Even at the Doors blog

The Rapture

(November 26, 2009) The most controversial End-Times event is the Rapture. The controversy involves two main issues. The first is when will the Rapture take place in relation to other prophesied End-Times events.

The Tribulation Period

Both Jesus and and the prophet Daniel spoke of a future time of horror coming upon the earth and its inhabitants:

“21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” - Matthew 24:21-22

“1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” – Daniel 12:1

Some have stated that these two prophecies refer to the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 A.D. However, if the Holy Spirit was referring to that event then both prophecies would have been rendered inaccurate. The key phrases in these two passages speak of this future trouble as having never occurred at any time in history. That is not true for the Roman destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. Six hundred years earlier the Babylonians destroyed the first Jewish Temple and took the Jewish nation captive. One could probably make a case for the two World Wars in the Twentieth Century as being the worst destruction and devastation in human history (aside from the Flood). Thus the time of trouble or Tribulation Period as Christians refer to it is yet future and will be unlike and other time in history.

The timing of the Rapture revolves around the Tribulation Period which will last seven years. It will occur just prior to the Tribulation or sometime during the seven years or at the end of the Tribulation when Jesus returns to the earth to judge the nations and set up His Millennial kingdom. Those who hold to a particular viewpoint on this issue usually are very passionate for their position and can quote scripture to support their belief. Because of this I don’t know when the Rapture will occur, only that it will occur because the apostle Paul prophesied it would in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. If it was clear when the Rapture would take place there wouldn’t be the divisiveness among Christians concerning this issue. These same Christians would agree that a person is saved only through the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ. They would agree that Jesus was born of a virgin. They would agree that Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins. They would agree that God raised Jesus from the dead. They would agree that Jesus ascended back into heaven. Why would they agree? Because God’s word is absolutely clear on these issues. Why don’t they agree on the timing of the Rapture? Because the Bible is not clear when it will take place. The fact that there is disagreement on this issue is proof that the Bible is not clear on the subject. (For further discussion on the timing of the Rapture please see Ch. 8 – The Rapture Mystery from my book Even at the Doors: Jesus, Israel, and the End-Times )

Here is a video from a church that believes in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture:

The Rapture, this Generation?

The second issue concerns when will the Rapture take place in God’s plan for humanity (and thereby all the End-Times prophesied events). There have been attempts by people in recent history to specify a date for the Rapture (contrary to Jesus’ statement that “of that day and hour knoweth no man” - Matthew 24:36). I remember one example that occurred in 1988. Edgar C. Whisenant published a booklet titled 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. Obviously the Rapture did not occur that year or any other year in history. One day the Rapture will occur. The apostle Paul declared in his letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Greece:

“13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. ” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

He elaborated on the Rapture teaching in his letter to the Christians in Corinth, Greece:

“51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” - 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

In the first passage Paul was answering the Thessalonian Christians’ fear that they had missed the return of Jesus. He goes on to tell them that Jesus will descend from heaven and call His children to come up to Him in the air. The words “caught up” are translated from the Greek verb harpazo which means to seize suddenly or snatch away. The implication (as alluded to in the Corinthian passage which states this will occur in the twinkling of an eye) is that believers will be snatched up to Jesus (as in zoom up) in the air. When a Latin version of the Bible was created the word harpazo was translated into the Latin word from which we get the English word rapture.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him what would be the signs of His coming and the end of the age. He responded by giving them signs to look for in Matthew ch. 24 and said, “33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” – Matthew 24:33-34 Thus, the generation that see the prophetic signs that Jesus gave will be the generation that experiences the Rapture.

Is the current generation the one that will see the End-Times come to pass? The Bible gives other prophecies concerning the End-Times. One of them declares that God will return the Jews to the land of Israel (Ezekiel ch. 37-39; Amos 9 – For further discussion on this subject please see ch. 18 – God’s Timepiece:Israel from my book Even at the Doors: Jesus, Israel, and the End-Times). Another one states that the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem (Daniel 9; Matthew 24; 2 Thessalonians 2 – For further discussion on this subject please see my article 2 Thessalonians 2:4 – A Literal Third Temple). Both of these prophecies involve End-Times events. The fact that God returned the Jews (see my article Does the land of Israel belong to the Jews) in 1948 and that they have recreated the utensils and priestly garments that are to be used in Temple worship services indicate that God is not far off from implementing His End-Times plans. Globalization of economies and communications further suggest that the eschatological prophecies could be fulfilled in this current generation. However, only God knows when it will happen and wants His followers to keep living their lives for Him and watching for the signs that He said would occur at the end of the age. Whether we see the tomb or experience the zoom we are to keep our eyes on the Lord and keep “13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.” (Titus 2:13-15)