Caught Up!

The Rapture Theory - Part 7 of 7

So what about the rapture? How does Paul's testimony fit into all this? How are we to interpret his words? Friends, I fear it is far different than what has been fed us over the years. Many saints have come to the realization that many old and traditional theories of religion simply do not harmonize with the pure and simple teaching of the Word of God. We know that Jesus will return soon - of this there is no doubt. But how does Scripture tell us these events will occur?

First and foremost, let's examine the false... The word "rapture" does not appear in the Bible. Regardless of this fact, the rapture is continually associated with the coming of the Lord and is even spoken of as the "hope of the church"! According to some preachers, this "event" may happen before he stops preaching, or before you wake up the next day. When that happens, the graves will open, and those still alive will fly off to meet the Lord in outer space somewhere. They say the Antichrist will then appear, and the Great Tribulation will commence while believers attend the marriage supper of the Lamb and receive their rewards for labors done on earth. "Those on earth should have listened to the preacher like I did", is the feeling often felt. Interestingly, the ones who have spread this "rapture theory" are the very ones who have continually discredited the baptism of the Holy Ghost! Many people do not realize this, but why should we base our eschatology on a teaching that originated with those who refuse the Holy Spirit? This seems irresponsible to me.

In my opinion, the major error associated with the common rapture theory is this: instead of teaching about the appearance of the Lord Jesus, men are teaching about the disappearance of the church! The emphasis is completely backwards.

Presently, I don't want to address the "when", I want to discuss the "what". There are many opinions concerning the "when", all of which possess a fragment of truth. The "what", however, is far more important than the "when", in my meager opinion. What will happen upon the Lord's return?

What does it mean to be "caught up"? Although the word "rapture" is absent from Scripture, the phrase "caught up" does appear. This instance occurs in both Old and New Testaments: Revelation chapter 12 describes the "catching away" of the manchild.. 2 Corinthians chapter 12 speaks of being "caught up" to the third heaven, to paradise (vs. 1-4).. Enoch was caught up to God (Gen 5:24).. Elijah too was caught away; he did not see death (2 Kgs 2:11)! There are various beliefs concerning this truth. Personally, I do not believe this is always a physical occurrence, although it certainly can be. When Ephesians 2:6 speaks of being "raised up together... in heavenly places", it's not referencing a physical location, but rather a place in the Spirit. It's not a physical ascent, but a spiritual one. I do not believe that the bride is caught away to a physical location necessarily. This may be true and reserved for a certain future time period, but it is not for sure, and is most likely different than what we have imagined. In 2 Corinthians 12, where did he go? His spirit may have soared to the heights of paradise, but his physical body went nowhere. Many scholars have attributed the "third heaven" to the "third realm" in the tabernacle, that is, the Holy of Holies. This place is of glory is paradise indeed! In Ephesians 1:3 we read that God has blessed us with all "spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him". Friends, that's a heavenly place indeed. But you don't have to get into an airplane to get there!

What about the clouds? Actually, the Bible never says that Jesus will return "on" a cloud, or "to" the clouds. Instead, it says He will come "with" or "in" the clouds (Dan 7:13; Rev 1:7; Matt 24:30; 26:64; Mk 13:26; 14:62; 1 Thess 4:17; etc). All throughout Scripture, clouds are symbolic of God's glory. Why do we expect it to be so different now? Hebrews 12:1 tells us that the heroes of the faith are a "cloud". Clearly this isn't a natural truth. 2 Peter 2:17 and Jude 12 both tell us that false ministries are "clouds without water". Clearly, again, this cannot be a natural truth. Rather, it's a metaphor for spiritual deficiency. The Old Testament speaks of a cloud as that which hovered over the Mercy Seat: "I will appear in the cloud upon the Mercy Seat" (Lev 16:2). Friends, can we see the pattern here?

1 Thessalonians 4? Many readers are confused about this passage. Verses 13-18 would seem to support the common rapture theory. But if we read it in context, it's really not confusing. It begins with "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [dead], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope". So we see that the whole point of this passage is to comfort those who were afraid. What were they afraid of? They were worried that, if they or a loved one died, they would miss out in the day of the Lord, the day of God's outpoured glory, and all that is connected with it. Paul is simply reassuring his readers that those who die will return with Jesus to the earth at His coming.

And what about His coming? In Scripture, many times the word "coming", as in the "coming of the Lord", is the Greek word "parousia" (Jas 5:7; 2 Thess 2:1, etc). It occurs 24 times in the New Testament, and is used in reference to Jesus' second coming, a visit by a Christian saint (2 Cor 7:6, etc), and even the appearance of the "man of lawlessness" (2 Thess 2:9). "Parousia" is different from Greek words such as "eisodos" or "eleusis". These words reference "coming" or "entering", as a literal arrival. "Parousia" is unique, however. It means "to appear upon or within"; It is also translated as "presence", both actually and implied (2 Pet 1:16, etc). In fact, this word is classically used to announce the prospect or the precursor of one's future, literal arrival, especially the visit of royalty. Some scholars believe this word can be used in relation to the "coming" of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, at Pentecost. Therefore, a significant aspect of the "coming of the Lord" is actually His appearing upon and within His people; it will be both His presence in and through us ("parousia"), as well as His physical and visible appearing ("eisodos"; "eleusis"). If this subtle differentiation is true (and I believe it is), then His physical and visible appearing is only after He has appeared and manifested Himself in His sons (see Jas 5:7 and 2 Thess 2:1). Why so? Because the "parousia" of the Lord upon His saints will serve a distinct and necessary purpose. Scripture tells us that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed IN US. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom 8:18-19). Also see Acts 3:21; John 7:37-39; Isaiah 32:1-2, etc. What many have attributed to the Lord Jesus, will actually be accomplished in His people, by the Holy Spirit: "[God] hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18)! Hallelujah! Are you ready?

Reader, I pray that you will search these truths out, seek and discover whether these things are so. Don't just take my word for it. I can assure you that Scripture has many glorious things to say about the coming of the Lord Jesus, both as a precursor in and upon the saints ("parousia"), and as a visible and physical appearance ("eisodos"; "eleusis"), when every eye shall see Him (Rev 1:7). He's coming to walk in His temple (Eph 2:21-22).. May He find a place to come and rest in you and I!


The End.