Rapture Issues

Rapture Issues

The word "rapture" itself does not occur in the New Testament but rather it is transliteration of the Greek word 'harpazo" which is pronounced (har-pad'-zo) and literally means [to seize (in various applications): -- catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).] This Greek word is a derivative of another Greek word, "haireomai" which is pronounced (hahhee-reh'-om-ahee) and literally means [to prefer:--choose] and is akin to the Greek word "ario" which is pronounced (ah'ee-ro) which is primitive verb that literally means [to lift; by implication to take up or away.]

There are several positions that have been submitted by learned Bible scholars through the church age concerning the time of the rapture. Some Churches contend that the "Rapture of The Church" is either:

1. Before the Tribulation Period,
2. Before the Great Tribulation Period,
3. Before the Wrath of God is poured out in the Seven Bowl Judgements,
4. Before the battle of Armageddon,
5. After the battle of Armageddon,

and at that time or later the Church (as individual believers) will appear before the "Judgement Seat of Christ" (2Corinthians 5:10) and receive their rewards.

Let us now look into the "BIBLICAL EVIDENCE" of these positions while forsaking the "traditions of man". Let us strive to be as the Bereans in Acts 17:11.

New Research of mine has resulted in a change in my doctrinal position concerning the "Rapture".

This change has occurred through the investigation of the scriptures in Revelation concerning Jesus' teaching about the description of Seven Churches in Revelation 2:1 -- 3:22.

Many believe that the Seven Churches represent the Seven Church Ages while others believe that the admonishments and condemnations within each Church represent features that have been in the Church from its inception and will be there until Jesus returns.

I would contend that within the instructions to each Church the word OVERCOME/S is found in each message. The Greek word is nikao (Strongs # 3528) (Found in Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:12, 3:21) which means to conquer, prevail, get the victory. The Greek word nikao comes from nike (Strongs #3528) and is a primary word that means conquest (abstractly), i.e. (figuratively) the means of success.

Thus, it would seem to me that during the time before Jesus returns for his Church, the true believer/s are to contend for the faith and give testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This may or may not result in death or imprisonment. It is quite possible that God will do a miracle for His church during this time which would be similar to what He did for the nation of Israel during the times of the Great Plagues in Exodus 7:1 - 12:40.

If you will study the 10 Plagues that came upon Egypt and the Trumpet Judgements in Revelation 8:1 - 11:19 you will see many similarities. In many of the Plagues, God protected and provided and thus I believe that He will do the same during the Great Tribulation.

Examples from the Plagues of how God provided for Israel:

During the Plague of Darkness:
Darkness covered the land of Egypt for three days and the result was:
"The Egyptians could not see one another, nor did anyone rise from their place for three days; but all the Israelites had natural light in their dwellings." Ex 10:23

During the Plague of the Death Angel:
As the believing Israelites applied the "blood of the lamb" to their lintel and the doorposts, the Angel of Death passed over their place of residence. Exodus 11:1 - 12: 21-28

During the Plague of Flies:
But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the LORD, am in the midst of the land. "I will put a division between My people and your people". Exodus 8:22-23

During the Plague of Hail:
Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail. Exodus 9:26

During the Plague on the Beasts:
"But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel". Exodus 9:3-4

When I write of the second coming of Jesus Christ, it is important to understand "Time" as we know it as compared to God's view of "Time".

We must understand that God is not limited to the same space-time continuum that we are now limited to.

Click Here to view the page that explains God's Extra Dimensionality.

The page above addresses how God can hear each believer's prayer simultaneously no matter how many people are praying at the same time.

Sometimes Christians can get separated by their views on theology, I do not support that. I have many brethren in Christ that share different views than I, but we all agree that evangelism and developing reproducing disciples are an important part of the Christian's mission. Many try to stir up people with their thoughts and views, I do not want this to happen and I hope my postings and writings do not put forth that feeling to anyone.

There are many different views that define the timing of the rapture, below are several postings from websites that are considered among the most prevalent.

The Left Behind Complex