Rapture Debate

First published: 2020-04-14 Last edited: 2021-02-04

There are mainly five theological positions regarding the end times, and when the rapture will take place:

the amillennial view
the pre-tribulational view
the mid-tribulational view
the pre-wrath view
the post-tribulational view

The word rapture is used for the belief that Jesus Christ will remove the Church from the earth at some time in the future. The word “rapture” is derived from the Latin word for “caught up.” Paul writes in his first letter to the Thessalonians:

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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

The differing views cause a lot of confusion; but the most sad and destructive side of these disagreements is that various preachers and teachers attack each other and accuse each other of spreading a dangerous false doctrine. Instead of slinging mud at each other, we should humble ourselves, get down on our knees and pray that the Holy Spirit wll lead us into “the unity of faith” (Ephesians 4:13.)

It seems that “unity of faith” has never been heard of; but read that passage in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Some say: “Doctrine divides!” And saying this, they only show that they do not believe what the Word of God teaches about the unity in the Holy Spirit. They replace the Unity Of and In the Holy Spirit with organizational, man made power structures and call that “unity.” It is the love of money, the lust for power and the pride of preachers that cause division. Look back in Church History, study the power struggles between the bishops of Rome and the bishops of Constantinople. The lust for power, the love of money, and the pride of position in Churchianity are still present today.

Is there a way out of this confusion? - I believe there is, if we are willing to follow one principle: The Lord’s commands have precedence over any theological theories, be it dispensatialism or amillenniailism. In other words: No doctrinal theory should be allowed to set aside any command the Lord Jesus Christ has given us.

In Luke 21 beginning with verse 5 we read what Jesus taught his disciples about his return from heaven to this earth. The time span of this passage reaches from the destruction of Jerusalem to his coming in glory.

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (21:6)….

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds, with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (21:27-28).

Here is the Lord’s command:

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (21:34-36).

We need to notice some important points:

“lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” The redemption includes the bodily resurrection of the believers in Christ; the redemption also includes the rapture of the believers in Christ who are alive.

A lifestyle that is not pursuing the pleasures of this world. The snare will come upon all that dwell on the face of the whole earth, not just around Jerusalem. Therefore the time frame here is the end of the age. There is an escape from the judgments that will cover the whole earth. Watching refers to watching our hearts. Whatever worthiness this might be, we are asking for it, so we only can receive it. We cannot work it up ourselves.

Instead of denouncing other Christians, let us obey what the Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to do: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always,that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Above all, let us submit to his Word, and obey the Lord’s command! How many times have you heard at a prophecy conference the admonition to live a modest life style: that not at any time our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life!? When we obey Christ’s command, then we can discuss peacefully our difference in understanding the end times.