The Rapture is a theory based on false assumptions. The facts are Christ NEVER taught it. There is no passage that places Christ's return BEFORE the Tribulation. There is no passage that states any living person is taken to heaven. There is no passage that teaches the Lord returning twice. There is no passages that make a distinction between a "saint" and a "Tribulation Saint." This is no lesson of being "left behind." The whole theory is based primarily on us "not being appointed to wrath" passage and John 14:2-3.
If you understand that the wrath of 2 Thes 2 deals with final judgment wrath and you understand that the wrath is targeted against the Beast and His Kingdom and that we are warned specifically to leave that geographical area - we will be safe and if you understand John 14:2-3 correctly, you could never conclude that the Lord comes twice, once before and once after, the Tribulation.
The famous 1 Thes 4:13-17 passage provide NO TIMING. So what puts the timing ahead of the Tribulation when Jesus locates it after? Let's start with John 14:
[SUP]2 [/SUP]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. [SUP]3 [/SUP]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.
Just about everyone interprets this wrong. Most take this to mean Jesus is returning to heaven whereby He is preparing these mansions for the saved and will return to take them to heaven alive and transformed (this part comes from 1 Thes 4 and 1 Cor 15). However, Jesus isn't say that at all.
The mansions (or rooms) are already built. This is clear because Jesus states them in the present tense. The mansions are already there. Therefore Jesus isn't going to heaven to build these "mansions." So where is He going? TO THE CROSS!! Our way to heaven (and specifically the disciples He was talking to) is through the cross. There is no going to heaven until the Cross. Thus Jesus is preparing our way to heaven, our place, by dying on the Cross. When He comes again, he will be here - not there. So we are gathered to him here.
If you understand that the wrath of 2 Thes 2 deals with final judgment wrath and you understand that the wrath is targeted against the Beast and His Kingdom and that we are warned specifically to leave that geographical area - we will be safe and if you understand John 14:2-3 correctly, you could never conclude that the Lord comes twice, once before and once after, the Tribulation.
The famous 1 Thes 4:13-17 passage provide NO TIMING. So what puts the timing ahead of the Tribulation when Jesus locates it after? Let's start with John 14:
[SUP]2 [/SUP]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. [SUP]3 [/SUP]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.
Just about everyone interprets this wrong. Most take this to mean Jesus is returning to heaven whereby He is preparing these mansions for the saved and will return to take them to heaven alive and transformed (this part comes from 1 Thes 4 and 1 Cor 15). However, Jesus isn't say that at all.
The mansions (or rooms) are already built. This is clear because Jesus states them in the present tense. The mansions are already there. Therefore Jesus isn't going to heaven to build these "mansions." So where is He going? TO THE CROSS!! Our way to heaven (and specifically the disciples He was talking to) is through the cross. There is no going to heaven until the Cross. Thus Jesus is preparing our way to heaven, our place, by dying on the Cross. When He comes again, he will be here - not there. So we are gathered to him here.