The Rapture (salvation, souls, translation, church)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then together with them we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever".
The word rapture is not in the Bible, but it means caught up.
The concept of a rapture is not biblical, nor anywhere in the gospels, nor was it taught by Jesus. He was a Jew, and that "doctrine" would have been laughable to Him. Paul wrote in confusing "metaphors" constantly, so his works very misunderstood on so many levels.
Actually, there is something in the gospels that Jesus referred to about 2 walking in the field and one being taken up.... 2 sleeping in a bed and one being taken etc. Does anyone know the scripture I'm referring to? Seems like He was talking about a rapture in these scriptures.
It's Luke 17:34, 35.- I found it.
Last edited by kaykay; 07-31-2007 at 10:58 AM..
Reason: add scripture reference
I am not familiar with that one. But do know there are several confusing parables in Matthew 13, where Jesus talking about tares, pearls, leaven, mustard seeds, etc. Basically good vs. evil. He did not tell them to clarify but to confuse. He was brilliant of course! Maybe what He was referring to is the final tribulation time? Or maybe the verse you quoted is a mistranslation?
Seems like to me Luke 17, says instead of us going up to Him, Jesus is coming down here (second coming) to separate the good from the evil (not a rapture, but a "gathering" maybe of good souls?). Was not familiar with the women in bed/at the well, but more familiar with the rendition of the men in the field, one will be taken and the other will be left behind.
Question: "What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?"
Answer: The Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are often confused. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a Scripture is referring to the Rapture or the Second Coming. However, in studying end times Bible prophesy, it is very important to differentiate between the two.
The Rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The Rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected, and along with believers who are still living will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. The Second Coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His Millennial Kingdom. The Second Coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.
The important differences between the Rapture and Second Coming are as follows:
(1) At the Rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the Second Coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).
(2) The Second Coming occurs after the great and terrible Tribulation (Revelation chapters 6-19). The Rapture occurs before the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
(3) The Rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 5:9). The Second Coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).
(4) The Rapture will be “secret” and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The Second Coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).
(5) The Second Coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6-18). The Rapture is imminent, it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
Why is it important to keep the Rapture and the Second Coming distinct?
(1) If the Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
(2) If the Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent…there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).
(3) In describing the Tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6-19 nowhere mentions the church. During the Tribulation, God will again turn His primary attention on Israel (Romans 11:17-31).
The Rapture and Second Coming are similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences. In summary, the Rapture is the return of Christ to the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God’s wrath. The Second Coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the Tribulation to an end and to defeat the antichrist and his evil world empire.
I also thought this was an interesting read!
Question: "Will there be a second chance for salvation after the Rapture?"
Answer: Some Bible interpreters believe that there will be no second chance for salvation after the Rapture. However, there is no place in the Bible which says this, or even hints to it. There will be many people who come to Christ during the Tribulation. The 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Revelation 7:4) are believers. If no one can come to Christ during the Tribulation, then why are people being beheaded for their faith (Revelation 20:4)? I see no passage of Scripture which argues against people having a second chance after the Rapture. I do see passages which indicate the opposite.
A variation of this argument is that those who have heard the Gospel and rejected it before the Rapture cannot be saved, but those who had not heard the Gospel before the Rapture can be saved. I do not find Biblical justification for this view. Granted, most who were hard-hearted to the Gospel before the Rapture will likely be even more hardened after the Rapture. The antichrist will deceive many (Matthew 24:5)! Many will believe the lies (2 Thessalonians 2:11). At the same time, I find no Scriptural evidence that those who rejected the Gospel before the Rapture have no opportunity for salvation after the Rapture
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
