Volume 45 Number 6 February 2003
This month I would like to discuss a topic which holds an innate
fascination for man. And yet it is a topic shrouded by much
misunderstanding, misinformation and misteaching today, even in religious
circles. But despite that, it remains a biblical topic, one on which our
hope lies and therefore one worthy of our exploration. And that is the
topic of the "RAPTURE".
While the word "rapture" is found in many sermons, books and
bookshelves, it is not found in most translations of the Bible. Yet it is
in a very real sense a biblical concept. The concept is clearly presented
in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. There the apostle Paul, discussing the second
coming of Christ, tells the brethren: "Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up with them in the clouds...". In this phrase we find
the Greek word harpazo, which in the King James, NIV, Amplified, Revised,
and American Standard Versions is translated "caught up". And this is a
good translation. But the word harpazo could have also been translated
"raptured", but wasn't because the words "caught up" carry easier meaning
and understanding for us.
The word "harpazo" is also found in Acts 8:39 where during Philip's
ministry it states that "the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip"
following his encounter with the eunuch. We find it also in 2 Corinthians
12:2 where Paul describes "one caught up to the third heaven". A final
look at this word takes us to Jude 23 where it is translated "pulling
them out". The word carries the thought of an authoritative, forceful,
pull away from some danger. When all the confusion and misinformation is
cleared away, "rapture" simply means to be caught up. When viewed in
context of the end of time, it is that time in which Jesus will come for
His own and take them to be with Him, safely away from Satan's wiles
forever.
So when asked if I believe in the rapture, the correct answer is "yes",
because the Bible teaches that there will be a rapture. But when
answering that question I find myself in a cautionary mood, because, to
many, rapture has come to mean something more, something not supported by
the Bible. Some view the rapture as the time when Christ will return and
take his children (the Church) with Him leaving the rest behind to live
on earth until He returns another time and executes His judgment. This
double return of Christ is not a biblical view in that it proposes
several false ideas.
(As an aside, there is a popular series of books that recently came out
entitled, "Left Behind". These fictional books look at the lives of
people who are left behind when Jesus comes back the first time. People
left behind are apparently not part of the church; therefore they must
await Christ's third return. While these books may carry a good message
of how important it is to be ready when Christ returns, they are false in
their premise that Christ will be returning twice and can leave the
impression that those who aren't ready at His first return get a second
chance to get ready. "Second Chance-ism" is unbiblical and dangerous in
giving the false illusion people can be saved even if they weren't ready
at His first return. Certainly God has given us all many chances. His
patience is unfathomable. But all those chances end when we either die or
He returns.)
But these false interpretations of the Rapture do not negate the fact
that the biblical Rapture will be the wonderful moment when Christ comes
to claim His own; His bride! That glorious time when all of God's
children will be united together with Him for eternity. It is our great
comfort, our great hope. That which allows Christians to never have to
say a final good-bye. That which allows the Christian, unlike the world
which must bury their hopes with their bones, to look beyond death and
see Hope. No wonder Paul could write in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 that we should
"sorrow not" as those who have no hope. For death is not the end, Christ
is victorious over death. Rendering it but a temporary repose from which
we will rise again when He comes. "O death, where is thy sting? Oh grave,
where is thy victory?" They went the way of the RAPTURE.
Space does not allow for
a thorough refutation of all the false teachings regarding the Rapture,
Tribulation, Millennial Reign, but I urge you to undertake such a study
on your own.
Christ's earthly ministry was completed when He ascended back to heaven in Acts 1
.
Note in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 it says we will "meet the Lord in the air", not "He will meet us on the earth". We will leave this earth to be with Him, not He
return to this earth to be with us.
And at that time all will be judged (John 5: 28,29).
And the earth will be destroyed with a fervent heat (2 Peter 3: 10).
There will be a Judgment Day, but not Judgment Days.