The Rapture: Fact or Fiction?

Question

Studies support the theory that the Pretrib Rapture Doctrine "appeared" sometime after 1830. Studies suggest that the theory of the "Secret Second Coming of Christ" was the brainchild of Margaret MacDonald, Prophetess, who had visions of the event, while lying ill in 1830. It is evidenced that the rapture does not actually exist in the text of the Bible. That the word "Rapture" never even appears. Also, the Greek word from which it is allegedly derived, is not mentioned in any scripture. Jesus' second coming is referred to in Matt., Rev. & Thess. as being visible & audible. The most devastating event in the history of the Earth, with lightning flashes, earthquakes, bodies being raised in the flesh (both dead & living), burning fires, airplanes & autos crashing (as the operators are "snatched up" to return "home"). It is depicted as complete & utter chaos. Not at all "secretive." I'm wondering who of u believes in this Rapture & why? What religion r u? What makes you believe this?

Answer 1

I also heard that the whole rapture idea was pushed by the church when Martin Luther took a stand and said that the just shall live by faith. I think that the rapture theory has come close to ruining the church. People are waiting to be yanked out of here instead of dealing with the problems and situations that are present today. I believe that if people would realize that this is our home they may care a little more about what is going on with it.

Answer 2

This is just another false teaching of Christendom. Only a "little flock" of anointed Christians are awarded heavenly life. Those that are taken to heaven will have earned getting there, for "faith without works is dead" The small number of those chosen to go to heaven must remain faithful until death. After death, some will be instantly taken to heaven as spirit bodies, for 1 Corinthians 15:44,50, & 52 tells us: "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." 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."

Notice that the dead shall be changed--so no one will be driving or doing anything--they will just be given an instant resurrection from death to life in heaven and then those in heaven will rule with Jesus as Kings and priests in his Fathers government.

Answer 3

Those who say that the "rapture" is not mentioned in the Bible are in error. I Thessalonians 4:17 says that we will be "caught up." The Greek word is "harpazo." The Latin word that was translated from the Greek is "rapere" (or variants such as rapiemur), which means to seize violently. Further, the rapture is clearly described in several other passages, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, II Corinthians 12:2-4, and John 14:1-3 for starters.

Jesus comes back for His church, His "bride" in I Thessalonians 4:17. He meets them "in the air." He later returns to the earth, setting foot on the Mount of Olives, where an earthquake will occur. "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south." (Zechariah 14:4)

He will then begin to rule and reign over the earth, along with the saints that followed Him from heaven. "Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied about these people when he said, "Look! The Lord has come with countless thousands of his holy ones. He will execute judgment on all people and convict everyone of all the ungodly things that they have done in such an ungodly way, including all the harsh things that these ungodly sinners have said about him." (Jude 1:14-15)

Now, back to the etymology of the word "rapture." Allow me to quote I Thessalonians 4:17 from the Latin Vulgate so that you can see it:

"deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul "rapiemur" c u m illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper c u m Domino erimus"

And in the Greek:

"ἔπειτα ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες οἱ περιλειπόμενοι ἅμα σὺν αὐτοῖς "ἁρπαγησόμεθα" ἐν νεφέλαις εἰς ἀπάντησιν τοῦ κυρίου εἰς ἀέρα· καὶ οὕτως πάντοτε σὺν κυρίῳ ἐσόμεθα."

So, regardless of who the asker assumes the discoverer was, or how the concept was discovered in recent history, the fact remains that the word (and the concept of a) rapture is Scriptural. Rapture first, Second Coming later.

Answer 4

The Bible says in John 14:2,3 "In my Father's house are many homes. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.

3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also
Even tho the word Rapture does not appear, it was told by Jesus Himself and that is good enough for me.

Answer 5

Fact. The Bible speaks of a midnight cry that will announce one last chance to be saved before Christ returns.

Answer 6

i was just talking about this the other day people will be driving along then all of a sudden nobody behind the wheel car crashes all over, airplanes crashing etc...

Answer 7

Huh...Fairy Tales...
Wiccan, Pagan & native Spirituality!

Answer 8

The rapture can only be fiction because it hasn't happened yet... when it happens then it will be a fact...

Answer 9

I don't believe in the rapture. I believe in global warming.

Answer 10

I don't believe it. I'm a Reformed Druid.