The Rapture of the Church• The term “rapture” comes from the Latin word rapiō, which is a translation of the Greek

word ἁρπάζω harpázō, “caught up”– 1 Thessalonians 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.

• ἁρπάζω harpázō – (to snatch away, to seize upon with force, to rob)

• ἁρπάζω harpázō• Matthew 13:19

– and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart• 2 Corinthians 12:2

– such an one caught up to the third heaven• Acts 8:39

– the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip

Same word used for Rapture and 2nd Coming• παρουσία par-ou-sía

– Presence, coming or arrival.• ἀποκάλυψις apa-kál-up-sis

– To reveal, revelation, uncovering, unveiling, disclosure. • ἐπιφάνεια epi-phá-neia

– To appear, an appearing, appearance, give light.

παρουσία par-ou-sí-a• Second Coming of Christ

– Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

– Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

• Rapture of the Church– 1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;

afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.– 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not

even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

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ἀποκάλυψις apo-kál-up-sis• Second Coming of Christ

– 2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

– 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

– Luke 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.• Rapture of the Church

– 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

– 1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

ἐπιφάνεια epi-phá-neia• Incarnation

– Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

– 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

• Second Coming of Christ– 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who

shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;– 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall

consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

– Brightness - ἐπιφάνεια– Coming - παρουσία

• Rapture– 1 Timothy 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable,

until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:– 2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which

the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Main Teaching on the Rapture• 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18• John 14:1-3• 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

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Biblical Teaching on the Rapture1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 • Coming - The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout.• Resurrection - The dead in Christ shall rise first.• Catching up - We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in

the clouds.• Reunion – all believers meet the Lord in the air.• Permanence - So shall we ever be with the Lord.• Biblical Teaching on the Rapture

John 14:1-3 • Preparation - I go to prepare a place for you.• Return - I will come again, and receive you unto myself.• Dwelling together - Where I am, there ye may be also.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 • A mystery – something not known before but now revealed• Transformation - We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. (not just a

resurrection)– We shall be changed.– Every Believer will be changed (Rom. 8:17)

• Sudden - In a moment*, in the twinkling of an eye.• Trumpet - The trumpet shall sound• Resurrection - the dead shall be raised incorruptible.

The Second Coming of Christ• Isaiah 66:15-16

– The LORD will come with fire– With his chariots like a whirlwind– Render his anger with fury– The slain of the LORD shall be many

• Matthew 24:30-31– after the tribulation– appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven– all the tribes of the earth mourn– they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and

great glory– The Second Coming of Christ

• Rev. 19:11-21– Christ coming on a white horse– The armies which were in heaven followed him

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– The kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him He will smite the nations with judgment.

– There will be a great slaughter

Difference Between Rapture and Second Coming• Rapture • Return in the Air• Imminent Event• Catching up• Transformation• Take Saints from Earth to heaven• Only Saints from Present Age

• Revealed only in NT• Second Coming • Bodily Return to Earth• Comes after many prophetic events• Saints will come from heaven to

Earth• Occurs with Judgment• Revealed in both testaments

Verses on the believer’s transformation at the rapture• 1 Thess 4:13-18

– Resurrection– Forever be with the Lord

• 1 Cor 15:51-54– Sudden Change– dead raised incorruptible– mortal puts on immortality

• Phil 3:21– like unto his glorious body

• 1 john 3:2– we shall be like him

The Pre Tribulational Rapture

Purpose of the Tribulation. • The outpouring of the wrath of God (Rev. 6:16–17; 11:18; 14:19; 15:1; 16:1, 19);

– God’s judgment (Rev. 14:7; 15:4; 16:5–7; 19:2) – God’s punishment (Isa. 24:21–22).

• Believers promised exemption from God’s wrath including the entire time of tribulation. – 1 Thessalonians 1:10 “…even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come”

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1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath”

Revelation 3:10 “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation”

Luke 21:36 “ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass”

Need for non-glorified believers entering the millennial kingdom.– Isaiah 65:20 Death is spoken of in the kingdom.– Old men and women along with young children will be in the Millennium (Zech.

8:3-5)– Growth in world population (Rev. 20:8)– The Pre Tribulational Rapture

The imminent of the Rapture. • The signs of Matthew 24 (and numerous other passages) were given to Israel concerning

the second coming of Christ; • no signs, however, were given to the church to anticipate the rapture (which means it will

come suddenly, as pretribulationists have affirmed). • The church was told to live in the light of the imminent coming of the Lord to translate

them in His presence.• Many passages speaks of Christ’s return as at any moment. (John 14:1–3, 1

Thessalonians 1:9–10, 1 Thessalonians 5:4–9, 1 Corinthians 1:7, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:2–3,

• The passage speaks of Christ’s return as “near,” without stating any signs that must precede His coming.

• The passage speaks of Christ’s return as something that gives believers hope and encouragement, without indicating that these believers will suffer tribulation.

• Mark 13:32-33– of that day and that hour knoweth no man

• 1 Corinthians 1:7– waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

• Philippians 3:20 – we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ

• 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – to wait for his Son from heaven

• 1 Thessalonians 5:2– the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night

• Titus 2:13 – Looking for that blessed hope– Time of Rapture Summary

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Pre-Trib Rapture– Immanency of the return of Christ (John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 1:10)– Different contexts for the Rapture and 2nd coming– Provides time for Judgment seat of Christ and Marriage Supper of the Lamb– The promised to be saved from the wrath to come. (Rev 3:10, 1 Thess 1:10)– The weaknesses of the other views.

History of the Doctrine of the Rapture The Early Church fathers believed in a Tribulation, the imminent coming of Christ, and a

Millennium. The early church was clearly Premillennial but not clearly Pretribulational, nor was it

clearly Posttribulational in the modern sense of the terms. Both Pre and Posttribulational views are recently held views. The study of Eschatology

did not gain momentum until after the reformation.

1. The early Church did not have a finely developed eschatology2. The time of the Rapture was not an issue with the early Church

The church does not deal extensively with an issue until a need arises that demands its attention.

1742-44 Morgan Edwards saw a distinct rapture 31/2 years before the start of the millennium.

1830 John Nelson Darby was the first to divide the Second Coming into two stages: Christ’s coming for his saints before the tribulation (the rapture) and his coming with his saints after it (the Second Coming).

Brethren Movement spread the doctrine of the rapture (Darby associated with) Spread through the Bible conference movement 1870’s Popularized by the Scofield Reference Bible Being early does not make a view true (there were early heresies), nor does being

later make it false; the question is not one of time but of truth.o Geisler, N. L. (2005). Systematic theology, volume four: church, last

things (p. 655). Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers.

Views of the Rapture• The Partial Rapture

– The Rapture occurs prior to the Tribulation, but only those who are faithful. (not widely held)

• Pretribulation– The Rapture occurs prior to the Tribulation.

• Midtribulation– The Rapture occurs in the middle of the Tribulation.

• Posttribulation

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– The Rapture occurs after the Tribulation.

The Partial Rapture• The subjects of the Rapture are emphasized over the timing

– is position is not concerned so much with the time of the Rapture but with the subjects of the Rapture.

• There will be several raptures before and during the tribulation– Only those who are faithful will be raptured or translated and the rest will either

be raptured sometime during the tribulation or at its end. • Participation in the rapture a conditional activity

– Based on the conduct of the believer.

Passages of Scripture used• Matthew 24:40–51; Mark 13:33–37

– Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. • Luke 20:34-36, 21:36;

– But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world• Philippians 3:10-12;

– I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. • 1 Thessalonians 5:6;

– let us watch and be sober. • Other Scriptures

– 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:24-28, Revelation 3:3, 12:1-6.

Response to this position• Matthew 24:41-42

– This has to do with the judgment of nations and people following the tribulation and does not refer to the rapture of the church.

• Luke 21:36 – The watching and waiting have to do with the time of His return and not who

will participate when He comes back for his church. Chapter references Israel not the church.

• Philippians 3:10-12; – I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. – Paul was not doubting his Resurrection. (If he doubted his we have no hope)

Rather, Paul saw the resurrection as a result of winning Christ (v. 8), not based on his own merit.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:6; – let us watch and be sober. – This is not a condition of our resurrection, but a challenge to live purposefully for

Christ.

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• There is a misunderstanding of those who hold to the Partial Rapture position in regard to our salvation.

• The believer in Christ is justified by faith, and receives the many benefits of salvation quite apart from merit or worthiness on his part.

• The Scriptures teaching the Rapture refer to all believers. (1 Cor. 15:51, 1 Thess. 4:16–18)

Conclusion• The partial rapture view is based upon a works principle in opposition to Scriptural

teaching on grace. • The partial rapture ignore plain teaching concerning the translation of all true believers

when the event takes place.

The Mid-Tribulational Theory• Sees the rapture in Matt. 24:30-31• Sees the seventh trumpet of Revelations 11:15 is the “last trumpet” for the church in 1

Cor. 15:52. • The rapture of the church is pictured by the two witnesses resurrected (Rev. 11:11).• The programs for Israel and the church overlap. • There is no imminent return of Christ.

Passages to support Mid-Trib• Matt. 24:30-31• Comparing Matt. 24:30-31 and 1 Thess. 4 demonstrates the rapture after the

“abomination of desolation”

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Answering a Mid-Tribulationalist• Matt. 24:30-31• While there are definite similarities in the two accounts, that is not proof these both refer

to one event.• There is no mention of the rapture in Matt. 24.• 1 Thess 5 refers to the “Day of the Lord” which follows after chapter 4 the “rapture”

Passages to support Mid-Trib• Revelation 11:3-12

– The two witnesses are believed to be two groups of people (the living and the dead believers at the rapture).

– This passage indicates that these groups of people are raised up and called up after three and one half years. (Rapture)

– “The cloud” is symbolic of the rapture: (Rev. 11:12, 1 Thess. 4:17)

Answering a Mid-Tribulationalist• Revelation 11:3-12

– A major problem with the reasoning of the mid-tribulationists is they interpret Scripture allegorically.

– There is a great detail given concerning the two witnesses in this passage which begs one to interpret it literally.

– There will actually be two literal, visible, mortal witnesses (Possibly Moses and Elijah). They will prophesy of the coming destruction. Then they will be killed and left where they were slain for three and half years. Then they will be raise from the dead probably at the coming of Christ to the earth. These witnesses are not the church, furthermore, the church is not on the earth at this time because it has been taken up when Christ comes for His bride.

Passages to support Mid-Trib• Revelation 11:15

– Many mid-tribualtionalists believe that the seventh trumpet here is the same as the “last trump” of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:52.

– Therefore, they hold the belief that after a time of persecution of the church it will be taken up when the seventh trumpet sounds and the “day of the Lord” begins (or the final judgment).

Answering a Mid-Tribulationalist1. Not Last Trumpet

– The seventh trumpet of Revelation 11 is not the last trumpet of Scripture., there is another trumpet that will sound after the events of Rev. 11

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• Matthew 24:31 (KJV) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

2. Different Purposes for the sounding of the trumpets. – At the rapture is the “trump of God” announcing the coming of the Lord. The

trumpets of Revelation are all connected with divine judgment upon sin and unbelief.

3. If Rev. 11:12 is a picture of the rapture this occurs prior to the seventh trumpet. Rev. 11:15

Support for the Mid-Tribulational view• The events of the seven seals as well as the judgments of the first six trumpets are related

to the first three and one-half years of Daniel’s seventieth week and therefore are not a description of the “great tribulation” (Matt 24:21), or not a manifestation of divine wrath.

• Answered– The Wrath of God is spoken of as prior to this point. (Rev. 6:16-17, 7:14)

Comparing Seals, Trumpets, Vials

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Passages to support Mid-Trib• 2 Thessalonians 2:1 “our gathering unto him”

– The mid-tribulationist believes that “the day of Christ” in this passage refers to the rapture.

– The Day of the Christ, or the rapture, will not come before there is a falling away or time of apostasy. (Mid Point of the Tribulation – Matt. 24:15)

Answering a Mid-Tribulationalist• 2 Thessalonians 2

– Philippians 1:10 and 2:16 Speak of the “Day of Christ” with regards to the Rapture, but here, the phrase would seem to be looking at the time of the tribulation (The term also including the events following the rapture).

– Paul is warning the church of the apostasy that was present in his day and would again rise up in later centuries. In doing this he refers to the anti-Christ who is yet future, who will deceive many in his day.

Three events before the judgments of the day of the Lord• The Apostasy (2 Thes. 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3 ),

– the professing church, will be a departure from the truth that God has revealed in His Word.

• The revealing of the man of lawlessness (vv. 3-4, 8), – He makes a covenant with Israel at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel

(Dan. 9:27a); but when he breaks the covenant three and a half years later (Dan. 9:27b).

• The removal of restraint against lawlessness (vv. 6-7)– The Holy Spirit of God is the only Person with sufficient (supernatural) power to

do this restraining, when the Church is removed

Chronology of 2 Thess. 2:1-12• The “Falling away” must occur first (v. 3).• The “man of sin” must be revealed (v. 3).• He cannot be revealed until something is taken out of the way (v. 6, 7)• He or it must be stronger than Satan since the man of sin is empowered by Satan• The Restrainer is The Holy Spirit, and the principal instrument of restraint is the church

(John 16:8).

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Posttribulational view• The church will still remain on the earth during the tribulation until the Lord returns and

then we will meet Christ in the air and will immediately return for the kingdom.

Post-Tribulational Theory• They believe that pre-tribulationism is a new view that has just been brought up in the

last hundred years, and should not be believed because it is not in history.• They argue against immanency, and say that things will need to happen (like things in

the tribulation) before the Lord returns. • They do not see the church and Israel as two different groups, but as the same group.• Being early does not make a view true (there were early heresies), nor does being later

make it false; the question is not one of time but of truth.• Geisler, N. L. (2005). Systematic theology, volume four: church, last things (p.

655). Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers.

History of the Doctrine of the Rapture• 1830 John Nelson Darby was the first to divide the Second Coming into two stages:

Christ’s coming for his saints before the tribulation (the rapture) and his coming with his saints after it (the Second Coming).

1. The early Church did not have a finely developed eschatology2. The time of the Rapture was not an issue with the early Church

The church does not deal extensively with an issue until a need arises that demands its attention.

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Posttribulational view• The rapture and the second coming are described in the Scriptures by the same words,

which indicates that they occur at the same time.– 1 Thess. 4:15 and Mt 24:27

• Answered– 1 Thess 4:15 describes being caught up together with them in the clouds. The

second coming is described as Christ coming to the Earth.– Glory of Christ seen by all at second coming.

• Since saints are mentioned as present during the tribulation days, the church is present on earth during that time.– Mt 24:22; Luke 23:27-31; Mark 13:9-13

• Answered– Luke 23:28 is addressed to Daughters of Jerusalem, Israel not the church. The

tribulation is a judgment for Israel. (Dan 9:24) There are many scripture speaking about the church being saved from the wrath to come.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

• A resurrection will occur at the beginning of the millennium, and since it is assumed that this is the same resurrection as that which occurs at the rapture, the rapture will take place just before the millennium. – Rev 20:4

• Answered– These are believers who were martyred during the tribulation period. Why no

mention of other martyrs from the Church Age?

Passages to support Post-Trib• Daniel 9:24-27

– Post-tribulationalists believe that all the prophecies in this passage have already been fulfilled. There is no gap between the 69th and the 70th week. It makes sense that it all occurred one right after the other.

Answered• Dan. 9:24-27

– This is a prophesy concerning Israel, so the Church cannot be fulfilling these promises.

– Israel has no yet experienced national salvation (bring in everlasting righteousness).

– The Prince (Anti-christ )not Christ but will make the covenant.– This is the man of sin spoken by Christ in Matthew 24:15, by Paul in 2

Thessalonians, and by John in Revelation 13, who will make a false covenant with Israel. He is spoken of as yet future.

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Difficulties with view• Does not account for the eager expectation of the Lord’s return.• Does not account for the sequence of events between the rapture and the Day of the Lord

(Bema Judgment, Marriage Supper of Lamb).• Isaiah 65:20 speaks of the millennium kingdom with believers who are flesh and blood

but How can this occur if all believers are raptured and changed.• Does not address the passages where the church is delivered from the wrath to come.

Answered• The “wheat and tares” parable is not to the history of the church, but the history of the

Kingdom in its mystery form. • “It is a mistake to assume the wheat of the parable represents the church which will be

raptured.” Christ refers to and indicated an age of sowing of the seeds, counter-sowing, and that condition will continue throughout the age.

The Pre Tribulational Rapture

The Pre Tribulational Rapture• Prior to the Tribulation, Christ will descend from heaven, catching up the church to be

with Himself while the Tribulation is unleashed on an unrepentant and unbelieving world.

• Purpose of the Tribulation.

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• The outpouring of the wrath of God (Rev. 6:16–17; 11:18; 14:19; 15:1; 16:1, 19);• God’s judgment (Rev. 14:7; 15:4; 16:5–7; 19:2) • God’s punishment (Isa. 24:21–22).

• Believers promised exemption from God’s wrath including the entire time of tribulation.

Christians will be saved from the wrath to come• 1 Thessalonians 1:10 “…even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come”

1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath”

Revelation 3:10 “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation”

Luke 21:36 “ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass”

The Pre Tribulational Rapture• Need for non-glorified believers entering the millennial kingdom.

– Isaiah 65:20 Death is spoken of in the kingdom.– Old men and women along with young children will be in the Millennium (Zech.

8:3-5)– Growth in world population (Rev. 20:8)

• The imminent of the Rapture. – The signs of Matthew 24 (and numerous other passages) were given to Israel

concerning the second coming of Christ; – no signs, however, were given to the church to anticipate the rapture (which

means it will come suddenly, as pretribulationists have affirmed). – The church was told to live in the light of the imminent coming of the Lord to

translate them in His presence.

The Imminence of the Rapture• Many passages speaks of Christ’s return as at any moment. (John 14:1–3, 1

Thessalonians 1:9–10, 1 Thessalonians 5:4–9, 1 Corinthians 1:7, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:2–3,

• The passage speaks of Christ’s return as “near,” without stating any signs that must precede His coming.

• The passage speaks of Christ’s return as something that gives believers hope and encouragement, without indicating that these believers will suffer tribulation.

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Imminent return of Christ• Mark 13:32-33

– of that day and that hour knoweth no man • 1 Corinthians 1:7

– waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ • Philippians 3:20

– we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ• 1 Thessalonians 1:10

– to wait for his Son from heaven• 1 Thessalonians 5:2

– the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night• Titus 2:13

– Looking for that blessed hope

Time of Rapture Summary• Pre-Trib Rapture

– Immanency of the return of Christ (John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 1:10)– Different contexts for the Rapture and 2nd coming– Provides time for Judgment seat of Christ and Marriage Supper of the Lamb– The promised to be saved from the wrath to come. (Rev 3:10, 1 Thess 1:10)– The weaknesses of the other views.

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