It’s true, the Latin word “repiemur” appears there in 1 Thess 4:17. However of course, the English word “rapture” isn’t there. Perhaps that’s what Salvation was thinking. At any rate...
The “modern” idea of the “rapture” though (succinctly described by Scott), is clearly not in Scripture. I must admit, I have been befuddled by that verse, however it wasn’t until just today that I actually read the context of Scripture that surrounds it; now it seems quite clear the idea of a mysterious whisking away of believers won’t happen.
1 Thess 4:15-18.
15 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.
16For 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:
17Then 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.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Note verse 16; this is so overlooked in such discussions, and I guess, for good reason. I think it’s clear what’s being described here: The Catholic (and some Protestant) Eschatology. That is, that Jesus will return in a loud, very visible way. Once. First, to raise the dead and judge them, and then, during this same Second Coming, those that are alive and are in a state of Grace, will be also judged and taken up into the clouds with Him.
One return, quite visible. No mysterious whisking away of the believers first. It’s actually the opposite; the dead are raised first, then the believers (both those who have died and were raised again during the Second Coming, and those who didn’t die yet) are assumed bodily into the clouds. I hate to say it (because I always criticize similar claims), but the Bible seems quite clear on this.
So would you “clearly” describe how that passage works into the end times? Does Christ fight Armageddon at the same time we are being “caught up” or is that different?
The Church “body of Christ” won’t go through the tribulation as indicated in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 -
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”
And 2 Thessalonians 2: 6-7 says that the man of sin can’t be revealed until there’s a removal of a restraining power “Church, body of Christ”
Here’s another indication of two separate events:
The Gospels say Jesus Christ returns to the earth and conquers it, and the people will be gathered from the four corners of the earth, separating the sheep from the goats.
The event described here is different in nature then what’s described in 1 Thess 4:15-18. If it’s the same event, there wouldn’t be any sheep left on earth, only goats since the sheep have already been taken to the air to meet the Lord.
You put that very well, thanks.
** Perhaps that’s what Salvation was thinking. At any rate...&&
Just like believers of other faiths are always saying that Purgatory is not in the Bible, but the words, purge, cleanse, clean are.
LOL!
** Perhaps that’s what Salvation was thinking. At any rate...&&
Just like believers of other faiths are always saying that Purgatory is not in the Bible, but the words, purge, cleanse, clean are.
LOL!
Your post 13 brings up another question. If you don’t believe in the rapture then you must believe that faithful Christians must go through the time of the wrath of God. Would you show from scripture just one time that those who have been faithful to God had to endure His wrath?