The Rapture, is it Biblical?

Transcription

1 The Rapture, is it Biblical?

2 Preface There are a lot of theories that man has come up with that are not in the Bible. The Rapture is a popular theory among the Christian denominations. The question arises, Is it Biblical?. Let us study the Bible and look at the verses in the Bible that comprise this theory and let us look at what else the Bible has to say. John L. Fox Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? questions@goandteachall.org

3 Where did the Rapture theory originate? The Bible does not use the word rapture anywhere. So where does the theory come from. John Nelson Darby first proposed and popularised the pre-tribulation rapture in He and the Plymouth Brethren popularised the theory in England. It was further popularised in the United States in the early 20 th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible. This belief was not taught by the apostles, and nowhere mentioned by any Christians until John Darby proposed this theory. One of the reasons that can be used for a pre-tribulation (The tribulation is when the seven last plagues is going to come upon the earth), is that as a Christian I don t have to see all the destruction that is going to happen and I will be safe in Heaven. Nowhere in the Bible did GOD take His people away as a group. The only times this happened is when Enoch and Elijah were taken to Heaven. Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

4 So what is the truth then? So if the apostles and JESUS never taught this rapture theory, then what is the truth? What does the Bible say? We need to look at the verses that speak of when JESUS is coming. Also to look at one of the passages that JESUS spoke of, in been taken away and what did He mean. We need to look at the whole Bible as the Bible does not contradict itself. It is man that contradicts themselves and makes up fancy doctrines because they sound good. Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Matthew 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.\ In the days of Noah, who was taken away? And who was left behind? Noah and his family were in the ark when the flood came. He and His family were left behind! If they were not left behind then the earth would not be inhabited today. The people that were taken away were the wicked people. The flood came and destroyed them. In other words, the flood took them away. So when JESUS says that there are two in the field and one shall be taken, and the other left. We must have a look at when this event is going to happen. We need to read further. Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. JESUS is speaking of the Second coming, not an event that is going to happen before that. This is were a lot of mistakes happen in the Christian world, we just don t read everything in context! JESUS speaks of Himself coming as a thief in the night in verse 43. If He comes as a thief in the night then how come Christians would have an advantage over the wicked and disappear before JESUS second coming? He says that nobody will know. If people are raptured away, will not the wicked then know that JESUS is coming soon? Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. If the rapture is true then as it was said before that they would then know when JESUS is coming back. So what will JESUS second coming be like and what about the first resurrection? Has the first resurrection got anything to do with dispelling the rapture theory?

5 JESUS second coming and the first resurrection Let s look at the second coming of JESUS and what the Bible says about this. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; The only hint we have of JESUS second coming is this revealing of the man of sin and a falling away first. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. JESUS comes with His mighty angels. If the saints are raptured to Heaven, don t you think that JESUS would also come with His saints as well? But the Scriptures says that He comes He will be glorified in His saints. His saints are both alive and dead when JESUS comes beck for them. The wicked are to be destroyed, taken away. Paul says: 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1 Corinthians 15:52 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. 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. When does this scene that Paul is speaking about happen? 1 Thessalonians 4:15 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 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: 1 Thessalonians 4:17 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. Paul never spoke of a rapture theory of been taken away before JESUS second coming. He says that we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with those that has been raised from the grave. So where is the rapture then? Paul then goes onto say: 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. These are the words we must comfort one another with. That we will see the LORD JESUS coming with His angels and that we will be caught up with the raised dead. The words of the rapture are not from GOD. Part of the rapture theory also says that there will be a 1000 years of peace for the Jews to have a chance to accept JESUS. This will be discussed in the next section. The thousand years Will GOD have a thousand years for a special people to change so they can accept His Son? Some say that this is a time when GOD will change their hearts. This poses a lot of questions that can t be

6 answered! Why has GOD not change Lucifer s heart? Then none of this would have happened. What about all the wicked dead that raise in the second resurrection? Is this thousand years not unfair on them? Have we not all come from Adam? So are the Jews any more special than the rest of the nations? Lets look at what Paul says: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Paul never says that the Jews get a special thousand years. Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Paul said that there is no difference between the Jew or the Greek, three times! How many more times must he say it? And yet he was a Jew! If there is no difference than why is the Christian world making a difference today? The prophets of old look to the coming of JESUS. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Did others also look forward to Christ s coming? Luke 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. And Peter says: 1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1 Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. So the sufferings of Christ was made known to the prophets in the Old Testament. GOD did not leave the stranger out in the Old Testament. He wants all the children of Adam to come to Him. Numbers 15:14 And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do. Numbers 15:15 One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. Numbers 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you. One law, one body through out earth s history. No separate church. Christ has always been the head of the church. Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. One Saviour for all mankind from Adam till now. Jews were the first people that were called Christians. The Christian church is not new as the prophets and people of old looked forward to Christ s coming and we see Him from the cross.

7 What events happen before the thousand years? Prophecy is given to GOD s servants. Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. GOD shows His children the truth. The reason why this thousand year theory has come about is that Christians don t understand prophecy. Daniel and Revelation work hand in hand. 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Prophecy was given by GOD and we need to interpret prophecy using the Bible, not man s theories. The thousand years is in chapter 20 of Revelation. A lot of prophecy has happened before this. Let us look at what happens in the other chapters before to get an idea of what chapter 20 is about. Lets start from chapter 13. Chapter 13 - The role of the leopard beast. The role of the two horned beast. The image and mark off the beast. Chapter 14 - Triumph of the The three angles messages (this is to warn the world not to receive the mark of the beast). If the church is raptured before this who is going to warn the world? Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. The are at the end waring the world not to worship the beast and his image. Chapter 15 - Preparation for the wrath of GOD. Chapter 16 - The Seven last plagues. How can the church be raptured before the seven last plagues when the thousand years are only in chapter 20 towards the end of Revelation? Chapter 17 - The arraignment of Babylon the Great. Chapter 18 - The final call to leave Babylon. Part of the three angles message from chapter 14. The desolation of Babylon. Chapter 19 - Christ s second advent. The second coming. This is before the 1000 years and after the seven last plagues. Chapter 19 shows that before the second coming of Christ there are the seven last plagues and all the other terrible things that are going to happen on this planet. What happens when JESUS comes the second time? 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, JESUS will destroy the wicked with the brightness of His coming. Which coming is this referring to? It is the second resurrection as it is after Satan deceiving with all power and signs of lying wonders. This refers to Revelation 13. Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Revelation 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, Revelation 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should

8 be killed. Lets now look at Revelation 20. Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. The earth has been destroyed and is desolate. Satan can t deceive any nations as there are no nations left on earth after the second coming of JESUS. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The church can t be raptured until the people of GOD have warned the earth not to worship the beast and his image. This verse goes against the rapture theory before the trouble happens on the earth. Everybody, including the Jews will have a chance to choose which side they want to be on. The church of GOD has to be on earth to not receive the mark of the beast. This is the final test for the people on the earth. Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. All the dead from Adam until after the second coming will not live again until after the thousand years. After this there is a second resurrection and then Satan will deceive them again. Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, Revelation 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. This is the second death that the Bible speaks of. This shows that it is not possible that GOD is going to rapture His church away from all the trouble that is coming upon the earth. John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If JESUS went through pain, why are we any better than our Master?

9 Conclusion In the book of Revelation there is a group of people that go through the plagues and will see JESUS coming with His angels. Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. This verse also goes against the rapture theory. How can there be a people at the end if they have been raptured away! This is another reason that the people that are following GOD need to study their Bibles and to stop believing man made theories. The Bible shows that when JESUS comes back He is going to come back for all His saints. The dead in Christ, and the living saints. This shows the theory of the rapture as been man made. For what purpose? The only purpose is that Satan does not want people saved and the more he can deceive the Christian world with his theories the more will be raised in the second resurrection. The resurrection that we as Christians do not want to be in. The best will be to see JESUS come with His mighty angels.