I have a question about rapture!?

Question

Ok, my coworker is very dedicated to her church and she's talked about rapture. When I attended church I always was taught that when GOd comes every eye will see him, and the people that are on his book & saved will fly away with hima nd the ones that are not will remain on earth where it becoems hell. It has nothing where it says that people will suddenly disappear and no one will know where they went. Exactly in what chapter can i find that information? what do you think???

Answer 1

Here are the most well known Bible verses on the rapture : Dan. 12:1-4 , 1 Cor.15:51-58 , Matt. 24:31 , 2 Peter 3:10 , 1 Thess. 4:13-18 , 2 Thess. 2;11.
And here are the verses that no church will ever tell their people John 5:28-29 , Rev. 8 ;6 , Rev. 20:1-8 for these are the key verses.
First regarding the rapture theory we must acknowledge what takes place. A resurrectionof the dead. The dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain...Remember this resurrection for later.
Lets start with the verse in 1 Cor. 15:51-58 in vs. 52 it states at the last trump the dead shall be raised, this is a key factor. Now flip to Rev. 8:6-on. This is clearly in the tribulation period and look at all the trumpets sounding, if the dead are raised at the last trump then it can't happen before the tribulation starts but this still leaves mid and post available. Now the church crowd explains this away by saying that this is a different set of trumps and that the last trump for the rapture happens before all these trumps. Yea like that makes sense. Now this section in 1 Cor. does not even have anything to do with the rapture but it
actually referring to the resurrection day which is judgment day.
Now lets look at 2 peter 3:10 This is the famous thief in the night verse. You may of even seen the movie from the 70,s by the same name. A neat movie but Biblically inaccurate. The parts to look at here are what it says will happen on this great
day of the Lord. It tells us that the heavens shall pass away with great noise and the elements and earth shall melt with fervent heat. So if this is the rapture time slot then what about heaven and Earth being destroyed. How could the tribulation
period start with no Earth. This must be why they only read the first line of the verse. All denominations love that trick. This day that the lord comes as a thief in the night must be something else then. lets look now again in Rev.21:1 where it says I (John) saw a new Heaven and a new Earth for the first ones were passed away. These are referring to the same time slot and it is after the tribulation period. Look at chapter 20:11-15 and you will see judgment day then in chap. 21 comes the new Heaven and Earth. They were passed away with fervent heat and a great
noise. (nuclear war possibly). But once again these have nothing to do with the rapture but they have everything to do with judgment day.
Okay turn to John 5:28-29 now this is one that you will probably never hear in a church, it would confuse everybody. The hour is coming in the which ALL that arein graves will hear his voice. Did you notice the all ? Sure you did. This is once
again the judgment day and it shows a resurrection of all the people saved or unsaved. This throws a problem into the beliefs that people who die go instantly to heaven or hell but there are a lot of other verses also that mess up those beliefs.
Now to the most famous section to be used for the rapture. 1 Thess. 4:13-18. In vs. 14 we see that it tells us if Jesus died and rose so will those which sleep in Jesus. Remember the story in Matt. 9:18-26 when Jesus raised the little girl
from the dead ? he told the them don't worry, she is only sleeping. With the belief of instantly going to Heaven or Hell imagine dying and being in Heaven and then all of a sudden you are brought back to Earth. What a disappointment and even
more suprissingly not one single person ever rises and is carrying on about how great it was or in the example found in John 4:46-53 when the unbelieving Galilean noblemans son dies, who is more than likely from a family worshiping pagan gods,
how terrible Hell was. It sounds to me that they were just sleeping, their bodies waiting for resurrection day. Back to 1 Thess.4:16-17 tells us about the Lord coming
from heaven and the dead believers rise first and then the alive believers are caught up in the clouds but we do not know how long after. This is definitely a resurrection/rapture. This however shows that the rapture is not a silent secret thing when it happens. In vs. 16 the lord descends with a shout, we hear the archangels voice (this is probably Michael or Gabriel announcing the Lord, something like this: behold all ye dwellers of the Earth and prepare for the great and mighty Lord, king and saviour
of mankind, Yeshua). Based on the previous verses this one could happen in the middle or the end of the tribulation, but since it is a acknowledged return then at best it could be at the end, during the battle of Armageddon when all the world knows he is returning. But if we look at all the remaining verses then we will
see that this may not be at that point either. In Matt. 24 the whole chapter is full of prophecy but I will only pick out a handful. As you read through this chapter you will see all type of thing that appear to be from the tribulation and then in vs 27 it says that the coming of the Lord shall be like lightning, again nothing secret, vs 29 say immediately after the tribulation of those days into vs 30 and then shall appear the Son of man coming in clouds of heaven. Vs. 31 his angels will sound with a trumpet, again everyone hears, and he gathers his elect. At this point it appears that this could happen at the battle of Armageddon but then look at vs. 36 and it tells us that no-one knows the day or hour, cont. vs.37-39 about the in the days of Noah. These are describing the
second coming. Verses 40-44 describing a rapture. But look at vs. 35 and it states that heaven and earth shall pass away so could this be in the time slot of 2 peter 3:10 which is resurrection/ judgment day ? I myself am not quite sure but these last couple of sections all clearly show that it is after 'those days' now eliminating the possibility of a mid-trib rapture. So now we are left with only the possibilities of a rapture occurring at the battle of Armageddon, or at the very end on judgment day or possibly both.
Here is the one section that every time I discuss this topic with preachers or loyal church goers they just start stammering for excuses and do not want to hear any more, and it is in Rev. 20:1-8. Now this is the one that seals it and it alone shatters any belief in a pre, mid, or post rapture leaving only the possibility for a resurrection / judgment day rapture. it starts with vs. 1-3 showing Satan bound for the thousand years so here we are obviously after the entire tribulation period. Then in vs 4 we see those that were beheaded for not taking the mark of the beast or worshiping his image and they reign with Christ 1000 years, so again still after the tribulation but all four verses show the beginning of the millennium reign. These next two verses are the most important verses in this whole topic. In vs. 5 but the rest of the dead lived not until the 1000 years were finished, who are the rest of the dead ? A: look at vs 4, anyone that wasn't beheaded in the tribulation period. It does not mention any other believers except those that were beheaded and the bottom of vs. 5 says this is the first resurrection In vs. 6 we see again the mention of the first resurrection and that they will reign with Christ for 1000 years. So if the FIRST resurrection is after the 7 year tribulation
period and it is only for the beheaded and they get to reign with Christ for the 1000 then there is no rapture at all for the living until judgment day or at least until after the 1000 year reign so all those other verses tie in with the final resurrection and judgment day not a rapture to avoid tribulation.
So in summary we see a 7 year tribulation period. I believe at Christs physical (all the world seeing) return at the battle of Armageddon, those beheaded for not taking the mark are resurrected just prior to the world seeing Christ and these
are the saints that return to do battle with the Lord. The armies of the beast are defeated. Christ sets up his 1000 year reign. Satan is bound for the 1000 years and then Satan is let loose again. We do not know how long it takes but in rev 20:7-9 we see he works fast and we see fire from heaven (this is the fire that destroyes everything, Rev. 21:1, 2 pet. 3:10, also think of all the times Christ mentioned seperating the wheat from the chaff and the chaff and weeds were burned up) . At the very end, right before the earth burns up, I believe that the believers are
raptured then the earth and elements burn and melt then judgment day. Then in Rev. 21 is the new Heaven and new Earth and the holy city new Jerusalem descends from Heaven to the new Earth and this is where Christ will reign from for all eternity.
I hope this sheds some light on this topic.

Answer 2

First, for the many confused answerers who will write the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible: the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible uses the word "rapturo" for what our Bibles translate as "caught up" at 1 Thes. 4:17. The anglicized word for "rapturo" is "rapture." Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim the word rapture does not appear in the Bible.

Second, for the many writers who will state the Rapture is a new concept: this is completely inaccurate. Numerous writings from the early Church fathers (I'm NOT talking about the pseudo-gospels here -- these are valid letters written by early Church leaders regarding doctrine) reference the Rapture. Here's a quote from the Pre-Trib Research Center:

" ...The Shepherd of Hermas speaks of the pretribulational concept of escaping the tribulation:

You have escaped from great tribulation on account of your faith, and because you did not doubt in the presence of such a beast. Go, therefore, and tell the elect of the Lord His mighty deeds, and say to them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming. If then ye prepare yourselves, and repent with all your heart, and turn to the Lord, it will be possible for you to escape it, if your heart be pure and spotless, and ye spend the rest of the days of your life in serving the Lord blamelessly."

This is a direct quote from the Shepard of Hermas, written in the Second Century. So much for the theory the Rapture is new !!!!!!!

Primarily, people point to 1 Thes. 4:13-18, Luke 21:36 and Rev. 3:10 when they discuss the Rapture. There are many other references to it, though. For a good "beginners" review of these Scriptural references, go here: http://www.raptureready.com/rr-pretribul...
and here: http://www.pre-trib.org/pdf/hindson-ther...

For an in-depth review, go to the Pre-Trib Research Center and read its numerous articles here: http://www.pre-trib.org/article-list.php...

Peace and love in Jesus.

Answer 3

I'm glad someone else has struggled with this as well. I consider myself faily knowledgeable when it comes to scripture and I have never been able to specificly pinpoint anything other than the second coming of Christ, which is primarily in all of the scriptures that one of your other people answering this question has already pointed out. While I have listened to all the other speculation and theological reasoning for the rapture, none of it is as specific as these aforementioned scriptures that Jesus himself plainly tells of his second coming. There could very well be a rapture, but I'm not counting on it. I hope there is, but if not I am prepared to face the tribulation.

Sincerely,

Rob

Answer 4

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and 1Thessalonians chapter 5

Answer 5

1st Thessalonians 4:16-17: "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. 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."
Someone may say, "the word 'rapture" is not in the Bible. They are correct; but the teaching is, as we have just seen in the verses I quoted. Let me explain. The New Testament was originally written in Greek. When the Bible was being translated into Latin, the translators had a problem when they got to 1st Thessalonians 4:17. The greek words "caught up" would not translate word-for-word into latin. So the translators used a latin equivalent "rapaturio" which means "to be caught up or snatched away." We get the english word "rapture" from this latin word.
What is described in 1st Thess. 4:16-17 is not to be mistaken with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to earth. That takes place 7 years after the rapture of the saved. "7Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen" (Revelation 1:7).
The tribulation that follows the rapture is going to be suffering unmatched at any other time in history. You can be ready for the rapture, and be a part of it by giving your heart to Christ today.

HOW TO BE SAVED
We can never be saved because of what we do; we can only be saved because of what Jesus Christ has already done for us. Let me explain.

Our greatest problem can be put in one word: sin. Sin cuts us off from God, and sin also keeps us out of heaven. But how can we get rid of our sins? We can't erase them or cause them to disappear by ourselves; we don't have the power. The only way we can get rid of our sins is for someone to come along and take them away for us.

And that is exactly what Jesus Christ did for us. We are weighed down by the burden of our sins—but Jesus took that burden upon Himself when He died on the cross for us. To put it another way, He took the punishment we deserve when He went to the cross in our place. The Bible says, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

What must you do? Simply believe that Christ has taken away your sins, and then receive Him into your heart and life. The Bible's promise is for you: "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). Become God's child today by asking Christ to come into your life

Answer 6

The rapture is not found in the Bible.

“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 7

The Rapture isn't in the Bible and was not part of the Christian tradition until 1830.