Christian Message Boards: 'Rapture Index' Tracks Time

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Posted by Kindgo (Member # 2) on :

Until End Of World
More People Interested In Biblical Prophecies
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UPDATED: 6:27 p.m. EDT August 1, 2002

CLEVELAND -- The "Rapture Index" claims to track just how close we are to the end of the world.

In Thursday night's Special Assignment, NewsChannel5's Brad Harvey looks at what's behind a growing interest in biblical prophecies that are seemingly coming true.

The images of Sept. 11 have haunted Americans for nearly a year. World events make some people wonder if it could all truly be the end of the world.

"Well, I think that it makes you more aware, spiritually, about your spiritual being. What are you going to do? Everyone started praying and believing in God then and it makes you think," reader Chris Fomby said.

But that attitude is really nothing new, Harvey said. For centuries, apocalyptic images have stared at us from the ceilings and the stained glass of churches. The wicked are punished while believers are spared by the return of Christ -- the "Rapture," Harvey reported.

From the time when the Sistine Chapel was created to today, that prophetic concept of what's still to be is very much a part of our culture, Harvey said.

A lot of the ideas come from the latest in a series of books that are perennial bestsellers. It's the "Left Behind" series.

"'Left Behind' is the biggest thing in Christian fiction since, you'd have to go back to C.S. Lewis or something like that, said Tom Drenen, professional book buyer.

Drenen is a book buyer who's witnessing a phenomenon -- 20 million books sold in a series that has now reached 10 volumes. "The Remnant" is the latest and readers are already clamoring for more, Harvey reported.

"Once you get into it, it just takes you. It keeps your attention. I think I read it in a week and I don't read books at all," Fomby said.

It's the belief that as civilization spirals into a period of tribulation, believers suddenly disappear as the rapture comes, Harvey said.

And it's a theology that's growing beyond fundamental evangelicals to reach a much broader audience.

"They're not aware that they don't necessarily, in their denomination, believe that. So it's created a bit of a furor amongst some people who, their flock is reading it but they don't know it's not the doctrinal position of their church," Drenen said.

And some people who are not religious at all are treating the series as more of a science-fiction fantasy experience. For the devout, though, it's much more.

"It gives you hope that there is a way out of this world," Fomby said.

Harvey said they see it as a blueprint for living in a chaotic world.

The "Left Behind" series has grown to include videos, study guides and even comic books. The first book was turned into a feature film starring Kirk Cameron called, "Left Behind, The Movie."

The "Rapture Index" hit an all-time high on Sept. 11, NewsChannel5 reported. web page