The
Rapture of the Church – What Christians Think
One of the
major differences of opinion among Christians relates to the concept of the “Rapture
of the Church”. Some Christians are not aware
of the concept. Others think differently
as to either the meaning of the term “Rapture”, or whether it truly applies to
Christians today. In this post (and possibly the next), I’d like to add my perspective
to the many others who have looked into this concept and hopefully provide some
additional clarity.
As we continue
Bible study we always have to remember the advice of the Bible translator Myles
Coverdale who wrote in 1535, about the importance of “context”. He wrote: “It will greatly
help you to understand scripture if you note - not only what is spoken and written, but of whom and to whom, with what
words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances,
considering what goes before and what follows.
As we review
the terms associated with our title subject, it is important to note not only
the context, but also the specific meanings / definitions of the words used. In
this instance those key words are “rapture” and “church”. There are two specific Bible passages that
provide the basis for this concept, but neither actually includes the word “rapture”.
Those passages are found in 1
Thessalonians 4: 13-18, and 1 Corinthians 15: 48-54.
As we review these
Bible verses, first of all note that this concept of “rapture” refers to the resurrection
of the soul / spirit into new physical
bodies (flesh and bone) after the life in these physical bodies (flesh and
blood) has ended. But this concept does not apply to everyone who calls
themselves “Christians”, nor those outside of Christianity.
In the first passage, (Thessalonians
Chapter Four), the Apostle Paul was writing to his converts to Christianity
who apparently had been misinformed about whether they would again see their fellow
believers who had already died / “fallen asleep”. The
Apostle said: “13 But I would not have
you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which
sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (Emphasis
added) [Note that last
sentence! It clarifies that this concept
of the “rapture” applies only to those who like they themselves have believed
the Gospel of Grace (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4).]
Then the Apostle Paul continued by saying: “15 For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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. 18 Wherefore
comfort one another with these words.” (Note
that for emphasis, the Scripture repeats the condition that the “rapture” will
apply specifically to those Christian believers who “are alive and remain”.
They are the ones who will experience the “rapture”.
Another somewhat controversial point in the Scripture that warrants
attention is the part of the passage that reads: “meet the Lord Jesus in the air,
to forever be with Him.” This sets the “rapture” apart from other Bible
references that note the Lord Jesus’ Second Coming, when He will return to the
Mount of Olives in Jerusalem to establish His Kingdom. (Acts 1: 1-12; https://www.openbible.info/topics/the_second_coming_of_jesus
) That occurrence will take place later, and be to fulfill the Gospel of the
Kingdom as He promised to the Nation of Israel. (Exodus 19: 1-6)
With that introduction and explanation, I return to the word “Rapture”.
Because it does not appear in the Scripture we are unable to search for it in our
Strong’s Expanded Concordance Dictionaries. However, the definition /
meaning of the word is based on the concept of “meeting the Lord
in the air”, as we receive our new physical bodies, without having
experienced the physical death of our current bodies.
Next we review the second passage of the Scripture (1
Corinthians Chapter 15, which is often called “The Resurrection Chapter).
In this passage the Apostle Paul was
writing to his recent converts to Christianity. He had been explaining the
concept of man’s “resurrection” from the dead to receive his new eternal
physical body. He noted the resurrection of our Lord Jesus as the first instance
of a person to receive a new body (of flesh and bone, without blood).
As he was closing his message, Paul provided the following additional
insight, saying: “49 And as
we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly. 50 Now
this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” [Next, the Apostle tells his
new Christian converts a “mystery” / secret that had been revealed to him by
the Ascended Lord Jesus.]
“51 Behold,
I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. [In this reference to the “Rapture”,
Paul again clarifies that not all Christian believers will “fall asleep’ / die
physically. For some, their existing physical bodies will “be changed”
into their new eternal bodies “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”.
53 For
this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. 54 So
when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall
have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Dr. W. A. (Bill) Robinson
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