometimes believe us as Catholics get exaggerated blame....I just would like to know what occurred and to what point was the church at fault...and how can I defend my faith in these matters? THANK YOU GOD BLESS

Dear Anonymous

The joy of the risen Lord be in your heart.

Thank you for your question. But, please, give me some more information:

What do you mean by rapture?

The word as such is not present in the Bible but many synonyms as ecstasies, possession by the Spirit of God, and so on.

It would be helpful too to describe where you encountered this word. Perhaps a discussion with non-Catholics has brought it about. What are the anti-Catholic acceptances of the word. Thank you.

Regarding you question of Copernicus, inquisition and pertaining titles you could look up the Catholic Encyclopedia at

http://www.churchforum.org/

God bless you

mscperu

Anonymous added this clarification on 6/13/2001:

rapture is what protestants call in when Jesus takes the faithful into the sky and leaves the unfaithful here to suffer tribulation.

Greetings:

It's about the end of the world, is it?

Or perhaps it's about the numbers of those saved as indicated by the Bible (Revelation)?

Some sects profess that only a limited number will be saved. You can bet that it applies only to their own members. The Church's doctrine is straightforward:

God wants to save all.

At the end, Christ will separate the good from the bad.

Everybody has a chance to repent from sin until the very last moment of his-her life.

Therefore, we pray that the Mother of God may pray for us in the hour of our death in order to be saved.

I offer some answer of the CCC. I hope they help you to answer the question:

Those who persevere will be saved:

2474. "THE Church has painstakingly collected THE records OF those who persevered to THE END in witnessing to their faith. These are THE acts OF THE Martyrs. They form THE archives OF truth written in letters OF blood:

Neither THE pleasures OF THE WORLD nor THE kingdoms OF this age will be OF any use to me. It is better for me to die (in order to unite myself) to Christ Jesus than to reign over THE ends OF THE earth. I seek him who died for us; I desire him who rose for us. My birth is approaching. . .[St. Ignatius OF Antioch, Ad Rom. 6, 1-2 SCh 10, 114.] I bless you for having judged me worthy from this day and this hour to be counted among your martyrs.... You have kept your promise, God OF faithfulness and truth. For this reason and for everything, I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you through THE eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Through him, who is with you and THE Holy Spirit, may glory be given to you, now and in THE ages to come. Amen.[Martyrium Polycarpi 14,2-3 PG 5,1040; SCh 10,228.] "

There will be a judgment:

678. "Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the JUDGMENT of the Last Day in his preaching.[Cf. Dan 7:10 ; Joel 3-4 ; Mal 3: 19 ; Mt 3:7-12 .] Then will the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts be brought to light.[Cf Mk 12:38-40 ; Lk 12:1-3 ; Jn 3:20-21 ; Rom 2:16 ; 1 Cor 4:5 .] Then will the culpable unbelief that counted the offer of God's grace as nothing be condemned.[Cf. Mt 11:20-24 ; Mt 12:41-42 .] Our attitude to our neighbor will disclose acceptance or refusal of grace and divine love.[Cf. Mt 5:22 ; Mt 7:1-5 .] On the Last Day Jesus will say: 'Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'[Mt 25:40 .]"

679. "Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive JUDGMENT on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world. He 'acquired' this right by his cross. The Father has given 'all JUDGMENT to the Son'.[Jn 5:22 ; cf. Jn 5:27 ; Mt 25:31 ; Acts 10:42 ; Acts 17:31 ; 2 Tim 4:1 .] Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in himself.[Cf. Jn 3:17 ; Jn 5:26 .] By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one's works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love.[Cf. Jn 3:18 ; Jn 12:48 ; Mt 12:32 ; 1 Cor 3:12-15 ; Heb 6:4-6 ; Heb 10:26-31 .]"

You can investigate further at:

http://www.christusrex.org/www2/kerygma/ccc/searchcates.html

God bless you

mscperu

PD. Why make this question personal. I think it would interest others too!