Is the rapture for real or is it a silly doctrine?

Question

...or wishful thinking?

What is point of taking people up to heaven when in fact Jesus' kingdom is coming here to earth?

Being caught up with Jesus as he is coming down is more likely.

If you use scripture and you use the KJV - back it up some greek or use the NASB.

Yeah but rapture implies a time where christians are not on earth. That we simply disapear. Your verses say we are caught up with him, which I did not dispute - but that is during the time Jesus' kingdom is coming DOWN to earth. So yes, I believe the bible. I just don't know I believe how some understand it.

Answer 1

While I am reticent to take the position of calling it 'silly doctrine' -- and admittedly many in my religious circle do -- the rapture is not Biblical and the word does not appear once in the texts of the original translations.

It is said that the word 'rapture' originates as a theist concept from the ancient scholar Jerome -- who deemed the best word 'repair' while doing some translations into Latin.

I have read the Thessalonians verses regarding meeting like a cloud in the sky and personally believe them to be misunderstood by those who support the rapture theory.

The Biblical stance is when we die our spirits return to the Father immediately and there will be no pre mid or post tribulation resurrection of 'the dead in Christ' for they will already be there, and the word "cloud" refers to multitudes or masses of people rather than a flying up to meet Christ in the sky.

There are many whom I respect for their knowledge of the scriptures who disagree with me regarding the notion of the rapture and all I can do is feel the way I do and discuss it with them when it comes up -- as it does occasionally.

I am of the seventh seal, seventh vial, seventh trump arrival mindset whereby Christ arrives on the Mount of Olives and begins his reign. I base my beliefs on the scriptures which include the KJV, Green's Interlinear Bible, The Mosera, The Apocryphya, The Septuagint, and numerous research texts I maintain in my library.

Answer 2

With all the scripture telling about the rapture if you think it is a "silly doctrine" then the whole Bible is silly. Either accept what it says or throw it out. Either you believe in Jesus Christ and all that He says or you are an unbeliever who believes He is a liar.
Read John 14 "I go to prepare a place for you and if I go I WILL COME AGAIN."
1 Cor 15.51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1 Thess 4:For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Answer 3

The teaching of the rapture as defined here in Wikipedia is incorrect:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture

However, the Bible does say that Christ will send his angels around globally after the Great Tribulation to collect the Saints still alive on earth. This constitutes the last trumpet call:
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I Corinthians 15:52 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. (KJV)
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1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (KJV)
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After this the marriage of the Lamb and the Saints occur and the harvest begins with in the shape of Armageddon.

The rest of the Other Sheep, faithful Christians, survive in to Paradise.

See this page:
http://bythebible.page.tl/Christ%5C-h-s-Presence.htm

Answer 4

He will raise us up. After the rapture there will be time left on Earth. There will come everything that the Bible has said will pass. His Kingdom will come later. That is what I understand anyway.

Answer 5

The word "Rapture" is not in the bible but it has to do with "being caught up". The definition of Rapture is "Snached away"

Paul Wrote to the Theselonians about the catching away of the saints. Its not False, its whole truth.

Answer 6

The rapture is nonbiblical. the KJV is fine on this subject..and we will go to heaven at HIS return for 1000 years, and then the HOLY CITY will descend to the earth for the final conflict.

Answer 7

The word rapture may not be in Scripture....

But the word "bible" isn't in there either.....and we're ok with that.....

Answer 8

Watch this Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNZvfiKrJHo

And this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmLhyPjHVes