What does "the coming of the Lord" in the NT refer to?
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What you have written here is true with regard to the three events it describes; albeit, I believe you have misrepresented it with regard to terminology and definition.
There are no 'phases' in the biblical context of 'resurrection'. Each and every resurrection is a whole-and-complete occurrence.
It is the idea from 'made alive' that is "in multiple" - in the form of three separate and distinct resurrections:
1) Resurrection of Christ (First Coming)
2) First Resurrection at Second Coming
3) Second Resurrection after Millennium
Each is a full-and-complete resurrection unto itself.
The Hebrew 'harvest' is in reality three separate and distinct harvests/gatherings.
Don't try to combine the three separate events - each of which occurs at the appointed time.
Each one stands alone - and, is biblically valid as such.
There are no 'phases' in the biblical context of 'resurrection'. Each and every resurrection is a whole-and-complete occurrence.
It is the idea from 'made alive' that is "in multiple" - in the form of three separate and distinct resurrections:
1) Resurrection of Christ (First Coming)
2) First Resurrection at Second Coming
3) Second Resurrection after Millennium
Each is a full-and-complete resurrection unto itself.
The Hebrew 'harvest' is in reality three separate and distinct harvests/gatherings.
Don't try to combine the three separate events - each of which occurs at the appointed time.
Each one stands alone - and, is biblically valid as such.
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The idea of "coming back to earth" does not actually require that His feet touch the ground.
I can "come to your house" without actually going into your house.
The general/generic definition of "come to earth" means to "enter/penetrate the proximity/vicinity of the earth"
This is what some people mean when they use the phrase or put forth the idea.
This is why post-trib folks say that Jesus "comes back" - in principle - whether His feet touch the ground or not.
I can "come to your house" without actually going into your house.
The general/generic definition of "come to earth" means to "enter/penetrate the proximity/vicinity of the earth"
This is what some people mean when they use the phrase or put forth the idea.
This is why post-trib folks say that Jesus "comes back" - in principle - whether His feet touch the ground or not.
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While it would be entirely 'safe' to assume that the First Resurrection consisted of only the saved, the 'martyrs only' assumption is not quite that 'solid'.
In the 'grammar of the language', just because John saw a certain group does not necessitate that they were the only ones he saw - only that he saw them - possibly among others that could have also been present.
Did the apostles not include themselves in those that would reign with Christ?
They most certainly are not in the group described.
What about the saints still alive when Christ appears?
They most certainly are not in the group described.
(Be careful when making assumptions about what scripture is saying.)
In the 'grammar of the language', just because John saw a certain group does not necessitate that they were the only ones he saw - only that he saw them - possibly among others that could have also been present.
Did the apostles not include themselves in those that would reign with Christ?
They most certainly are not in the group described.
What about the saints still alive when Christ appears?
They most certainly are not in the group described.
(Be careful when making assumptions about what scripture is saying.)
Yeah that’s how all stories are written. We get a small window into whatever they want to talk about and not the complete picture of everything else that could possibly be happening. Just because something isn’t mentioned doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I get it, but that doesn’t give us the right to fill in the blanks.
Just based off of the revealed information, I see that there must be two resurrection groups. If there is more information being intentionally withheld from the readers then that’s an entirely different matter I have no control over. I just see the word and represent it the best I can with what I am given.
Just based off of the revealed information, I see that there must be two resurrection groups. If there is more information being intentionally withheld from the readers then that’s an entirely different matter I have no control over. I just see the word and represent it the best I can with what I am given.
The problem is your misunderstanding of "the rest of the dead" in Rev 20:5.
The Bible clearly teaches there is only TWO resurrections, one for the saved and one for the unsaved.
Acts 24:15 - and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Scripture is clear that they do not occur at the same time.
1 Cor 15:23 - But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. iow, ALL saved will be resurrected "when He comes", which is at the Second Advent.
So, when we read Rev 20:5
(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.
v.4 is about tribulation martyrs who are resurrected and reign with Christ. So the parenthesis in red in v.5 refers to all the unsaved, who haven't been resurrected YET. And it is clear WHEN they will be resurrected; after the Millennium. And reading through Rev 20 we find that at the end of the Millennium is the GWT judgment, which is where the resurrection of the unsaved occurs.
The blue words at the end of v.5 refer to the resurrection of the tribulation martyrs.
The Bible clearly teaches there is only TWO resurrections, one for the saved and one for the unsaved.
Acts 24:15 - and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Scripture is clear that they do not occur at the same time.
1 Cor 15:23 - But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. iow, ALL saved will be resurrected "when He comes", which is at the Second Advent.
So, when we read Rev 20:5
(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.
v.4 is about tribulation martyrs who are resurrected and reign with Christ. So the parenthesis in red in v.5 refers to all the unsaved, who haven't been resurrected YET. And it is clear WHEN they will be resurrected; after the Millennium. And reading through Rev 20 we find that at the end of the Millennium is the GWT judgment, which is where the resurrection of the unsaved occurs.
The blue words at the end of v.5 refer to the resurrection of the tribulation martyrs.
Hardly. Anyone can follow and understand what v.5 is saying.
[QUOE] You clearly don’t understand anything I just said in my post about the first resurrection. Go back and read it again.[/QUOTE]
I certainly do understand what you posted. And I thoroughly reject it.
There is only one "first resurrection". I proved it from Scripture. Matt 22:30, Luke 14:14, 1 Cor 15:23. Anyone can read these verses and see the singular. No evidence for plural. But you can make up whatever you want to believe.
Acts 24:15 shows TWO resurrections; one for the saved and one for the unsaved.
Now, prove that these verses all say something else. If you can.
[QUOE] You clearly don’t understand anything I just said in my post about the first resurrection. Go back and read it again.[/QUOTE]
I certainly do understand what you posted. And I thoroughly reject it.
There is only one "first resurrection". I proved it from Scripture. Matt 22:30, Luke 14:14, 1 Cor 15:23. Anyone can read these verses and see the singular. No evidence for plural. But you can make up whatever you want to believe.
Acts 24:15 shows TWO resurrections; one for the saved and one for the unsaved.
Now, prove that these verses all say something else. If you can.
The resurrection of the tribulation of the martyrs? What are you talking about. The bible makes it very clear that upon death the body returns to the earth from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. There were only 2 people in the bible that did not die and were taken to heaven and even they did not enter heaven in a flesh body that was Enoch and Elijah two others died and no one knows where there bodies are Moses and Jesus.
11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Gary A Show me the word rapture in he bible!!
Ezekiel 13
17Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, 18And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? 19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. 21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
I"GOD" AM AGAINST YOUR PILLOWS, WHEREWITH YE THERE HUNT TO MAKE THEM FLY. God does not want you out there pulling people into your church and then tell them you do not need to know the book of Revelation we are going to be gone. You are out there committing spiritual murder. There is no rapture. Satan comes at the 6th trump, the 6th seal, and the 6th vile. 666 the mark of the beast that you should have sealed in your forehead, sealed in your brain. Jesus returns at the last trump the 7th trump
11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Gary A Show me the word rapture in he bible!!
Ezekiel 13
17Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, 18And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? 19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. 21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
I"GOD" AM AGAINST YOUR PILLOWS, WHEREWITH YE THERE HUNT TO MAKE THEM FLY. God does not want you out there pulling people into your church and then tell them you do not need to know the book of Revelation we are going to be gone. You are out there committing spiritual murder. There is no rapture. Satan comes at the 6th trump, the 6th seal, and the 6th vile. 666 the mark of the beast that you should have sealed in your forehead, sealed in your brain. Jesus returns at the last trump the 7th trump
Search results for: donkey
169 verses found. Showing up to 25.
Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in ...
... When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to ...
https://biblehub.com/numbers/22-23.htm
Numbers 22:30 But the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life ...
... The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to ...
a harlot !"hooker"
לְזוֹנָ֔ה (lə·zō·w·nāh)
Hooker
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew 2181: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I ...
... For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as ...
https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-12.htm
Job 37:18 can you, like Him, spread out the skies to reflect the heat like a mirror of ...
... can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze? he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. Can you do that ...
snake
https://biblehub.com/job/37-18.htm
Search results for: snake
69 verses found. Showing up to 25.
Numbers 21:9 So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten ...
... So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. So Moses ...
https://biblehub.com/numbers/21-9.htm
Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the ...
... If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee. If a snake bites before you charm it, what's the use of being a snake charmer? If ...
https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm
Luke 11:11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake ...
... Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? "You fathers — if your children ask for a fish, do you give ...
Trinity The Father The Son and The Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the ...
... all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and ... the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Therefore, go and ... all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and ...
https://biblehub.com/matthew/28-19.ht
Search results for: rapture
3 verses found.
Luke 1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
... saying, And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise. His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied ...
https://biblehub.com/luke/1-67.htm
Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, "I praise You, Father, ...
... good in thy sight. On that same occasion Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with rapturous joy. "I give Thee fervent thanks," He exclaimed, "O Father, ...
https://biblehub.com/luke/10-21.htm
Song of Solomon 2:3 Like an apricot tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. ...
... of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons: In his shadow have I rapture and sit down; And his fruit is sweet to my taste. As the apple tree ...
169 verses found. Showing up to 25.
Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in ...
... When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to ...
https://biblehub.com/numbers/22-23.htm
Numbers 22:30 But the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life ...
... The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to ...
a harlot !"hooker"
לְזוֹנָ֔ה (lə·zō·w·nāh)
Hooker
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew 2181: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I ...
... For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as ...
https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-12.htm
Job 37:18 can you, like Him, spread out the skies to reflect the heat like a mirror of ...
... can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze? he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. Can you do that ...
snake
https://biblehub.com/job/37-18.htm
Search results for: snake
69 verses found. Showing up to 25.
Numbers 21:9 So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten ...
... So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. So Moses ...
https://biblehub.com/numbers/21-9.htm
Ecclesiastes 10:11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the ...
... If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee. If a snake bites before you charm it, what's the use of being a snake charmer? If ...
https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm
Luke 11:11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake ...
... Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? "You fathers — if your children ask for a fish, do you give ...
Trinity The Father The Son and The Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the ...
... all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and ... the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Therefore, go and ... all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and ...
https://biblehub.com/matthew/28-19.ht
Search results for: rapture
3 verses found.
Luke 1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
... saying, And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise. His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied ...
https://biblehub.com/luke/1-67.htm
Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, "I praise You, Father, ...
... good in thy sight. On that same occasion Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with rapturous joy. "I give Thee fervent thanks," He exclaimed, "O Father, ...
https://biblehub.com/luke/10-21.htm
Song of Solomon 2:3 Like an apricot tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. ...
... of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons: In his shadow have I rapture and sit down; And his fruit is sweet to my taste. As the apple tree ...
Here is what God has to say about your fly away doctrine "rapture"
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. 21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. 21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
GaryA Here is the history of your rapture theory:
Almost all Christians are interested in prophecy. This is especially true if the prophecies show what will happen to Christians themselves. There is nothing wrong in desiring such personal knowledge. Even our Lord gave a considerable amount of teaching about the circumstances to befall His people at the end of the age (Matthew 24:22–25). We all share a common concern in wanting to know about the participants, the chronology, and the geography of those prophecies. To comprehend the full knowledge of them it is obvious that all relevant statements of our Lord and His apostles must be properly interpreted and placed in a coherent order.
Many Christians have attempted to do this. As a consequence, the doctrine of the Rapture has arisen. So important has it become to many that the teaching is now sanctioned in some circles as the prime revelation from God to show what will happen to members of His ekklesia just before and during the Second Coming of Christ. Some of the greatest friends of the Holy Scriptures have accepted this teaching (and they teach this false doctrine even by mistranslating the phrase “first resurrection” as “the former resurrection” in Revelation 20:5). If one translates the word correctly as “first,” then it means the resurrection of Christians occurs after the Tribulation, and the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory is shown to be false. 1
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory, however, is a menacing doctrine that perverts the plain language of the text of the New Testament. Some preachers today look on the doctrine as the heart and core of present Christian expectations in regard to prophetic truth for the near future! Many believe this false teaching is the principle hope of the Body of Christ for their redemption and safety during the Great Tribulation. We need to look at this teaching carefully.
The Doctrine of the Rapture
First understand that the word “Rapture” is not found in the King James translation. There is also no single word used by biblical authors to describe the prophetic factors that comprise the doctrine. Its formulation came about by means of inductive reasoning. Certain biblical passages concerning the Second Coming, and the role Christians will play in that event, were blended together inductively to establish the teaching.
The modern expression “Rapture” has been invented to explain the overall teaching and the term suits the subject well. The basic tenets of the doctrine are simple. It purports that Christ will come back to this earth in two phases. He will first return secretly to rapture His church away from this world so that they might escape the Great Tribulation to occur at the end of the age. Christ then returns in a visible advent to dispense His wrath on the world’s nations. This is the general teaching.
Many details concerning these prime factors are hotly debated. There is especially much argument over the chronological features associated with it. Some think the time lapse between the two phases will be 3 ½ years, others say 7 years. Some feel that the Rapture of the ekklesia occurs before the Tribulation, others about mid-way through. Many suggest that the saints of God will be taken to heaven for protection, while others suggest a geographical area on this earth (as I have shown in various articles). 2 Some feel that only part of the ekklesia will escape, while others say all will be rescued.
These variations and others have multiplied the interpretations among those holding the belief. But all are unanimous on one point: the central theme of the “Rapture Theory” (as it is normally called in the theological world) shows that Christ will return to earth in two phases. They think Christ will come at first secretly for His saints and then He will come visibly with His saints returning with Him from heaven at the actual Second Advent. In this book, when I use the term “Rapture” standing alone, I always mean the “Rapture Theory” of the pre-tribulation theorists.
Almost all Christians are interested in prophecy. This is especially true if the prophecies show what will happen to Christians themselves. There is nothing wrong in desiring such personal knowledge. Even our Lord gave a considerable amount of teaching about the circumstances to befall His people at the end of the age (Matthew 24:22–25). We all share a common concern in wanting to know about the participants, the chronology, and the geography of those prophecies. To comprehend the full knowledge of them it is obvious that all relevant statements of our Lord and His apostles must be properly interpreted and placed in a coherent order.
Many Christians have attempted to do this. As a consequence, the doctrine of the Rapture has arisen. So important has it become to many that the teaching is now sanctioned in some circles as the prime revelation from God to show what will happen to members of His ekklesia just before and during the Second Coming of Christ. Some of the greatest friends of the Holy Scriptures have accepted this teaching (and they teach this false doctrine even by mistranslating the phrase “first resurrection” as “the former resurrection” in Revelation 20:5). If one translates the word correctly as “first,” then it means the resurrection of Christians occurs after the Tribulation, and the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory is shown to be false. 1
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory, however, is a menacing doctrine that perverts the plain language of the text of the New Testament. Some preachers today look on the doctrine as the heart and core of present Christian expectations in regard to prophetic truth for the near future! Many believe this false teaching is the principle hope of the Body of Christ for their redemption and safety during the Great Tribulation. We need to look at this teaching carefully.
The Doctrine of the Rapture
First understand that the word “Rapture” is not found in the King James translation. There is also no single word used by biblical authors to describe the prophetic factors that comprise the doctrine. Its formulation came about by means of inductive reasoning. Certain biblical passages concerning the Second Coming, and the role Christians will play in that event, were blended together inductively to establish the teaching.
The modern expression “Rapture” has been invented to explain the overall teaching and the term suits the subject well. The basic tenets of the doctrine are simple. It purports that Christ will come back to this earth in two phases. He will first return secretly to rapture His church away from this world so that they might escape the Great Tribulation to occur at the end of the age. Christ then returns in a visible advent to dispense His wrath on the world’s nations. This is the general teaching.
Many details concerning these prime factors are hotly debated. There is especially much argument over the chronological features associated with it. Some think the time lapse between the two phases will be 3 ½ years, others say 7 years. Some feel that the Rapture of the ekklesia occurs before the Tribulation, others about mid-way through. Many suggest that the saints of God will be taken to heaven for protection, while others suggest a geographical area on this earth (as I have shown in various articles). 2 Some feel that only part of the ekklesia will escape, while others say all will be rescued.
These variations and others have multiplied the interpretations among those holding the belief. But all are unanimous on one point: the central theme of the “Rapture Theory” (as it is normally called in the theological world) shows that Christ will return to earth in two phases. They think Christ will come at first secretly for His saints and then He will come visibly with His saints returning with Him from heaven at the actual Second Advent. In this book, when I use the term “Rapture” standing alone, I always mean the “Rapture Theory” of the pre-tribulation theorists.
Rapture History:
The Newness of the Doctrine
It may come as a surprise but the doctrine of the Rapture is not mentioned in any Christian writings, of which we have knowledge, until after the year 1830 C.E. Whether the early writers were Greek or Latin, Armenian or Coptic, Syrian or Ethiopian, English or German, orthodox or heretic, no one mentioned it before 1830 (though a sentence in Pseudo-Dionysius in about 500 C.E. could be so interpreted). Of course, those who feel the origin of the teaching is in the Bible would say that it ceased being taught for some unknown reason at the close of the apostolic age only to reappear in 1830. But if the doctrine were so clearly stated in Scripture, it seems incredible that no one should have referred to it before the 19th century.
The lateness of the doctrine does not necessarily mean the teaching is wrong (only the plain statements of the Bible can reveal that). It does show that thousands of eminent scholars over seventeen centuries (including the most astute “Christian Fathers” and those of the Reformation and post-Reformation periods) must be considered prophetic dunces for not having understood so fundamental a teaching. This lapse of seventeen centuries when no one elaborated on the doctrine must be viewed as an obstacle to accepting its reliability.
The Beginnings of the Doctrine
The result of a careful investigation into the origin of the Rapture was published in 1976. This was in an excellent research book that deserves to be read by all people interested in the subject. Its title: The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin by Dave MacPherson. 3 He catalogs a great deal of historical material that answers the doctrine’s mysterious derivation. I wish to review the results of his research.
In the middle 1820’s a religious environment began to be established among a few Christians in London, England which proved to be the catalyst from which the doctrine of the Rapture emerged. Expectations of the soon coming of our Lord were being voiced. This was no new thing, but what was unusual was the teaching by a Presbyterian minister named Edward Irving that there had to be a restoration of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14 just before Christ’s Second Advent. To Irving, the time had come for those spiritual manifestations to occur. Among the expected gifts was the renewal of speaking in tongues and of prophetic utterances motivated by the spirit.
Irving began to propagate his beliefs. His oratorical skills and enthusiasm caused his congregation in London to grow. Then a number of people began to experience the “gifts.” Once this happened, opposition from the organized churches set in. It resulted in Irving’s dismissal from the Presbyterian Church in 1832. His group established themselves as the Catholic Apostolic Church and continued the teachings of Irving. These events were the beginnings of what some call present day Pentecostalism. Some church historians referred to Irving as “the father of modern Pentecostalism.”
What does this have to do with the origin of the Rapture doctrine? Look at what happened in the year 1830 — two years before Irving’s dismissal from the Presbyterian Church. In that year a revival of the “gifts” began to be manifested among some people living in the lowlands of Scotland. They experienced what they called the outpouring of the Spirit. It was accompanied with speaking in “tongues” and other charismatic phenomena. Irving preached that these things must occur and now they were.
On one particular evening, the power of the Holy Spirit was said to have rested on a Miss Margaret Macdonald while she was ill at home. She was dangerously sick and thought she was dying. In spite of this (or perhaps because she is supposed to have come under the “power” of the spirit) for several successive hours she experienced manifestations of “mingled prophecy and vision.” She found her mind in an altered state and began to experience considerable visionary activity.
The message she received during this prophetic vision convinced her that Christ was going to appear in two stages at His Second Advent, and not a single occasion as most all people formerly believed. The spirit emanation revealed that Christ would first come in glory to those who look for Him and again later in a final stage when every eye would see Him. This visionary experience of Miss Macdonald represented the prime source of the modern Rapture doctrine as the historical evidence compiled by Mr. MacPherson reveals.
The Newness of the Doctrine
It may come as a surprise but the doctrine of the Rapture is not mentioned in any Christian writings, of which we have knowledge, until after the year 1830 C.E. Whether the early writers were Greek or Latin, Armenian or Coptic, Syrian or Ethiopian, English or German, orthodox or heretic, no one mentioned it before 1830 (though a sentence in Pseudo-Dionysius in about 500 C.E. could be so interpreted). Of course, those who feel the origin of the teaching is in the Bible would say that it ceased being taught for some unknown reason at the close of the apostolic age only to reappear in 1830. But if the doctrine were so clearly stated in Scripture, it seems incredible that no one should have referred to it before the 19th century.
The lateness of the doctrine does not necessarily mean the teaching is wrong (only the plain statements of the Bible can reveal that). It does show that thousands of eminent scholars over seventeen centuries (including the most astute “Christian Fathers” and those of the Reformation and post-Reformation periods) must be considered prophetic dunces for not having understood so fundamental a teaching. This lapse of seventeen centuries when no one elaborated on the doctrine must be viewed as an obstacle to accepting its reliability.
The Beginnings of the Doctrine
The result of a careful investigation into the origin of the Rapture was published in 1976. This was in an excellent research book that deserves to be read by all people interested in the subject. Its title: The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin by Dave MacPherson. 3 He catalogs a great deal of historical material that answers the doctrine’s mysterious derivation. I wish to review the results of his research.
In the middle 1820’s a religious environment began to be established among a few Christians in London, England which proved to be the catalyst from which the doctrine of the Rapture emerged. Expectations of the soon coming of our Lord were being voiced. This was no new thing, but what was unusual was the teaching by a Presbyterian minister named Edward Irving that there had to be a restoration of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14 just before Christ’s Second Advent. To Irving, the time had come for those spiritual manifestations to occur. Among the expected gifts was the renewal of speaking in tongues and of prophetic utterances motivated by the spirit.
Irving began to propagate his beliefs. His oratorical skills and enthusiasm caused his congregation in London to grow. Then a number of people began to experience the “gifts.” Once this happened, opposition from the organized churches set in. It resulted in Irving’s dismissal from the Presbyterian Church in 1832. His group established themselves as the Catholic Apostolic Church and continued the teachings of Irving. These events were the beginnings of what some call present day Pentecostalism. Some church historians referred to Irving as “the father of modern Pentecostalism.”
What does this have to do with the origin of the Rapture doctrine? Look at what happened in the year 1830 — two years before Irving’s dismissal from the Presbyterian Church. In that year a revival of the “gifts” began to be manifested among some people living in the lowlands of Scotland. They experienced what they called the outpouring of the Spirit. It was accompanied with speaking in “tongues” and other charismatic phenomena. Irving preached that these things must occur and now they were.
On one particular evening, the power of the Holy Spirit was said to have rested on a Miss Margaret Macdonald while she was ill at home. She was dangerously sick and thought she was dying. In spite of this (or perhaps because she is supposed to have come under the “power” of the spirit) for several successive hours she experienced manifestations of “mingled prophecy and vision.” She found her mind in an altered state and began to experience considerable visionary activity.
The message she received during this prophetic vision convinced her that Christ was going to appear in two stages at His Second Advent, and not a single occasion as most all people formerly believed. The spirit emanation revealed that Christ would first come in glory to those who look for Him and again later in a final stage when every eye would see Him. This visionary experience of Miss Macdonald represented the prime source of the modern Rapture doctrine as the historical evidence compiled by Mr. MacPherson reveals.