The Bible says that the rapture happens at the end of the world.
“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.
2006-12-15 16:57:08
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answer #1
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answered by dee 4
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Your question isn't very clear, so I am guessing what you mean. If one believes in the "literal" meaning, everybody has television or access to one don't they? The other speculation is that it is huge spacecraft arriving on planet earth. The dimensions of Heaven are huge. Could it be a flying city?
1st Corinthians 15:52-58, Revelation 21.
I have read another option and that is the Old Testament saints were already raptured from the grave at the same Time as Christ's Crucifixion (Matthew 27:46--56) and people saw them walking around and knew that these people had died. John 11:37-39 was an example with Lazarus as to what was to happen at the Crucifixion. Jesus had the stone removed and called Lazarus by name.
In modern times, hospitals have reported people being clinically dead for minutes to hours and they recovered after being pronounced dead. Something to ponder.
See website: Neurotheology
2006-12-12 18:35:43
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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I also am a Christian and I am not a dispensationalist and am against the teachings of Cyrus Scofield. The reason for Rev.1:7 along with many other verses is to show that the Lord returns at the end, and in 2nd Peter it is clear that the earth and the works there in will be burned up. Praise the Lord for those who see the truth and realize that the millenium and the rapture are cunningly devised fables and when the Lord returns, that is the end of time. Amen
2006-12-12 18:25:25
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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I think that the way you worded your question is what we should focus on.
"The main point of the Rapture doctrine is that the elect will be secretly taken away from this world with Jesus Christ."
No, it's not that He will come until the Second Coming, but God being the All Knowing One will take His Church away. He does not need to come to Earth to do that.
The Spirit of God will do the taking. (We are the ones that have the Spirit of God in us, yes?)
The type of this and the beating and crucifixion is stated in the Old Testament. Moses struck the rock twice, and then water flowed. The rock was the type of the body of Christ. Moses was judged by God by striking the rock twice. As the body of Christ was to suffer the wrath of God only once, to take the judgement that was to be imputed upon man, and not twice. The Great Tribulation is the wrath of God poured out on the Earth. The church, which is the body of Christ does not have to go through that.
I hope that explained it to you clearly.
2006-12-12 18:12:58
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answer #4
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answered by Christian Sinner 7
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Hello my pal I agree that we will have to no longer set dates for the Rapture. I agree that God the Father is aware of and no longer the Son. It is right that we have no idea the day or the hour of the Rapture, but we're commanded to understand the season of Jesus go back for us on the Rapture, and be able and looking. We do that through looking Israel. Israel is God's time peace. The prophet Daniel was once given an specific day rely through the angel. the specific day rely for Israel started May nineteenth 2010 for the 2300 days. We recognise this considering that the angel mentioned sixty two shavuot's( years) are for Israel from the going forth of them fitting a country. The going forth was once Nov 1947. The angel additionally mentioned after sixty two shavuot's there will probably be 2300 days. Israel is now at sixty three years/Shavuot's. We recognise as watchers, that the season is now, the day and hour may be very quickly. We additionally recognise that the angel mentioned that if the ones days (tribulation) weren't reduce quick , no Flesh might live on. Those days are being shortened NOW. We the believer have got to be taken out of the way in which, earlier than the Lawless One can also be found out. Watch the Moon and the Heavenly sky's In Gen one million:14 Then God mentioned " permit there be lighting within the expanse of the heavens to split the day from the night time, and permit THEM BE FOR SIGNS AND FOR SEASONS and FOR DAYS and FOR YEARS. The the first thing they had been mentioned to be for as opposed to days and nights is SIGNS after which SEASONS. My pal ; the Rapture can arise actually at any moment from right here on out ! The Bible tells us to PRAY that we be observed helpful to face earlier than the son of Man ( Jesus) Repent , confess and be able. Peace to you a pal in Christ Jesus
2016-09-03 13:48:13
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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The Third Coming you refer to in your details is actually the Second Coming. The Rapture of the Church is just that. Not the Second Coming of Christ. If you recall the first coming was to the Nation of Israel and to reconcile mankind to God. The Second Coming is to Earth is also to the nation of Israel and to set up the millennial Reign. The Lord will enter Jerusalem. That's why the people will see Him whom they have pieced. The Rapture will happen in the air, not the earth. It will only happen to the Christian. This is tricky for the
new comber which is one of the reasons we need to study the Bible.
I Cr 13;8a
12-12-6
2006-12-12 18:13:14
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answer #6
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answered by ? 7
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That passage desribes the second comeing of Christ to rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years, after which the Great White Throne judgement will happen. This is totally different from the "Come up hither" of Revelation.
2006-12-12 18:10:25
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answer #7
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answered by Gary M 4
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Yes, you are correct. Jesus will come in the clouds and every eye shall see Him. The righteous will be taken to heaven where He has prepared mansions for us as He promised in John 14:1-3.
No it will not be secret, it will be very plain and frightening to those who are not ready. He is not ashame neither embarrased for coming to pick up His people. Then there will be a period of one thousand years in heaven. After that there will be the second resurrection for the wicked. That's why in the book of Revelation it says, Blessed are those who take part in the first resurrection, because they will not be affected by the second death. The first resurrection will be for the saved, but the second resurrection will be for those who died at His second coming.
They wicked will be resurrected at the end of the one thousand years, during which time this earth will be deserted and Satan with his angels will be isolated here on earth, contemplating the damage they have done to this world. Then after the one thousand years, when the wicked will be resurrecte, Satan and his angels will have work to do again in deceiving the wicked and persuading them to attack the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21 as a beautiful bride coming down from heaven.
In Revelation 20:7-10 it says:
7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
This is in harmony with what is written in the book of Malachi 4:1-3. That the fire which will destroy the devil and his followers will turn them into ashes. Then those who are saved in the city of New Jersalem will come out of the city after the work of the hell fire is ended, and all the wicked will be consumed.
This earth is going to be renewed, and become the dwelling place of the blessed people as mentioned in Matthew 5.
God is not a loser and He is not going to be defeated by Satan, His plan to make this earth a dwelling place for His people created in His image and likeness will be accomplished although it has been sabotaged by the devil. Since the New Jerusalem will be located here, where the throne of God is also found, this earth is going to be the new capital of the Universe, and because God is going to dwell with us here, that's why the name of Jesus is Emmanuel, meaning God dwells with human beings.
2006-12-12 18:54:24
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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You are attempting to disprove the rapture with that? What does that have to do with it?
The Romans pierced Him, there will still be people from every nation here. And why would the elect wail upon his return?
2006-12-12 18:08:22
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him - because none of them know him.
I don't understand what part of that scripture is supposed to refute the rapture. Can you be more specific?
2006-12-12 18:05:38
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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