A WORLD OF DOCTRINAL CONFUSION HAS CONSUMED THIS ISSUE
Will all believers be resurrected together at Christ’s return? New rapture doctrines have introduced confusion and disagreements, dividing God's people. There are four different versions of the rapture. We will scrutinize the scriptures carefully to try and diminish the confusion as much as possible.
The rapture is a recent doctrine, not from the first century but the 1830's based on a girl's vision of a select group of believers who would be caught up to heaven before the great tribulation. It naturally appeals to pride in being part of the inner circle, the best of the best of believers, who would not suffer. Remember:
2 Peter 1:19-20, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,” (NKJV)
Any private “visions” need to be tested and examined carefully. John says test it.
1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out…”
We will carefully breakdown key verses. We must be cautious since false visions and doctrines will increase as we approach the end of this age of Satan.
LET US REVIEW THE DEEP, CLEAR MESSAGE OF THE MAJOR SCRIPTURES
Reviewing I Thess. 4:15-17 reveals some stunningly clear truths…
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel…with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Obviously, these verses do not support a quiet, secret rapture with all the SHOUTS of angels and Trumpets blasting. An honest review of these verses reveals two things:
First, ALL who are alive will NOT precede those who are departed into God's paradise – period. No one is going anywhere, including being caught up to heaven, until the dead saints are all resurrected. Note: “We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means PRECEDE those who are asleep. ”
The second point is that the saints that have passed away will be resurrected first. Notice: “…with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” These are the verses that are used to devise various rapture doctrines. Then all saints will be together with our Messiah at His second coming. Clearly, I Thessalonians does not support the various rapture doctrines. What about verses describing those who are taken away?
Matthew 24:40-42, “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”
Admittedly,these verses can be hard to decipher. Who is being taken and why? And where are they going? But also, there is no proof or real indication of any rapture years before Christ’s second coming or before the Tribulation. First, the context for these verses is what will happen just prior to Jesus's return. Note the preceding verses:
Matthew 24:27-36, “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be … 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened … and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven … and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet…”
We can see that these verses of “some taken” are in the context of the loud process of Christ’s second coming with glory and Earth-shaking power.
“… and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other … Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
Jesus is explaining that His coming is going to be a SURPRISE for many and they will be caught off guard. He is tell His followers, do not be caught off guard, stay ever alert, ever ready! It does not read like all this happens quietly, many years in advance, but rather as a sudden swirl of end times events.
Matthew 24:44-46, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.”
SATAN HAS OFTEN USED THE TIMING OF THE RESURRECTION TO DIVIDE US
Paul reveals that the timing of the resurrection was used at the very beginning of Christianity to divide and mislead the brethren.
2 Timothy 2:14-18, “… charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings … 17 their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus … 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.”
Note that we all get our crowns at the same time –– at the return of the Messiah (II Tim. 4:7-8).
1 Corinthians 15:23, “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ'sat His coming.”
WHAT WAS CHRIST’S PARTING ADVICE TO BELIEVERS?
John 17:15, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”
Rev. 3:10-11, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world … Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
One would have no need to “hold fast” if you are watching the tribulation safely from heaven.
