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SUBJECT: Rapture
QUESTION: I believe in the rapture. Why does your
church not believe this doctrine?
ANSWER:
The Bible is a book about Salvation and is the source of all
true doctrines. It is NOT a book that will list or reject
any number of false doctrines. If the rapture is a truth of
God, it must be supported in the Bible. It is not. I have
shown you that it is a false doctrine, invented by men.
The Bible does not have to prove the wrongness of all the
false doctrines of man. It can, but this is not its
design. We do not teach this false doctrine. Since you
were the one to bring up the subject, it is you who must
prove it using the Bible. We content that there is no such
proof.
The following verses are sufficient to show that there is no
rapture. One belief of the rapture is that at some time
prior to the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord (a
3.5 year period) that the firstfruits (those
with the Holy Spirit now) will be whisked away
somewhere (apparently heaven)
to wait out this period of time.
However, we have these verses. The first is about the
resurrection of the dead, who are resurrected at the day
Jesus returns to the Earth. The second passage talks about
the firstfruits and where they are at the moment of the
resurrection of the dead. Both passages inspired by God
through Paul.
1 Corinthians 15:50-54
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew 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
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 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 shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be
brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory.
Note: These
verses are specifically about the resurrection of the dead
at the moment (verse 52) Christ returns. So clearly, the
dead in Christ are NOT raptured anywhere, because they are
already dead and require no protection from a Great
Tribulation.
Now notice Paul's words about those who are firstfruits and
alive at this moment when the dead are raised to spirit
life:
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we
which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall
not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump
of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Note: Verse 15
is very clear. Christ is in that moment of returning. It
says that we (in Christ--i.e.
firstfruits) will not be able to prevent (as
if it were possible) or stand in the way of those
being resurrected from the dead (asleep).
Verse 16 has Christ descending from heaven on the day and
moment of His return. Verse 17 then says that we (firstfruits)
which are alive and remain will then be changed into spirit
beings and shall raise up to meet Christ in the air (just
above the earth) as He is coming down (remember
verse 16). Verse 17 says "to meet the Lord in
the air"; not heaven. Remember that Christ is descending to
take over all nations to rule them with a rod of iron. The
phrase that says that we will ever be with the Lord is NOT
saying that we will forever be in the air above Earth with
Him. Clearly by other verses, we see Christ in other
places, such as New Jerusalem.
Now some will attempt to prove a rapture (though
the word is not found in the Bible) by saying
that these verses ARE that secret rapture. If this is Him
descending to get His saints in the rapture, then is final
coming to take over the world would be at least 3.5 years
later and would be His third appearance. But notice...
Hebrews 9:28
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and
unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation.
Note: When He
appears the second time, it is for the resurrection of the
dead, the changing of the live firstfruits and His taking
over the nations of the world.
Now what does this verse mean?...
1 Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
It is clearly talking about the dead in Christ, but it says
that Jesus will bring them with Him. Where are they coming
from? From heaven? Or are the verses in 1 Corinthians
correct? The dead raise up out of the grave at His return
and raise up to meet Him AS HE DESCENDS. To anyone
remaining alive on earth, it will appear that they are
coming with Him as He descends. There is NO WAY one can
show from those scriptures that this raising up to meet Him
as He descends is across a 3.5+ year period. There is
nothing about ANYONE going to heaven. The words ARE NOT
USED. THE DESCRIPTION IS NOT GIVEN.
ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM WITH
THE RAPTURE
Who goes? There are many different so-called Christian
religions who have many DIFFERENT beliefs and doctrines.
Odd thing though, THEY ALL THINK THEY ARE THE CHOSEN ONES;
THE FIRSTFRUITS and many believe in this idea of a rapture
FOR THEM AND THEM ONLY to the exclusion of the other
religions. Which religion or religions who believe THEY are
the firstfruits, actually are raptured? Hmmm.
YET ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM
WITH THE RAPTURE
Even if one could prove that it is the Baptists who are the
true church and it is they who will be raptured---HOW DOES
ONE QUALIFY WITHIN THAT CHURCH TO ACTUALLY BE RAPTURED?? Is
it considered that any in that church might be left behind?
Is attendance enough? Is "believing on the Lord" enough?
What makes a person who believes in the rapture think that
it is he or she that will be counted in that number? We
have never understood this. Consider these verses...
Matthew 7:21-24
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built
his house upon a rock:
Question: Who are these people who are saying "Lord,
Lord"? Does not verse 24 specifically state that a person
must DO the sayings of Christ? Do what?
How about this verse:
James 2:18-20
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works:
shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my
faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works
is dead?
Question: What works? Apparently believing is NOT
enough?
How about the 10 virgins parable, which comes during the
discourse by Christ answering the question "What shall be
the sign of thy coming and the end of the world (age)?"
in chapter 24.
We have 10 virgins (5 wise
and 5 foolish). 5 have oil (denoting
the Holy Spirit) and 5 with oil low and lamps
going out. What does the bridegroom say to the 5 foolish
virgins when they attempt to attend the marriage supper (enter
the Kingdom of God)?
Matthew 25:10-13
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they
that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the
door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord,
Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know
you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour
wherein the Son of man cometh.
Note: THE DOOR
WAS SHUT. Christ says to them, "I KNOW YOU NOT." Then it
says something strange for the the rapturist, I am
sure..."watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the
hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Why should one being
taken in a "free ticket" rapture need to watch. Watch for
what? I thought that those who believe in the rapture,
think it automatic.
CONCLUSION:
1) There is nothing in the Word of God to support the
rapture idea.
2) It is a false doctrine invented by man.
3) Word "rapture" not in the Bible.
4) Word of God says that Christ returns a second time (when
He died was the first time) and the dead and
alive in Christ are on Earth and changed to spirit beings AT
THAT TIME. This fact precludes a rapture.
5) The rapture doctrine is full of holes regarding many
other factors, such as who qualifies and the fact that not
all firstfruits make it to the Kingdom of God.
Be sure to read the booklets:
Is the Next Great Prophetic Event THE RAPTURE of the Saints?
http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/Rapture.htm
Where is Your Place of Safety?
http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/Place-Safety.htm
Will You be Taken to a “Place of Safety?”
http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/placeofsafety1.shtml |