re: #220 Walter L. Newton

That is only one interpretation of what the “144,000” represent. Some interpretations say they are Jewish believers, some say Christian, some say it is only symbolic.

You are being very narrow assuming that the “144,000” are interpreted as “”strongest” Christians on Earth.”

And while the word “rapture” does not appear in the greek scriptures, the concept is much older than the 19th century.

I’m not saying that the interpretation I laid out was the only one or the correct one, but I would say that it is one of the more prevalent ones in fundie/evangelical circles.

And the concept is older, the concept of the incoming apocalypse is almost as old as Christianity itself, but the idea that there would be a Rapture, where people would float up to Heaven before the events of Revelation would happen is a relatively modern one.