The Last Days: Will the Church Really Be 'Raptured'?

Introduction

In 1830 there was a prophecy by Margaret MacDonald in Port Glasgow, Scotland, proclaiming that the Church need not fear the Great Tribulation because it would be 'raptured' prior to it. This prophecy became a world-renowned theory promoted by Edward Irving and followed by J N Darby of the Plymouth Brethren. The teaching is that in effect there are two-second comings, the secret Rapture of the Church followed by Jesus’ return seven years later. C I Scofield propagated this doctrine by adding notes on the subject to his Reference Bible.

The Rapture Doctrine was not taught in the Church until the 19th century. In my opinion there will not be a physical Rapture.

The purpose of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians was to reaffirm what he had told them on his visit regarding the ‘End Times’…2 Thessalonians 2:5.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 and the 'Word of the Lord'

This particular portion of Scripture is Dispensationalism's ‘candy stick’, and is used to support Margaret MacDonald’s prophecy. However this teaching necessitates a two-stage return of Christ that cannot be substantiated by any other Scripture.

• 1Th 4:15-16 KJV 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:

If Paul received additional revelation from the Lord regarding His Return, surely it would not contradict what the Lord told the disciples in Matthew 24. Paul did not reveal a new two- stage return, on the contrary he alluded to Matthew 24:31.

• Mat 24:31 KJV And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Jesus never taught a two stage return or a rapture as described by Dispensationalism. However, He did teach the gathering together of His elect.

Paul said he was speaking ‘…by the word of the Lord...’ which is similar to the phrase used by the Old Testament prophets ‘thus saith the Lord’, meaning by direct revelation.

What exactly was 'the word of the Lord'?

False teachers had caused doubt in the hearts of believers by proclaiming that those who had recently died would miss out on the glorious return of the Lord. The Lord reassured the Thessalonians '...the dead in Christ shall rise first...'

A Quote from Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

1 Thessalonians 4:13 'The leading topic of Paul’s preaching at Thessalonica having been the coming kingdom (Act_17:7), some perverted it into a cause for fear in respect to friends lately deceased, as if these would be excluded from the glory which those found alive alone should share. This error Paul here corrects (compare 1Th_5:10).......'

1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 'Christ's Imminent Return'

• 1Th 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.

The Thessalonians must have understood from Paul’s letter that their generation would be alive at Christ’s return, especially by '...we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord...'

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 and the 'Day of the Lord'

Can we learn from Scripture what the Church in Thessalonica actually believed regarding the events surrounding the return of the Lord? It may come as a surprise to some, but yes we can.

• 1Th 5:2-6 KJV For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

A careful study of these verses will show that Paul had only one day and one single event in mind, 'The Day of the Lord' which ‘…cometh as a thief in the night...’

Dispensationalism teaches that the Church will be physically raptured at the beginning of seven years Great Tribulation leading to the Day of the Lord. Why then did Paul encourage the saints to be diligent and not to sleep regarding the Day of the Lord, if they were not going to be around when it happened?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 and the 'Day of the Lord'

• 2Th 2:1 ISV Now we ask you, brothers, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,

Once again Paul alluded to Matthew 24:31.

• 2Th 2:2 ISV not to be so quickly upset or alarmed when someone claims that we said either by some spirit, conversation, or letter that the Day of the Lord has already come.

False teachers had convinced some that the Day of the Lord had already occurred, but how could they have been persuaded that the Day of the Lord had already come? Especially if Paul had taught them the popular 21st century 'End Times' concept:

The physical rapture

The physical resurrection with open graves

Jesus physically descending on a cloud with the sound of the trumpet.

Every eye beholding the physical and visible return of Jesus

Destruction on a cosmic level

How could anyone have convinced them that these events had already happened? All they had to do was look around, everything continued as before.

If a physical Rapture had taken place, would they not have noticed the disappearance of at least some believers? Not to mention the event was supposed to have happened seven years earlier.

Paul did not correct their understanding as to the spiritual manner of the Second Coming of Christ. Rather, he built on their knowledge and only corrected the timing issue…1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.

Therefore their concept of ‘…The Day of the Lord…’ and the spiritual manner of the coming of the Lord must have been the correct one.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52 and 'We Shall Be Changed'

• 1Co 15:50-52 KJV Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 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.

During Paul’s exposition on the Resurrection, he told the Corinthian Church ‘…but we shall all be changed…’ he did not say we shall all be physically raptured, nor did he mention a two-stage return.

2 Corinthians 12:1-4 and Paul's 'Harpazo' Rapture

• 2Co 12:1-4 KJV It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

This was not a physical but a spiritual ascent; God took Paul into the realm of the 'Third Heaven'.

Paul used the same Greek word ‘Harpazo’ translated ‘caught up’ as he did in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. In my opinion Paul’s physical body did not leave the ground.

Paul's spiritual 'Harpazo' supports the premise that the Saints who were alive and remained at Christ’s Parousia were spiritually changed…1 Corinthians 15:52.

Matthew 24:30-31 and the 'Imminent Return of Christ'

• Mat 24:30-31 KJV And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

• Mat 8:11-12 KJV And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The gathering together was to take place at the same time as the children of the kingdom (the Jews) were to be cast out. This took place at the destruction of the Temple, Jerusalem, and the dispersion of the Jews in AD 70.

• Mat 3:9 KJV And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

The Jews thought they had a natural right to the privileges of the Kingdom because of their descent from Abraham, but mere natural birth did not bring spiritual sonship.

Matthew 24:16 and ‘Fee into the Mountains’

• Mat 24:16 KJV Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Again Jesus did not teach a physical Rapture or a two-stage return. On the contrary, He told the disciples to ‘…flee into the mountains...’ on the Day of the Lord.

Believers in Jerusalem subsequently fled to the mountains of Pella prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Pella was the site of one of Christianity's earliest Churches. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, it was a refuge for Christians from Jerusalem in the 1st century AD when fleeing from the Great Jewish Revolt.

• Rev 11:15 KJV And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

• 1Co 15:52 KJV 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.

The Scriptures we have considered so far and in particular 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Matthew 24:31 and Revelation 11:15 have a common denominator, ‘the Trump of God’.

If there is to be a two-stage return with a seven-year gap in between, how can there be two last trumps? There can only be one ‘last trump’.

The simple fact is that if we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture we will find that Christ’s Return was a single and glorious one.

Only one trumpet is mentioned in these Scriptures, and Matthew 24 placed the sounding of that trumpet at the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, before that generation passed away…Matthew 24:31-34.

• Rev 3:10 YLT `Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial that is about to come upon all the world, to try those dwelling upon the earth.

Dispensationalism teaches that Revelation 3:10 confirms the theory that the Church was promised a physical removal from the world prior to the Great Tribulation, when the Saints ‘…which are alive…’ will be taken up from the Earth to Heaven.

This interpretation of Revelation 3:10 is unsustainable for a number of reasons:

The letter was addressed to a specific Church in Philadelphia in Asia Minor during the 1st century.

The time indicators within the passage render impossible the idea that the promise was to Saints 2000 years in the future. The passage says ‘…that is about to come…’ the verb ‘mello’ was used and it expressed imminence. When Jesus said that ‘…the hour of the trial that is about to come…’ He meant it would happen soon.

It is interesting to note, ‘… all the world...’ is the Greek ‘oikoumene’ meaning the Roman Empire and ‘…upon the earth...’ is the Greek word ‘ge’ meaning region or land.

• Rev 1:20 KJV The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

C I Scofield, Clarence Larkin and other authors of Dispensationalism, held the view that the seven Churches in Revelation 2-3 represent seven consecutive chronological periods in Church history.

If that is a true interpretation then why is the so-called ‘Rapture’ passage in the 6th Philadelphia period and not the 7th and last period?

• Rev 4:1-2 KJV After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

John was told to ‘…Come up hither…’ he did not bodily go to Heaven but was in the Spirit.

Although Dispensationalism teaches that this Scripture supports the Rapture Theory, one of their leading proponents John F Walfoord was not so convinced.

A Quote from John F Walfoord (1910-2002)

‘The invitation to John to ‘come up hither’ is so similar to that which the Church anticipates at the Rapture that many have connected the two expressions. It is clear from the context that this is not an explicit reference to the rapture of the Church, as John was not actually translated; in fact he was still in his natural body on the island of Patmos. He was translated into scenes of heaven only temporarily.’

Dispensationalism holds the view that Enoch and Elijah were examples of those who have already been raptured to heaven, but the Scriptures do not categorically teach that!

• Joh 3:13 YLT and no one hath gone up to the heaven, except he who out of the heaven came down--the Son of Man who is in the heaven.

• Gen 5:24 YLT And Enoch walketh habitually with God, and he is not, for God hath taken him.

• Heb 11:5 YLT By faith Enoch was translated--not to see death, and was not found, because God did translate him; for before his translation he had been testified to--that he had pleased God well.

• Heb 11:13 YLT In faith died all these, not having received the promises, but from afar having seen them, and having been persuaded, and having saluted them , and having confessed that strangers and sojourners they are upon the earth.

The Scriptures do not actually say that Enoch was ‘translated’ alive to Heaven. According to Hebrews 11:13 Enoch was included with those who '...In faith died all these...'

According to the Scriptures Enoch died…Hebrews 11:13.

• 2Ki 2:1 YLT And it cometh to pass, at Jehovah's taking up Elijah in a whirlwind to the heavens, that Elijah goeth, and Elisha, from Gilgal,

King Jehoram forsook the God of his fathers and did wickedly; consequently he received writing from Elijah the prophet...2 Chronicles 21:12. Elijah wrote to Jehoram telling him how the Judgement of God would come upon him because of his actions. However, Jehoram did not begin his reign until sometime after Elijah was caught up in the whirlwind! Surely Elijah did not write his letter from heaven?

In my opinion, Elijah was not caught up into ‘Third Heaven’ but simply caught away. This was similar to Philip’s experience '...the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip...' who was found later at Azotus:'…Acts 8:39-40.

• Eph 1:10 KJV That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

A Quote from Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Ephesians 1:10 'The Father exhibited and gave Christ, who is the head of all the elect to the world, at that time which was convenient according as he most wisely disposed all times from everlasting. And Christ is he in whom all the elect from the beginning of the world (otherwise wandering and separated from God) are gathered together. And some of these elect were in heaven, when he came into the earth, that is, those who by faith in him to come, were gathered together. And others being found upon the earth were gathered together by him, and the rest are daily gathered together. The faithful are said to be gathered together in Christ, because they are joined together with him through faith, and become as it were one man.'

‘…and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other...’…Matthew 24:31. When Jesus returned He gathered the elect of all the Ages past and the 1st century Remnant into His Kingdom. The final barrier between God and man was removed as He took away the last vestiges of ‘The Law’ that held the ‘power of sin’. The ‘gathering together’ was in the heavenly places in Christ, the spiritual Kingdom of God.

It is impossible to escape the conclusion that either the Trumpet of the Lord sounded during the 1st century generation or Jesus failed and man still has no escape from sin and separation from God.

The good news is the trumpet sounded and those in Hades were taken and ushered before the presence of God and those who were alive and remained were spiritually translated into the Kingdom of God.

• Joh 5:24 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

What do you Think?

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