[TheGeezer]

I totally agree that the idea of "The Rapture" is based on 1 Thessalonians 4. But the interpretation of those verses into a convoluted teaching that Christ will return two, three, or even four times is the novelty that surfaced just recently (in terms of church history). The traditional interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4 is that when Christ returns, both living and dead will be taken up to greet Him with praise and worship.

I may have erred in not mentioing 1 Thessalonians 4 as the beginning point for the idea of a rapture, but Revelation plays the larger role in development of that novel teaching. One needs the Tribulation mixed together with 1 Thessalonians 4 to derive an eschatology having Christ coming for believers, then returning later to defeat Satan, then returning still a third time for judgment. (And I once read something about a fourth coming, but I can't recall how that was combed out of Left Behind novelty.)

Thanks for the clarification and God BLess!

[TheGeezer]

I appreciate your comments! GOd bless you!