“Amazing Prophecies of the End Times”
Lesson # 2
“The Rapture”
In 1995 the book “Left Behind” by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye appeared; which was a fictional account in which millions of Christians are carried away instantly into heaven. Since that time this series of books has sold millions of copies and has brought end-times prophecy again into the world’s view.
Jeffery MacDonald has offered the opinion that, “Since September 11, Americans have taken a serious interest in biblical predictions for how the world will end. A Time/CNN poll said 59 percent expect the events of Revelation to come true, while more than 33 percent are paying more attention now to possible connections between world events and the end of time.” [G. Jeffrey MacDonald. “Why Pop Theology Should Be Left Behind.” (Plain Truth Magazine. March/April 2003) p. 13]
Tonight I want to examine a series of questions with you concerning the subject of the Rapture.
First, “What Is The Next Event In Biblical Prophecy?”
Perhaps the most basic question on everyone’s mind concerning Biblical Prophecy is, “So, what is the next event in God’s prophetic program?” The next event for the believer is the translation or the rapture of the saints
In John 14:3 where Jesus is seeking to reassure his anxious disciples by promising them, “I go to prepare a place for you” but it was also coupled with a second promise “I will come again and receive you unto myself: that where I am you may be also.”
We need to remember as we discussed in the last lesson, the two phases of the Second Coming. First, his coming “for the saints”, this will be the secret coming in the air for believers – a secret coming that will be a blessing to all those who participate in it, called the “rapture.” Believers are to be caught up together with resurrected saints who had previously died.
The second phase, his coming “with the saints” some years later, in which Jesus will actually step foot on the earth (Zech 14) and set up a political kingdom in Israel.
Although there are no signs given for the Rapture we were given many signs for the Tribulation. We can look to those signs because the rapture will take place before the Tribulation.
We believe that the rapture of the church will precede the seven years of the Tribulation, however, the rapture is not the event that triggers the beginning of the tribulation. That event will be the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and her enemies, brought into being by the AntiChrist (Daniel 9:27).
Secondly, “What Are The Arguments Against Belief In A Rapture?”
First, is the argument that the term “rapture” does not occur in the Bible. That is true. You might be surprised to learn that neither does the term “Trinity” but we do not doubt the existence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. According to Dr. John Walvoord, one of the foremost authorities in the field of Biblical prophecy, the term rapture itself is derived from the Latin Vulgate version of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 where the expression ‘caught up’ is translated “rapturo.”
Secondly, is the argument that the doctrine of the “rapture” is a recent addition to Christianity. Some critics of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture say the whole doctrine was brought about by a Plymouth Brethern pastor, named John Nelson Darby, who came up with the pre-Tribulation Rapture “theory.” They contend that then it was men such as C.I. Scofield, author of the Scofield Study Bible that who disseminated it world-wide.
Yet the teaching of this doctrine can be found among the early church fathers as early as 373 in the writing of Ephraem, the Syrian. [Dr. Dale Johnsen. “Why I Expect A Pre-Tribulation Rapture.” www.nwinfo.net/~dmjohnsen/20PreTrib.htm]
Third, “What Are The Major Views Of The Timing Of The Rapture?”
There are at least three different views held as to the timing of the “Rapture’. I not only want to give you a description of each position but I want you to see a timeline of what the end times would look like if this position is held.
• The Pre-Tribulation Position
In support of this teaching the church is spoken of nineteen times in the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation. Then John, the prophet who was given the revelation, hears the words, “Come up hither.” (Rev 4:1). The church is not mentioned again in the Book of Revelation until chapter nineteen when Christ returns with the armies of Heaven to put to an end man’s rebellion at Armageddon. This shows that the church is no where in view during chapters 4-18. [Which describe the cataclysmic destruction on earth in the Tribulation.]
2. The Mid-Tribulation Position. This is also referred to as the Pre-Wrath Position.
3. The Post-Tribulation Position
Fourth, “What Are The Reasons For Believing In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture?”
1. Because Scripture contains several foreshadowing’s of translation in the Bible.
The first of these foreshadowing of translation in the story of Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24, Heb. 11:5) “Enoch lived sixty-five years and begot Methuselah. [how would you like to have your first child at 65?] (22) After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. (23) So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. (24) And Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”
We find the New Testament Commentary on this passage in Hebrews 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him…” Enoch is to be our first foreshadowing of a believer being translated into heaven without going through death and resurrection but he is not our last.
Elijah (2 Kings 2:11)
“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
Philip (Acts 8:39-40)
“Now when they came up out of the water [from the Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch], the Spirit
of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. (40) But Philip was found in Azotus. ..”
Philip is supernaturally removed from the desert and materializes at the city of Azotus where he continues his preaching. The word in (v. 39) is (harpazo) the same word found in 1 Thess. 4:17.
2. Because of the belief that the scriptures dealing with the Rapture must be interpreted literally not allegorically.
We are told that We Will Be Changed by God (1 Cor. 15:50-58). In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul is dealing with believer’s who were afraid that Jesus had already come and taken away the church and the day of the Lord had already occurred. They thought they had been left behind. In I Corinthians 15:50-58 the Apostle Paul, after presenting the fundamental teaching about the resurrection, concluded his discussion by introducing what he called a “mystery” (v. 51). “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. (51) Behold I tell 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 trumpet, For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written; Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? (56) The sting of Death is sin, the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
When the word “mystery” as it is used in Scripture does not refer to something mysterious or difficult to understand, but rather refers to a truth not previously revealed.
What then was the “mystery”? It was that some believers would be translated into God’s presence without having experienced death and resurrection. As we have already seen there were several foreshadowing of translation or rapture in Scripture.
After having revealed the mystery of translation into heaven without death and resurrection Paul now proceeded to tell them how this will happen (v.52). The first thing he tells them is that it will take place in “the twinkling of an eye.” [Pentecost. Prophecy for Today p. 29 ]
We are told that We Will Be Caught Up With Christ (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18). “But I do not want you to be ignorant brethern, concerning those who have fallen asleep; [died] lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. (15) For this we say to you by the world of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. (16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, ands with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will raise first. (17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore comfort on another with these words.”
Verses 15-17 reveal the process by which the church will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The resurrection of the dead believer’s will be followed by the catching away of the live believers.
3. Because Christ promised to keep the church “from” the tribulation.
Revelation 3:10
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth”
1 Thessalonians 1:10
“and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In the two passages in Thessalonians Paul,
indicated that the Church will not experience the outpouring of God’s wrath during this future day of the Lord, implying that the church will be removed from the earth before that day!
4. Because of the prophecy of the removal of the restraint of the Holy Spirit. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8) “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. (8) And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
The only thing powerful enough to restrain Satan is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells within the body of believers. The only way the Holy Spirit can be removed is to take the believers with Him. The removal of the Holy Spirit would be the rapture or the catching away of the church.
Finally, “What About Those Who Are Left Behind?”
What Will life be Like here on Earth During the Tribulation?
We will of course look at this in depth in our sermon on the Tribulation but I want end tonight by giving you just an overview. The seven years of the Tribulation period described in the Book of Revelation will surpasses any horror that the world has thus far witnessed. During the first part of the tribulation period, a world leader [the Anti-Christ] will arise on the scene bringing temporary world peace. Shortly thereafter war will break out and many people will be killed. The war will be followed by famine and high inflation. The war, the famine, and the plagues that will occur will kill over ¼ of the world’s population. The Tribulation is God’s judgment falling on an unbelieving world. He will send a total of 21 judgments, three series of seven judgments each.
The Scroll Judgments (Rev. 6:1-8:1)
The Trumpet Judgments (Rev. 8:2-15:6)
The Vial Judgments (Rev. 15:7-18:24)
Can those who are Left Behind Still Be Saved?
Some say, “Well if the rapture takes place and I’m left behind, at least I will know what to do to get saved.” But if you are not willing to give your life to Jesus now, what makes you think that you will be able to then, knowing that the sakes will be much higher? I believe that to become a Christian in that day, and there will be people saved [scriptural support], that most will have to forfeit their lives.
Charles Stanley has said, “Jesus said, ‘I don’t know when I’m coming back … not even the angels in heaven know: only my Father knows.’ Matthew 24:27 and Matthew 24:36-41 …remind us of his warnings. He is coming without a warning; He is coming instantly without a warning. The skies are going to break open. The shout, the sound of a trumpet, And I believe that only believers are going to hear and only believers are going to know what is taking place… I wonder how many of us really do watch, wait, look forward to, think that at any moment Jesus Christ could come. There’s not a single thing that has to be done before Jesus comes… I don’t have to worry about when it going to happen. All I have to do is be ready.” [William T James. ed. Prophecy at Ground Zero. (Lancaster, Penn; Starburst Pub., 2002) p. 209]
Conclusion
My faith does not rest in the rapture but in the return of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If happen to be wrong and I am still alive when the Anti-Christ emerges as a world leader, then I’ll switch to being Mid-trib. If I’m around long enough to see the Anti-Christ commit the “abomination of desolation” and demand to be worshipped I will switch to being Post-trib. But until then I believe the scripture says that the Lord is coming to kept us from or out of these things.
“Amazing Prophecies of the End Times”
Lesson # 2
“The Rapture”
Five questions concerning the subject of the Rapture.
1.“What Is The Next Event In Biblical Prophecy?”
2.“What Are The Arguments Against Belief In A Rapture?”
•the term “rapture” does not occur in the Bible.
•the doctrine of the rapture is of recent origin.
3. Third, “What Are The Major Views Of The Timing Of The Rapture?”
•The Pre-Tribulation Position
In support of this teaching the church is spoken of nineteen times in the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation. From the time John, hears the words, “Come up hither.” (Rev 4:1). The church is not mentioned again in the Book of Revelation until chapter 19 when Christ returns with the armies of Heaven to put to an end man’s rebellion at Armageddon.
•The Mid-Tribulation or Pre-Wrath Position.
•The Post-Tribulation Position
4.“What Are The Reasons For Believing In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture?”
•Because Scripture contains several foreshadowing’s of translation in the Bible.
(Enoch, Elijah, Philip)
•Because of the belief that the scriptures dealing with the Rapture must be interpreted literally not allegorically.
We are told that We Will Be Changed by God
(1 Cor. 15:50-58)
We are told that We Will Be Caught Up With
Christ (1 Thess. 4: 13-18).
•Because Christ promised to keep the church from the tribulation (Rev. 3:10. 1 Thess. 1:10, 5:9)
•Because of the prophecy of the removal of the restraint of the Holy Spirit. (2 Thess. 2:7-8)
5. “What Happens To Those Who Are Left Behind?”
