Common term not in the Bible to discuss # 1 - Rapture

just because something is not expressly said in the Bible doesn't mean it isn't a thoroughly biblical concept. Here are some other vital (English) theological phrases not in the Bible but central to our Christian orthodoxy:

1. Trinity
2. Hypostatic Union
3. Penal Substitionary Atonement
4. Christology
5. Soteriology
6. Eschatology
7. Bible
etc.

it is a fallacy to think that something has to be word for word in the Bible in order to be a part of orthodox Christian doctrine. Rapture is one of these (even though I don't accept it as a part of my theology.)

you might want to pick up a copy of DA Carson's Exegetical Fallacies and review its contents, just a thought

 

1Th 4:17 (KJV1611 Edition):

Then we which are aliue, and remaine,
shalbe caught vp together with them in the clouds,
to meet the Lord in the aire: and so
shall wee euer bee with the Lord.

CAUGHT UP in the KJV is a form of 'rapture' in the Latin Vulgate:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (Latin Vulgate):
deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur
simul rapiemur
(simul = together) (rapiemur = caught up)
cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus

So when I hear people saying "I don't believe in the rapture"
I hear them saying, I don't believe what 1 Thessalonians 4:17
says.

(Actually I understand that a lot has been put on 'rapture' which
is quite a bit more than 1 Thessalonians 4:17 puts on
THE CAUGHT UP.)

 

Pretrib pre-mill outline of time forward:

0. church age continues <== you are here!
1. rapture/resurrection event
2. Tribulation time
3. Second Advent of Jesus event
4. literal MK=millennial kingdom
5. new heaven & new earth

The time line according to Matthew 24
(Mount Olivet Discourse, also Matthew 25,
Mark 13, Luke 21):

0. church age continues <== you are here!
Matthew 24:4-15

1. rapture/resurrection event
Matthew 24:31-44

2. Tribulation time
Matthew 24:21-28

3. Second Advent of Jesus event
Matthew 24:29-30)

Not mentioned in Matthew 24:
(4. literal MK=millennial kingdom)
(5. new heaven & new earth)

The time line according to Revelation:

0. church age continues - Rev 2-3 <== you are here!
1. rapture/resurrection event - Rev 4:1 (type)
2. Tribulation time - Rev 4:2-19:10
3. Second Advent of Jesus event - Rev 19:11-21
4. literal MK=millennial kingdom - Rev 20:1-6
5. new heaven & new earth - Rev 20:7-22:5

The time line according to 2 Thessalonians 2:

0. church age continues <== you are here!
(implied, until the falling away)

1. rapture/resurrection
v.1 - gathering together unto him
v.3 - falling away

2. Tribulation time
(time of the man of sin)

3. Second Advent of Jesus event
v.1 - coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
v.8

Not mentioned:
(4. literal MK=millennial kingdom)
(5. new heaven & new earth)

BTW, I believed in the pre-tribulation rapture/resurrection
before i saw these three scriptures as pretrib.
So even if you can prove all three of these scriptures
in error, I'll still hope in the pre-tribulation rapture
as will 90% of Baptists and kindred Christians.

As used here:
rapture = like a resurrection, only living people are raised with new bodies
resurrection = the restoration to life, especially with new bodies

Other definitions used on this board:

Rapture = what i've called above the 'rapture/resurrection event'
Resurrection = the rapture/resurrection (defined above)
that comes at the end of the
Tribulation period when Jesus comes back to earth in power
and glory

 

The word Rapture means "to be caught up", which that is in the Bible, the word Trinity isn't in the Bible either.

 

Amen, Sibling Cailiosa -- you are so RIGHT ON.