Why the Rapture isn’t Biblical… And Why it Matters

Patheos ^ | June 4, 2014 | Kurt Williams

[Cronos]

I grew up in church culture. Most of what I recall from those early childhood and teenage years bring memories of good things. People genuinely taught me that loving Jesus matters more than anything else in the world. The world, after all, is corrupt and the place we truly long for is far, far away – heaven. So we are to love Jesus and hate the world.

Now, this is not hatred toward the people on earth. I did not grow up in a church culture that taught that we ought to tell outsiders how much they suck, but that this “world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through.”

World and physicality = bad.
Jesus and spiritual bliss in a distant heaven = goal of the game.

This distinction came with a subset of beliefs about the destiny of God’s world. Eventually this planet would be destroyed and we Christians would “fly away” to heaven at the rapture of the church. Certain Christians understood the timing of the rapture as it corresponds to the book of Revelation differently than others, but no one ever denied the imminent return of Jesus to evacuate the church out of earth.

What I’ve come to realize is that the church of my youth probably had the rapture all wrong. You see, the Bible flows from Creation (Gen 1-2) to Renewed Creation (Rev 21-22). This is the narrative of Scripture. Nothing in the text (if read in its proper context) alludes to the actual complete destruction of the planet. This world’s worth to the Creator runs deep and because of this, the world as a whole ought to be intrinsically valuable to us.

Physical/earthly realities such as social injustice, violence, hunger, preventable sickness, and the destruction of nature are invitations to the church of Jesus to get our hands dirty and proclaim that this world matters (even in its broken state)! Christ will complete creation upon his return, uniting heaven and earth for the life of the age to come!

The famous “rapture” passage is found in 1 Thessalonians 4.15-17 and reads:

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.

This passage, when placed in the larger context of the chapter, is answering questions that Christians in Thessalonica had concerning death. What has happened to our loved ones who have died before the return of Christ to earth? What is theirs and our ultimate destiny? Paul’s answer: bodily resurrection at the return of Christ to earth! Not an escape into the sky [see appendix below!].

In this passage, Paul borrows two specific images from the Old Testament that would have been familiar to Jewish converts and Gentiles who were familiarizing themselves with the Hebrew tradition. The first of these that Paul employs in the text has to do with Moses who comes down from Mount Sinai with the Law with the great blast of the trumpet.

The second image is taken from Daniel chapter 7 where the “one like the son of man” (or “human being” or “The Human One”) and the community he represents is vindicated over the enemies of the people of God. Clouds here symbolize the power and authoritative judgement of God about the rescue of his people. This idea now seems to be applied to Christians who are facing various forms of persecution.

Finally, there is a third image in the text that comes from outside of the canonical context. This is the image of an emperor who visits a city. The people of that region would have gone out to meet him to usher him into their home in a royal procession out in the open air. This, Paul seems to apply to the church who will usher in their King into the new creation.***

Rapture, as it is popularly understood, is nowhere to be found in this “rapture” passage. Christ will return to resurrect, to purge, to heal, and to establish the eternal kingdom of God on this earth. Heaven and earth will unite like a bride and husband – for all eternity. That’s it.

The Bible teaches that when Christ comes back, it will be Good News! “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’” (Revelation 21.4). Surely we cannot erase judgment from the picture, but the hope is that those in Christ will be raised to eternal life and everything that is wrong with this world will be made right.

This world renewed is going to be our home for eternity, and we have the opportunity to reflect that future in our present. Rapture invites us to escape this world: the last thing that Jesus would have ever taught! “On earth as in heaven” is what he said, not “in heaven away from the earth!” Our world’s future is hopeful. Let’s tell that story and not the escapist narratives that many of us grew up with.

[Kurt Note: This article is an adaptation from various pieces that are part of my “rapture” category.]

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APPENDIX

Word Study, 1 Thessalonians 4.17 (Warning: a bit more technical!)

Below is a Word Study that I did based on 1 Thessalonians 4.17. What is interesting to me is how it reinforced my belief that the “rapture” as it is popularly understood (Jesus secretly returns to extract believers from earth to heaven for eternity) is completely unwarranted. If you choose to follow the logic below, you will know why 🙂

1. Word Identification

The word underlying “air” in 1 Thessalonians 4.17 is the Greek word “ἀήρ” (Strong’s: #109).

2. Frequency and Distribution

• Roman Historical Narrative (1x, Acts – 1)
• Pauline Letter (4x, 1Cor – 2, Eph – 1, 1Thes – 1)
• Apocalyptic (2x, Rev – 2)

The usage of ἀήρ in the New Testament by verse:

Acts 22:23

…εἰς τὸν ἀέρ
…dust into the air,

1Co 9:26

…ὡς οὐκ ἀέρα δέρων·
…one that beateth the air:

1Co 14:9

…γὰρ εἰς ἀέρα λαλοῦντες.
…shall speak into the air.

Eph 2:2

…ἐξουσίας τοῦ ἀέρος τοῦ πνεύματος…
…power of the air, the spirit that…

1Th 4:17

…κυρίου εἰς ἀέρα καὶ οὕτως…
…the Lord in the air: and so shall…

Rev 9:2

…καὶ ὁ ἀὴρ ἐκ τοῦ…
…sun and the air were darkened by…

Rev 16:17

…ἐπὶ τὸν ἀέρα καὶ ἐξῆλθεν…
…vial into the air; and there came…

3. Meaning

1) the air, particularly the lower and denser air as distinguished from the higher and rarer air 2)the atmospheric region[1]

After surveying the above seven occurrences, it is clear that the definition is simply the area of unseen space in our atmosphere. Below, the meaning in its various usages are explained:

ἀήρ (aēr, 109), ἀέρος, ὁ, (ἄημι, ἄω, [cf. ἄνεμος, init.]), the air (particularly the lower and denser, as distinguished from the higher and rarer ὁ αἰθήρ, cf. Hom. Il. 14, 288), the atmospheric region: Acts xxii. 23; 1 Th. iv. 17; Rev. ix. 2, xvi. 17; ὁ ἄρχων τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ ἀέρος in Eph. ii. 2 signifies “the ruler of the powers (spirits, see ἐξουσία 4 c. ββ.) in the air”, i. e. the devil, the prince of the demons that according to Jewish opinion fill the realm of air (cf. Mey. ad loc.; [B. D. Am. ed. s. v. Air; Stuart in Bib. Sacr. for 1843, p. 139 sq.]). Sometimes indeed, ἀήρ denotes a hazy, obscure atmosphere (Hom. Il. 17, 644; 3, 381; 5, 356, etc.; Polyb. 18, 3, 7), but is nowhere quite equiv. to σκότος,— the sense which many injudiciously assign it in Eph. 1. c. ἀέρα δέρειν (cf. verberat ictibus auras, Verg. Aen. 5, 377, of pugilists who miss their aim) i. e. to contend in vain, 1 Co. ix. 26; εἰς ἀέρα λαλεῖν (verba ventis profundere, Lucr. 4, 929 (932)) “to speak into the air” i. e. without effect, used of those who speak what is not understood by the hearers, 1 Co. xiv. 9.*[2]

Although ἀήρ is not a word that is frequent in the New Testament, it is interesting to note that there is only one other word that is translated into English as “air.” The Greek οὐρανός has a different meaning when used as “air” than ἀήρ. Rather than referring to the “lower and denser air as distinguished from the higher and rarer air,” it means:

1. the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it

1. a. the universe, the world
2. b. the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced
3. c. the sidereal or starry heavens

2. the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings[3]

It seems that the difference between these two words will prove to be significant. The word in the 1 Thessalonians text indicates the “air” of the “lower” region as opposed to the “heavens” as οὐρανός can also be translated (heavens – 24x, heavenly – 1, heaven – 218). In other words, Paul had an option to use either of the words to talk about the “air” but he chose to use the word that refers mostly to the lower atmospheric region.

4. Meaning in Context

In the context of 1 Thessalonians 4.17, Paul is answering questions regarding the blessed Christian hope. What happens to Christ-followers who die before the return of the Messiah? Are they gone forever? And what about those of us who are waiting for this day? What are we to look forward to? In answer to these kinds of questions Paul describes the coming of Jesus as a moment of resurrection. Because Jesus died and rose again, his followers will someday be like him. They will have bodies that are restored to the image of Christ who is the image of God.

Paul in this passage uses mixed metaphors to communicating the reality of the final resurrection. He employs imagery from the Old Testament as well as from Roman royalty. Christ will appear in such a way that it will be like Moses when he descended down from the Mountain of Sinai. He will come with the “clouds” meaning that he will come with the power / authority of heaven like the “son of Man” in Daniel 7. When this happens all followers of Jesus will be gathered around their King and will usher him into the new heavens and new earth.

Unfortunately, the present passage of Scripture has been interpreted in several different ways; mostly indicating that the return of Christ will be a rapturous moment when God will snatch believers away from this evil world to meet him in the “air” (up in heaven) for eternity. There are several problems with this approach (too numerous to look at for this word study). The current word study exposes one of the fallacies in this interpretive scheme.

Had the Apostle wanted to communicate that Christ coming downward to take us upward was the goal of the 2^nd coming, he could have chosen to use a word like οὐρανός. This word, which is interpreted as “air” on some occasions (as indicated above), would have given the impression that going to meet Christ in the “air” was a upward heavenly route. However, what this word study has discovered is that the word Paul chose to use was one that indicates the lower part of the atmosphere. Paul had a grammatical choice to make, and clearly he did not want to misguide his first century audience by making them think that being “with the Lord forever” actually meant going to heaven, away from the creation project. So, in order to keep his metaphorical devices in place without giving the wrong impression, he chose to use ἀήρ to indicate that he was not talking about escaping this world; but rather being part of its redemptive process. If the alternative word had been selected, Paul would have given us the opportunity to affirm cosmological dualism.

5. Verification

There is no dispute of how ἀήρ is to be translated from Greek into English among the translations. In every version that was checked (ESV, KJV, NIV, and TNIV) this word is translated as “air.”

After consulting the “Easton Bible Dictionary” we find that this word study’s findings about the meaning of the word ἀήρ is consistent and verified. It states: “The atmosphere, as opposed to the higher regions of the sky (1Th_4:17; Rev_9:2; Rev_16:17).”[4] This is also confirmed by the UBS Greek Dictionary: “air; ethereal region above the earth, space.”[5]

---

FOOTNOTES

***N. T. Wright, “Farewell to Rapture,” Biblical Review (August 2001). http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_BR_Farewell_Rapture.htm (accessed October, 2009).

[1]http://www.biblestudytools.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=109&version=nas

[2] http://www.greekbiblestudy.org/gnt/greekWordStudy.do?id=100095&greek=false

[3] http://www.biblestudytools.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=3772&version=nas

[4] See: Easton Bible Dictionary. Available Online at: http://refbible.com/a/air.htm

[5] The Greek New Testament With Greek-English Dictionary by B. Aland (Editor), K. Aland (Editor), J. Karavidopoulos (Editor), B. M. Metzger (Editor), C. M. Martini (Editor)

[cuban leaf]

Yep. We’re in agreement.

I learned about this when I had problems with my feet a year ago. It could have been life changing. Suddenly all that stuff I want to do on my 32 acres would not have been possible. But prayer and a $22 set of shoe inserts changed everything.

We all must live our life as if today is both the first day of our life and our only day. It keeps me from taking anything for granted. And this life IS a mist. It’s not the end-all, be-all. I compare people who fear death to a fetus that fears birth. What waits for them outside the womb is, for them, unimaginable. :)

[Cronos]

and the head of the woman on the beast like you put it seems like

REvelation 17:1 is clearly just as the rest of the book of the Apocalypse talking of the city of Jerusalem.

Firstly note that the harlot is separate from the beast -- so it can't be that Rome was both the harlot and the beastThis is also evident in the words off the High priests at Christ's trial John 19:15 "We have no king but Caesar"

This is also very very clear about Rev 17:1 which references Jeremiah 51:13 which says that Babylon sits by many waters. This is how John is linking Jerusalem as the new Babylon.

This imagery of the Harlot is also exactly how God in the minor prophets describes Jerusalem - Isaiah 1:21 "How the faithful city has become a harlotThis is also in Hosea

1:2 The beginning of the Lord's speaking by Osse: and the Lord said to Osee: Go, take thee a wife of fornications, and have of her children of fornications: for the land by fornication shall depart from the Lord.

4:16 For Israel hath gone astray like a wanton heifer: now will the Lord feed them, as a lamb in a spacious place.

We go on to Rev 17:4 which talks of the harlot arrayed in purple and scarlet - this echos Jeremiah 4:30 But when thou art spoiled what wilt thou do? though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, and paintest thy eyes with stibic stone, thou shalt dress thyself out in vain: thy lovers have despised thee, they will seek thy life.

And even more so, REv 17:16 "And the beast will hate the harlot; they will make her desolate nad naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire"

This is so, so clear about the Roman Empire burning down Jerusalem as at the 10th "King" Vespasian did,p>Remember that Jerusalem had dominion i.e. spiritual dominionThe fall of the harlot-city happened in 69 AD in the same generation that had killed the Christ - Christ crucified in 30 AD and within 40 years (one generation) Jerusalem destroyed.

[Big Red Badger]

I spent a few days at
The Seven Arches Hotel,,,

[caww]

It is written that ‘we are not appointed unto wrath’, which means that Christians are not destined to suffer the wrath of God. Since the Tribulation is the wrath of God the Church must therefore be removed from the earth before the Tribulation begins.

1 Thess 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thess 5:9, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”

Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Eph 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

[ravenwolf]

I admit that you could be right but what I see and have
saw in history puts a different light on it.

I try to look at the big picture and compare it with what
little I can understand of scriture, I use to try to make
every little detail fit but it dont, I have also read many
other opinions and the same thing one little scripture blows
the whole thing so I think it best to use what we can see as
fact.

Also John said there are ten kings which have received no
kingdom as yet which show he was talking about a future age.

[Cronos]

Because in 1 Thessalonians Paul refers to those who died before Christ's coming -- they will rise and the living with join with them in the Holy divine worshiping of the Christ as we read in the book of the Apocalypse

This passage says nothing about people being "left behind" -- I pray you read the whole of 1 Thessalonians

The famous “rapture” passage is found in 1 Thessalonians 4.15-17 and reads:

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.

This passage, when placed in the larger context of the chapter, is answering questions that Christians in Thessalonica had concerning death. What has happened to our loved ones who have died before the return of Christ to earth? What is theirs and our ultimate destiny? Paul’s answer: bodily resurrection at the return of Christ to earth! Not an escape into the sky [see appendix below!].

In this passage, Paul borrows two specific images from the Old Testament that would have been familiar to Jewish converts and Gentiles who were familiarizing themselves with the Hebrew tradition. The first of these that Paul employs in the text has to do with Moses who comes down from Mount Sinai with the Law with the great blast of the trumpet.

The second image is taken from Daniel chapter 7 where the “one like the son of man” (or “human being” or “The Human One”) and the community he represents is vindicated over the enemies of the people of God. Clouds here symbolize the power and authoritative judgement of God about the rescue of his people. This idea now seems to be applied to Christians who are facing various forms of persecution.

[Cronos]

Matthew 24 starts with them leaving and pointing out the Temple to Jesus.

Jesus then talks of THIS generation - the generation of the Apostles. He talks of how Jerusalem will be destroyed

And it was destroyed within that generation

[ro_dreaming]

http://life4square.com/endtimes/index.htm

A really good essay on the End Times by one of the pastors at my church.

[NELSON111]

Agreed. The author would do himself a service to look at what the early church fathers taught about eschatology. Since so many denominations want to draw upon the teachings of tradition over scripture (or to support their scriptural views), I would suggest a study of the early church teachings on this subject. It would also be helpful to study the Greek in this matter AND to supply the teachings of the New Testament with the Old Testament. Too many people try to interpret what happens in the New and totally disregard the OT prophets as if they never happened, especially Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Daniel, and Zechariah. If one doesn’t have a real good understanding of what is being said in those books regarding the millennial kingdom, the purpose of Daniel’s 70th week, etc, one will be lost as a goose in a snowstorm when it comes to 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Corinthians 15 and all of Revelation.

[ro_dreaming]

Chapter 8, The Rapture:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

In several passages, the Bible describes a time when Jesus will gather the people of God and remove them from the earth. This gathering is sometimes called the Rapture of the Church. Rapture is not a biblical term, therefore it is important that people clearly understand what is meant by the term. In this book, Rapture is used to refer to the gathering of God’s people when Jesus comes (Mat. 24:29-31; 1 Cor. 15:51-56; 1 Thes. 4:14-17).

It seems that one of the most frequently asked questions concerning End Times is, “When does the Rapture occur?” The following Scriptures show that the Rapture occurs when Jesus comes (see also 1 Cor. 1:7; 1 Thes. 5:23; James 5:7-9; and 1 John 2:28). [Emphasis added to the following passages.]

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NKJV) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 (NKJV) Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, ...

Matthew 24:30-31 (NKJV) “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 (NKJV) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:2-3 (NKJV) “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

This coming of the Lord is His promised return (John 14:3). Since the promise was given after His first coming to earth as a child born in Bethlehem, this coming of Jesus will be His second time. Therefore, some people refer to this as the Second Coming of Jesus. However, other people call the start of Jesus’ millennial reign His second coming. (The Millennium occurs at least five months after Jesus comes.) Some theories about the End Times incorrectly teach that the gathering of Christians (i.e., the Rapture) will occur sometime before (typically 3½ or 7 years before) the second coming of Jesus. However, as shown in the Scriptures quoted above, the Rapture takes place at the coming of Jesus (which is technically His second coming). The Bible does not use the term second coming.

Matthew 24:23-31 says that the coming of Jesus and the gathering of His people (the elect) will take place immediately after the Great Tribulation. It is extremely important to understand the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God before attempting to understand the correct timing for the Rapture. Much of the confusion about whether the Rapture occurs before, after, or in the middle of the Great Tribulation stems from confusion about which events occur as part of the Great Tribulation. It is also important to understand that the Rapture takes place when Jesus comes to judge the earth.

The Rapture is described in several passages in the Bible. Probably the most familiar to Christians is that in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (quoted above). This passage explains that when Jesus comes, those Christians who have died (those who are asleep in Jesus) will be resurrected and rise first to meet the Lord. Then those Christians who are still alive will rise up to join the others and Jesus in the clouds. (According to Acts 1:9-11, these are probably literal clouds.) This passage also shows that the coming of Jesus will be a very dramatic event with a shout, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. Matthew 24 also describes the Rapture of the Church as follows.

Matthew 24:29-31 (NKJV) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This passage clearly explains that the Rapture will occur immediately after the Great Tribulation (compare verse 21 with 29). The Rapture also occurs after certain signs in the sun, moon, and stars (vs. 29). Jesus will come on the clouds of heaven and send His angels to gather His people from all the earth (vv. 30-31). Christians will rise into the air (i.e., the heaven) and then be gathered.

Another description of the signs in the sun, moon, and stars is provided in Revelation 6:12-14. Soon after these signs occur, a very large number of people appear before the throne of God (Rev. 7:9-10). These people went through the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:14). This passage in Revelation shows that the Rapture occurs after the Great Tribulation, but before the Wrath of God (see Rev. 6:17, chapter 8 and following passages). Christians will be in Heaven (before the throne of God) during the plagues of the Wrath of God. (Some people teach that Christians do not go to Heaven at the Rapture. Instead, when they meet the Lord in the air, the Lord and the Christians return to reign on earth. This passage in Revelation 7:9-14 shows that this teaching is incorrect since people are in Heaven after the Rapture.) Following is another passage that describes the Rapture or gathering of the Church.

Revelation 14:14-16 (NKJV) Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

This passage describes Jesus (”one like the Son of Man”) sitting on a cloud wearing a golden crown and carrying a sharp sickle. The harvest is ripe indicating that it is time to gather the people of God from the earth. This reaping or gathering (the Rapture) is described using the illustration of a harvester (Jesus) who uses a sickle to gather the grain (the people who belong to God).

Evidence that this passage is describing the Rapture rather than some other event is provided by comparing the surrounding verses with parallel descriptions provided in Revelation 6:12 through 11:19. First, this gathering of the harvest occurs after the Great Tribulation (Rev. 14:9-13). Immediately after this harvest, those who remain on the earth (the grapes) are gathered and thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God (Rev. 14:17-20; 15:1). Next, a great multitude of people who obtained victory over the Beast are shown worshipping God before the throne in Heaven (Rev. 15:2-4). This is describing the same scene shown in Revelation 7:9-17 where a great multitude is shown who came out of the Great Tribulation. Finally, events of the Wrath of God are described following this great multitude’s appearance before the throne (Rev. 15:1, 5-8, 16:1-21).

As mentioned earlier, it is extremely important to understand the difference between the events of the Great Tribulation and those of the Wrath of God. Failure to understand the differences can lead to three of the more common erroneous theories about when the Rapture occurs. These three theories are sometimes called the pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib rapture theories.

These three rapture theories appear to have their roots in a failure to correctly distinguish the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God. While the following explanations are over-simplified, they can help show how each theory can be derived by mistakenly mixing the events of the Great Tribulation and Wrath of God.

Pre-Trib Rapture. This theory teaches that Christians will be raptured before the Great Tribulation. The following two Scriptures are sometimes used to support this popular theory.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The problem is a failure to distinguish the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God. Those who hold this theory typically include the seven plagues (of the Wrath of God) in with the Great Tribulation. Then they reason that since we are not destined for wrath, we must not be here during the Great Tribulation. It is true that Christians will not suffer the Wrath of God. However, the plagues of the Wrath of God are not part of the Great Tribulation.

Mid-Trib Rapture. This theory teaches that Christians will go through the first half of the Great Tribulation. They will be raptured to avoid what is taught as the more severe second half of the Great Tribulation. Often, the total length of the Great Tribulation is given as seven years with the Christians going through three and one-half years of it. Some people call the first 3½ years the Tribulation and the last 3½ years the Great Tribulation.

The problem in this theory is also caused by a failure to distinguish the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God. In this case, the plagues of the Wrath of God are included as the last half of the Great Tribulation. This rapture theory teaches that Christians will be taken out of the earth before the plagues, but they will suffer some under the Beast. This theory is correct in its teaching that Christians will suffer under the Beast. It is also correct in teaching that Christians will not suffer during the seven plagues. However, it is incorrect in claiming that the Great Tribulation is seven years long and that the seven plagues are part of the Great Tribulation.

Post-Trib Rapture. This theory teaches that Christians will be raptured after all of the so-called Great Tribulation is completed. The events of the Great Tribulation and Wrath of God are incorrectly lumped together and called the Great Tribulation. This theory is incorrect when it teaches that Christians will go through the seven plagues of the Wrath of God. (Note: Many who consider themselves post-trib also correctly believe in a pre-wrath Rapture. This can be confusing at times.)

Each of these three incorrect theories about the rapture can be logically traced to a failure to distinguish the difference between the Great Tribulation and Wrath of God. (Even though there are probably other factors that contribute to the confusion.) Therefore, it is vitally important that a clear distinction is made between the Great Tribulation and Wrath of God.

So when does the Rapture occur? The Rapture takes place after the Great Tribulation but before the Wrath of God. This teaching is sometimes called the Pre-Wrath Rapture to prevent confusion between it and the Post-Trib Rapture theory. As established in the early part of this chapter, the Rapture takes place at the coming of Jesus. The coming of Jesus takes place immediately after the Great Tribulation and before the Wrath of God (see the Chronological Relationships chapter.). Therefore, the Rapture must take place after the Great Tribulation and before the Wrath of God.

Jesus will come to gather (rapture) God’s people and to bring judgment (i.e., wrath) on the other people like what occurred in the days of Noah (Mat. 24:36-39). Noah and his family in the ark rose above the waters of judgment. When the judgment was completed, Noah and his family returned to the earth’s surface. In a similar manner, Christians will rise above God’s wrath in the Rapture. They will return to the earth’s surface after the judgment is completed—at the beginning of the Millennium.

When Jesus comes, it will also be like the days of Lot (Lk. 17:26-29). As soon as Lot was safely outside the city, God’s judgment rained down from heaven destroying Sodom and Gomorrah with all their inhabitants (Lk 17:29; Gen. 19:12-29). In a similar manner, as soon as Christians are removed from the earth, God’s wrath will fall on all the earth’s inhabitants (Rev. 14:14-20; Rev. 15:1-8; Rev. 16:1-21).

Summary
Term Definition:

The Rapture is a non-biblical, but commonly used term that refers to the gathering of Christians from the earth when Jesus comes.

Significance of the Rapture:

The Rapture is very significant in that it marks the end of suffering for Christians during the Great Tribulation (Mat. 24:29-31; 2 Thes. 1:6-10). It also marks the end of mortal life for Christians (1 Cor. 15:50-52). For the Beast and non-Christians, the Rapture marks the beginning of the judgment poured out on them during the Wrath of God (Rev. 14:14-20).

Source of the Rapture:

Jesus is the one who sends His angels to gather the Christians (Mat. 24:30-31).

Length of the Rapture:

The exact length of the Rapture is not given in Scripture. However, it appears to occur in a very short time, possibly less than a second (1 Cor 15:51-52). However, its effects will last through eternity (1 Thes. 4:16-17).

Events Prior to the Rapture:

The Rapture occurs at the coming of Jesus (1 Thes. 4:15-17; 2 Thes. 2:1; 1:7-8; Mat. 24:30-31; John 14:2-3). The Rapture will not occur until after there is a major falling away of believers (see Mat. 24:12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3). The Beast is also revealed before the Rapture (2 Thes. 2:1-4). The Beast is exposed for who he is when he establishes the Abomination of Desolation. Therefore, the Rapture will not occur until after the Abomination of Desolation. Scriptures demonstrate that the Rapture occurs between the Great Tribulation and Wrath of God (see beginning of this chapter, the chapter on the coming of Jesus, and the Chronological Relationships chapter).

Events of the Rapture:

Dead Christians will be resurrected, and living Christians will be given new bodies at the Rapture (1 Cor. 15:50-52). Both groups will rise up to meet Jesus in the clouds (1 Thes. 4:16-17).

God During the Rapture:

Jesus will be very active as He returns to gather His Church (Mat. 24:29-31; Rev. 14:14-16).

Christians During the Rapture:

Christians are removed from the earth and taken to Heaven (i.e., before the throne, Rev. 7:9-17; Mat. 24:29-31). There will be 144,000 people sealed to protect them from the plagues of God’s Wrath (Rev. 7:1-8). Apparently, these 144,000 people will participate in the outpouring of the Wrath of God (Rev. 14:1,4,7; 19:13-15).

Satan During the Rapture:

Scripture does not indicate what Satan is doing during the Rapture.

Beast During the Rapture:

Scripture does not indicate what the Beast is doing during the Rapture.

Non-Christians During the Rapture:

When Jesus comes back to gather the Christians, His return will be as visible as the lightning that lights up the entire sky (Mat. 24:27). The non-Christians will see Jesus and great fear will come upon them. They will seek to hide from the anger of the Lord (Mat. 24:30; Rev. 6:15-17).

Events Following the Rapture:

Following the removal of God’s people from the earth, they show up in Heaven (Rev. 7:9-17). Also, 144,000 people from the twelve tribes of Israel are sealed to protect them from the plagues of the Wrath of God (Rev. 7:1-8). After these events, the seven plagues of the Wrath of God are poured out on the Beast and those people who were not removed from the earth (i.e., the non-Christians).

Scripture references for Rapture:

Mat. 24:23-31; Mat. 13:36-43; Mat. 13:47-50; Mat. 24:42-51; Mat. 25:13; Mark 13:21-27; Mark 13:32-33; Luke 17:22-24; Luke 21:25-28; Luke 21:34-35; Jn. 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 8:11, 23; 1 Cor. 1:7; 1 Cor. 15:50-56; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thes. 4:13-17; 1 Thes. 5:1-9, 23; 2 Thes. 1:6-10; 2 Thes. 2:1-4, 8; Jas. 5:7-9; 2 Pet 3:4, 7, 10-13; 1 Jn. 2:28; Rev. 1:7; Rev. 3:3; Rev. 6:12-17; Rev. 7:9-17; Rev. 14:14-20; Rev. 15:1-4; Rev. 16:15; Isa. 27:12-13; Dan. 12:1-3; Joel 3:13-16; Zech. 14:4-5

[Cronos]

Matthew 24 starts with them leaving and pointing out the Temple to Jesus.

Jesus then talks of THIS generation - the generation of the Apostles. He talks of how Jerusalem will be destroyed

And it was destroyed within that generation

Matthew 24 begins as a response to the apostles marveling at the splendor of the Jerusalem temple

Your quotes are the problem - you shouldn't read excerpts. Matthew 24:31 is talking of the tribulation and destruction of the Temple, the world to the 2nd Temple Jews

The drying of the Euphrates - the Romans crossed over the Euphrates on their way to demolish Jerusalem, coming from the east

[Cronos]

the book of the apocalypse 18:21 "So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down" -- and the harlot-city of Jerusalem as referenced to Hosea is thrown down

And the image of the city being cast like a millstone into the sea is the same as that in Rev 8:8 and Luke 17:1-2 "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whome they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he shoudl cause one of these little ones to sin"

John's imagery is how Christ Himself said in Luke 17 and it is applied by John to Jerusalem. So then, the city, the once bride of God, now a harlot has led the nations into sin by falling into sin herself is cast into the sea with a millstone

[Cronos]

Apocalypse 20:3 - this references Jonah 2:2

This is in line with the 1000 years between David and Jesus.

[chesley]

Not true. Although I cannot deny that many do, but there are also many who do not claim to know when. They may expect it, but they know they can be wrong.

[Cronos]

The bride referred here is God’s bride - Jerusalem - as we see with hosea 1 - Jerusalem had disobeyed God and is the New Babylon, to be destroyed. The 2nd Temple, that is the center of the Jewish world gets destroyed and only 2 Jewish sects remain - Christ followers and pharisees - Christianity and modern Judaism

[Cronos]

The article is by Kurt Willems (M.Div., Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary) a pastor. - he ain't Caflick

[Cronos]

very correct - we have been grafted into the remnant

[Cronos]

Sigh - the tribulation - read in the book of the Apocalypse of john - is about the tribulation experienced by the Jews(including the Christ-followers) in 69 AD with the destruction of the 2nd Temple

[chesley]

Kindle: good, but there just isn’t time. That’s what eternity is for :)

[Cronos]

This isn’t my opinion - it’s what God said — there is no such “left behind” - read the book of the Apocalypse clearly and the references to the 7 churches - 7 being the symbol of completeness; read the references to the 6th “king” - Nero and to the destruction of the great harlot-city, Jerusalem