Will There be a Rapture?

I remember reading Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth as a new Christian decades ago. There was a great tidal wave of excitement at that time about the second coming of Jesus Christ. My heart was thrilled as well. One of the things he talked about in that book was something called the rapture. 

Some Christians today have never heard a message preached on the subject of the rapture. This is partly because many pastors either don’t believe in it or don’t know what they believe. Others don’t preach or teach on the rapture because it doesn’t seem to be a popular doctrine of our times.

Is this a Legitimate Doctrine?

Many of the early Church fathers wrote that Jesus Christ could return at any time which is at the core of teaching in the rapture occurring before the tribulation which Jesus and the Apostles prophesied.[i]

Nathan E. Jones writes: “When Augustine began spiritualizing the Bible, his view of a non-literal interpretation took hold of the church until the Renaissance, obliterating the Premillennial and Pre-Tribulation Rapture views in favor of Amillennialism.[ii]” But Jones lists several Christians through the centuries who wrote about their belief in the imminence of Christ’s return even dating back to the first and second centuries.

I would say that there were millions of Christians in the twentieth century who believed in the imminent (think any moment) coming of Jesus Christ and many still do today. From my perspective it seems that number has diminished in recent times because it seems to no longer be as widely taught.

What Does it Mean?

The teaching of the rapture is a biblical doctrine that says that one day – at any moment – Jesus will appear in the air not only to resurrect those who have died as believers but will also catch up those in Christ Jesus who remain alive.

The biblical Greek word ἁρπάζω (harpazo), in its future tense, is translated “shall be caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4.17. 

The word rapture comes from the Latin word raptura which means to seize or carry off. This was the word used in the Latin Vulgate translation of that same passage.

We who believe in a coming rapture are premillennial which means that Jesus will return to earth before a 1,000 year period of blessedness upon earth in which Christ will rule and reign.

What is the Basis for this Belief?

While there are many supportive passages in the bible as to the teaching of the rapture, here are three major references. These speak of an imminent event in which Jesus catches up his saved ones who remain alive.

Jesus said in John 14.1-4: 

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also."[iii] 

Note the words, “I will come again and receive you unto myself.”

The Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth “We shall not all sleep (meaning die) but we shall all be changed.[iv]” He is saying that not all Christians would die but all Christians would be changed – bodily. The only explanation for this is the rapture.

He continues; “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.”[v]

Now, we come to our main passage of the bible in which we may build upon our belief that there will be a rapture. These Christians in Thessalonica were troubled about their fellow Christians who had died. They wondered if they’d ever see them again. The Apostle Paul comforts them by saying:

… 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: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Is belief in the rapture necessary for salvation? No! Salvation is ours by grace through faith. But the truth that Christ will come and catch us up helps us to know the comfort of God during times when people are dying. It brings us comfort in distressing times in our lives when we’re under a deep state of trials. It also comforts us to know that God is ultimately in control no matter how bleak things may look at the moment for he is coming to receive us up into his presence for eternity.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”[vi]

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[i] See Matthew chapter 24; 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and Revelation chapters 5-18 to name just a few.

[ii] Amillenialism means no millennial.

[iii] John 14.1-4

[iv] 1 Corinthians 15.51

[v] 1 Corinthians 15.52

[vi] Titus 2.11-13

What About Hell?

Whatever happened to hell? I have found that people who don’t believe in hell talk more about hell than those who do.

The word “hell” is one of the world’s favorite bywords. I have heard people say, “It’s hot as hell.” I’ve heard some say, “It’s cold as hell.” I’ve heard “hell, yes,” and “hell, no.” Other catch phrases are, “What the hell,” “The hell you will,” “For the hell of it,” and “That’s one hell of a _________ (fill in the blank). Others are so crass as to say in anger, “Go to hell!”

I think people don’t want to think of the reality of a real hell so they find a way to water it down. People want to make it seem fun, thus: “We had one hell of a time.”

Some would like to think that hell would be a nice place to go because “All my friends will be there.”

Christians, however, don’t talk much about hell anymore. It’s taboo. When pressed about what we believe on this subject, we do our best to be nicer than God.

Megachurch pastor, Joel Osteen was asked, “Do you feel like you’re cheating people by not telling them about the ‘hell’ part?”

Osteen’s response was, “No, I really don’t because it’s a different approach. But I say most people are beaten down enough by life. They already feel guilty enough. They're not doing what they should, raising their kids you know, we can all find reasons. So I want them to come to Lakewood or our meetings and be lifted up, to say, 'You know what? I may not be perfect, but I'm moving forward. I'm doing better.' And I think that motivates you to do better."[i]

I’m not saying preachers should talk about hell all the time but there are some problems with what Osteen is saying.

One: People are not saved by “doing better.”

Two: Scripturally, pastors are not afforded the luxury to use a “different approach.” As Paul, we should preach “all the counsel of God.”[ii]

While I believe in a good and merciful God, I don’t believe that his mercy is all conclusive. He is longsuffering but he is not all suffering. I mean – he is not always going to put up with our rebellion. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?[iii]

So, what about Hell? While the bible doctrine of hell is complex, it is not unclear. Without writing on the subject exhaustively, I will do my best to clarify our understanding of hell as concisely as possible.

The Hebrew word Sheol and the corresponding Greek word Hades are sometimes translated “hell.”

This is the place of the departed dead. The man, described by Jesus, who had been rich while on earth, lifted his eyes up in hell (Hades), being in torments. He was now a beggar asking for only one drop of water.[iv]

In the end times (after the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth), the bible says that those in hell will be raised to stand in judgment before God. The book of the Revelation tells us that Hades will deliver up the ones who have died and gone there. It then says that death and Hades will be cast into the “lake of fire.” This is the final, eternal hell and is one and the same as Gehenna that Jesus talked about in the gospels. This Gehenna is the final, eternal hell which is the place of eternal punishment for the wicked.[v]

So folks, don’t be ashamed or afraid to talk about hell, and instead of saying “Hell, yes,” let us say “Hell? No. Don’t go there.” Jesus said that whoever believes in him, the Son of God, would "not perish, but have everlasting life." [vi]

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[i]   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjuULMUqT8A

[ii]  Acts 20.27 The Holy Bible

[iii] Genesis 18.25

[iv] Luke 16.19-31

[v]  For an excellent and thorough doctrinal treatise on hell, please read
     http://faithdefenders.com/articles/theology/sheol_hades_gehenna.html
[vi] John 3.16

That One Word We're all Trying to Avoid – "Death"

My coworker is kind of an unusual guy. Right before he leaves work, he often says, “Here is some information you might need just in case I have the big one. Knock on wood.”

Most are not like this. Death is a subject we don’t like to talk about much. Almost everyone wants to avoid thinking about it altogether.

Even more than talking about it, we’re all trying our best to avoid doing it – dying, that is.

A quick look at some articles online read: “How to avoid death,” “The Six Most Common Ways Men Die and How to Avoid them.” “Why Can’t We Prevent Death?” “Ten Ways to Avoid Death by Freak Accident,” and “How to Avoid Dying Prematurely.”

To prevent dying, we try dieting, exercise, meditation, medicine, transplants, vitamins, creams, hot springs, bionics, and now, genetic engineering to name just a few.

It is wise to try and stay healthy and to live as long as we can, but it is unwise to so obsess about death to the point that we become those “who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”[i]

I remember a time when people would introduce the gospel to others with a question: “Where will you go when you die?” Well, that’s way too abrupt for most of us nowadays. In fact, we don’t usually even use the word “death” much, not even from the pulpit. We would rather say “passed away” or “deceased” than to say that someone died.

Much of this is a result of the fear of the truth – that there is going to be a day of reckoning after death.

The fear of death also stems from not understanding death. Below are some of the common falsehoods about death which causes fear. We also give the correct biblical teaching in contrast.

FALSE BELIEF NUMBER I: DEATH IS THE END

For many, death is the cessation of existence. They believe that death is the end of a person who only had a temporary life. Most people who believe this are individuals who deny or question the existence of God, choosing rather to believe their existence is because of evolutionary happenstance.

Richard Dawkins said, “Don’t imagine for one second you’re going to paradise . . . . You’re going to rot in the ground.[ii]” No wonder so many people don’t want to think about dying.

The Bible however, presents a totally different idea. It presents death as a transfer to a different place and a different realm of existence. It presents death as a departure of the spirit (or soul) from the body but not its extinction. It teaches the immortality of the soul. After death we move on to an eternal destiny – simply put, heaven or hell; brought into the presence and blessing of our Creator or banished from his presence for eternity.

FALSE BELIEF NUMBER II. OUR SPIRIT REMAINS ON EARTH

There is the belief that a dead person’s spirit just hangs around after they’re dead, either haunting or helping those who remain. 

The bible speaks against the practice of necromancy, attempting to make contact with the dead (Deuteronomy 18.10-11). It also speaks of “familiar spirits” which I believe are demons that impersonate someone who has died. That one who speaks at a séance is likely a demon spirit, not someone you love who has died.

FALSE BELIEF NUMBER III. REINCARNATION

Some believe that people come back to earth after dying over and over and over again. They teach that in a former life you may have been a cat or a cockroach then maybe moved up to human existence and finally got recycled into a higher “caste” of human existence. But they teach “Be careful, you might get taken down a notch again … and again.” Finally, you reach Nirvana (extinction or oblivion).

The bible does not teach reincarnation. It teaches the resurrection. The first to be resurrected was Jesus Christ.[iii] The dead in Christ will rise in a bodily resurrection and the dead ones who believe not in Christ Jesus will be raised up bodily to appear before God in judgment.[iv]

After death, those who are saved by God’s grace through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ, will go to heaven.

My dear friend, I don’t want any of us to become morbid, obsessing over death and dying but I want all of us to be willing to give thought to death. It will happen to all of us.

Should someone who isn’t saved by God’s grace fear death? Yes. Death will be no comfort to anyone who is still lost in sin. They can only anticipate a “certain fearful expectation of judgment.”[v]

Do we have to be afraid of dying, going through life trying to avoid the subject in all of our thoughts and words? No, because there is a God who has so loved sinners that he has taken death for us through the cross of Jesus Christ. Now we can say:

Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.[vi]

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[i]   The Bible – Hebrews 2.15

[ii]  https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2013/09/27/richard-dawkins-uncertain-regarding-death/

[iii] 1 Corinthians 15.23

[iv] Hebrews 9.27

[v]  Hebrews 10.27

[vi] 1 Corinthians 15.54-57