Attacks on the Rapture: a popular pastime among some Christians
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It is certainly departure...I agree completely with this analysis.
In March 2004 I wrote a Pre-Trib Perspectives[1] about why I believe the Greek word apostasia was mistranslated in the King James Version as “a falling away” and the New American Standard Bible as “the apostasy.” Instead, the most accurate and therefore the best translation should be “the departure.” Greek scholar and theologian H. Wayne House says, “I have sought to demonstrate that the departure of the church may be the proper understanding found in the Greek word apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.”[2] My colleague at the Pre-Trib Research Center, Tim LaHaye says, “I have come to the conclusion that the weight of evidence favors ‘departing’ as the proper translation of apostasia in the original text, not ‘apostasy’ or ‘falling away’ or ‘rebellion.’”[3] I will be revisiting this issue in this article. I now want to revisit this matter and provide further information that has strengthened my belief that this passage is teaching a pre-trib rapture.
The verb is used fifteen times in the New Testament. Of these fifteen, only three have anything to do with a departure from the faith (Luke 8:13; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb 3:12). The word is used for departing from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19), from ungodly men (1 Tim. 6:5), from the temple (Luke 2:27), from the body (2 Cor. 12:8), and from persons (Acts 12:10; Luke 4:13).[4]
The mother of all Greek lexicons, Liddell and Scott, defines apostasia first as “defection, revolt;” then secondly as “departure, disappearance.”[5] Paul Lee Tan notes, “The definite article ‘the’ denotes that this will be a definite event, . . . Paul refers here to a definite event which he calls ‘the departure,’ and which will occur just before the start of the tribulation. This is the rapture of the church.” [6]
The use of the article in this context is meant to denote a one-time event, which the rapture fits into. It is hard to think of how the process of apostasy at the end of the church age could be viewed by believers around the world as an identifiable, one-time event. However, this would not be a problem if that event were the rapture. Further, how could an apostasy be a sign to the church since many New Testament Epistles warn about apostasy in the first century and Jude said it has arrived in his day (Jude 3–4). Apostasy is a moving target while the Rapture will be a clear event.
In March 2004 I wrote a Pre-Trib Perspectives[1] about why I believe the Greek word apostasia was mistranslated in the King James Version as “a falling away” and the New American Standard Bible as “the apostasy.” Instead, the most accurate and therefore the best translation should be “the departure.” Greek scholar and theologian H. Wayne House says, “I have sought to demonstrate that the departure of the church may be the proper understanding found in the Greek word apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.”[2] My colleague at the Pre-Trib Research Center, Tim LaHaye says, “I have come to the conclusion that the weight of evidence favors ‘departing’ as the proper translation of apostasia in the original text, not ‘apostasy’ or ‘falling away’ or ‘rebellion.’”[3] I will be revisiting this issue in this article. I now want to revisit this matter and provide further information that has strengthened my belief that this passage is teaching a pre-trib rapture.
The verb is used fifteen times in the New Testament. Of these fifteen, only three have anything to do with a departure from the faith (Luke 8:13; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb 3:12). The word is used for departing from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19), from ungodly men (1 Tim. 6:5), from the temple (Luke 2:27), from the body (2 Cor. 12:8), and from persons (Acts 12:10; Luke 4:13).[4]
The mother of all Greek lexicons, Liddell and Scott, defines apostasia first as “defection, revolt;” then secondly as “departure, disappearance.”[5] Paul Lee Tan notes, “The definite article ‘the’ denotes that this will be a definite event, . . . Paul refers here to a definite event which he calls ‘the departure,’ and which will occur just before the start of the tribulation. This is the rapture of the church.” [6]
The use of the article in this context is meant to denote a one-time event, which the rapture fits into. It is hard to think of how the process of apostasy at the end of the church age could be viewed by believers around the world as an identifiable, one-time event. However, this would not be a problem if that event were the rapture. Further, how could an apostasy be a sign to the church since many New Testament Epistles warn about apostasy in the first century and Jude said it has arrived in his day (Jude 3–4). Apostasy is a moving target while the Rapture will be a clear event.
Yes there are proof texts in Revelation indicating the Church is in heaven.
It all of history only one group fits this description. The Church.
5:8: And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
5:9: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
5:10: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
One other point the 7 lampstands aka Churches in chapters 2 and 3 are now in heaven in ch 4. Furthermore the preaching during the Tribulation is done by the 144,000 Jews. What happened to the Church? Have they abandoned the Great Commission? No it is clear that the Church is not on earth any longer during the tribulation.
It all of history only one group fits this description. The Church.
5:8: And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
5:9: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
5:10: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
One other point the 7 lampstands aka Churches in chapters 2 and 3 are now in heaven in ch 4. Furthermore the preaching during the Tribulation is done by the 144,000 Jews. What happened to the Church? Have they abandoned the Great Commission? No it is clear that the Church is not on earth any longer during the tribulation.
You believe in a Pre-tribulational Rapture; so, naturally, the information you shared is appealing to you.
I see in scripture that the Rapture will take place after a falling away/apostasy (many taking the mark) and the man of sin is revealed; just like the scripture says.
I respectfully disagree.
I see in scripture that the Rapture will take place after a falling away/apostasy (many taking the mark) and the man of sin is revealed; just like the scripture says.
I respectfully disagree.
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I would think when Christ said; it is finished. the grave were opened . The same kind of grave for a Christian that stays open, never filled. . To be absent from the body that returns to dust is to be in the presence of the open rapture door of ressurection . In the twinkling of the eye on the last day it will close forever more .
The wedding invitation is still available. Bring the oil he will bring the blood of grapes.
The wedding invitation is still available. Bring the oil he will bring the blood of grapes.
Yes there is a lot more to it. If we are both reading the same Bible and coming to vastly different interpretations of the same sentences, it means we aren't understanding something.
The way the Bible meshes together in a seemless way is the most likely way the Bible is meant to be understood because it doesn't have errors or contradictions. The post-trib rapture is the only discernible placement of the rapture that I can find in the Bible.
The way the Bible meshes together in a seemless way is the most likely way the Bible is meant to be understood because it doesn't have errors or contradictions. The post-trib rapture is the only discernible placement of the rapture that I can find in the Bible.
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I agree 100%, (Post Trib)
Matthew 24:29-31KJV
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24:29-31KJV
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
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The 144,000 is the golden measure of faith as a unknown .It speaks of a inward Jew born of the Spirit of Christ not a outward Jew according to the corrupted flesh . A metaphor to represent the bride of Christ is revealed in Chapter 12 a picture of the Christian bride. Christian a befitting name to represent all the nations of the world that that father named her. Previously called her Israel.
John apparently already having a understanding of how God used certain words like the word "Thousand" and understood it was pointing to all who had become born again .God is not respecter of the corrupted flesh of mankind.
Hearing the number is hearing the signified meaning . Not I was given the number. We are not of the number but of faith. Faith comes by hearing his understanding .
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelation7
The 144,000 is the number no man could number
Not just the nation of the outward Jews stood before the throne, and before the Lamb. Satan fell form deceiving all notions of the world to get under the letter of the law . Bound him in everlasting chains. He will be released at the end of time for a short while.
Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season
In the description of the bride, the church chapter 7. The tribe of Dan is missing. Dan as meaning applied to the name represents the "spirit of judgment the letter of the law". It death with its sufferings will not enter the golden era.
In the same way same purpose Judas is used as a example of the spirit of judgement falling backwards as in breaking ones neck. It is used to indicate those not redeemed. Togethter Dan and Judas as two witnesses they make the one witness "the spirit of judgment". Falling backward.
Thank you.
I have just one or two inquiries that I would like to make of you.
-Why is the church never mentioned in chapters 6 through 18? There are Jews gentiles and tribulation converts/Saints. Why is it that the Church (the very specific Greek term) is never mentioned for 13 chapters?
-Who is doing the preaching in the great tribulation? It is definitely not the Church, it is only the 144,000 Israelites and a couple of angels. The great commission has never been revoked. In fact it is one of the primary reasons for the Church's existence to begin with.
In conclusion it is clear that the Church has been raptured and is seen in heaven in chapters 4 and 5. They are clearly identified as the 24 elders.
I have just one or two inquiries that I would like to make of you.
-Why is the church never mentioned in chapters 6 through 18? There are Jews gentiles and tribulation converts/Saints. Why is it that the Church (the very specific Greek term) is never mentioned for 13 chapters?
-Who is doing the preaching in the great tribulation? It is definitely not the Church, it is only the 144,000 Israelites and a couple of angels. The great commission has never been revoked. In fact it is one of the primary reasons for the Church's existence to begin with.
In conclusion it is clear that the Church has been raptured and is seen in heaven in chapters 4 and 5. They are clearly identified as the 24 elders.