What About The Rapture?

[sheep wrecked]

(02-08-2011 02:15 PM)Saltyone Wrote:  I have to say that at the time I did those responses I was a pre trib, even though I saw problems with it. Just as I saw problems with the mid and post trib.

Sheep

Where does it say that we will descend to earth with him after we meet him in the air?

It would depend on your view of when Christ returns. If one views Christ as coming back once as the Bible tells us that when He returns it will be as He left - to the Mt of Olives, and we are meeting Him in the air as He comes to earth, then the logical view is that we will come down with Him, as we will be with Him forever. Also, in Jude it says that Jesus comes with the saints - in other words, those that have died will come with Him, be changed with us in a twinkling of an eye, when we meet Him in the air, receive an incorruptible body in place of the corruptible and continue with Him to the earth. I think that makes sense in what the Scriptures tell us. [1 Cor 15]

The problem with the rapture theory is that no where does it say in Scripture that Jesus is taking us up to Heaven and then returning yet again. Jesus leaves Heaven once and once only. In fact, Rev speaks of Heaven coming to earth [new earth]. So there is kind of a double standard in a rapture theory.

The word in 1 Thess 4 is harpazo [caught up], not "rapture". "Rapture" is an entire doctrine on the "two last" comings of Christ.

I looked up "rapture" in Websters and found this - as you can see, it's a mystic term which should raise red flags immediately!


Definition of RAPTURE
1: an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion
2a : a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion b : a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things
3often capitalized : the final assumption of Christians into heaven during the end-time according to Christian theology