What is rapture?

Answer 1

A fake even made up by some Christians.

“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 Rapture is an event in certain systems of Christian eschatology (the study of the end times) in which it is believed that all Christians will be taken from Earth by Jesus Christ into Heaven. Although almost all forms of Christianity believe that those who are "saved" will enter Heaven, the term "rapture" is usually applied specifically to the belief that Christians will be "taken" into heaven. However, the "when" is greatly discussed and debated between denominations. One belief ("dispensationalist" or "futurist" interpretations) is that a "secret rapture" will take place seven years prior to the Second Coming of Christ, and that there will be a period of time where non-Christians will be left on earth before Christ arrives to set up his earthly kingdom. Others believe that the rapture will be a very audible and visible event which takes place right at the Second Coming of Christ in which the righteous will be taken up in the clouds to meet Christ.

Answer 3

For other meanings, see Rapture (disambiguation).

The Rapture is an event in certain systems of Christian eschatology (the study of the end times) in which it is believed that all Christians will be taken from Earth by Jesus Christ into Heaven. Although almost all forms of Christianity believe that those who are "saved" will enter Heaven, the term "rapture" is usually applied specifically to the belief that Christians will be "taken" into heaven. However, the "when" is greatly discussed and debated between denominations. One belief ("dispensationalist" or "futurist" interpretations) is that a "secret rapture" will take place seven years prior to the Second Coming of Christ, and that there will be a period of time where non-Christians will be left on earth before Christ arrives to set up his earthly kingdom. Others believe that the rapture will be a very audible and visible event which takes place right at the Second Coming of Christ in which the righteous will be taken up in the clouds to meet Christ.


OR


Nitrogen narcosis
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Nitrogen narcosis or inert gas narcosis is a reversible alteration in consciousness producing a state similar to alcohol intoxication in SCUBA divers at depth. It occurs at any depth, but in most cases doesn't become noticeable until deeper depths. Jacques Cousteau famously described it as the "rapture of the deep". Its precise mechanism is not well understood, but it appears to be a direct effect of high nitrogen pressure on nerve transmission. While it was first observed with nitrogen (in air), other gases including argon and hydrogen also cause very similar effects under high enough pressure. Xenon is actually a usable anaesthetic at atmospheric pressure, though it is too expensive to be used in practice.

Due to its perception altering effects the onset is hard to recognize, its severity is unpredictable, and it can kill, from its own toxic effect or due to the resulting illogical behaviour. However the cure for nitrogen narcosis is a simple one, as effects disappear upon ascending to shallower waters.

OR

a rock band

Answer 4

actually you will never read the word "RAPTURE" in the bible but rather its defined like this

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (New Living Translation)

15I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves.

..... THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION

16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.
17Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever.

.... THEN AFTER THIS IS THE 1000YRS OF PEACE IN THE REIGN OF JESUS

Revelation 20:4 (New Living Translation)

4Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus, for proclaiming the word of God. And I saw the souls of those who had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They came to life again, and THEY REIGNED WITH CHRIST FOR A THOUSAND OF YEARS.

Revelation 20:6 (New Living Translation)

6Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

.. THEN AFTER 1000YRS SATAN WILL BE RELEASED..

Revelation 20:7 (New Living Translation)

7When the thousand years end, Satan will be let out of his prison.

.. AND THEN THE FINAL JUDGEMENT FOR THE NON BELIEVERS, THEY WILL BE JUDGE ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IF THEY WILL GO TO HEAVEN OR EARTH..

Revelation 20:12 (New Living Translation)

12I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in the books, ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

.. HOPE EVERYTHING IS CLEAR BROTHER :)

Answer 5

I think you're looking for definition numer 3...


rapture
nnoun
1a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.
2(raptures) the expression of intense pleasure or enthusiasm.
3(the Rapture) North American (according to some millenarian teaching) the transporting of believers to heaven at the second coming of Christ.

PHRASES
rapture of the deep informal nitrogen narcosis.

ORIGIN
C16 (in the sense 'seizing and carrying off'): from obsolete French, or from medieval Latin raptura 'seizing', partly influenced by rapt.

Answer 6

rapture is a story made up by a 15 year old scottish girl in order to impres sthelocal minister who she happened to have a crush on. Unfortunately, all the pseudo_Christians grabbed it up as the truth and are now pushing it down our throats,

Answer 7

It's a new idea that Christian will be sucked up into heaven before their tribulation occurs. It's kind of what the "Left Behind" guys are getting at. This is not traditional Christian theology. Up until recently, the Christians thought they'd have to have to go through the 7-year tribulation as well.

Answer 8

There is an experience in monasticism that deals with a soul that(usually through reclusive meditation) encounters God so intensely that the soul and sometimes even the body is held in ecstasy or immense awe and pleasure. It is like the soul is for one moment shown heaven.

Answer 9

1 Thessalonians:

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

When Jesus calls believers both dead and alive up to Him (in Heaven) before a 7 year period of Tribulation on earth.

Answer 10

The state of being transported by a lofty emotion; ecstasy.
An expression of ecstatic feeling. Often used in the plural.
The transporting of a person from one place to another, especially to heaven.

[Obsolete French, abduction, carrying off, from rapt, carried away, from Old French rat, from Latin raptus.