Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

THE FLIP SIDE OF RAPTURE

AuthorHouse

Chapter One

The sole intent for this writing will be a sincere effort to expose a deceptive theory that is being taught and preached on a wide scale; but without basic information, or Scriptural reference to document its validity. It therefore can never be more that a theory that cannot be proven. It's acceptance is becoming unbelievable under these known facts. Most Bible scholars and learned Christians find common ground to believe there will be a gathering to Christ for all the saints at HIS return to earth. This is a beautiful thought, induced by faith, and would indeed be wonderful if consistent harmony could cause unity in that belief. However, despite agreement there will be a gathering to Christ for all the saved, the time sequence for such a gathering often causes deep seated and bitter argument. All due to different interpretation concerning Scriptural promises for the event. In the second letter from the apostle Paul to the Thessalonians, he gave a revealing message directly concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus and our gathering back to HIM. I wish to invite you to read the entire second chapter of Thessalonians and study that great message Paul gave to them; because it will form an under lying message for all the discussion to follow. Paul gave a lot of valuable information to show the correct time sequence for the gathering to Christ at HIS return and we must not overlook the same; but we should note that HE did not call that gathering a rapture. It is an established fact that the word (rapture) cannot be found in any of the original manuscripts of the Bible: and it does not appear in any recognized Bible translation even today. A theory is all rapture can ever be called. It cannot be proven, so consequently it can never be considered more than an unproven theory. It was completely unknown and never mentioned before the year 1830. The beginning of the rapture theory will be explained in detail later in this writing from a valid source. Some have noticed Jesus' prayer to His Father God in John's gospel, chapter 17, verse 15. It reads-

"FATHER, I pray not that THOU should take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil."

We know Jesus was the same as HIS Father God, and could know the future as well as He did the past, but this Scripture cannot be connected to the rapture theory, and there is no Scripture in any Bible where Jesus ever taught or mentioned the word (rapture). If it is anywhere in God's plans Jesus would have told us. Then how can it be explained how some preachers of reputation are stupid enough to do it? Jesus did teach in the 24th Chapter of Matthew that the whole world could be deceived in the last days of this world age. Do you believe we are seeing that now, and we will ask the question, "can the whole world be deceived?

This rapture theory should receive our dedicated study because our spiritual life is at stake. We must absolutely know that we fully understand the true teaching of Christ on this question. It is far too important in our eternal welfare to accept the imagination or decision of any man unless it agrees with the Word of God. Let us form a decision from the promise of Christ in this verse.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

In relation to deeper study, let us ask the question, can the whole world be deceived?

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord That bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

The above verses prove the answer to our question is yes.

Space and time will not permit a review of all the theories of the rapture question, but we will briefly mention the three most commonly accepted in an effort to show how far apart Christians can become concerning the same subject.

(1.) Some believe Christ will suddenly appear in the sky, bring all the saved who have died prior to this event, and call the saved of the still living on earth to meet with Him and that host in the clouds. They contend this will happen before the terrible tribulation of antichrist, which is always associated with this event. Thus, they believe the saints will miss the tribulation imposed by antichrist. Some who do not respect this theory, call it the instant escape and fly away theory. In fairness it should be called the pre-trib theory; yet at best, it can only be identified as a theory.

(2). Many other scholars and Christians are just as sincere in their belief that the saints will endure part of the antichrist tribulation, but before its most violent affliction occurs, Christ will return to gather all who have been saved to unite with Him in the clouds. This is usually called the mid-trib theory.

(3). And still, there are others who believe just as sincerely that Christ will not return to gather his elect until after the sounding of the seventh trump which occurs after the short reign of antichrist. Thus, they believe the church, (the saints), will go through the antichrist tribulation, but God will protect them from any harm. They draw comfort and faith from the actions of God in past tribulations, when He protected His people from the terrible plagues that afflicted the Egyptians but His people were not harmed. Also from God's command to antichrist, "Touch not Mine anointed." They believe that as Christ was seen with the Hebrews that were thrown in the fiery furnace and kept them from harm, He will also protect the saved in the tribulation. They note that Daniel refused to take an easy way out of tribulation, but because of Divine protection, he suffered no harm in the Lion's den. The apostle Peter also gives comfort to those who believes this. Scripture reference.

2 Peter 2:9 The lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

There are so many variations in the beliefs relating to each of these theories that it would be impossible to give mention to all and perhaps our identification is too brief to satisfy many. But it is our intent to keep this discussion as brief and concise as possible. There is no doubt that more detail for each will become necessary as we proceed. But for now, the three most commonly accepted theories for the rapture question have been exposed. Some become so dedicated to their position for one of these theories they declare they can not be changed. Others become just as dogmatic in their belief for another position. Some claim a strong belief in a theory but due to limited Biblical knowledge, they can not defend their position. Some embrace a position of an individual, many times a preacher whom they respect, without verifying its validity by the Word of God. This is a dangerous practice, but is seen more than it should be. There is one thing that we can know;...