RAPTURE THEORY II How valid is the “Rapture” doctrine? Will - TopicsExpress



          

RAPTURE THEORY II How valid is the “Rapture” doctrine? Will it stand up in the Court of Heaven? Have “Rapture” enthusiasts been led astray? Origin Of The Rapture Doctrine Part 1 In 1997, in an issue of my publication The Reformer, I issued a challenge to anyone who could document any evidence that the “Rapture” dogma, as publicized today, was taught by any “church leader” or “church father” prior to 255 years ago. No one came forward. It is now 2007. I’m still waiting. In my research, I discovered that in 1742-44 Morgan Edwards wrote a book on the modern-day “Rapture” doctrine. It was published in 1788. Thus began the contemporary “Rapture” melodrama. Morgan became a Baptist leader of notoriety, confirming my conviction that the “Rapture” doctrine is largely a Baptist doctrine, not a doctrine of Jesus and his apostles. As far as my research implies, there’s no record prior to 1742 of the “Rapture” doctrine being taught or its details being published by anyone, not even by the “church fathers.” It strikes me rather odd that if the “Rapture” doctrine is a divine teaching, why did our “church fathers” fail to write about it? They wrote about all other major doctrines of the apostles. Why would they overlook a major topic as important as the “Rapture?” It should be noted at this junction that the “Rapture” teaching has Jesus descending twice more, once to “rapture” saints and once to put an end to the so-called “Tribulation” and “Armageddon,” followed by a thousand-year earthly government. In this matter, the “Rapture” advocates select a few distinct, highly symbolic passages from the Book of Revelation, tie them in with the Thessalonian verses, and the screenplay is consummated. It is wise to remember that nowhere in scripture is it taught, or remotely indicated, that Jesus will personally and visibly return twice more. His second advent is alluded to time after time, but never a third advent. Nor do the scriptures speak of saints ascending into heaven twice, once at the so-called “Rapture,” and once again “when the thousand years are over,” as the doctrine is advocated. The “Rapture’s” Authenticity Part 2 Before delving further into the “Rapture” doctrine and its biblical authenticity, I think it wise that we identify the doctrine’s composition, for I do not wish to misrepresent. Let’s begin with the term “rapture.” 1) “Rapture” is not found in any of our oldest Greek manuscripts. It has its origin in the Latin word “rapere,” which means to “take away,” “snatch out,” or “to seize.” We must not call “rapture” a biblical term for there is no Greek word that translates it. 2) The idea is that Jesus will suddenly appear in the air to snatch away from the earth and take to heaven all living saints, as well as the resurrected bodies of those believers who have died. 3) If you are on the roof of your house, or riding horseback, or in your car on a busy highway, or in bed with your spouse, you will be “snatched”or “caught up”—disappear all of a sudden. Your unregenerate friends and relatives will be amazed at your sudden disappearance. Cars will crash without drivers; planes will fall without pilots. 4) At the “Rapture,” Jesus “snatches up the church” only. But at “The Revelation,” when He is revealed once again, He will “return with the church” and bring an end to the “Tribulation” and “Armageddon.” A thousand-year earthly reign will then commence. Does this sound like something you’ve never heard before? If yes, it is because you’ve never read it before—at least not in the scriptures. The scriptures used to support the “Rapture” are 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17, where Paul deals with the Lord’s return. Revelation, chapters 4-5, are supposed to capture the heavenly scene, and the 7-year “Tribulation” period, which follows the “snatching up,” is described in Revelation, chapters 4-19—or so allege the “Rapture” defenders. Now read me carefully. If 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17 do not teach the “Rapture” creed, the entire core of the screenplay collapses. We agree that when Jesus returns, He will bring with him "those who have fallen asleep” (v.14). Furthermore, we concur that when He makes His second advent, He will “snatch up” those of us still living “to meet the Lord in the air” (v.17). It is agreed further that those of us still living will not precede or go ahead of those who have died (v.15). We will be caught up together with departed saints, after they have been resurrected from their paradise abode. These saints will accompany Jesus (“God will bring with Jesus,” v.14) as He gathers to Himself those who are still alive. This is where the agreement ends. Our premillennial brethren have Jesus descending twice, once to “rapture” saints and once more when He returns with them to put an end to the “Tribulation” and “Armageddon,” followed by a thousand-year earthly government. In this matter, they select a few highly symbolic passages from the Book of Revelation, tie them in with the Thessalonian verses, and the “Rapture stage” is ready to perform. Nowhere in the Thessalonian verses is it remotely implied that Jesus will descend twice more. Please keep that idea in mind as we examine this dramatic creed. For if, as stated earlier, these verses fail to advance the “Rapture” doctrine, it falls by the wayside. Ambassador Paul vs. The “Rapture” Viewpoint Part 3 Let it be noted that if Paul in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17 fails to bolster the “Rapture” doctrine, it falls by the wayside. Let’s examine the apostle’s remarks in detail. We’ll read them as they appear in the New International Version. 13. “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, and are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1) Paul is speaking of one event, one occurrence, one happening—not two. It all happens in instantaneous succession. 2) A speedy return of the Lord apparently was on the minds of the Thessalonian saints, and they felt badly about those who had “fallen asleep” (died), thinking it a great loss that they were not alive to meet Jesus when He made His second advent (v.13). 3) When Jesus is personally revealed again, those saints who have died will be resurrected from their paradise abode and accompany Jesus as He gathers to Himself those who are still alive (v.14). 4) It would take a lot of theological distorting of verse 15 to make it mean something other than what Paul said. When Jesus makes His second personal advent, living saints will not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep, but “will be caught up together with them [departed saints] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 5) Jesus will return from heaven for the second time with an announcement everyone will be able to hear (v.16). The dead in Christ will be resurrected prior to meeting the Lord, and prior to living saints gathering to Him. 6) In verse 17, “after that” points directly to the same sequence of things, as mentioned in verse 16. In other words, living saints will be caught up with resurrected saints the moment those saints are raised. I repeat again: Only one advent is alluded to in these verses. Nowhere in scripture does it speak of Jesus making two personal advents, following His ascension into heaven two-thousand years ago. Nor do they speak of saints ascending into heaven twice. Saints have been reigning with Jesus since He was “Exalted [enthroned] to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33-35). He now sits on “David’s throne” (Acts 2:30) in heaven as King over God’s new nation or kingdom, the community of the saints. Jesus’ throne in heaven typifies David’s reignship over old Israel. David reigned as king over old Israel; Jesus now reigns as King over new Israel, the family of believers. The saints at Colosse had been “rescued from the dominion [kingdom] of darkness” and transferred “into the kingdom of the Son He loves” (Colossians 1:13). As there can be no body without a head, or a kingdom without a king, we conclude that since the believers at Colosse were citizens of God’s kingdom, Jesus must have been their King! If He is now King, and He is, why in logic’s name would He surrender his superior kingship in heaven to return to earth to become King of an inferior kingdom during an alleged thousand-year earthly reign? A Crushing Argument Against The “Rapture” Dogma Part 4 One of the most crushing arguments against the modern-day “Rapture” doctrine is 1st Corinthians 15. Of the 58 verses contained in this chapter, 85 percent of them deal with the resurrection. Yet, in all of these verses, not once does Paul allude to Jesus descending twice more. Listen to verse 23: “But each in his own turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes [referring to one advent], those who belong to him. Then the end will come.” It might interest you to know that “will come” is not in the oldest Greek manuscripts. Literally, the verse reads, “Then the end.” End of what? End of time and tangible matter as we know them today. When that occurs, Jesus “hands over the kingdom [reign] to God the Father after he has destroyed all [earthly] dominion, authority, and power. For he must [now] reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (verses 24 & 25). Our “Rapture” brethren say that Jesus will suddenly appear in the air to snatch away from the earth and take to heaven all living saints, as well as the resurrected bodies of those believers who have died. At the “Rapture,” Jesus “snatches up the church” only. But at “The Revelation,” when He is revealed once again, He will “return with the church”and bring an end to the “Tribulation” and “Armageddon.” A thousand-year earthly reign will then commence, as per the doctrine. Consequently, we have two future advents. It makes little difference whether Jesus’ feet will touch the earth during His first advent (“Rapture”). The fact is, there are two advents scheduled. The scriptures speak of only one. If Jesus is to descend twice more, as our “Rapture” brethren claim, please tell me why Paul failed to communicate that fact when he wrote at length about the resurrection? He alludes to one advent (verse 23), not two. He had every opportunity to say something about a second advent. He is completely silent on the subject! You see, if the scriptures fail to teach that Jesus will descend twice more, the contemporary “Rapture” doctrine falls short of evidence. And when a doctrine falls short of evidence, it is most likely of man and not of God. The “Rapture” doctrine falls short of evidence. It simply ain’t there! Jesus is now reigning over new Israel, the redeemed society. The new Israel was not meant to be earthly and external, as earthly kingdoms are, and her King was to reign in the hearts of His subjects, not from a throne constructed from earthly stones and materialistic hardware. Jesus states it far more exquisitely, “The kingdom [reign] of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom [reign] of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Jesus reigns from His throne in heaven and in the hearts of His subjects, not in earthly Jerusalem at a future date. For then people would be able to say, “Here it is,” or “There it is.” And Jesus says this will not be the case! A Spiritual Kingdom vs. The “Rapture” Part 5 Up to this point, I have described in detail the “Rapture” theology, taking my information from those who advocate this teaching. I think it only fair that I allow you to hear from two of my readers who support the position I take. The first brother was, at one time, an ardent modern-day “Rapture” enthusiast. Apparently, he knows what he’s talking about. The second brother raises a point you won’t want to miss. ? “I can come up with hundreds of internal contradictions they [‘Rapture’ brethren] have to explain away on the basis of logic, supposition, and just plain guesswork. The secret is to listen to what they have to say, then ask them to explain the details. If you let them talk long enough, they will only confuse themselves. You don’t really have to attack or refute them. They do it themselves. It’s even better when you get two or more of them in a room together, because you will never see any two agree completely on the details. “How do I know this? I was raised in a ‘pre-tribulation’ and a ‘pre-millennial’ church. I used to argue these positions and made myself look like a fool. Needless to say, I no longer believe in a ‘pre-tribulation’ Rapture. But I certainly don’t believe in using it as a test of brotherhood, as so many do.”—Rick Presley. “I think it is interesting, albeit sad, that I’ve heard so many ‘rapturists’ and ‘premillennialists’ on the one hand speak of the short-sighted Jews of the first century who could not see the spiritual reign of Jesus in His earthly appearance, yet turn around and are guilty of doing the same thing by speaking of an earthly kingdom and reign the Messiah will usher in! I see no distinction in their follies.”—Joel Cranford. ? This brother makes an excellent point. I’d like to comment. The Jews in Jesus’ day failed to envision His reign as spiritual because they were looking for an earthly kingdom with all of the political trimmings that accompany earthly kingdoms. “Rapture” brethren are making the same mistake. They’re looking for a “glorified kingdom” with all of the “glorified trimmings” that accompany “glorified kingdoms.” In the meantime, they fail to understand that such a kingdom or reign has existed since the very moment Jesus was “exalted [enthroned] to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33). His kingdom is not earthly, palpable, and tangible. It is spiritual in that its King reigns from heaven and in the hearts of His subjects. Ahhhh, Those “Rapture” And Other “Prophets!” Part 6 Are those “doomsday prophets” counterfeit? Some, yes; others, no. In past years, I have written extensively on disagreements among brethren, and I have taken, and still take, the position that teaching falsely does not necessarily make a believer a false prophet or teacher, as per the scriptures. I do not believe most of my brethren who hold to the thousand-year earthly reign, the “Rapture”doctrine, and other related topics, are false teachers in the biblical sense. It is my understanding that, in scripture, “false teachers” are those who teach falsely, knowingly and deliberately. The term is never once applied to those who embrace and advocate wrong teaching honestly and sincerely. So at this point, we need to ask ourselves: Can we logically and rationally equate false teachers who are sincere with those brothers who seem to have some kind of “supernatural” insight into God’s timetable for the ages? This is where the bone rubs. Should we make a distinction between the two? I’m inclined to answer in the affirmative. Hal Lindsey and Grant Jeffrey are a case at hand. As you recall, a few years ago they sensationalized the Y2K scenario. Tens of thousands of gullible believers fell head-long into their soul-stirring and thrilling rhetoric and purchased their tapes and books. These two “prophets” capitalized upon the occasion and “collected” hundreds of thousands of dollars from suckered believers. During the period leading up to Y2K, their speaking engagements were numerous, and untold thousands paid out cash to warm pews while Hal Lindsey and Grant Jeffrey tickled their ears with the “drama of the ages,”only to discover at 12:05 a.m. on January 1, 2000 that none of their “prophecies” materialized. What a disappointment that must have been for those tens of thousands of duped believers who had been brainwashed by two “celebrated prophets.” When a brother steps into God’s role by either predicting or prophesying future events that are in His hands only, he has, in my opinion, involved himself in affairs that belong only to Deity. He dare not do that! Lindsey and many others have “played around” with God’s timetable for decades and have gotten rich by fleecing God’s sheep. This is why I’m inclined to make a distinction between those brothers who are sincerely wrong in some of their interpretations of scripture and those who play around with God’s timetable. Many of the “Rapture” enthusiasts fall into the same pigeonhole—not all of them, of course, but some of them. efren-poetryandmore.blogspot/
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 09:45:51 +0000

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