IMO:
"Rapture" is an English word stemming from Latin rapere= "to seize." The apostle Paul was caught up, the two witnesses were caught up, all believers are caught up upon death. It's like taking a plane to another country.
The earth we live on is a haven in a desolate universe. The universe itself will be replaced (Revelation chapters 21, 22).
Romans 8:16-23 teaches,
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption [Gr. phthartos or perishableness or decaying] into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.”
Both the creature and creation are waiting for “the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body” – or resurrection day. This is the day when both will be finally delivered from the aforementioned “bondage of corruption.”
Scripture makes it abundantly clear there will be an end to the current fallen state. There will be a day of complete deliverance.
At this juncture we must briefly enquire, what is this “bondage of corruption” spoken of in this passage that will one day be removed? It is the awful curse that came upon all mankind as a result of Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden. This curse embodies every effect of the Fall that afflicts man, including sin, death, and every form of decay. It is the perishableness we suffer from in this life.
1 Peter 1:3-7:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible [Gr. aphthrsia or imperishable or undecaying], and undefiled, and that fadeth not away [Gr. amarantos or perpetual], reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
Like Romans 8:16-23, 1 Peter 1:3-7 is comparing the toil and trials of this present age to the glory that will be experienced when Jesus comes. We see that the corruption will be eternally lifted when Jesus comes and introduces a perfect arrangement. Believers are shown to receive an “inheritance incorruptible” at “the appearing of Jesus Christ” – which is here also described as “the last time.”
So, let us consider some glorious truths in this passage:
- The means by which the righteous will all physically rise is “the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
- What they rise to is “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”
- The location of that inheritance is “reserved in heaven”
- The time of this resurrection and reward will occur: “in the last time” which is here expressly identified with the “appearing of Jesus Christ.”
What we experience in this imperfect age is perishing and decaying, but when Jesus comes, we are ushered into a new age to receive an inheritance that will be perfect, non-decaying and eternal. Premillennialists try and move this to the end of their supposed future millennium. But this passage is just one of many forbids that.
In Luke 20:34-36, Jesus basically compares the temporal imperfect state of this present age/world to the glory of the age/world to come. Jesus says:
“The children of this world [Gr.
aion or age]
marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world [Gr.
aion or age],
and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”
This couldn’t be any clearer. This teaching of Christ reinforces the fact that not everyone is qualified to inherit the perfect world to come that arrives with the return of Christ. This narrative totally prohibits mortals and the wicked from populating the new earth. After all, that age is depicted as a reward for the redeemed. It is for those who belong to God. It is for those who know Him personally.
While marriage takes place in “this age/world,” Christ tells us that it will not take place in “that age/world,” which follows the resurrection. There is no marriage after the resurrection because Christ ushers in the eternal state which requires perfect spiritual bodies instead of corrupt physical bodies. The glorified saints will have perfected bodies, just like the elect angels. There will be no more separation, sin or death. Marriage is therefore terminated, because it represents division between human beings.
