RAPTURE – FACT OR FICTION?

By Author Unknown

U.S.A.

The Rapture Theory is of Catholic origin. In 1590 Spanish Jesuit Francisco Ribera first published this theory. The theory gained foothold in Protestantism in Britain in the 19th century through John Darby of the Plymouth Brethren, from whom Scofield obtained his  notes. (LADD, Geo E., (Fuller Seminary) Blessed Hope.

The Rapture Theory has been explained as follows:

Scofield’s notes teaches (Daniel 9:24-27) that only 69 of the 70 weeks determined on Daniel’s people and Jerusalem were fulfilled. That all prophecy stopped until the Jews returned to Palestine. The Jews went back in 1947. When the Jews took Old Jerusalem ( 1967) the 70th week would begin. Within the seven year period the Rapture would take place! Do you believe?

Fact or fiction?

The Rapture Theory teaches the Lord will come back in two phases. The two phases supposedly consist of Christ coming to “rapture” the church in the air and remain there either seven and a half or three and a half years, then return to earth to take over his kingdom.The “Fact” is, … This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall SO COME in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Acts 1:11.

Does this scripture indicate two departures, or was there just one return to Heaven?

The Rapture Theory teaches the Lord will return in the supposedly first phase and take out the Church & Holy Spirit. Then during a tribulation, 144,000 Jews will go out to win the world to Christ. How can this be if the Holy Spirit is taken out when the Bible says that “no man can come to me, except the Father (Spirit) which hath sent me draw him”. John 6:44 The “Fact” is, “that immediately after the TRIBULATION they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven and with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:29-30. Note that the Lord does not return, then a tribulation, BUT AFTER THE TRIBULATION, our blessed Saviour Jesus returns…. Thus Saith the Word!

The Rapture Theory teaches that when the Lord returns all the godly will be taken away. The “Fact” is the Holy Scriptures teach, “… that as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37.

What does the scripture teach in Genesis? Do we not learn that the wicked were destroyed, and that Noah remained here in the Ark on the waters on the earth? Another example is Sodom & Gomorrah where the wicked were destroyed and the Godly remained on the earth.

The Rapture Theory teaches that a specific Anti­-Christ will reign during a tribulation period after the Lord returns. The “Fact” is, in 1st John 2:18 we read, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists, whereby we know  that it is the last time.”

 Paul teaches in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 we will meet the Lord in the air. The Earth is suspended in the air, and like Noah the Scriptures teach us that Noah remained in the air in the ark on the Earth. Should we not expect to be treated the same, in view of the Scriptures? The “Fact” is that Jesus told us to pray for the Kingdom to come on earth. In John 14:3 we read, “And if I go and prepare  a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;  that  where  I  am, there ye  may  be also”.

 Intelligent people demand facts & not fiction. The attorney and courts will not accept hear-say, only an eye witness will suffice. The doctor demands the facts that medical research has proven beneficial for his patients. The teacher who teaches the basics of the Three Rs, reading, writing, arithmetic..MUST TEACH FACTS AND NOT ERROR. Why is it that so many intelligent people refuse to go to the Book of Facts, OUR HOLY BIBLE, which has proven more  than dependable  for every area of life? Why do we accept so many times man made doctrines and the  philosophies  of  men?

Do the ideas of men transcend the Scriptures?

Let’s be like the Bereans who “were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so”. Acts 17:11

Our Holy Scriptures give us the “good news” that Jesus will return to this earth and establish  His laws  in His Kingdom. Are we ready for that great and coming day?

The FACT IS, that NO WHERE in the Bible does the word RAPTURE APPEAR!

“He which testified these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be withyou all Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21