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Jesus Raptures the Church...!
heathen are left in the lurch,
as they search and search!
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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: 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 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The word Rapture, (not appearing in the English Bible translations), is
derived from the Latin Vulgate Bible, compiled by St. Jerome.
Coming from
the Latin rapiemur, meaning to be caught up, in 1 Thess. 4:17
The English translation literally meaning caught up or snatched away.
Referring to the instant, physical, removal of true believers from the
earth, to be with the Lord Jesus Christ at His Coming to establish His Kingdom.
The other key scripture describing the Rapture is: 1 Cor. 15:51-53
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Within the ranks of bible scholars there is perhaps no other single
eschatological doctrine that has generated as many theories, often causing ensuing
arguments, disagreements and even confusion than the Rapture of the Church.
All bible scholars who take prophecy both seriously & literally agree on the
Rapture being one of the most momentous events in future prophecy.
It is a revealed mystery... revealed through scripture...
yet hidden still, not only
from the unbelieving world but also from many professing Christians. Whilst
scholars can generally agree on the nature of the event. Agreement does not
however, follow on the actual timing. The timing, specifically related to
the period known as the Great Tribulation coming upon the earth. The extent of this
disagreement being such that one could conclude that the actual timing
remains itself a mystery. Remembering that God is not the author of
confusion 1 Cor. 14.33; it is essential to study this subject, considering
all the various viewpoints, adhering to a conclusion that is based firmly
on what the scriptures say!
The Rapture is an essential component of the Blessed Hope.
Being the event that brings All the Saints of the church-age
together with the Lord.
To be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
To then, Come with him in Glory to establish His Kingdom.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with him in glory.Colossians 3:4
The rapture is NOT a NEW theory... recently introduced into the latter day Church. The fact that an intervening God can bodily remove his chosen people from the earth is confirmed by scripture. Similarly it is written that a future event of this nature will occur. This was generally accepted by the early Church fathers.
The references to Enoch and Elijah are types of the rapture. Admittedly in these cases they are single individuals, whereas the present day rapture teachings relate to millions being taken. Remembering that GOD IS ABLE to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can think or ask and that he has an unchangeable nature. It follows, therefore, that future events could surely be modeled on some pattern in history.
Considering that it was Enoch, (the first to be translated or raptured), that prophesied that the Lord will come with ten thousands of his saints. In order for those saints to come with the Lord, they must sometime prior to this event go to meet the Lord. This leads to the conclusion that before He comes again in glory the true Church must be raptured. This in itself is the subject of general agreement amongst serious prophecy students and scholars alike.
It is at this juncture that differences of opinion do occur. Sincere men and women of God have, particularly in recent decades, formed diverse opinions. This can be through following the ministry of their own Church. By individual bible study or through the material supplied by various end-time ministries.
Before considering the numerous theories regarding the rapture’s timing, it should be remembered that those who have made peace with God through the Cross - God has not appointed to wrath! Also, for those who know they are in a covenant relationship, dwelling in the perfect Love of God, have nothing to fear!
The various theories regarding the timing of the rapture relate specifically to the event known as the Great Tribulation. This is also referred to throughout scripture by a variety of terms most notably the Day of the Lord. Agreement does not always prevail regarding the duration of this period but generally it is related to Daniel’s 70th week, (Daniel 9.24), with this final week,( i.e. 7 days = 7 years), being a Seven Year Tribulation period. Scripture does indicate that the actual Great Tribulation starts mid-week with the establishment of the Abomination of Desolation in the Temple of Jerusalem. Thus being three & a half years in duration. With the first three & a half years being the beginning of sorrows or the time of birth pangs. Whatever the span of the tribulation period the crucial question that is asked is what becomes of the Church during this period? (The Church, for example, is mentioned 19 times in the first three chapters of the Revelation of John, in chapters 4-18, which includes the specific account of the Great Tribulation, it is no longer mentioned). This is were viewpoints on the timing of the Rapture can differ, depending on how individual scriptures are interpreted.
The opinions held embrace a variety of terminologies and are split primarily into...
- Pre-tribulation rapture - The church is taken away prior to the Great Tribulation.
- Post-tribulation rapture - The church goes through the entire Great Tribulation.
However, other rapture viewpoints include...
- Mid-tribulation - Self explanatory
- Multiple - More than one rapture, occurring throughout tribulation period.
- Pre-wrath - Prior to the 7 vials or bowls, considered to be the Wrath of God.
- Conditional - Depends on the spiritual condition of the believer.
- Pan-Tribulation - Non-committal, wait & see how it all "pans-out".
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