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Sorry “doc” but you’re incorrect!

The Apostle Paul wrote about it. Jesus talked about it.

Cyprian, Tertullian, Ephraim of Assyria, Irenaeus among others all wrote about and believed in The Harpazo as well.

The word “Rapture” is in the Bible as well - in the Latin version.

War_Criminal - you've never read Paul or Cyprian or Tertullian or Ephraim, have you?

Ephraim wrote that

When the Roman Empire begins to be consumed by the sword, the coming of the Evil One is at hand. It is necessary that the world come to an end at the completion of the Roman Empire.

In those days two brothers will come to the Roman Empire who will rule with one mind; but because one will surpass the other, there will be a schism between them. And so the Adversary will be loosed and will stir up hatred between the Persian and Roman empires. In those days many will rise up against Rome; the Jewish people will be her adversaries

That doesn't sound at ALL like your 19th century rapture fantasy

Ditto for Cyprian

And as to Tertullian have you even read that????

Tertullian wrote that The Goths wil lconquer Rome and redeem the Christians; but then Nero will come back from teh dead, appear as the heathen AntiChrist, reconquer Rome and rage agianst the Christians 3.5 years. he will then be conquered in turn by the Jewish REAL anti-Christ from the East who will return to Judea, perform false miracles and be worshiped by the Jews. At last Christ appears with the lost Twelve tribes as him army, which had lived beyond Persia in happy simplicity and virtue. he will conquer the Jewish antichrist and his host, convert all nations and take possession of the holy city of Jerusalem

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Just saying that Ephraim or Tertullian wrote about something when those writings have absolutely NOTHING in common with your 19th century rapture is nonsensical

The modern interpretation of these verses is not how the church interpreted it (which is that this will occur post tribulation when Christ comes to set up his kingdom).

And my argument is that you are trying to assure affluent white American Christians that they will not have to face persecution because, hey, rapture will save you.

But what if the persecution comes and the rapture doesn't come, because the rapture is still in the future? Maybe the next antiChrist will not be the one of end times, but a lesser one like Nero, or Stalin, or Mao, and American Christians face losing their job or being jailed for their belief in Christ?

How many will apostasize because they are mad they have to face persecution instead of being raptured? Christians are being persecuted, jailed, and even and martyred right now you know. Or don't Arab, Nigerian or Chinese Christians count in your version of these prophecies?

The coming persecution may not be the one of end times.

You should be encouraging Christians to stay strong in faith when they face persecution, not dividing them into arguing with each other with a dogma that most Christians reject.