Many religious groups believe and teach that Christ will return to this earth to establish a kingdom, over which He will rule from the literal throne of David, in the literal city of Jerusalem, for a literal thousand years. Emphasis is placed on certain events that are supposed to occur just prior to the Lord’s coming. One of these events is what is called the RAPTURE.
This is one of the most popular doctrines of our day. Many get very excited about the prospects of such an event, which most seem to think will take place any day now. One of the first observations to be made about this supposed event is that the word “rapture” nowhere appears in the Bible.
The word means, “to carry away.” It can mean to be seized by violence or to be carried away with joy, excitement and ecstasy. It is in this latter sense that it is used in the doctrine of the rapture.
It is theorised that when Christ returns the second time, it will be to take all the saints, both living and dead, up in the air where they will be with Him for seven years “hovering over the earth.”
It is to be secret and mysterious, without any warning. Those remaining on earth will be shocked to find that many people have mysteriously disappeared and are missing.
The purpose of the rapture is to deliver the righteous from a terrible tribulation (suffering as never seen before) that God is going to pour out on all unrighteous people remaining on the earth for a period of seven years.
At the end of these years (some say 3 ½), Christ is to return to earth with His saints and begin His rule over his kingdom. He will place those who have been raptured in high positions over cities and countries on the earth.
If this doctrine is true, it would seem the word “rapture” would appear somewhere in the Scriptures. But you can search from the beginning to the end of the Bible, and you cannot find the word “rapture.” Surely such an important doctrine would be named somewhere by the Lord.
The main proof text used for this doctrine is 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. Please read the text below carefully, and then we will make some observations about what is not taught in these verses.
Now notice the following facts. The word “rapture” does not occur. Not one word is said about “hovering” over the earth for seven years. The dead and the living will meet the Lord in the air, where they “shall always be with the Lord,” 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
There is no hint of their returning to earth. The word “always” eliminates the possibility of a second existence on earth. There is nothing to suggest a secret or mysterious “snatching up” of the saints to rescue them from a tribulation.
The passage does say his coming will be with “a shout, and the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” This sounds like it is going to be very noisy, not secretly and mysteriously.
There is no indication in the passage that Christ will ever set foot on earth again. The meeting will take place in the air, “and thus we shall always be.” This leaves no time for Christ to have a thousand-year reign on earth.
Nothing said in this passage indicates His returning to establish a kingdom on earth, in Jerusalem, where He will reign for a thousand years. The fact is, the kingdom has already been established.
In Mark 9:1, Jesus told his disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
If His kingdom is yet to be established, then there would have to be some very old people left on earth, for Jesus said that some in his audience that day would live to see that kingdom come with power. Jesus uses the words “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably in Matthew 16:18-19.
In other words, the church is the kingdom and the kingdom is the church. Acts chapter two, reveals the church (kingdom) came on the day of Pentecost with power, which was about fifty days following Jesus’ death. One waits in vain if he or she thinks the kingdom is yet to come.
The truth is, Paul is speaking of the end of the world, and the great general resurrection of the faithful and not the so-called raptured. The Lord left earth. He has gone to prepare a place for his faithful servants.
Certainly Christ will return a second time. However, this will be the only time He will return. He will take the faithful with him to heaven for eternity, and the wicked will be condemned to punishment in hell.
This will be the only time that the Lord will return. This earth will then be burned up.
There will be no material earth left for Christ and His saints to live on. The new heavens and earth are the New Jerusalem, beautifully described in Revelation 21. This is heaven itself where God dwells, Matthew 5:12 / Matthew 6:9 / 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
It is said that one of the purposes of the rapture is to rescue the faithful from the sufferings of a great tribulation that God is going to bring upon the earth. The fact is, Christians have always suffered tribulation from the beginning down to the present time.
The Bible nowhere teaches there will be a period of seven years called the “TRIBULATION” for the punishment of all unfaithful Christians and unbelievers here upon earth.
John wrote to the seven churches of Asia saying, “I John, both your brother and companion in tribulation,” Revelation 1:9. Christians were suffering tribulations even at the time John lived. They have suffered tribulation ever since.
Paul said, “Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution,” 2 Timothy 3:12. Punishment of the wicked will take place, but it will be in hell and not on earth. Those who look for a rapture will look and wait in vain, for there will be no rapture. This theory has no basis in the Bible.
Be prepared for the second and only coming of the Lord. That day and hour no one knows, Matthew 24:36. We can live each day as if it is the last. Then we will be prepared when He does come.