I keep hearing the term "the rapture" . What scripture speaks of this, book & verse please. Thanks.

Question

Please provide written scripture to back up your answer. Thank you.

Answer 1

None that comply with what most Christians teach.

“Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, ‘Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares?’ He said unto them, ‘An enemy hath done this.’ The servants said unto him, ‘Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.’’” (Matthew 13:24 – 29 KJV)

Now that is an interesting story, and it can be a little confusing; fortunately, because the disciples found this story a little confusing they also and asked Jesus to explain if further. Because our God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), Jesus explained what this parable meant.

“Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, ‘Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.’ He answered and said unto them, ‘He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.’” (Matthew 13:36 – 42 KJV)

A closer study of this parable would seem to completely disprove the theory of a secret rapture of the church. Let’s take a look at what Jesus had to say about the time of the end through this parable. There are two groups on the earth represented by the wheat (the good or the church) and the tares (the evil). The workers of the field (probably representing angels) are troubled by the tares that the evil one (the devil) has planted. They ask the farmer (Jesus) if they should gather the weeds now and purify the field (the world). The farmer (Jesus) said that it should not happen that way because some of the wheat may come up with the tares. He then declares, “Let both grow together until the harvest (the end of the world): and in the time of harvest (the end of the world) I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” I find it hard to be a proponent of a secret rapture for the church when Jesus said that both the good and the evil will grow together until the harvest (the end of the world). How can the church be raptured, leaving the evil on the earth, when Jesus said they will be together until the very end?

There is another issue raised by this parable. Many well intentioned Christians use the story in Matthew 24:40 & 41 and Luke 17:34 – 36 as key proof of a secret rapture for the church, but if we examine this story about the end times with the earlier story Jesus told about the end times in Matthew 13, we get a completely different picture from what most Christians interpret this story to mean. Let’s look at what Jesus said in these verses.

“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matthew 24:40 – 42 KJV)

“I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” (Luke 17:34 – 36 KJV)

Now I do not think that I am wrong in thinking that most Christians interpret these stories to mean that the man taken from the field, the woman that is taken while grinding, and the man taken in his sleep are the ones that belong to the group that is the church and are ruptured. This does not seem to be a plausible explanation however. Jesus gives an order for things to happen back in Matthew 13. “Gather ye together first the tares (the evil), and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat (the good or the church) into my barn.” Jesus clearly says that the evil will be gathered first. If we take this understanding and apply it to Matthew 24 and Luke 17, we get a very different understanding. The ones that are taken are not in the group we want to be in. The ones who are taken are the tares (the evil) that are being gathered to be burned, but the ones that are left are the wheat (the good) that are saved.

There is another metaphor that many well intentioned Christians use to support a secret rapture for the church; I feel that this too is an invalid interpretation of a story.

“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. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:43 & 44 KJV)

“And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” (Luke 12:39 & 40 KJV)

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV)

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10 KJV)

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15 KJV)

Here again, most Christians would attempt to say that this metaphor of a thief in the night is depicting a secret rapture for the church. I believe that most Christians have misinterpreted this too. First, Jesus explains what this metaphor means. He says that the meaning is not that the second coming is a secret but we do not know when it will occur. If we knew what day the Lord was to come, we would get ready the day before it, but since we do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36), we must be ever ready! Just examine what Peter had to say of this metaphor in 2 Peter 3:10; he says that when the Lord comes as a thief,” the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therine shall be burned up.” Now I am not sure how all that could be kept a secret from anyone or how people would be able to live on the earth when it has passed away, burned up, and all the elements in it have melted.

Answer 2

the first one try to be slightly more desirable particular. the 2d one is: Mt 24:23 "Then if everybody tells you, 'seem, right it really is the Messiah,' or 'There he's,' do not pay any interest. 24 For pretend messiahs and pretend prophets will upward thrust up and carry out tremendous stunning warning signs and wonders as a thanks to misinform, if plausible, even God's chosen ones. 25 See, I easily have warned you. 26 "So if someone tells you, 'seem, the Messiah is out in the desolate tract,' do not problem to bypass and seem. Or, 'seem, he's hiding right here,' do not believe it! 27 For because the lightning lights up the entire sky, so it is going to likely be at the same time as the Son of guy comes. 28 basically because the accumulating of vultures exhibits there's a carcass interior sight, so those warning signs factor out that the right is close to. 29 "at the moment after those terrible days end, the sunlight will be darkened, the moon gained't supply mild, the celebrities will fall from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. 30 and then at very last, the signal of the arriving of the Son of guy will seem in the heavens, and there'll be deep mourning between each and each of the international locations of the earth. and they'll see the Son of guy arrive on the clouds of heaven with skill and tremendous glory. 31 And he will deliver forth his angels with the sound of a amazing trumpet blast, and they'll assemble at the same time his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Be Blessed:-)

Answer 3

The rapture is not really a word in the bible but it is in reference to the return of the Lord. Being caught up with him when he returns.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, it talks about the rapture and the rapture of the church.

Hope that was helpful...

Answer 4

There are no Scriptures in the Bible that use the term "Rapture". This is one of the many words that Religion adds to the Bible. Anyway, I believe they are referring to Jesus' return (although they gave it their own term). Bible does clearly say, though, in Rev . 14:14-16 does say that Jesus will return (seated on a cloud) and take up His Harvest...His Faithful ones. Just before another Angel comes and pours God's wrath out on those left behind. I do believe what the Bible says, but I don't give it creative names. I repeat as is in God's Word. Pure and True.

Answer 5

There are several verses that speak about the second coming of Jesus. There are verses that speak of our own resurrection. One verse mentions that we will be caught up in the clouds at end times (1 Thess 4:17). That's it.

Historically Christians have always believed that if we survive until the second coming of Christ we will not taste death. We will be glorified directly. In 1840 a person named John Darby invented the idea of a secret rapture. This is the modern concept that you might of heard. It is a part of a Christian philosophy called "dispensationalism".

As far myself, I believe as the early Christians that there is no secret rapture, only a joining with Christ at his second coming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture

Answer 6

There are many Christians who believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will be in two phases. First He will come for believers, both living and dead, in the "rapture"; read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. In this view, the rapture—which is the transformation and catching up of all Christians, dead or alive, to meet Christ in the air—will be secret, for it will be unknown to the world of unbelievers at the time of its happening. The effect of this removal, in the absence of multitudes of people, will, of course, be evident on earth. Then, second, after a period of seven years of tribulation on earth, Christ will return to the earth together with His church, the saints who were raptured (Matthew 24:30, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:13, Revelation 1:7). He will be victorious over His enemies and will reign on the earth for a thousand years (the millennium) together with His saints, the church. After the thousand years, living unbelievers and the wicked dead now raised to life will be judged at the great white throne judgment. They will then be cast into the lake of fire, while the saved will live forever with Christ in a new heaven and earth (Revelation, chapters 19-22).
The rapture is close at hand. Christ died for your sins upon the cross. He rose fromn the grave on your behalf. He loves you. He wants to save you and forgive you of all your sins. Open your heart to Christ as Lord & Savior tonight. You will be ready for the rapture!

Answer 7

Matthew 24:37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38For 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,

39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

God pulled righteous Noah and his family to safety.
God pulled righteous Lot and his family to safety.
God will also pull righteous Christians to safety before He pours His wrath on the unrighteous.

Answer 8

Technically speaking; in English (KJV) the word rapture does not occur. However, it represents the second coming of Christ.
I believe I saw someone else had a long description of it though;

Answer 9

Supposedly Revelation 3:10 is the justification. It's a stretch.

Answer 10

Though the word rapture is not used in the Bible that teaching is there and darkangel1111 has presented it nicely....Jim