A systematic Study of the Rapture through the use of Scriptures from the Bible:
OK, let me try to summarize what we have been able to glean from our first word/phrase ("
Day") under discussion concerning the doctrine of the "rapture" before we move on to our second word/phrase. We are trying to begin to paint a picture of this doctrine. This is everyones chance who might not agree with the conclusions drawn so far, to voice their disagreement. Keep in mind that we are not going to let this Bible discussion turn into a "he said, she said" verbal boxing match where each person trys to out yell the other. We are going to attack this study through the use of civil discourse. So if you have some contentions against these study findings, please bring them up with scriptures supporting your opposing stand. Otherwise we will have to ignor the responses and move on.
OK, so far we have looked at the "
Day of Christ"and the "
Day of the Lord" and the "
Last Day" (that TWC brought to our attention). We were trying to discern whether or not these 3 phrases represent the same day/event or if they represent separate day/events with a 7-year tribulation period between the "
Days". Dealing with the doctrines of the “Rapture” and the “Second Coming”, I listed (in previous posts) most of the “
Day of Christ” and “
Day of the Lord” and "
Last Day" verses which are found in the Bible.
Let's start with what can we probably all agree on? Also remember that TWC pointed out that “Those who see the "
Day of the Lord" and the "
Day of Christ" as being two separate events cite the former as being about judgment upon unbelievers and the latter as the reward for believers.”I would also venture to guess that all viewpoints concerning this doctrine can agree that the "
Day of the Lord" represents a period of judgment upon the Lord's return following the 7-year tribulation period. But, are there 2 returns of Christ or 1 ("
Day of Christ" and then the "
Day of the Lord" and the "
Last Day")? I would also be pretty confindent to guess that most all of us believe that the "
Day of Christ" passages refer to the rapture (being "caught up"), let me know why you disagree if you do and remember to use scriptures. But the pretribulation rapture folks take it a step further (rightly or wrongly?) by believing that there are 2 returns, while the post-tribulation rapture folks believe that there is only 1 return. They believe that the "
Day of Christ" represents a pretribulation rapture event which they believe is followed by a 7-year tribulation period. They believe that after the tribulation will come the "
Day of the Lord" and the "
Last Day" (same event). But (tell me if I'm wrong here), logic would preclude that the "
Days" would all occur on the same "
Day" unless there are some passages that dictate otherwise. Does everyone agree with that statement? Remember we must use scripture to support our belief systems (doctrines). If everyone agrees, then where are these supporting passages? Where in the scriptures does it indicate that the “
Day of Christ” will occur before the Tribulation, representing a separate day/event? Where is the scriptures does it state that the “
Day of the Lord” is a different “
Day” than the "
Day of Christ"?
To the contrary, scriptures seem to be indicating just the opposite, that both "
Days" are in fact the same "
Day". Notice in the
2 Thessalonians 2:2-4 passage (see below) which tells us when "
Day of Christ" will happen. This one might possibly shed more light on whether or not the Rapture happens before the Tribulation or after the Tribulation, since it contains a lot of other words and phrases that might become key words in future word/phrases studies in this thread. Words and phrases like “falling away” first, and the “man of sin” be revealed. But unfortunately, we can’t look at the phrases “falling away” or “man of sin” too deeply just yet, because we are still covering our first phrase the “
Day”. We might decide to make “falling away” (apostasy) the next word/phrase that we introduce to our study. The passage tells us that the "
Day of Christ" (rapture event) will occur after there comes a "falling away first" (apostasty). Many would argue that that isn't a problem since this apostasy can easily happen before the tribulation period and might be actually ocurring right now. Well this is true, but what about the other issue of the revealing of the "man of sin" (antichrist)? Most all would agree that the "man of sin" is to be revealed during the tribulation period right? So how can the "
Day of Christ" (rapture) occur prior to the tribulation and the antichrist, when
2 Thessalonians 2:2-4 states it will happen after?
2 Thessalonians 2:2-4
[sup]2[/sup]That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the
day of Christ is at hand.
[sup]3[/sup]Let no man deceive you by any means: for
that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[sup]4[/sup]Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
How about the
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:4 passage? We probably all agree that
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is a passage dealing with the rapture right? Tell me if you disagree and remember to use scripture to support your reasons why. Now notice that
1 Thessalonians 5:4 states that "
that day" (the rapture) should overtake us like a thief. Notice also that the Bible calls this "
Day" in
1 Thessalonians 5:2 the "
Day of the Lord" and tells us that Christ will come as a "thief in the night" (classic rapture verbage right?). Notice also in verse 3 that it says that it won't be a time of "peace and safety" but a time of sudden destruction (judgment), which is seemingly contrary to the pretribulation rapture folks notion that the rapture will occur on a "
Day" of and without judgment.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:4
[sup]13[/sup]But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[sup]14[/sup]For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[sup]15[/sup]For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[sup]16[/sup]For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[sup]17[/sup]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.
[sup]18[/sup]Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
[sup]1[/sup]But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
[sup]2[/sup]For yourselves know perfectly that the
day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
[sup]3[/sup]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.
[sup]4[/sup]But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
that day should overtake you as a thief.
Now let’s look at three “
Day” passages (directly below) from First and Second Corinthians. These passages don’t use the wording “
Day of Christ” or “
Day of our Lord” but use the phraseology “
day of the Lord Jesus”. But maybe more importantly, are there any possible key words/phrases that will aid us in this systematic study? How about “gathered together” in the (
1 Corinthians 5:4-5) passage? Do we all agree (or not?) that the “gathered together” in this passage is talking about being “caught up” (the rapture)? But we can’t talk about passages containing the “gathering” just yet. Maybe the “gathering” should be the next colored word in this study?
It’s interesting that the wording in these three passages (
day of the Lord Jesus) seems to combine the wording of the “
Day of Christ” and the “
Day of our Lord”. Does that indicate to us that both “
Days” are in fact one “
Day” and one event?
But some verses actually seem to even connect the dots for us, by encompass both phraseologies (the "
Day of Christ"and the "
Day of the Lord") together in the same verse. Seemingly supporting that both "
Days" are one in the same!
Corinthians 1:8
[sup]8[/sup]Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the
day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5
[sup]4[/sup]In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[sup]5[/sup]To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the
day of the Lord Jesus.
2 Corinthians 1:14
[sup]14[/sup]As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the
day of the Lord Jesus.
Now concerning the phrase the “
Last Day” and see if we can determine if it represents either the “
Day of Christ”, the “
Day of the Lord” or if we can determine if all 3 “
Days” (“
Day of Christ”, “
Day of the Lord” and the “
Last Day”) are all the same “
Day” and event. One immediate question that strikes me is that if the “
Day” of the rapture, being “caught up” (“
Day of Christ”), is to take place 7 years before the next “
Day” (“
Day of the Lord”), how can we justify calling the "
Day of Christ" (the believers rapture), the “
Last Day”? For if the “
Day of Christ” and the “
Day of the Lord” are separate “
Days” (before and after the tribulation) the “
Day of the Lord” rather than the “
Day of Christ” would have to represent the “
Last Day” right? These are the types of questions that we need to be able to have an answer for correct?
John 11:23-24
“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the
last day.”
Notice (passage above) that Jesus didn’t dispute with Martha about the rapture (resurrection for the believers) was to take place on the “
Last Day”, so we have to assume (tell me if I am wrong here) that the rapture will take place on the “
Last Day”. Notice (passage below) that Jesus also stated that the believers
resurrection (
raise him up) would occur on the “
Last Day”.
John 6:39-54
“And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the
last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the
last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the
last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will
raise him up at the
last day.”
John 7:37
“In the
last day, that
great day of the "
feast", Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”
Notice that the “
Last Day” (above verse) is tied to the “
feast” (“
marriage supper of the Lamb” and the “
banquet” of TWC’s
Luke 14:13-14 passage) which will/can be another future area of discussion. Now possibly the most convincing argument for the three “
Days” (“
Day of Christ”, “
Day of the Lord” and the “
Last Day”) being one in the same “
Day” and event is the passage directly below. It plainly tells us that the “
Last Day” will be a “
Day” of judgment for the non-believers when other passages (that we have already looked at), clearly state that the “
resurrection” (rapture) will take place on the “
Last Day”. Folks we (as Christians) need to have answers for these questions, otherwise we will allow our biases to turn dogmatic.
John 12:47-48
“And if any man hear my words, and believe not (
unbelievers), I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him (
unbeliever)in the
last day.”
Once we finish (everyone that desires to speak has said their piece) discussing the “
Day”, I was planning on moving next to the word/phrase “
thief” from
2 Peter 3:10 that TWC cited. This would make a nice transition from the “
Day” since it actually contains the phrase “
Day of the Lord” within the passage: “But the
day of the Lord will come like a “
thief”.” But I’m starting to think maybe should pursue the word “
resurrection” (from TWC’s passages) as our next colored word/phrase to move into next. Remember, I am only color coding the words, because I am attempting to paint a picture.
Feel free to chime in on the “
Day” over the next
day (no pun intended, ha, ha) or two before we move on to “
resurrection”.
The next time that I chime in I will list all of the proofs that we have seemingly been able to glean from the “
Day” scriptures so far? And discuss if the scriptures seem to be stating that there are 1 “
Day” or 2. We have many more painted topics (words/phrases) to cover, but have the scriptures been able to paint a picture of the timing of the “rapture” just by discussing the “
Day”?
So it seems to appear that we have been able to glean from the scriptures just using our first word/phrase "
Day" that the "
Day of Christ"and the "
Day of the Lord" and the "
Last Day" are all referring to the same day ...a onetime return of the Lord to rapture His saints (believers) and judge unbelievers. If you disagree please show your viewpoint from the scriptures and we will continue the discussion, otherwise we will be moving to the next word/phrase.
Regards, Thekingdomkeys