God of the Times and Seasons pt 3
- Pastor Tom
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
I want to return to our discussion about the return of Jesus Christ. We started back in May’s edition, and Ascension Sunday. We noted that Jesus’ ascension is tied to His Return. And in the June article we opened the Bible to look at some basic passages, noting the ones that mention Him coming in the clouds such as the one in Acts 1.
So let’s look at one item I mentioned in the June article. What is the rapture of the church?
Well, this word has always evoked a bit of controversy. But in the last few years, it has really been the cause of even bitter dispute.
The word ‘rapture’ is of Latin origin and not in the English Bible. Open your Bible to 1 Thess. 4:13-17. The word used in the Bible is “harpodzo” (Latin--rapture), translated in English as “caught up”. Remembering your grade school grammar, it is a future tense; and it is passive, meaning it happens to us. Here is the technical definition of the word itself, “to seize, catch up, snatch away, carry off by force:”. It says, then “...to meet the Lord in the air.”
So the “rapture” or “catching away” is, like it or not, solidly biblical. Paul does say, “according to the Lord’s own Word…” (v 15).
One can disagree with the passages used, but the catching away of these believers including the dead in Christ is built firmly on solid passages of Scripture. This interpretation is the most literal, there’s no reading into the text. The passage does actually say, those alive will be “caught up to meet the Lord in the air”. The only thing that is uncertain according to the verse is the question of when. The “when” is not defined other than the “shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” (v 16). Is it a stand alone separate unique event? It is supported by texts like John 14:1-3 and 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.
What are the negatives? Those opposing this view of a unique event say that this is simply the future resurrection and second coming of Jesus Christ. It is the glorious public, visible and physical arrival of Jesus at the end of time. Every born again child of God certainly believes, confesses and lives in hope for that wondrous moment. Praise God!
They argue that interpretation of this verse as a possible separate event is recent, and not held by scholars throughout church history. Other opponents of the view suggest instead that the phrase “meet the Lord in the air” should be interpreted as a figurative time when a king would return from battle, and the citizens would meet him a little way out of town as he arrived. Lastly they say that it is a confusing teaching. Some of the Bible is difficult—that’s a fact we all face.
So who is right? My feeling is those objections are weak because they haven’t refuted it solidly with Scripture. Jesus literally says in John 14:3, “I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am you may be also.”
My view, there is no question that the events of 1 Thessalonians four will take place. There will be a “catching up” (or rapture) of the dead in Christ and those who are alive and remain at the coming of the Lord. The verse literally says that. So it’s just a matter of us looking at this passage and applying our best skills of interpretation to determine the “when”.
We may only get the answer when it is actually happening…Praise God! I keep coming back to who has the most supporting Scripture to offer their argument. I think a separate rapture event apart from His glorious return has the best Scriptural support. For now, dedicated believers disagree on the when. The important thing is we know this will happen, and as I said, we may not find out until it’s happening.
We are talking about a disagreement among brothers in the Lord. However there are others who say Christ’s coming is probably off in the distant future are influenced by the supposed Evolutionary history of millions and billions of years. We need to understand that it’s already been a really long time. I’ve written about that before.
Thank God for the things we don’t have questions over. Like the doctrine of salvation, and the Word, the Law and Gospel. Thank God we have clarity about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thank God for clarity on the cross!
So take heed my friends. Lift up your eyes. Jesus said three times in the last chapter of the Bible, “I am coming quickly” And there we have an invitation, ‘And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, ‘Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
Here are two articles for and against the pre-tribulation view of the rapture.
That’s my two cents...
Pastor Tom
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