1Thessalonians 4:17 is the scripture used to teach a false doctrine. In this verse the words “ caught up” are called the “rapture”. The words IN LATIN are called “rapture” so I guess you could call it that, but this chapter is not talking about a SECRET “snatching away” of the righteous as many teach. Read verses 13-17. The Bible only teaches ONE resurrection—not two, one for the righteous and another for the wicked. This second coming of Jesus in 1 Thess. Says only that the righteous will be raised FIRST. It also says that it will be accompanied by a LOUD SHOUT and a TRUMPET OF GOD. False teachers say this is going to be secretive— no one will know but the righteous. Not so. The shout and trumpet are attention getters. There is NOTHING in this scripture that suggests this is done in secrecy. This passage tells us what will happen to the righteous; other passages tell us what will happen to the wicked. The contex for these verses show that some Christians were worried about those saved people who had already died. See verse 13. There is nothing about a tribulation following this event.
The rapture does not have to be done in secrecy for one to consider TWO resurrection for the Saints..
From what I understand, as the rapture happens, the first resurrection is also taking place and these two groups meet the Lord in the air. This is almost like one event. However, I still consider there is a second resurrection for the righteous after the millennial reign and here is why:
In REV 20:4 we are given details on which of the Saints are included in the first resurrection: beheaded Saints, and the Saints who remained faithful during the great trib... Whether the beheaded Saints are of the tribulation or not is not known for sure, but the point is if all Saints would be included in the first resurrection why these passages are so specific then?
4Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. - Rev 20:4
Now we could also say that the phrase "those who had not worshiped the beast," ... could be interpreted as not only those Saints that came out of the tribulation, but the rest also.. (description would fit even John the Baptist for example).. but we still have REV 7 to deal with where those same Saints of the tribulation are also mentioned, and these are NOT ALL of the Saints though their number is extremely great:
9 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;
...
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
So this seems to limit the number of Saints that are resurrected during the first resurrection:
- Those that are beheaded or their faith (whether of great trib or not)
- Those that remained faithful during the great trib
P.S.:
BTW, do we have an exact start and end of the tribulation period? I don't mean dates, rather what event(s) start and end it...
