Matthew 24:40 Is the rapture secret?

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rrcn

Active member
Oct 15, 2023
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#1
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Why are there so many different opinions about the rapture. Here is a warning directly from Jesus. it sounds scary but in reality it is a comforting warning:

[Luk 21:8-19, 25-27 KJV] 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle [it] therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. ... 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

This link has a pretty good study about the subject.
 

Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
1,189
433
83
Pennsylvania
#2
I would agree with Matthew 24:36-44 does contain the rapture. For in Matthew 24:29 everyone sees the Lord coming!
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,705
542
113
#3
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Why are there so many different opinions about the rapture. Here is a warning directly from Jesus. it sounds scary but in reality it is a comforting warning:

[Luk 21:8-19, 25-27 KJV] 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle [it] therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. ... 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

This link has a pretty good study about the subject.
Whenever this happens, however this happens, the end will be here on earth one day. Therefore, choose to believe God over everything else, even the self attitude of knowing.
To me, only Father knows it all, as Jesus expounded on all the time, saying he did, does nothing without Father's lead. Daily went out each morning and prayed before beginning the new day. The disciples one day, went out after Jesus, wanting to go back to where they had been the day before, all excited, pestering him for them to go back.
Jesus responded, he had his instructions for the day, I am going over there.
That tells me to ask for the personal relationship offered between God Father and us in the risen Son, after his death took away all sin first.
Paul states, Paul puts the past behind him and continues to go forward non the present. Phil 3
All I can say is: watch out for the Leaven of people.
Stop, discern between God and you first.
If you already believe God rose Son from the dead and have received the risen Jesus in you, then ask, revive and see new, over the first born self you.
Be dead to the first born self daily to be alive daily in the Spirit of God, not of the dead flesh first birth anymore, thanks, as I see it presently
Each decides for themselves between God and them too personally
 

Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
1,189
433
83
Pennsylvania
#4
Whenever this happens, however this happens, the end will be here on earth one day. Therefore, choose to believe God over everything else, even the self attitude of knowing.
To me, only Father knows it all, as Jesus expounded on all the time, saying he did, does nothing without Father's lead. Daily went out each morning and prayed before beginning the new day. The disciples one day, went out after Jesus, wanting to go back to where they had been the day before, all excited, pestering him for them to go back.
Jesus responded, he had his instructions for the day, I am going over there.
That tells me to ask for the personal relationship offered between God Father and us in the risen Son, after his death took away all sin first.
Paul states, Paul puts the past behind him and continues to go forward non the present. Phil 3
All I can say is: watch out for the Leaven of people.
Stop, discern between God and you first.
If you already believe God rose Son from the dead and have received the risen Jesus in you, then ask, revive and see new, over the first born self you.
Be dead to the first born self daily to be alive daily in the Spirit of God, not of the dead flesh first birth anymore, thanks, as I see it presently
Each decides for themselves between God and them too personally
---------------------------------------------------------
If you truly believe Jesus was God (Immanuel--( meaning God with us )-then you better figure out what he was teaching.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,890
1,084
113
Oregon
#5
.
I've watched a number of films pertaining to the rapture and every one of
them left out the part where the remains of 2,000 years of deceased
believers from all over the globe will be restored to life.

The films also left out the part where folks unified with Christ rise into the air
to meet him. Instead the films showed them here one second and gone the
next, but I rather suspect the event should be easily observed all 'round the
world if it proceeds as described by 1Thess 4:13-17 because 2,000 years of
believers added to the world's current believers, will likely construct a flash
mob resembling a mini Oort Cloud when they all levitate together at one
time to rendezvous with the Lord up in the sky.

The mob is likely to get pretty noisy too what with all the cheering, laughing,
and shouting that's sure to take place when Jesus' followers receive their
new bodies; which of course will be immune to death and the aging process.
(1Cor 15:51-53)

* The "blink" component of the rapture pertains to the miraculous
transformation that Jesus' followers will undergo during the event. (1Cor
15:51-52)

The films also showed tiny children being taken while their parents are left
behind. That's highly doubtful because minors have often been collateral
damage in the Bible when God slammed their parents, e.g. zero children
survived the Flood, and 120,00 would've been lost had God found it
necessary to follow thru with His threat to annihilate Nineveh. (Jonah 4:11)

One of the films depicted a Christian pastor left behind and to him it was no
mystery. He frankly admitted to being a career minister rather than a called
minister, i.e. he was a man of business rather than a man of faith. In real
life, there will likely be quite a few like him miss the cut because numbers of
men coming out of seminaries take up the cloth as a career rather than due
to a longing to be of use to Christ.

I once heard a retired pastor say on radio that if the rapture were to occur
Saturday, quite a few churches would have no members missing Sunday
morning. That's a strong possibility as some card-carrying, church-attending
Christians, are so because it rounds out the week and it looks good on a
social resumé

NOTE: People shouldn't let the rapture cause them panic because it isn't the
end of the world. Folks who miss the cut can still get themselves spared
retribution and perdition, viz: it's not like all hope is lost. In point of fact,
vast numbers of folks from all over the globe will be spared during the
interlude between the rapture and Christ's feet touching down on the ground
to set up the kingdom conditions foretold by the prophets in the old
testament. (Rev 7:9-14)

However, the rapture terminates the church age so folks saved during the
time of Jacob's trouble won't become members of Christ's family circle. But
hey; is a friend of the family such a bad deal when we take into
consideration the final option?
_
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,890
1,084
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Oregon
#6
.
FAQ: Supposing I don't believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. Will I be left
behind if perchance it turns out to be true?

FYI: Well; it appears to me that the only prerequisite to being taken up is
that people be "in Jesus" a.k.a. "in Christ" (1Thess 4:14-17) In other words:
there is some information in the Bible that's nice to know but not essential to
one's safety.

And anyway; I kinda suspect that when many of us get to Heaven we'll be
whisked off to a sort of Bible camp where all our errors will be corrected and
all the blanks filled in so that when we're released into general population
there won't be any arguments.
_
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,890
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Oregon
#7
.
To the best of my knowledge to date; Jesus is on track to return to
Jerusalem seven years after the rapture and of course everyone unified with
him will return too. Well; I for one plan on taking some time off to visit all
the sights I missed this time around.

For example, the only foreign country I've ever been to is Mexico and even
then just the border towns of Tijuana and Tecate so I have a lot to catch up
on; that's if anything is left. It appears to me from accounts in the book of
Revelation that the world will undergo catastrophic damage during the
interim between the rapture and when the Lord gets back so I may be in for
some disappointment on a few fronts.

But what the hay; at least I won't be on the wrong side of things with that
myriad of lost souls down below who have nothing to look forward to except
the great white throne event depicted by Rev 20:11-15.

Oh! and another thing; according to Matt 26:29, Luke 22:15-16, and Luke
22:28-30, folks who make the cut for the Lord's kingdom will be able to dine
upon ordinary foods and beverages. Just imagine the pleasure of touring the
world and tasting samples of cuisine in every culture on earth; and in perfect
safety too because according to Isa 2:4 there won't be any war zones to
worry about.

Yippy-Yi-O-Ty-Yay!
_
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,799
630
113
#8
Thannks :) a rapture for who? No Church no Christians. At one time they asked Him “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. "

When He comes for His Church it is us that see Him not the world. Its only at the 2nd coming the world sees Him coming "with" 10,000's of His saints/holy ones/angels. The word used there has been used at times to describe soldiers but it can also mean saints or both. Some that are post tend to not talk about this verse or will say "it only means".. which is not true. Its just like the so called great falling away. We find many will only tell you "falling away" yet hundreds of years ago in the bible the word used was "departure". That word can mean falling away or departure.

Since I have never been able to prove pre mid post and no one ever has.. I will watch and wait be ready now. I was not promised tomorrow I can prepare but not promised. He gave me this moment which I will live for Him always ready now. I will never see my Fathers wrath. So many have no clue as to just who they really are.. who their Father really is. How many times people around you are protected because YOU are the son and daughter of the king of kings lord of lords the great I AM.. oh only JESUS shouting TIME! YES! There are not just a family here this time its hundreds of millions and millions that are the righteous. No matter what.. I will never miss Him. This is my personal view :)
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,705
542
113
#9
---------------------------------------------------------
If you truly believe Jesus was God (Immanuel--( meaning God with us )-then you better figure out what he was teaching.
Teaching, taught only his Father is good, and he only did as asked by Father, made him perfect to save us as one with Father, for us in belief to be one with them in his resurrection, given
thank you omega time hope to see others there too. it is between God and others personally also thank you
i can and will not accuse or excuse anyone, not my job
 

sawdust

Active member
Feb 12, 2024
980
198
43
68
Australia
#10
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Why are there so many different opinions about the rapture. Here is a warning directly from Jesus. it sounds scary but in reality it is a comforting warning:

[Luk 21:8-19, 25-27 KJV] 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle [it] therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. ... 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

This link has a pretty good study about the subject.
Matthew 24:40 is not the rapture, it is the second coming. Look at it's context. It is comparing it to the flood where the unrighteous is removed from the earth. In the same way, when the Lord returns to the earth, the unbelievers will be removed first, then the Millennium rule of Christ will begin.
 

j55

Active member
Sep 29, 2024
268
103
43
#11
Thannks :) a rapture for who? No Church no Christians. At one time they asked Him “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. "

When He comes for His Church it is us that see Him not the world. Its only at the 2nd coming the world sees Him coming "with" 10,000's of His saints/holy ones/angels. The word used there has been used at times to describe soldiers but it can also mean saints or both. Some that are post tend to not talk about this verse or will say "it only means".. which is not true. Its just like the so called great falling away. We find many will only tell you "falling away" yet hundreds of years ago in the bible the word used was "departure". That word can mean falling away or departure.

Since I have never been able to prove pre mid post and no one ever has.. I will watch and wait be ready now. I was not promised tomorrow I can prepare but not promised. He gave me this moment which I will live for Him always ready now. I will never see my Fathers wrath. So many have no clue as to just who they really are.. who their Father really is. How many times people around you are protected because YOU are the son and daughter of the king of kings lord of lords the great I AM.. oh only JESUS shouting TIME! YES! There are not just a family here this time its hundreds of millions and millions that are the righteous. No matter what.. I will never miss Him. This is my personal view :)
Agree. Rapture is false doctrine, Ezekiel chapter 13.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
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ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
5,064
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#13
Agree. Rapture is false doctrine, Ezekiel chapter 13.
Ezekiel chapter 13 has nothing to do with the rapture and the rapture is true, the rapture happening before the trib is not true.
 

j55

Active member
Sep 29, 2024
268
103
43
#14
Ezekiel chapter 13 has nothing to do with the rapture and the rapture is true, the rapture happening before the trib is not true.

Im not going to argue with you. Im using the ignore button. Your another false brethren. Have nice life.
 

randyk

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2021
971
276
63
Pacific NW USA
#16
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Why are there so many different opinions about the rapture. Here is a warning directly from Jesus. it sounds scary but in reality it is a comforting warning:
I have a completely different take on the one taken and the one left. I think they are both under judgment. One is taken away and either destroyed or taken into captivity, and one is left to manage the fields for the Romans.

This is the Roman judgment against Jerusalem in 70 AD, and results in the deportation of many Jews, as well as in the deaths of many Jews. The entire thing is, as Luke 21 describes it, a Jewish "punishment." It is the Jewish Diaspora, which was to last for the entire NT age until Jesus comes again.

The so-called "Rapture," which is not even given that name in the Scriptures, is given in the place where the Son of Man returns, and the angels gather up God's people. At the time, Jesus was speaking directly with the Jewish elect, because at that time the Gentiles had not yet been called. But by extension we know it applies to all of God's elect from all nations.

The dead in Christ are the spirits of departed saints already in heaven with Christ. They are "resurrected* by means of their receiving brand new glorified bodies, though not their old bodies. But those alive and remaining until Christ's coming will be caught up to heaven to receive their bodies, so that all the true NT saints will return from heaven with Christ, following behind him. That is the so-called "Rapture."
 

ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
5,064
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#17
The so-called "Rapture," which is not even given that name in the Scriptures,
Not correct. Paul wrote in Greek and used the Greek word for rapture, Harpazo. Here is the origins of the word:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up HARPAZO/RAPTURE together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

When this verse was translated into Latin from Greek, the Greek word "harpazo" was replaced by the the Latin word "rapio" meaning "to catch up" or "take away" (the Latin noun "raptus" "a carrying off"). The Latin word “rapiemur” is the word St. Jerome used for “caught up” when he translated 1 Thess 4:17 in the Latin Vulgate Bible. From “rapiemur” came the modern Englsih word "rapture".

So, while the English word RAPTURE is not in scripture the Greek word HARPAZO is in scripture and it is the origin of the word rapture. So, yes, a rapture is very biblical. A pre-trib rapture is not biblical because Paul places the rapture after the tribulation and second coming and after the resurrection of the dead. The rapture then will come after the great tribulation has ended known as "post-trib".
 

randyk

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2021
971
276
63
Pacific NW USA
#18
Not correct. Paul wrote in Greek and used the Greek word for rapture, Harpazo. Here is the origins of the word:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up HARPAZO/RAPTURE together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

When this verse was translated into Latin from Greek, the Greek word "harpazo" was replaced by the the Latin word "rapio" meaning "to catch up" or "take away" (the Latin noun "raptus" "a carrying off"). The Latin word “rapiemur” is the word St. Jerome used for “caught up” when he translated 1 Thess 4:17 in the Latin Vulgate Bible. From “rapiemur” came the modern Englsih word "rapture".

So, while the English word RAPTURE is not in scripture the Greek word HARPAZO is in scripture and it is the origin of the word rapture. So, yes, a rapture is very biblical. A pre-trib rapture is not biblical because Paul places the rapture after the tribulation and second coming and after the resurrection of the dead. The rapture then will come after the great tribulation has ended known as "post-trib".
I know, and I agree, but that wasn't what I meant. I mean that this event was not titled, "The Rapture" in the Scriptures. It is not a proper noun given to what in effect is a rapture to heaven experienced by those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord.

There is no doubt that those living at the time of Christ's Return will be "seized," or "raptured," through the agency of angels. But the event is not called "The Rapture" anywhere in the Scriptures. It is not even called, "The Seizure." Closest to it being given a name might be the numerous descriptions of it being a "Gathering."
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,491
2,697
113
#19
The scriptures speak of the event many times Jesus spoke of it and all through out the nt it is spoken of but the timing of it wellthat everyone seems to be in disagreement on but the last rapture dream I had showed a clock counting down I couldn't read it but I felt a closeness urgant even kind of feeling I used to believe in the pretrib then pre wrath then post trib but now all I can say is to look up because your redemption draws nigh the clock is ticking
 

ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
5,064
1,278
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#20
I know, and I agree, but that wasn't what I meant. I mean that this event was not titled, "The Rapture" in the Scriptures. It is not a proper noun given to what in effect is a rapture to heaven experienced by those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord.

There is no doubt that those living at the time of Christ's Return will be "seized," or "raptured," through the agency of angels. But the event is not called "The Rapture" anywhere in the Scriptures. It is not even called, "The Seizure." Closest to it being given a name might be the numerous descriptions of it being a "Gathering."

The same arguments could be used against that one too. You are overthinking this. It's a rapture, a gathering, a catching up etc. The main issue about it is when it happens.