INTRODUCTION
Outline.
The Rapture (caught up) at His Coming
Remarks.
1. In this lesson series we are going to be discussing the theme: “The Rapture at His Coming.” We will address the first theory of pre-millennialism in this lesson; and that is: “Will there be a rapture (caught up),” at the second coming of Christ?
2. Some teach this shall occur at the second advent of Christ. Paul’s first Letter to the Thessalonians establishes at the Second Advent of the Lord, “we all shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.” His view of this event differs from the position of the pre-millennialist’s claims, as you will see as we continue in this lesson.
3. This Letter was written to comfort the brethren, during the sleep of the saints. He reminds them that when the Lord returns, the “dead in Christ shall rise first, and ascend to meet the Lord in the air.” And, there they shall “forever be with the Lord.”
4. The pre-millennialist’s theory of the “rapture” sets forth that the saints shall be a “caught up” from the earth for 7 years; to remove them from the tribulation that will plague the earth. We will consider this theory in our lesson.
BODY OF LESSON
THE RAPTURE AT HIS COMING
A. An overview of the “rapture,” as taught be many pre-millennialist. Reference: See God's Prophetic Word, by Foy Wallace, p. 347-349; cf. Lion and the Lamb on Planet Earth, by Rodney Miller.1 There are many views regarding the pre-millennialist’s theories. We present this one because it is clear and concise regarding this theory.
1. The theory of the rapture: “Jesus will first come invisibly, unknown to men in general (Gr: Parousia), raise the righteous dead, and take them from the earth to heaven for a 7-year period, which is call the ‘rapture.’"1 This is the first part of the theory of pre-millennialism.
2. Text of discussion. Paul wrote: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep... 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. 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: 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. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words,” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. We will begin this lesson with Paul’s discussion of the second “coming of Christ.”
B. The return of the Lord. After affording comfort to the saints regarding the “sleep” of the saints; and that they should not be troubled by there “sleep in Jesus.” He states: “That they sorrow not, even as others which have no hope,” 1 Thessalonians 4:13. As Christians, we and our family and love ones which have “fallen asleep in Jesus,” have hope in the Lord, and in His return with the saints, 1 Thessalonians 3:13. He then directs his attention to the return of the Lord. Notice:
1. The promise of his return: “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 (proceed) them which are asleep,” 1 Thessalonians 4:14. We will talk about the order later; but for now, let’s consider the promise of His return.
2. At His ascension the angels announced Christ’s return. Notice: “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,” Acts 1:9-11; John 20:17.
3. Recall, in the first part of this theory: “Jesus will first come invisibly, unknown to men in general (Gr: Parousia).” Here they use the word in (Gr: Parousia), which means: “coming to a place.” This word is used in 1 Thessalonians 3:13.
a. The word “invisible” in (Gr: aoratos), means: “not seen, i. e. unseen, or that cannot be seen, i. e. invisible.” This word is used in Colossians 1:15-16; 1 Timothy 1:17.
b. However, the angel said to the apostles: “As they had seen Him go; they shall see Him return,” Acts 1:11. This will be a visible sighting of the Lord’s return from heaven. Notice:
1) He went into heaven “in the clouds.”
2) The Lord was seen by the apostles “go into heaven.”
3) The Lord will be seen “during his return to earth.”
c. John the Revelator: “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. Even so, Amen,” Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 12:10; Psalms 22:16-17; John 19:36-37.
d. John the apostle: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is,” 1 John 3:1-3; Colossians 3:4. John states: ‘We shall see Him as He is.”
e. Paul’s statement of Christ: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself,” Philippians 3:20-21. Paul affirms:
1) Christ is now in heaven.
2) Christ is in heaven with a “glorious body.”
3) Christ shall fashion our “vile body” to be like His body.
4) When shall this occur? We shall be changed at His coming. We will discuss this further when we speak to our last point, “Reign (1000 years) at His Coming?”
5) Illustrate: Christ’s glorious body, Luke 24:36-43; Philippians 3:20-21.
C. Lord shall descent from heaven. Paul further explains: “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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. The beloved apostle now speaks to the Lord’s return and the order of our appearance with him. Notice:
1. For the Lord Himself (in person; in bodily form) shall descend from heaven.
2. With a shout, with the voice of the archangel (voice of the Son of God), John 5:25-29.
3. With the trump of God (at the last trump: for the trump shall sound), 1 Corinthians 15:52. His return will be proceeded by a loud shout and the trump of God.
D. The order of the resurrection. Paul states: “And the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Notice:
1. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.
2. Then we which are alive and remain.
3. Shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.
4. How does this coincide with pre-millennialism? They speak of an invisible appearance at the “rapture.” Only the righteous shall be raised.
5. Paul here does not speak of the ungodly resurrection. He established an order between the living; and the dead at the Lord’s return. Notice the order:
a. First, “the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
b. Second, “then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up.”
c. Third, “to be caught up together with them in the air.”
E. Meet the Lord. Paul’s conclusion, we are: “To meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord,” 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18. Notice:
1. We shall meet the Lord in the air.
2. We shall so ever be with the Lord.
3. The statements of Paul disagree with the pre-millennialist.
4. How does this coincide with pre-millennialism? They state:
a. The rapture will be “silent and invisible.” But, Paul affirms, this coming will not be silent, invisible, or unobservable. It will be accompanied by a shout, voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God.
b. They teach: “the dead in Christ shall rise first"; means they will rise at the first resurrection. Then the 1000 years reign will take place; before the wicked are raised. But the context contrasts the dead in Christ, with those that are alive at Christ’s coming. The wicked dead are not being discussed in this text. The dead in Christ shall rise "first," then those who are alive in Christ are caught up to meet the Lord.
c. Finally, all shall be “caught up to meet the Lord in the air.” There the saints shall ever be with the Lord.
d. There is no mention of a tribulation on the earth for 7 years.
e. Conclusion: We should endeavor to support one another in times of sorrow, not deaden one another's spirits, nor weaken one another's hands, but should comfort one another. This may be done by serious consideration and discourse on lessons to be learned from the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, the second coming of Christ, and the glory of the saints in that day.
5. References:
a. I recommend the [Neal – Wallace Discussion on “The thousand Years Reign of Christ”] by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Publication, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Copyright 1933. This discussion was conducted at Winchester, Kentucky, during January 2 to 6, 1933.
b. 1God's Prophetic Word, by Foy Wallace, p. 347-349; cf. Lion and the Lamb on Planet Earth, by Rodney Miller.
c. 2Merriam-Webster, since 1828, by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (merriam-webster.com), 2017.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
The Rapture (caught up) at His Coming?
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we considered the question, “will there be a rapture (caught up) at His coming?” Paul’s first Letter to the Thessalonians was written to comfort the brethren, during the sleep of the saints. He reminds them that when the Lord returns, the “dead in Christ shall rise first, and ascend to meet the Lord in the air.” And, there they shall “forever be with the Lord.”
2. The theory of the “rapture” sets forth that the saints shall be a “caught up” from the earth for 7 years; to remove them from the tribulation that was to plague the earth. We found this theory to be false. Paul’s view of this event differs from those that teach the doctrine of “the rapture, followed by 7 years of tribulation,” upon the earth.
3. Paul’s Letter was written to comfort the saints, therefore, "comfort one another with these words.”
C. Invitation. Present the plan of salvation. H, B, R, C, B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
