I'm not really quite in on the "rapture". . . . yes, there will be some event like that, what with the graves being opened and all the Saints coming out and such. . . . . and yes there will be some tribulations. . . .
I sorta wonder if we don't have something of
"The Mark", and "The Anti-Christ" already. . . . no doubt you are looking for a temple in Jerusalem, not Salt Lake, on that issue. . . .
and no doubt you consider "the church" to be not particularly a specific little cult outfit with some megalomaniacal authoritarian leader, but the net sum of folks who trust in Jesus in their hearts and love Him.
I don't believe there is anything in play for the mark as yet sans perhaps birthing pains/signs of it coming. The Bible is clear (very) that we will know without any doubt that we are taking the mark and what that means to us long term. The Bible is clear that we will not unknowingly take it or be duped into the same.
Yes, you have that 2nd part right, in describing my belief.
I don't know if I should just go to Jerusalem and start explaining things to the people there. . . . I claim to be a male-descent Jew, but the law in Israel requires a matrilineal line to satisfy immigration requirements. I have a friend from some years ago who lives in Israel and who qualifies on that line. . . .
When I went to Israel years ago, with him. . . . the airplane we were in had some problems with the hydraulic controls for the wheels. The pilot announced the difficulty and stated we were going back to New York after dumping the excess fuel, but he didn't know if the wheels would work. . . . . It was a 747 with a lot old Jewish men on board. . . . I had the distinct sense that they prayed us down safely. . . . but the runway was lined with fire engines and ambulances just the same.
Nah, I don't think it's my place to go to Jerusalem. Hope not. But Israel has some political associations that aren't all that wholesome. . . . .