The Rapture – Indisputable Christian Heresy

Preachers Institute ^ | 04-10-2010 | Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris

[NRx]

By Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris

In this brief article, Fr. Anthony expresses with clarity the truth of the false teaching known as the “Rapture” and how much it distorts the teachings of the Lord in the Holy Scriptures.

As I was driving one day I encountered a bumper sticker admonishing me:

“WARNING! In the event of Rapture, this car will be driverless.”

The strange belief in the Rapture teaches that some day (sooner rather than later), without warning, born-again Christians will begin to float up from the freeway, abandoned vehicles careening wildly. There will be airliners in the sky suddenly with no one at the controls! Presumably, God is removing these favored ones from earth to spare them the tribulation of the Anti-Christ which the rest of us will have to endure.

Unfortunately the Rapture has been promoted widely by the Left Behind series of books that have sold over 70 million copies.

The Rapture represents a radical misinterpretation of Scripture. I remember watching “Sixty Minutes”a year ago and was appalled to hear the announcer say that “the Rapture is an unmistakenly Christian doctrine”. It is not!

It is a serious distortion of Scripture.

It is astonishing that a belief so contrary to Scripture and the tradition of the Church could be propagated by so-called “Christians”.

According to the Bible and according to the belief not only of Orthodox Christians but also of the Roman Catholic and most Protestant mainline churches, the true Rapture will not be secret; it will be the great and very visible Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the world. That is the one and only “Rapture”. It will not be a separate, secret event but one that every eye shall see (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

The word rapture is not found in Scripture but hearkens to 1 Thess. 4:17 where St. Paul says that when the Lord comes again

“we who are alive…shall be caught up…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

This “being caught up…in the clouds”—arpagisometha in Greek, is translated by some as “raptured”. The word itself is not found in Orthodox theology.

The notion of a rapture in which Christ comes unseen to take believers away secretly, and only later comes back again for everyone else publicly—this whole teaching is quite novel. It was almost unheard of until John Nelson Darby formulated it in the 1800s as part of a new approach to the Bible, sometimes called “dispensationalism”.

The purpose of the “Rapture” is to protect the elect from the tribulations of the end times. Yet Jesus said nothing about sparing anyone from tribulation. In fact, He said,

“In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”

Nowhere did Jesus ever say that He would return secretly to rapture the elect. Rather, He promised to be with His elect in all tribulations.

“Lo, I am with you always. I will never leave you or forsake you.”

He even had something good to say about being persecuted:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10).

Those who espouse the Rapture claim that Matthew 24:40-41 refers clearly to the rapture of the just,

“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

The entire passage, however, refers to Christ’s second coming where He will judge the living and the dead and separate the just from the unjust.

Darby taught as dogma that when the Scriptures reveal that the Lord will reign on earth for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4), this figure is to be taken literally, rather than as a symbol for eternity as we believe. The Council of Ephesus in A.D. 431 condemned as heresy this teaching which is called chialiasmos (millenianism or 1000 years).

In fact, the Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787 A.D.) in which the essential truths of the Christian faith were defined never mention a rapture. Yet evangelical Christians and Pentecostals keep using obscure passages of the book of Revelation which purport to give a detailed timetable of what will happen at the end of the world, despite the fact that Jesus Himself warned that no man knows either the day or the hour when the Son of Man shall return.

A major problem with the Rapture is that it ends up teaching not two but three comings of Jesus—first His birth in Bethlehem; second, His secret coming to snatch away (rapture) the “born-again”; and third, His coming at the end of the world to judge the living and the dead and to reign in glory. Yet only two not three comings of Christ are mentioned in the Bible. We have the clearest definition of this in the Nicene Creed when we confess that

“the Lord Jesus Christ…will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. His Kingdom will have no end…. I expect the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come.”

There is no mention of a “Rapture”.

As already stated, most Christians, Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Protestants do not believe in the Rapture. In fact, one Protestant pastor, John L. Bray, summarized magnificently what we Orthodox and most other Christians believe about the Rapture when he wrote these remarkable words,

Though many believe and teach this “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” theory, they erroneously do so, because neither Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, nor any of the other writers of the Bible taught this. Nor did the early church fathers, nor any others for many hundreds of years…. Did you know that NONE of this was ever taught prior to 1812, and that all forms of Pre-Tribulation Rapture teaching were developed since that date? …. If I were to preach something, or believe something, supposedly from the Bible, but cannot find that ANYONE ELSE before 1812 ever believed it or taught it, I would seriously question that it is based on the Bible.

Thus the Rapture is foreign to the Bible and to the living tradition of the Church. It is what we call a heresy, a false teaching. False teachings, such as this, happen when people—like John Darby—believe that they have the right to interpret the Scriptures individually apart from the Living Body of Christ—the Church—where the Spirit of Truth abides and leads us to all truth.

I can think of no better words to conclude than those of Jesus when He speaks of the one and only “Rapture”, the Second Coming:

“Be on guard. Be alert! You do not know when that time will come…keep watch…if he comes suddenly, do not let Him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (Mark 13:32-37).

[sailor76]

Bump your whole post!

[castlegreyskull]

I completely agree. Another part of that, is that the government hides or does not discuss some of the realities of that life.

[Sans-Culotte]

So Jesus is going to beat His bride?

Dunno. You'd have to ask people from the first century which is when the Tribulation occurred.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Intra-chrstian theological scuffles are none of my business. But I will observe that many opponents of the “rapture” object to it because rapture theology tends to be philo-Semitic and pro-Israel. Since the “church” will be removed, Israel (in this theory) resume their ancient place as the Chosen People. Certainly supersessionist classical chrstians don’t like that.

[metmom]

It’s not *indisputable*.

Just because the Catholic church doesn’t believe it, doesn’t mean Scripture doesn’t teach it.

There are lots of things the Catholic church teaches that are not found in Scripture and lots of things found in Scripture that the Catholic church teaches against, so their position on this is no surprise.

[Zionist Conspirator]

I think even worse than the “Rapture” is the idea that the Church is a “parenthesis” or kind of a last minute, temporary fix that God didn’t plan. And even worse than that is the idea that animal sacrifices will resume in the supposed millennial Temple. So evidently Christ was not the final sacrifice after all. Instead of the traditional view that the Old Testament and the Law ultimately point to Christ, who fulfills the Law for us, the dispensationalists have things backwards where the Old Testament interprets the New Testament and Christ is there to point us back to the Law.

I rest my case!

[metmom]

Is it the biggest theological fraud inflicted upon modern Christianity?

No.

I'd put it well behind *baptism saves you*, and *works save you*.

[metmom]

Because in their minds, whoever is left behind "has it coming," so who are they to get in the way? If people don't want to be left behind, then they need to change. Otherwise, f'em. Its a very common sentiment. Compassion becomes "you chose" followed by a locked door. Not pretty.

Sheesh, you're really projecting.

[dartuser]

Ah ... the preterist comes out of the closet ...

[5cents]

Does it really matter what the sects say? The confusion lies in allowing others to tell us what God said, instead of believing Him when we read it ourselves.

Man is soil and returns to the soil (Gen.3:19). The spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecc.12:7). The soul returns to the unseen whence it came (Psa.9:17 and Acts 2:27,31). Job speaks of death itself as a return when he says: For I know that Thou wilt return me to death. (Job 30:23 AV).

There is no conscious existence in death for anyone. No believers “live” in some sort of spiritual body after they die. They are dead, their elements and life force no longer function.

The Scriptures describe in detail what the death state is. We do not experience another life “in heaven” with the Lord when we die, as some suggest when taking Paul’s statements out of context. They have managed to somehow dismiss his words on resurrection, besides not understanding what scriptural death is:

1C 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain

Those who are saved through Paul’s preaching are not only resurrected, they are instantly changed into the Lord’s likeness,”in the wink of an eye” when the Day of the Lord is about to be ushered in on earth.

God holds us accountable as believers, but that is not the same as the negative “judgment” that unbelievers receive at the Great White Throne a thousand years after He returns to earth.

2C 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

This occurs for our benefit, to eliminate the record of the wrongs we have committed, and the acknowledgment of the good we have done according to His will during this life. It is a session of rewards for service. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, period.

[StormPrepper]

Why instant salvation? Jesus forgave the thief on the cross.

You can't make an over simplified assumption about the thief. He obviously knew who Jesus was and believed Him. He could have been a believer who made a mistake. However, the thief's last words, while hanging there in unspeakable agony, were a testimony to the whole world that Jesus was the Christ. That's pretty powerful. And tells you where His heart was....

And since God sees all, Jesus knew the thief's testimony would be read by billions of people down through the ages. How many souls would his words help save?

But for sure, the eternal laws governing salvation were met to the Lord's satisfaction.

[castlegreyskull]

What are the eternal laws that govern salvation?
This is how I believe it to be. I am not arguing, I want to know what I am missing:

First you believe in God. Second believe in Jesus. Believe that he died for our sins, and that he was resurrected. Admit that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and ask for forgiveness. Evidence of a person’s acceptance of Christ would manifest in that person’s life and forsake their old life (whatever problems that would have included).

[StormPrepper]

I'd put it well behind *baptism saves you*, and *works save you*.

And I've never seen this taught by anyone ever. It's twisting of other people's words. It's part of the rationalization process I spoke of earlier.

The true doctrine is, the Lord has requirements that have to be met before He will grant salvation. Those are His words. What you're doing is the tired old practice of pointing at the requirements and saying "those don't save". Well, no one is saying they do. It's a straw man...

[5cents]

There will be no witnessing done by these 144,000. The time for witnessing will be finished and the Son of Mankind will be on the earth to judge the nations. Grace will not be the message at that time. The twelve apostles and the 144,000 celibates will rule with a rod of iron, and there will be no need to witness what will be apparent facts of power, miracles, and glory unraveling before everyone’s eyes to see.

[StormPrepper]

What are the eternal laws that govern salvation?

First you believe in God. Second believe in Jesus. Believe that he died for our sins, and that he was resurrected. Admit that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and ask for forgiveness. Evidence of a person’s acceptance of Christ would manifest in that person’s life and forsake their old life (whatever problems that would have included).

Which is what I was taught as a Baptist. But important to remember that none of these religions have ever spoken directly to God. None. So, have pretty created their own concept of God and that's what they worship.

What the Baptist taught me was woefully incomplete.

Believing is the first step. After that comes baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.

Matt 3
13 ¶Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Baptism by someone who has authority from God to baptize.

Acts 8
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

What Peter was conferring through laying on their hands was the "Gift of the Holy Ghost". This is beyond what everyone else can experience. The Gift is very real and allows personal revelation from our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost.

This is the mark that God puts on members of Christ's true Church. The fake churches have no idea what it is, but there it is being given by Peter. They rationalize it away because they think when they see "Holy Ghost" it all means the same thing.

The next think after baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, is to repent of our sins, and obey the commandments of Christ. We have to move toward perfecting our selves. This means we become like Jesus. Like God.

Becoming perfect in our faith and deeds is the whole the reason Jesus established His Church. The true Church is a vehicle to help you become perfect in faith.

Jesus' own words: Matt 5
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

We are commanded to be like God. To love all men, forgive all men, to become as little children, and all other Godly traits.

Paul taught:
Eph 4
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

The Catholic church twisted the meaning of "saints". Saints referred to all the members of Christ's Church, not just to a select few.

Jesus gave an insight into the judgment in Matt 25. Starting with verse 34. He doesn't say, enter into heaven because you believed really hard. He granted them salvation because they did what they were supposed to do. And denied it to those that didn't do what they were supposed to do.

Does what is being taught about only having to believe match up with what Jesus Christ Himself has said about His criteria for salvation?

[castlegreyskull]

I forgot the baptism part. I agree with that part. The rest I am not so sure. I will have to read more.

[darkangel82]

And how did you arrive at that arbitrary number?

[wardaddy]

I’m southern baptist 1950s and 60s upbringing and early 70s

It was fairly clear then

Death

Await judgement in front of God like everyone else before us in slumber

Awaken judgement

If so fortunate as to have believed then everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven

Where did it all get off track?

All these different interpretations

[castlegreyskull]

Revelation 7 discusses this, and their purpose. 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

From what I can see, the Tribulation will not start until these 144,000 have been sealed.

Then in Rev 7: 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

From what I read, these 144,000 saved a great amount of people during Great Tribulation. Especially from Rev 7:14

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Also, In Revelation 14:3 - 9. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

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[mdmathis6]

After all the two witnesses are there to do what...preach with power and to use the power of God as they will to correct the nations and to blunt the connivance of the beast system? They are there as well to bring a sense of hope to those suffering for Christ on the earth at the time and to be a witness for God!(God always provides a witness for himself!)