Rapture

TakingDominion · #1 09-19-2017, 08:00 AM

Please forgive my ignorance in this matter. My purpose is really not to start an argument, but rather I'd like to learn. My study focus has been more tuned towards doctrinal issues like baptism and the Oneness of God as well as reaching the lost. I'm just curious as to the forum's beliefs after reading through the thread with Sean and EB going back and forth.

Does anyone here still believe in a literal catching away of the church?

Growing up in a Pentecostal church, I can remember many times hearing the rapture preached. As of late, it's been years since I heard anyone preach a rapture message.

Also, I'd like to hear what the forum believes the writers are referring to in the following verses. Thank you in advance.

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.
35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

Amanah · #2 09-19-2017, 08:46 AM

You only need a "rapture" if you think there is a gap in Daniel to accommodate a time period for a second gospel for Jews to be saved (i.e., build and temple and get your head cut off).

But, if you believe that there are no more distinctions between Jews and gentiles (by one Spirit we have all been baptized into one body) and all must be saved by the Acts 2:38 gospel, then there is no need for them to have their own time period.

Then, all the verses that refer to the "rapture" are actually the second visible coming of our Lord before the Millennial reign.

(Historicism)

consapente89 · #3 09-19-2017, 08:59 AM

I believe the rapture of the Church and the second coming of Jesus take place at the same time. We will be "caught up" to meet him when he comes. It will be at that point that we will be "changed" as "mortality shall put on immortality". We will then return to the earth with him to wage war, execute judgment, and establish his Kingdom in the earth for the millennial reign. It does seem like more in Pentecost are leaning toward this type of thinking than in years past. I am absolutely pre-millennial and even though I believe in a "Post-trib" rapture, I still embrace a form of the concept of imminency.

mfblume · #4 09-19-2017, 04:47 PM

I have maintained for some time now that the belief in a millennium is a mistake of confusing passages that actually deal with the same event as dealing with two different events.

Esaias · #5 09-19-2017, 05:56 PM

Rapture teaching has suffered from two major errors. These errors have become so closely connected to the term "rapture" that I prefer not to use the term.

The first error is the idea that the Lord will beam up the saints prior to the Second Coming. The secret, invisible "coming" in which a rapture takes place, separate from the actual visible appearing and return of the Lord is an unbiblical heresy.

The second error is the idea the saints will be caught away to go to heaven. Nowhere does the Bible teach our destination is heaven, in fact just the opposite. Jesus is in heaven UNTIL the time of the restitution of all things (Acts 3:21). At His appearing we will be resurrected as immortal humans. He shall overthrow all rebellious earthly human government, and we shall reign upon the earth. The final destiny of man is eternal life with God, on the earth (Rev 5:10, Psalm 37:9-11, Matthew 5:5).

For these reasons I prefer to speak of the resurrection than of the "rapture".

houston · #6 09-19-2017, 06:45 PM

Excellent post

Sean · #7 09-19-2017, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Does anyone here still believe in a literal catching away of the church?

Absolutely.

Sean · #8 09-19-2017, 11:21 PM

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep(DIE), but we will all be changed—

....that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep....

the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ....

Oh yeah!