Rapture Theory: Is it Biblical? Those who believe in a rapture - a supposed event that will wisk away Christians from the tribulation time - has no biblical backing. Worse yet, it is responsible for a false hope that many are counting on, but which will NOT happen as they believe. Let's address the rapture by looking at a number of scriptures that have to be answered that call into question any rapture taking place as many believe. 1Th 4:16 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: 1Th 4:17 Then 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. The above 2 verses are the primary scriptures used to support a
rapture theory. Of themselves, this simply teaches that the dead
in Christ and those still alive who are a part of the true Church
will be raised... RESURRECTED to, or changed to, spirit. Some make a big to-do about the words translated "shall be caught up" as if these words had some spiritual significance that supports the rapture theory. The words are taken from the Greek - ( to seize (in various applications): - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force)). This simple means what it says and nothing more... that when the resurrection takes place, we will rise - be brought up to where Christ is... in the clouds. To build a doctrine out of this alone is dangerous. The question to ask is, WHEN does this "catching up" take place in the scenario of the end time? Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, (3 and 1/2 years) from the face of the serpent. Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. In the above scriptures, we see a number of issues being revealed. The woman is clearly the Church of God... God's true people. This church is taken to a place of protection for 3 and one half years, away from Satan's influence and attacks. The scriptures show that this protection is right here on Earth, and lasts during the tribulation time. God provides miracles that protect this group of people and this makes Satan angry, after which Satan goes back to make war with... WHAT? The "remnant of her (the Church's) seed." This means those NOT protected in God's Church are having to face persecution. Rev 6:11 And white robes were given
to every one of them; and it was said to them, that they
should rest yet for a little season, until their
fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as
they [were], should be fulfilled.
This is a clear reference to saints being killed - martyred - during the tribulation time... and NOT protected. Next we have to ask, just when does Christ return to this Earth, and where does He return to ON Earth? 1Co 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. Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.
Notice this tells us that at the last trump... Christ will return and resurrect His saints. When is this last trump that sounds so loudly and that ALL will see and hear? Rev 8:6 And the seven angels which
had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. Rev 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the
kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for
ever and ever.
Christ returns to Earth at the sound of the last trumpet, and every eye will see this return. This return is AFTER the tribulation period as Revelation clearly shows, so how can a "rapture" take the saints prior to the last trump? Lastly, where does Christ Himself go AT His return? He meets the saints in the air as He is returning with the armies of Heaven, and at THAT time, he goes to a specific place... Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand
in that day (The last trump - Christ's return to
Earth) upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on
the east,
Notice that when Christ comes to resurrect the saints, gathering them from one corner of heaven to the other... Mar 13:27 And then shall he send
his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four
winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part
of heaven.
... that Christ then goes, that same day, to the Mount of Olives, the very spot where He left His apostles long ago. In order to believe and accept the rapture theory, you have to disregard these scriptures that tell us the sequence of events that involve Christ's return and the resurrection of the saints. The return of Christ is after the tribulation period of 3 and one half years, NOT before it. The church - a portion of it - is protected by God on this Earth, while the other portion is persecuted and martyred. Also keep in mind that the Two Witnesses of God...
... are alive and preaching to the whole world during the tribulation period, and then are resurrected at the same time ALL the saints are resurrected... at the last trump... when the loud voices in heaven are heard and EVERY eye sees Christ return. How many resurrections are there? At least two that we can see from scripture, possibly three. The FIRST resurrection is of the saints at Christ's coming. If the rapture were true, there would be a resurrection before the tribulation and one after it... then another one after the 1000 year reign of Christ, which by the way is ON EARTH, NOT in heaven where everyone thinks they will be. The greatest threat the rapture theory makes is in the hope countless people who believe that it will occur prior to the tribulation have... thinking it will save them from this time period. The question, finally, to ask yourself is this: "What will I do if the rapture does NOT occur as I expect?" Will this cause you to lose hope that God is in charge? Will you panic when things fall apart around you? The greatest issue is not "escaping" tribulation, but drawing close to God so that we may be counted worthy to escape... Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." This isn't saying to "pray that you may be counted worthy..." but to "pray always..." that the results of prayer, and drawing close to God in spiritual understanding, may allow you to escape "all these things" which Christ spoke about. The rapture is a false myth that will not occur, as most expect it will. We need to be aware of the truth of Christ's return, and be preparing for it and to rule with Him once here on Earth. This website is here to offer you hope even if you now refuse to believe what it teaches. You will remember what you heard here and can know that as bad as it gets, you have hope where you may think none exists.  Return to Articles Page! Web pages created and material written by Jeffrey T. Maehr.
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