The Rapture
Fact or Fiction?
or
Who will really be Left Behind?
Fact or Fiction?
or
Who will really be Left Behind?
A brief look at the history of the "Rapture" theory
The origin of "The Rapture" theory is a matter of debate among theologians, and writers of Christian books, and website articles. Some say it began with teachings of early church fathers, others claim it originated with a vision of a sickly young Scottish girl in the mid 1800's and then promoted by John Darby, founder of the Plymouth Brethren.
Regardless of the origin, the "Rapture". remains a false doctrine, devised in the minds of men by the father of lies to confuse and destroy the followers of Messiah.
Regardless of the origin, the "Rapture". remains a false doctrine, devised in the minds of men by the father of lies to confuse and destroy the followers of Messiah.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:1
1Ti 4:1
Foundational Scriptures Used To Support The Rapture Theory
1Thessalonians 4:17 is the scriptural basis for the rapture doctrine;
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so shall we ever be with Yahh.
However, these scriptures are used out of context as proof of the rapture. The context of this passage pertains to the concern of the believers about those that had died, not a secret snatching away.
1Th 4:13 But 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.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of Yahh, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Master shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Yahh: and the dead in the Messiah shall rise first:
Other scriptures used to support the rapture doctrine
1Co 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: Rev 11:15 for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Again these verses are used out of contest, the subject of this chapter is the resurrection.
1Co 15:12 Now if the Messiah be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Yahh; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so shall we ever be with Yahh.
However, these scriptures are used out of context as proof of the rapture. The context of this passage pertains to the concern of the believers about those that had died, not a secret snatching away.
1Th 4:13 But 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.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of Yahh, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Master shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Yahh: and the dead in the Messiah shall rise first:
Other scriptures used to support the rapture doctrine
1Co 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: Rev 11:15 for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Again these verses are used out of contest, the subject of this chapter is the resurrection.
1Co 15:12 Now if the Messiah be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Yahh; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
One Will Be Taken And One Will Be Left
According to the rapture theory, the faithful believers will be taken in the rapture and the unbelievers are left behind. Once again the proper context is ignored and they have the wrong event and those taken reversed. The event is the Second Coming, the resurrection of those asleep (dead) in Messiah and the transformation of the living believers.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
Who is taken?
Mat 24:39 And (they) knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Another example is the parable of the wheat and the tares:
Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
It is the wicked and unbelieving that are taken, not the faithful believers.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
Who is taken?
Mat 24:39 And (they) knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Another example is the parable of the wheat and the tares:
Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
It is the wicked and unbelieving that are taken, not the faithful believers.