Of course it’s incompatible with scripture. Christ is coming back one time, not twice. For the first 1,700 years after Christ that is exactly what all Christians believed. Then came the shysters in the 18th century to try and hoodwink gullible protestants for the purpose of selling a book.
Jesus same once and is coming once more.
He sets up His thousand year reign, which is referenced heavily in Scripture, Satan is loosed to deceive the nations, and then the end comes. But Jesus remains on the earth.
When He comes to gather the His Bride in the rapture, He does not come down on to the earth.
You should really start a thread on prophecy. That would be interesting.
As metmom stated good Christians can differ on eschatology. The line is drawn as such we know there will be a literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ the same way as He ascended into Heaven (see Acts 1 for the ascension; Revelation 1 and 19-20 for the second coming).
In Revelation 20 we see a physical reign of Jesus Christ on earth as King of Kings for 1,000 years. I don’t know where you get the claim others assert “He leaves again and then come back.” I have never seen such a claim. The release of Satan is stated in the same chapter 20 and then we see the eternal Kingdom of God ushered in with no end.
Some believe all of the above events will be literally fulfilled; some believe it is allegory and some believe Revelation applies to all ages. Most Protestants, Evangelicals and non-denominational welcome all views at the Lord’s Table. There may be some spirited debates, but we depart such debates in love and peace.
There is, however, another view which should give you more pause and concern than pre-trib rapture adherents. That would be the full prederist view. That view believes the second coming of Christ happened back in 70 AD. I think we both would see a problem with that. And I will note that the seeds of prederism did come from a Roman Catholic but it did not “stick” and never an official belief given such would violate scriptures and several confessions.
So this is a case within evangelical churches et. al. that such claims as the pre-trib rapture, although has scriptural basis, such basis is thin and good theology never rests on one or even a few verses or passages. So pre-trib rapture is a theory to be explored as is the mid trib (or last trumpet) theory or the just before the second coming rapture. Fact is the “caught up” (we get rapture from the Latin) will happen no later than just before the second coming of Christ. That much is certain from scriptures; and was also the understanding of Ireneaus in “Against Heresies” Book V chapter 24-25. Yes he was a classic historical futurist with regards to prophecy.
Why did he call this his first resurrection?
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Rev 20:5-6)
Was Christ trying to fool us? Or are you implying everyone is going to be a priest of God and Christ and reign with him for a thousand years?
Philip
Of course he is. No one says any different. Those who believe in the rapture understand scripture as saying they will meet the Lord in the air. They don’t say He’s coming back to earth.