udaysiddapur
Perhaps, one reason for the increase in these cults is that the second millennium has just finished. Historians tell us that when each century turns and, especially when each millennium turns, there are movements of people who try to deal with the change by spiritual means. However, their means are not through true Christianity.
Lizzie
As you mentioned, some people try to say that the world is ending right now, and others try to predict some future event. Newspapers and talk shows point to issues like the gradual destruction of the earth's ecology or the moral decline of society as signs of the 'end times.'
Im4Jesus
As the popularity of the book series attests to, you're not alone in your interest in what the Bible refers to as the 'rapture.' The word 'rapture' comes from a Latin word, 'rapio,' which means 'caught up.' In the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 describes the second coming of Christ in which He returns in power and glory and all believers-those in the graves as well as those alive-are 'raptured' or caught up to meet Him in the clouds. You can see how the series title 'Left Behind,' is appropriate to describe those who are not raptured to be with Christ.
Victoria
It's great that you're concerned about your friends. The Bible assures us that when we accept Jesus we become children of God and members of His family (John 1:12). Like an orphaned child is adopted into a family, we're adopted by God and made a part of His family forever. This has nothing to do with anything we've done; it's simply trusting Jesus by faith just as an adopted child trusts his parents when he comes into their family.
tylerthomas