The Rapture Doctrine.....Truth or Fiction?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
#21
My first concern on the subject is that the word "rapture" isn't found anywhere in the new testament. It is a man made doctrine based on the mistranslation of I Thess 4:13-18. The subject is in verses 13-14. You are not to be ignorant concerning those that fell asleep (died) believing in Christ. If you believe Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Those that died in Jesus were raised with him and are now in heaven with God. He is not the God of the dead, but the living. 15- We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. Why? Because they have already risen. 16- For the Lord 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. Why? Because they are already there. 17- Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. We which remain until the Lord's coming, at the last or 7th trump, will be gathered in the cloud of angels which will return with him. It doesn't mean a cloud in the sky, but a cloud of witnesses. We will meet him in the air, which is to say a spiritual body that we are all changed into at his coming. Air doesn't mean atmosphere, but the breath of life body that God breathed into Adam. I Cor 15:35-54 explains that we have two bodies, the flesh natural body and the spiritual body that we are changed into at the last Trump. 51,52-
I shew you a mystery, we shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of the eye, at the LAST TRUMP, for the trump shall sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible (because they are already there), and we (that remain) shall be changed (into that spiritual body). No one is going to fly away to escape the tribulation of Satan (son of perdition/antichrist), when he comes claiming to be God, II Thess 2:1-4. It is our job to stand against him and expose his lies, Mark 13:9-11. Don't be deceived by false doctrines. Study to show yourself approved and make the stand against the devil, Eph 6:11-17. May God give you eyes to see and understand.

I guess you take issue with the word Trinity, to is not found in the Bible.


The word Rapture is descriptive of the event where Christ takes HIS Bride The term comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.

That is exactly what 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:13-18 describes.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
#22
I guess one can not think of anyone who was taken up into Heaven and NOT KNOWN TO DIED. Lets see>

Elijah
Enoch
and after the Resurrection, Jesus was taken up, and we were told

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,

11, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Also Jesus said in John chapter 14:1-3

14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 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. 3 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. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

the word "receive you " means in the Greek paralambanō which is to TAKE away.
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
403
71
28
#23
You know, the unsaved will be raptured too....No, no not to meet the Lord in the air.
 

Randy4u2c

Active member
Sep 13, 2022
165
75
28
#24
The Word Rapture is an anglicized version of a latin word which is a translation of the worlds ""Caught Up""

Caught up appears in the Bible::

(1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. {16} For 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: {17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

So the rapture is real.. It will happen on the day of the second coming of the LORD Jesus..
Yes, Christ's second return is at the last trump, the 7th of Revelation. What most don't know is Satan comes first at the 6th trump, before Jesus, claiming to be God. Be careful who you rapture away with.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,581
3,616
113
#25
Yes, Christ's second return is at the last trump, the 7th of Revelation. What most don't know is Satan comes first at the 6th trump, before Jesus, claiming to be God. Be careful who you rapture away with.
And the rapture will happen on the day of Christs second coming.. Christians who are alive at the time of the return of Jesus will be caught up to meet Him in the sky as he returns..

As for satan he is already here.. I believe he will possess the anti-christ when the time comes..
 

Randy4u2c

Active member
Sep 13, 2022
165
75
28
#26
I guess you take issue with the word Trinity, to is not found in the Bible.

The word Rapture is descriptive of the event where Christ takes HIS Bride The term comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.

That is exactly what 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:13-18 describes.
The problem is, Christ is coming to earth to set up his millennium reign on earth and will touch down on the Mt. of Olives and enter in through the east gate of Jerusalem. He's not coming to rapture anyone away, He is coming to teach the lost the truth that they were never taught, which led to their being deceived into worshipping the son of perdition (Satan) as God.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
#27
The problem is, Christ is coming to earth to set up his millennium reign on earth and will touch down on the Mt. of Olives and enter in through the east gate of Jerusalem. He's not coming to rapture anyone away, He is coming to teach the lost the truth that they were never taught, which led to their being deceived into worshipping the son of perdition (Satan) as God.
ok yet the point is the rapture is not is a man-made doctrine based on the mistranslation. :).
 

Randy4u2c

Active member
Sep 13, 2022
165
75
28
#28
ok yet the point is the rapture is not is a man-made doctrine based on the mistranslation. :).
ok yet the point is the rapture is not is a man-made doctrine based on the mistranslation. :).
The rapture doctrine was started in the 1830's by Margaret McDonald who was sick in bed and saw a vision that two preachers overheard and brought the doctrine into the church. The Incredible Cover-Up by Dave MacPherson explains how the false doctrine expanded and is taught to this day.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
10,235
4,289
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#29
It could just as surely be called the harpazo.

Strong's:

harpazo har-pad'-zo from a derivative of 138; to seize (in various applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

It just depends on whether you want a Latinization, speak Greek, or go with English. It's all the same. It's a clear Bible doctrine.
The order of events is what most debate.

I used to hear preachers on short wave radio stations that claimed "it's "lack of existence".
That was one of their major convictions that they would preach hardest against the existence of a rapture. None explained their position from the Bible. They said it loud enough with enough convincing tone that they expected their audience to agree.
They all had one thing in common... They said that you could Not have the gift of everlasting life.
They made salvation a matter of working your way to heaven.

However, they were all lost and needed to trust the Savior as their Savior instead of themselves.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
#30
The rapture doctrine was started in the 1830's by Margaret McDonald who was sick in bed and saw a vision that two preachers overheard and brought the doctrine into the church. The Incredible Cover-Up by Dave MacPherson explains how the false doctrine expanded and is taught to this day.
no it was not :)
You were told it started in 1830. that is not true :)

After the time of the apostles, a number of writings indicate belief in the imminence of Christ’s return, which is consistent with pre-tribulationism. Clement of Rome (35-101), Ignatius of Antioch (died 110), The Didache (a late first-century anonymous Christian treatise), The Epistle of Pseudo-Barnabas (circa 70-130), and The Shepherd of Hermas (second century) all reference Christ’s imminent return. Even though it appears that the apostolic fathers were largely post-tribulational (because they believed the persecution they were enduring was the tribulation itself), they held to the doctrine of imminency.


But it appears that Irenaeus of Lyon (120-202) was a pre-tribulationist. Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp (who was a disciple of the apostle John) and articulated his eschatological views in Against Heresies, Book 5. First, he referred to Enoch’s translation and Elijah’s being “caught up” as previews of the Rapture.
If you do not like the word from Latin " Rapture " ok fine

Use the words Jesus and Paul did. You find it in the gospels and Epistles. Jesus is coming again, and HE will receive HIS Bride and take her to His Father's house. It is the hope of the church. Mocked, scoffed, and ridiculed. Just as they did the Noah and the flood.

Taken up just as Elijah was and Jesus Himself. The Dead in Christ will rise first just like the grave were open and the prophets of old walked and were SEEN

Matthew 27:52:53

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.


The teaching is not a mistranslation. it is not accepted by some :)
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
#31
It could just as surely be called the harpazo.

Strong's:

harpazo har-pad'-zo from a derivative of 138; to seize (in various applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

It just depends on whether you want a Latinization, speak Greek, or go with English. It's all the same. It's a clear Bible doctrine.
The order of events is what most debate.

I used to hear preachers on short wave radio stations that claimed "it's "lack of existence".
That was one of their major convictions that they would preach hardest against the existence of a rapture. None explained their position from the Bible. They said it loud enough with enough convincing tone that they expected their audience to agree.
They all had one thing in common... They said that you could Not have the gift of everlasting life.
They made salvation a matter of working your way to heaven.

However, they were all lost and needed to trust the Savior as their Savior instead of themselves.
you playing the word game, yet the context requires one to use the interpretation that best fits the text, verse, passage, chapter, book, and the whole bible. If you don't like the word Rapture, fine, you don't need it.

There is plenty in context to Jesus coming and taking HIS Bride. The question is, are we ready?
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
10,235
4,289
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#32
you playing the word game, yet the context requires one to use the interpretation that best fits the text, verse, passage, chapter, book, and the whole bible. If you don't like the word Rapture, fine, you don't need it.

There is plenty in context to Jesus coming and taking HIS Bride. The question is, are we ready?
I am ready.
Are You?

I'm not playing any games. I don't have time for them. My post was brief and to the point. One word is Latin, another Greek and the English defines them both.
My point is that it is in my KJV. I can't speak for the hundred paraphrases taking up space on the bookstore shelves. The "Rapture" IS a real doctrine in spite of what the shortwave preachers say.

Is that not clear my friend?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
113
#33
The rapture doctrine was started in the 1830's by Margaret McDonald who was sick in bed and saw a vision that two preachers overheard and brought the doctrine into the church.
More Baloney! How often do we need to read this nonsense about Margaret McDonald?? Why not say that it all started with Ronald McDonald? That might be more appealing to some, since Ronald was never sick in bed.

But the truth is that the Lord Jesus Christ articulated the Rapture just before He was crucified! See John 14:1-3. And it was the apostle Paul who showed us that the Resurrection/Rapture is actually one event. "I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF" is addressed to Christians. And we see over and over again that Christ will come "as a thief in the night" -- suddenly and unexpectedly.

Therefore Christians are to be constantly watchful. But there can be no date-setting. The biggest fallacy today is equating the Rapture with the Second Coming and then denying that there will literally be a Millennium. Just more spiritual confusion in a day of mass confusion.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
#34
I am ready.
Are You?

I'm not playing any games. I don't have time for them. My post was brief and to the point. One word is Latin, another Greek and the English defines them both.
My point is that it is in my KJV. I can't speak for the hundred paraphrases taking up space on the bookstore shelves. The "Rapture" IS a real doctrine in spite of what the shortwave preachers say.

Is that not clear my friend?
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,701
594
113
#35
My first concern on the subject is that the word "rapture" isn't found anywhere in the new testament. It is a man made doctrine based on the mistranslation of I Thess 4:13-18
You may think it is a man made Doctrine ----that is your right to think that ------but did it ever occur to you that just maybe you could be wrong -----

You are right about the world Rapture not appearing in the Scripture but the word CAUGHT UP--- is in the Scripture and appears a few times in scripture -----

Actually the Scriptures tell of 3 who were Caught UP by God ---2 were alive when God took them from this earth ----Enoch is one ---and Elijah is the other -----and then there was Jesus who was Caught up on a cloud in His Glorified body ---all were Raptured or Caught Up -----or Taken Up --or Went Up ----or Accented UP -----what ever words are used means they were Raptured -----

Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away." For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God


2 Kings 2:9-11---Here you see Elijah already knew God was carrying him up before it happened -----

Easy-to-Read Version

9 After they crossed the river, Elijah said to Elisha, “What do you want me to do for you before God takes me away from you?”
Elisha said, “I ask you for a double share of your spirit on me.”
10 Elijah said, “You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it will happen. But if you don’t see me when I am taken from you, it will not happen.”

The Lord Takes Elijah Into Heaven
11 Elijah and Elisha were walking and talking together. Suddenly, some horses and a chariot came and separated Elijah from Elisha. The horses and the chariot were like fire. Then Elijah was carried up into heaven in a whirlwind.

Hebrew word ---To Take

Strong's Concordance
laqach: to take
seized , taken , took away, be taken away, carried up , caught up ' removed Elijah 2 Kings 2:9

Greek word for caught up

Strong's Concordance
harpazó: to seize, catch up, snatch away

used of divine power transferring a person marvellously and swiftly from one place to another, to snatch or catch away: Acts 8:39; passive, πρός τόν Θεόν, Revelation 12:5; followed by ἕως with the genitive of place, 2 Corinthians 12:2; εἰς τόν παράδεισον, 2 Corinthians 12:4; εἰς ἀέρα, 1 Thessalonians 4:17.


Rapture comes from the Latin word Rapio

 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#36
My first concern on the subject is that the word "rapture" isn't found anywhere in the new testament.
Is. It is in earlier translations (it's a Latin word). This "point" is really moot, though. It is like saying the Bible doesn't exist because the word Bible is not in the Bible.

based on the mistranslation of I Thess 4:13-18.
Let's take a look at it:
1 Thess 4
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For 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:17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Looks pretty straightforward to me. I tend to take the Bible at face value. I suppose on could say that anything that doesn't fit their fancy is a mistranslation. Good luck with that.
 

JohnB

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#37

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
3,205
1,609
113
Midwest
#38
Read the verse in context "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 17After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. "

It appears the rapture happens AFTER Jesus returns. Paul thought it was going to happen in his time.
The "AFTER Jesus returns" is what causes All the Confusion, no?:

IF He Only "returns to the earth," then that would Nullify The
Body Of Christ receiving our heavenly inheritance. i.e.:

Thus, He Comes for us, and we Will Be (AFTER "the sleepers rise")
"caught up TOGETHER WITH them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air," [HE Gathers us TO HIMSELF] to take us to Heaven.
[= God's Context Of Mystery!]

Confusion is eradicated When the above is:
Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

[God's Context of prophecy =]:
Then, AFTER 7 years of ISRAEL's Great Tribulation, Then Christ
Comes "ALL the way TO THE earth," to [AFTER "angels GATHER
THEM!], TO judge them, and give THEM their earthly inheritance!

Amen?: Understanding The Kingdom

Grace, Peace, And JOY!
 

Randy4u2c

Active member
Sep 13, 2022
165
75
28
#40
Is. It is in earlier translations (it's a Latin word). This "point" is really moot, though. It is like saying the Bible doesn't exist because the word Bible is not in the Bible.



Let's take a look at it:
1 Thess 4
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For 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:17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Looks pretty straightforward to me. I tend to take the Bible at face value. I suppose on could say that anything that doesn't fit their fancy is a mistranslation. Good luck with that.
The Incredible Cover-Up by Dave MacPherson exposes the origins of the rapture theories, for those that have eyes to see.