What
is the Rapture? A Look at the Different Views
What is the rapture?
Is it in the Bible? Why do some believe in the rapture and some do not? Who is right?
Is it in the Bible? Why do some believe in the rapture and some do not? Who is right?
The word rapture is not in the
Bible but neither is the word Trinity. Some theologians, Christians, and
churches believe in the rapture and others do not. Some believe in the
Great Tribulation, while others do not. What are we to believe if some teach
about the rapture while others do not?
Some theologians, Christians, and churches believe
in the rapture and others do not.
Theologians Who Do Not Believe in the Rapture
There are many outstanding theologians who do not
believe in a Rapture. Some of these include R.C. Sprouls with Ligonier
Ministries, Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, and many outstanding
Bible scholars.
These men are theologically sound teachers and
evangelists. They believe that there is no rapture and that there is also
no Great Tribulation from what many presume Jesus taught in Matthew 24 or the
Olivet Discourse.
Several scholars, like those mentioned above,
believe that the events in the Book of Revelation have already occurred or
might have already occurred in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem and the Temple were
destroyed by the Romans.
We must have grace for those who do not believe in
non-essentials. If a believer feels differently about something than we
do, and the subject is not essential to salvation, then there should be tolerance.
It is wrong for Christians to argue over doctrines
that are not crucial to the gospel and how a person is saved. For
example, we know that there is only one way to the Father and that there is no
other way to salvation except through placing your faith in Jesus Christ (Acts
4:12, 16:30-31; Rom 10:9-13, etc.).
We also know that we are not saved by works (Eph
2:8-9; Rom 3:20, 28, etc.).
These issues are non-negotiable. These truths cannot be compromised.
These issues are non-negotiable. These truths cannot be compromised.
One person I know argued over the question of
whether Adam had a navel or not because he did not have a mother. An
ensuing argument erupted over this single topic that was not considered
important enough to be included in the Scriptures.
Paul wrote to Timothy and said to “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God
against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who
listen” (2 Tim 2:14).
Theologians Who Believe in the Rapture
The vast majority of Bible scholars, churches,
theologians, evangelists, and Christians do believe in a coming rapture.
Even though the word rapture does not appear in the Bible, they base their
beliefs on a passage from 1 Thessalonians.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those
who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who
have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we
believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. "According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are
left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have
fallen asleep. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud
command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and
the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive
and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore
encourage one another with these words.”
That is the reason why Paul wrote to the church at
Thessalonica. Paul reassures them by writing that “we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will
certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep“ (1 Thes 4:15).
Even though the word rapture is not in the Bible,
the Greek word for “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is harpazo.
In Latin it is called Rapturo from which we get the
word rapture. The New Testament was written in Greek and the English
words “caught up” is literally harpazo. Harpazo means “to seize,
carry off by force; claim for one’s self eagerly; to snatch out or away”.
A good rendering of harpazo is like that of being
kidnapped. The Lord is thought to be coming to seize or carry off by
force all believers, just before the coming Great Tribulation.
Many believe that the rapture occurs just before
the Great Tribulation (Pre-tribbers).
Others believe it will occur during the middle of it (some call it Mid-tribbers).
Still others believe the church will go through the Great Tribulation.
Others believe it will occur during the middle of it (some call it Mid-tribbers).
Still others believe the church will go through the Great Tribulation.
And of course the first group mentioned at the
beginning of this article neither believes in the rapture or the Great
Tribulation.
The vast majority of Christians believe that the rapture will occur just before the Great Tribulation
The vast majority of Christians believe that the rapture will occur just before the Great Tribulation
The wrath of God was poured out on Christ at
Calvary so it would not have to be poured out on those who have placed their
faith in Christ.
The wrath of God is said to be “poured out” on the sinful world in the Book of Revelation and
since God has not appointed Christians to suffer His wrath, He will take
believers out of harm’s way in a rapture.
I find it interesting that 1 Thessalonians 5:9 is
mentioned right after what many believe is the rapture where Paul wrote about
being “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians
4.
Another reason that many believers feel that the
church will be raptured is that the church is not mentioned when the Great
Tribulation events begin to occur in the Book of Revelation.
Millennium Views: Premillennial,
Postmillennial and Amillennial
Different beliefs include the premillennial
view. In this view, Christ comes before the millennium.
Then there is the postmillennial view which teaches
that Christ comes after the millennium.
There is also the amillennial view which holds that
Christ also comes after the millennium, and it is also sometimes called the no
millennial view.
This is quite confusing to many Christians but this
a theological issue that is not essential to salvation.
The Second Advent where Christ returns to judge the
world is a certainty. We therefore are told to witness
to those who do not know Christ as their Savior.
Jesus will return again; either as a person’s Judge or as
person’s King. If someone does not place his faith in Christ and He
returns, He will be their Judge at the Great White Throne Judgment in
Revelation 20. They will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
However, if someone believes in Christ today, or
does so before He returns, then they will love His appearing. Paul wrote
about this in his last letter to Timothy. Paul is about to be executed
and tells Timothy, “Now there is in store for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me
on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his
appearing” (2 Tim
4:8).
A crown of righteousness is reserved for those who
long for Jesus’ return. But for those who are not believers, then it will
be a most dreadful day indeed (Rev 20:12).
When I am asked whether I hold a
postmillennial view, the amillennial view, or a premillennial view, I tell them
that I am a panmilleniast – that is, I believe it will all pan out in the
end. I think we need to be ready for His return at any moment.
A danger in believing in the
rapture is that Christians may become lazy or slothful and not want to grow in
the grace and
knowledge of our Lord. They feel that they can rest on their laurels and
not worry about the future because they’ll be taken out of this world by Christ
before it gets bad.
The danger in that thinking may
be why Jesus gave the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13:
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
That last line, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” is a sobering reminder to always be ready for His
return. Whether you believe in the Great Tribulation, the Millennium, the
rapture, or none of these, you must believe in Jesus Christ and place your
faith in Him today.
Tomorrow may be too late and you
might hear Jesus say, “I don’t know you”.
My prayer for you is that Jesus does know
you and that you might know Him and that by knowing Him, you may have eternal
life (John 20:31).
God
has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life by
receiving His Son, Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say
the following prayer:
“Father God,
I confess I am a sinner and my sins have
separated me from you.
I am truly sorry.
I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and live a
new life pleasing to you.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.
I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was
resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and
reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank you that according to your Word,
I am now born again.
Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do
Your will for the rest of my life. Please use me for Your glory.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.”
Related Posts:
“You Are My King” Robert Gay
lyrics
Enthroned in your glory
Clothed in raiment white
Your eyes burn with fire shining bright.
The four and twenty elders
Knell around your throne
Casting forth their crowns at your feet.
In awe at your splendor
And the glory of your throne
I lift my voice in worship
To make your glories known.
(Refrain) x3
You are my
King (Are my King)
You are my
Lord (Are my Lord)
You are
Jehovah
The living
Word (The living Word)
Almighty God
The Prince
of Peace
You are the
Great “I Am”
My victory.
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