The Rapture: A Biblical Study

Wormwood · Jul 17, 2014

Local television stations from around the world reported bizarre occurrences, especially in time zones where the event had happened during the day or early evening. CNN showed via satellite the video of a groom disappearing while slipping the ring onto his bride’s finger. A funeral home in Australia reported that nearly every mourner disappeared from one memorial service, including the corpse, while at another service at the same time, only a few disappeared and the corpse remained. Morgues also reported corpse disappearances. Ad a burial, three of six pallbearers stumbled and dropped a casket when the other three disappeared. When they picked up the casket, it too was empty.

[SIZE=medium]This is how Tim LaHaye describes the “rapture” in his book, Left Behind. Maybe you have read about the rapture that describes the second coming of Jesus in a similar fashion. Namely, that people will suddenly disappear from all over the world. Cars will be left abandoned, planes will fall from the sky as their pilots and some of the passengers are suddenly raptured away. After all the Christians have been raptured away, the world will be led into a Great Tribulation where the Antichrist rules the world for seven years. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]The Bible talks a lot about the second coming of Jesus. Let me assure you, that in all of the verses that speak of the second coming of Jesus and the great and awesome Day of the Lord, not one verse in the Bible describes the Second Coming of Jesus in this manner. There is so much confusion about the Second Coming of Jesus and so many ideas out there that are far more based out of people’s imagination than anything the Bible actually teaches. There are dispensational pre-millennialists, historic pre-millennialists, post-millennialists, amilleniallists…some just get so confused they say, “I’m a pan-millennialist. I just think everything will pan out in the end.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]On the one hand, you have people who heavily invest themselves in narratives and timelines that I find to be incredibly unbiblical and inaccurate while on the other hand, you have people who do not even want to think about the Second Coming. But the NT teaches a great deal about the Second Coming so it is not only important that we think about it, but that we think about the return of Jesus properly. It is important that we are established in the truth, because the truth gives us solid ground to stand on in uncertain times. [/SIZE]

What will be the signs of Jesus’ return?

[SIZE=medium]Often you will hear people encouraging you to be on alert for "the signs of the times." First, this verse is used by Jesus with regard to his revealing himself as the Christ in the midst of an unbelieving generation. To use it in reference to predicting the Second Coming is a contextual blunder. Moreover, those who have been trying to tie "the signs of the times" to verses in the Bible have shown over and over to discredit themselves and cause the outside world to mock Christians. People have determined that Jesus would return one generation after the reestablishment of Israel. They have claimed the Soviet Union was an end time empire predicted in the Bible. They have claimed the United Nations and the Euro are the beginning of the one-world government and have claimed Obama, Hussain, Putin and many others to be the Antichrist. Looking back, all of these predictions look foolish and unfortunately only validate many who believe the Bible to be in error. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]People need to stop focusing on wars and rumors of wars and trying to point to every conflict, every battle, every dictator, every political agenda, and every natural disaster as somehow ushering in the Second Coming. Jesus said there would be wars and rumors of wars. He said there would be earthquakes and famines before the end, right?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]“And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet[/SIZE][SIZE=medium].” (Matthew 24:4–6, ESV)[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]There will be wars and rumors of wars. There will be earthquakes and famines. There will be false Christs. There have been for the past 2,000 years and there will continue to be. But don’t be alarmed. Don’t freak out. Don’t panic and do something rash. Don’t jump on the bandwagon of some fearmonger pointing to all the problems of the world. That’s what false Christ’s and false teachers use to deceive. The end is not yet. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]So if wars, rumors of wars, false Christ and famines are not the signs of the end times, what are the signs?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]The Bible is very clear on this, so I really want you to pay attention so you can be prepared for Jesus’ return.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Have you ever had anything stolen? When your stuff was stolen, were there "signs" that the thief was coming? Probably not. The thing that makes for a good thief is that they do not tip their victim off. Otherwise, they would be a very bad thief, indeed. Consider these words about the Second Coming:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:36–44, ESV)[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–3, ESV)[/SIZE]

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”” (2 Peter 3:1–4, ESV)

[SIZE=medium]The Bible is clear. There are no "signs" that will allow us to predict or know Jesus' coming is within a generation or anything of that matter. He will come like a thief. The only "sign" is that "everything continues as they were from the beginning." Many people will not be ready because that day will appear like any other day. We must simply be ready.[/SIZE]

What will the rapture look like?

[SIZE=medium]Rapture means to be “caught up.” [/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Will it look like millions of people suddenly disappearing from the earth? No. Actually, t[/SIZE][SIZE=medium]he Bible is pretty clear about what the rapture is going to look like. Let me encourage you to search some pictures of the tsunami that hit Thailand. If you want a biblical picture of the "rapture" then that is as close as you are going to get. During that tsunami, waves reached 50 feet in height and traveled 50 miles per hour. Hundreds of thousands of people were swept off their feet and most were killed by the surging waters. One moment they were going about their lives, the next moment they were swept away by the waves. That is the biblical picture of the "rapture." [/SIZE]

““But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:36–42, ESV)

[SIZE=medium]Who was it that was taken? Who was it that was left? It was the wicked who were swept away while the righteous (Noah and his family) were left. You WANT to be left behind![/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]“For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 3:5–7, ESV)[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Certainly 2 Thessalonians 4 indicates that the righteous will also be "raptured." They will be caught up to be with the Lord. But notice also that there is nothing "secret" about this rapture. There is a "voice of the archangel" the "trumpet call of God" and the glorious appearing of Christ that is accompanied by the dead in Christ, angels and the resurrection of both the righteous and unrighteous. Based on the other verses and parables of Jesus, it seems to me that the wicked are gathered first to be destroyed and then the dead in Christ are raised and all of God's people are snatched up to Jesus while the world is made new. Then the righteous are left to remain on a new earth where they will dwell with the Lord forever. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]How should we live as a result?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]The reason the Bible teaches us about the Second Coming is not so we can make predictions or timelines. Its not so we will read the newspapers and see the latest happenings with Russia and Israel. The reason is so that we will live every day as if it is THE day. All of the teaching in the NT about the Second Coming is there to remind believers about how they should live and the importance of faithfulness. We do not know when our master will return, so we live each day as if he were coming that day. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]“But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4–6, ESV)[/SIZE]

“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:11–13, ESV)

So be ready. Perhaps today is the day. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Madad21 · Jul 17, 2014

Thanks for this, it was an eye opener for me personally.
Actually I have read all those verses I dont know how many times and Im not sure how I still managed to slip in to that cycle of looking for signs.
The subject of end time signs is exciting and I guess its a desire to see prophesy come true like a type of reassurance that if I can see events unfolding in front of me I can somehow be a lot more confident that what has been promised will come to pass. Not so much in a way to doubt what was promised but more like a person excited to see a loved one who had been gone so long finally walking up the drive way to the house.
I also think to it has a lot to do with this need to have control over our lives, if we can see it coming we can somehow manage our actions accordingly, But as you pointed out we are told to be always prepared.

Who was it that was taken? Who was it that was left? It was the wicked who were swept away while the righteous (Noah and his family) were left. You WANT to be left behind!

I have never look at it like this.

Good thread

Wormwood · Jul 17, 2014

Thank you for the kind words Madad21. I am glad this post was a blessing and encouragement to you.

Tex · Jul 17, 2014

This was perfect!

RANDOR · Jul 17, 2014

Bags are packed........wait.......i need a shave.....no.......wait.......no.................Im good.
Lets roll!

This Vale Of Tears · Jul 20, 2014

The "pretribulation rapture" error started in the 19th century in Britain and metastasized to the United States. Because error springs from error, it's no surprise that denominations and cults that bought into the rapture belief immediately began attempting to guess the date it would happen, as famously happened with the Millerites, the predecessors of the Seventh Day Adventist denomination. And little has changed today, with pretribbers still trying to predict the rapture, most famously the followers of Harold Camping.

"Escapism" is what it's called by those Christians around the world who are experiencing real persecution. It leaves the impression that American Christians are terrified of suffering and looking for magic trick to whisk them away before they ever experience adversity in the name of Christ. The fact that pretrib rapturism is so recent and so localized a belief system should indicate clearly how much of a hoax it is.

aspen · Jul 20, 2014

Anyone who builds an entire doctrine around one verse about meeting Jesus in the air and turns around and denies Purgatory for the same reason is a hypocrite.

HammerStone · Jul 20, 2014

What makes it so bad is that the doctrine itself likely came from the ramblings of a rather sick girl stricken with fever and were imported to the states in the 19th century.

We used to provide a study here that said much of the same. I probably should not have removed it. You start blowing minds when you talk about there not being a rapture, and I have found time and again that most people read the key passages through the lens of whatever particular strand of escapism that they have been exposed to.

What's always interesting is how many have come up with dates and times. If you are careful, Jesus spends times talking about seasons and larger time periods in the key passages (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) which means we have general ideas, but then he proceeds to say that no man knows the date. I prefer to take Jesus at his word there.

Well done!

This Vale Of Tears · Jul 20, 2014

HammerStone said:
What makes it so bad is that the doctrine itself likely came from the ramblings of a rather sick girl stricken with fever and were imported to the states in the 19th century.

We used to provide a study here that said much of the same. I probably should not have removed it. You start blowing minds when you talk about there not being a rapture, and I have found time and again that most people read the key passages through the lens of whatever particular strand of escapism that they have been exposed to.

What's always interesting is how many have come up with dates and times. If you are careful, Jesus spends times talking about seasons and larger time periods in the key passages (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) which means we have general ideas, but then he proceeds to say that no man knows the date. I prefer to take Jesus at his word there.

Well done!

Real faith is releasing God to tarry another 2000 years if he wills to do so. It's almost like some are demanding that he return and bring about the end in their lifetime, unaware that God has a plan that spans through centuries and many lifetimes, a plan that is greater than we are. I don't demand that God return in my lifetime, I want him to return in the fullness of time so that as many as possible might be saved.

aspen · Jul 20, 2014

Interesting responses....I am starting to get interested

Wormwood · Jul 21, 2014

I agree HammerStone. Here's a reference to what you were talking about regarding the secret rapture.

[SIZE=medium]Dispensational (pretribulational) premillennialism is the newest of the four views, having arisen in the early nineteenth century in the British Isles. Dave MacPherson traces its crucial component, the secret rapture idea, to a feverish vision by a Scottish teenager named Margaret Macdonald in 1830. This idea was almost immediately integrated into the budding dispensational theology being systematized by the early Plymouth Brethren leader, John Nelson Darby.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once for All: Bible Doctrine for Today (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub., 2002), 484.[/SIZE]

Foreigner · Jul 21, 2014

When I first became a Christian I was taught at the same time that the Rapture was real. Over time I did my own digging and came to the conclusion that that was not the case at all. But as of late, while I still feel that, there are one or two loose threads that I am still left pondering. I am going to point them out here in order to be enlightened, not to enlighten.

First, my understanding is that the 2nd Coming is going to occur at the climax of world turmoil and incredible military destruction. There is much detail given about this event in a number of different books in the Bible.

So if the entire world is in utter turmoil, then how exactly can the Son of Man be coming "at an hour you do not expect?"
At this time of utter turmoil and destruction, won't all eyes be looking upward in anticipation?
It certainly doesn't sound like, "the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security?""

Or are we saying that people will be saying "peace and security" right up until the massive nuclear military conflicts and THEN they will not be saying, "peace and security?" But will that then still count as "an hour you do not expect?" One would think that when it gets to that point - to where even non-believers can see it mirrors what is written in scripture - that people will be expecting Christ's return shortly...wouldn't they?

Matt.24 says, ""...and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory"
So this occurs while "those that remain" are being "changed in a moment?"
And one is left assuming that 'the dead in Christ will rise first' and then those who remain who are "changed in a moment," will "go to meet Him in the air"....but this will be before or after He has laid waste to the warring armies on the earth?

Again, I welcome all comments to help me understand and have better perspective. I am happy to be educated. I want the truth, nothing more.

If a person's position is correct, they should welcome scrutiny of that position in order for others to learn that it is indeed correct, as well. That is why the Global Warming zealots have lost me. When you start shutting down dissenters, declaring it is 'decided' and ridicule those that question, you are obviously not secure in your position.

Clarify for me. As I said, I am not on board with the idea of a sudden pre-tribulation Rapture, but there are questions...

As far as the origin or the Rapture, I was recently given this:

"By far the biggest mistake post-tribulationists have made attacking the rapture is claiming that the pretribulation rapture wasn't taught before 1830. In fact, John L. Bray, a Southern Baptist evangelist, offered $500 to anyone who could prove that someone taught the rapture doctrine prior to MacDonald's 1830 vision.Bray was first proven wrong when he wrote in a newsletter, "Then my own research indicated that it was Emmanuel Lacunza, a Jesuit Catholic priest, who in the 1812 book The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty, first taught this theory." Bray stuck his neck out again when he made another $500 offer to anyone who could provide a documented statement earlier than Lacunza's 1812 writings. Apparently he had to cough up the 500 bucks. I quote him again: "I offered $500 to anyone who would give a documented statement earlier than Lacunza's time which taught a two-stage coming of Christ separated by a stated period of time." No one claimed that offer until someone found writings that forced Bray to write the following: "Now I have the Photostat copies of a book published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1788 but written in 1742-1744 in England, which taught the pretribulation rapture before Lacunza." Lately, a number of other sources have been located that teach the pretribulation rapture--some written as early as the second century. Where does this leave Margaret MacDonald?"

This ^ ^ ^ ^ from a very pro-Rapture web site, but in doing some digging, there is evidence that the Rapture was indeed taught before 1830. I invite you to Google for yourself. There is 'evidence' given both pro and con.

sojourner4Christ · Jul 22, 2014

Again, I welcome all comments to help me understand and have better perspective. I am happy to be educated. I want the truth, nothing more.

Ok, Foreigner; that's a fair statement.

If a person's position is correct, they should welcome scrutiny of that position in order for others to learn that it is indeed correct, as well.

Indeed.

The enemy would attempt to continually obfuscate and misdirect any issue at hand, so let's proceed with this "rapture" topic line upon line...

...there is evidence that the Rapture was indeed taught before 1830....There is 'evidence' given both pro and con.

Not really.

The pre-tribulation rapture doctrine first began to appear in the 19th century. While there are a couple of earlier writings that seem to have anticipated the concept, it is now widely documented that the Christian church never heard of such a concept for 18 centuries. It was never taught in scripture, nor in the early church writings of the church fathers. These facts have become a matter of great contention.

While space does not permit a complete historical examination, there are several fine books that have thoroughly examined the history of the doctrine. I will, therefore, treat the subject briefly here.

...someone found writings that forced Bray to write the following: "Now I have the Photostat copies of a book published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1788 but written in 1742-1744 in England, which taught the pretribulation rapture before Lacunza."

While there was a book that some think put forth a variant of the pre-tribulation rapture threory in 1788, it wasn't clear if the writer was espousing pre-tribulationism. Furthermore, we have every indication that particular work quickly sank into obscurity. Pre-tribulationism really begins in 1830, when a young Scottish girl named Margaret MacDonald had a "vision" that indicated to her the concept of a pre-tribulation rapture. She was involved in a shadowy group that mixed occultic practices with the study of the Bible.

Shortly after that, a British sect led by one Edward Irving, adopted the view. Evidence shows Irving was exposed to Margaret MacDonald's teaching. Later, another British church led by a man named John Darby picked up the doctrine as well. In a series of stateside tours, John Darby brought the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine to America where it has flourished ever since.

Because Irving and MacDonald's groups were involved in several very dubious spiritual practices, Darby and his followers sought to obscure where they picked up the doctrine. Through old newspaper articles, private correspondence, historical records, and much more, we now know that John Darby's successors revised the various accounts relating to the origin of the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. To put it bluntly, John Darby and certain key lieutenants blatantly lied concerning the source of their teaching. This set the tone for the dozens of "thieves and robbers" (John 10:8) that would follow in Darby's footsteps. This completely dishonest practice of historical revisionism has been thoroughly documented in a series of books by several rapture experts -- most notably a man named Dave MacPherson (e.g. For detailed notes on plagarism and the occultic connection to the doctrine, see The Three R's: Rapture, Revisionism, & Robbery. For a detailed look at the chronology and proof of the Darbyite revisions, see The Rapture Plot.)

Even as rapture proponents sought to cover up the true origin of the doctrine, they simultaneously tried to represent that the pre-tribulation view was taught by early Christian leaders that are highly respected. They aparently knew that if large sectors of the public became aware of the true origin, they would look far more suspiciously at the doctrine.

While Margaret MacDonald seems to be the fountainhead through which the doctrine was popularized, there were a couple of instances where others apparently anticipated the doctrine in various forms. Even though others seem to have some form of the concept, it can be proven that MacDonald's visions were the catalyst that brought out the pre-tribulation rapture to a gullible public. (Virtually every instance of early writers that were represented to have taught pre-trib before Margaret MacDonald has been examined and found to be either historicist, post-millennial, or simply misunderstood post-tribulationists.) In the few cases where there are earlier or concurrent instances of what appears to be pre-tribulationism, every single one is from a very dubious spiritual source, and subsequently would have tainted the doctrine. For example,

"...someone taught the rapture doctrine prior to MacDonald's 1830 vision. Bray was first proven wrong when he wrote in a newsletter, "Then my own research indicated that it was Emmanuel Lacunza, a Jesuit Catholic priest, who in the 1812 book The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty, first taught this theory."

A Catholic Jesuit named Manuel Lacunza was masquerading as a converted Jew named Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra. His work, which touches on a variation usually referred to as "partial rapturism," was translated into English in 1827. One might ask if God needs people to lie about their identity in order to teach his truth. Furthermore, Lacunza's Jesuit mindset clearly was in opposition to scriptural truth.

And finally,

"...Lately, a number of other sources have been located that teach the pretribulation rapture--some written as early as the second century...."

That statement is categorically false; if available, please post those "other sources." (BTW, the man you have quoted, John L. Bray, is probably the most visible and vocal preterist today.)

Wormwood · Jul 22, 2014

Foreigner,

Thank you for your honest questions. While I do not consider myself an authority on this subject, I will try to answer your questions about the Second Coming texts as I understand them.

So if the entire world is in utter turmoil, then how exactly can the Son of Man be coming "at an hour you do not expect?"

I do not deny that there are texts which suggest that suffering and turmoil will increase before the end. In fact, Revelation indicates that there will be heightened suffering and persecution before Christ's return. However, I do not think this can be qualified as a "sign" of the end times because there is not specific event that needs to take place (reestablishment of Israel, rebuilding of the Temple, one-world government...all of the verses used to indicate these and other world events are "signs" of Christs return..simply do not hold water). The texts used to try to point to such events as necessary signs before the 2nd Coming (or 3rd Coming for pre-trib folks) are not at all convincing. So when people start pointing to the newspaper and then pointing to the Bible to show that some event that just took place is a "sign" that prophecy is being fulfilled, I believe they are misusing the Scriptures. The Bible is not a code book to decipher contemporary events.

So, the question remains, if suffering increases, wont people sense the Second Coming is near? Not really. First, I think it is likely that persecution and unbelief will be prevalent before the end. I wouldn't be surprised if the light of the Church looks all but snuffed out. But even if that is not the case, many times suffering and turmoil causes people to disbelieve in God's goodness. If you recall, in Revelation, Wormwood makes the waters bitter so people die. Rather than allowing the judgment to turn them back to God as God desires, they become all the more hardened. But more to the point, there is always tons of suffering around the world. In the past decade we have seen massive hurricanes devastate major cities, two unbelievable tsunamis that have killed hundreds of thousands, horrible earthquakes, continual wars and conflicts and more and more people turning from the faith in favor of believing their intellect is self-derived (secularism). These things are always happening....and so if they slightly increase year after year, many will likely not notice. Maybe it will be like the frog sitting in water as it slowly increases to a boil. The devastation in the world increases, but people are simply used to the regular tragedies.

So this occurs while "those that remain" are being "changed in a moment?"
And one is left assuming that 'the dead in Christ will rise first' and then those who remain who are "changed in a moment," will "go to meet Him in the air"....but this will be before or after He has laid waste to the warring armies on the earth?

I wont post all the verses for the sake of time, but let me give you a rundown of how I think it will take place based on the teachings of Scripture:

Christ will appear and the dead will be raised. The wicked will be gathered (both the dead and living) and condemned. The righteous will be transformed and gathered next (after the dead in Christ have been raised) and will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The earth and universe will be purified by fire and remade. Then God's people, the New Jerusalem, will descend upon the earth and live there forever with the Lord. I believe all this will happen on "the day" of the Lord...not stretched out over years.

As far as the information about the pre-trib rapture and its origin. I think that most of the efforts to find earlier sources are more of an attempt to search for something after the fact. As I understand it, the references being cited to suggest there was an earlier following to this idea is very weak and the quotes and more accurate translations are so vague that its hardly to be considered an actual reference to the pre-trib rapture being espoused today that was taught by Darby. However, even it if was taught in the first century (this goes for any form of dispenstionalism in my mind), I would still reject it as there is simply no biblical support for the idea. None.

sojourner4Christ · Jul 22, 2014

The texts used to try to point to such events as necessary signs before the 2nd Coming (or 3rd Coming for pre-trib folks) are not at all convincing....The Bible is not a code book to decipher contemporary events.

This is the warm-up.

...let me give you a rundown...:

Christ will appear and the dead will be raised. The wicked will be gathered (both the dead and living) and condemned. The righteous will be transformed and gathered next (after the dead in Christ have been raised) and will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air....

And this is the full boil!

In other words, if you want the answer to the "rapture" question, simply study the RESURRECTION.

The rapture doctrine requires students of the scriptures to approach each relevant verse with certain pre-conceived notions about prophecy. If you simply read the various prophetic verses about the return of Christ, the Bible clearly teaches that believers will be “gathered” at the second coming -- not some secret, invisible return that precedes his BIG second coming at the end of the tribulation. The problem isn’t in our understanding of the rapture, because the rapture as routinely taught today doesn’t even exist; the difficulty is in our understanding of the resurrection.

In John chapter five, Jesus tells us how God The Father has committed the power of resurrection to him. Jesus says “He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life...for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 6:24, 28, 29) According to these passages, apparently there are two resurrections: one for those “that have done good,” and a resurrection for those “that have done evil.”

In one of the parallel accounts, a verse in Luke has Christ himself saying that the believer shall “be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:14) Another proof text of this dual aspect of the resurrection is found in the book of Acts when the Apostle Paul was brought before the Roman governor Felix and charged with heresy by the Jews.

Paul stated that he believes, as the Jews did, “that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” (Ezekiel 33:8, 4) A further example of this understanding of two resurrections is found in the Old Testament, when the prophet Daniel was instructed by the archangel Michael concerning the tribulation and the resurrection. In that instance, Michael said that in the time of the end, “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2)

Back in the New Testament book of Revelation, we find a reference to “the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20:5) This first resurrection clearly relates to believers in Jesus, for the text states that they “lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4)

In the same chapter, John (the writer of Revelation) says “the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were finished.” (Rev. 20:5) Later in the chapter John says, “when the thousand years are expired...I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God...and the dead were judged...” (Rev. 20:7, 12) These verses plainly state that there are two resurrections -- one for believers and one for unbelievers.

The Revelation passages further clarify that these two resurrections are separated by one thousand years; this being the period we commonly call the millennium during which the resurrected believers shall “reign with him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:6)

Wormwood · Jul 22, 2014

S4C,

I agree with most of what you have written here. However, I believe the resurrection spoken of in Rev 20 refers to being "raised with Christ" through faith. This is why those who experience the "first resurrection" have no fear of the "second death" or hell. Those who are raised with Christ are seated in the heavenly places (cf. Eph 2:6), and therefore "reign with him." As Jesus said, those who believe will never die because he is the resurrection. I believe the millennium to be figurative of the church era where resurrections happen through faith and baptism. Those who are faithful to death are shown to be over comers and reign with him even now.

Trekson · Jul 29, 2014

I, for one, do believe in a rapture. Why? Because it is what the bible teaches! First off, let me say that I am not a pre-tribber. I'm pre-wrath but at the moment, I disagree with their view on the timing of the rapture which they put somewhere between the 4th and 6th year of Daniel's 70th week. Where does the bible teach the rapture? I'm sure you know where but it seems people like to ignore scriptures that don't seem to fit their viewpoint. So lets review.
John 14:1-3 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

1 Cor. 15:51-52 - "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

1 Thess. 4:17 - "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

1 Thess. 5:1-4 - "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."

Christ comes as a thief for the unbelieving world, not the church. The church is not in darkness, why? Because we know the signs, which are those recorded in Matt. 24: 4-26 which also parallel the seals of Rev. 6. The picture of the rapture depicted in Matt. 24:30-31, parallels what the angel foretold in Acts 1:11 - "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." This is, for lack of a better term, stage 1 of His Second Coming.

Stage 2 offers a completely different picture, Rev. 19:11-16 - "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords."

In many areas the bible depicts a time between the rapture and Armageddon. We can see when the rapture occurs at Rev. 7:9 - "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands..." Why does God choose to come the second time in these two stages? Who knows, He's God and can do what He wants even if it doesn't make sense to us mere mortals. These passages depict a "catching away" of the living alongside a resurrection of the dead. To try and narrow it down to a simple resurrection, than putting us in a holding pattern while He does His thing at Armageddon, just doesn't make sense. He could protect us on earth as He did the three Hebrew children from the flames of the fire. we don't need a temporary holding pattern. The two stages of His coming just makes more sense to me than any other theory broached so far, imo.

Tex · Jul 29, 2014

@ Trekson

Everything you bolded is a description of Resurrection or of Jesus' descent. None of those are about the rapture. Rapture theology was invented in the early 1800s. It has never been taught, mainly because it is an uneducated interpretation of the bible.

Wormwood · Jul 29, 2014

Tex,

While I agree with your disapproval of the rapture, I would disagree that the view is never taught. In fact, it seems to be heavily taught today in books, Bible commentaries, as well as in the classes and pulpits of many denominations. I think this is why the view is being spread so rapidly...much to my disappointment.

Trekson,

I agree with Tex that none of those verses portray the rapture in the manner you speak of it. We all agree that Jesus is going to return...that is not the issue. Most of those verses contextually deal with the judgment of both the righteous and the ungodly on the same day. There is no verse that suggests that the righteous are raptured away (whether pre-trib or post-trib) and the world is left to carry on with business as usual...minus the Christians. Do you have any verses that spell this out?

Trekson · Jul 29, 2014

Hi Tex, The word "rapture" only implies a catching away to meet the Lord in the air! Nothing more and nothing less. The timing of it is irrelevant to the fact that there will be a rapture as described.

Hi Wormwood, Imo, there is no such thing as a "same day" judgement except the sheep and goat judgement which is only for the living humanity left after Armageddon. You ask if there are any verses that explain this? Without writing a whole book, the combination of Daniel, Matthew, Thessalonians and Revelations, among others, makes it pretty plain to me. When the church is raptured, only judgment and wrath remain. It will be a far cry from "business as usual"! Not wanting to offend, but if you can't see the rapture (as described above) plainly in those verses, then you're reading His word with your eyes shut.

The only verse that implys a judgment is 1 Thess. 5 which is a continuation of 1 Thess. 4:17 and it shows that sudden destruction will come upon those remaining after the rapture.

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