What the Bible Says About the Rapture
by Rod Rutherford
First, it must be pointed out that the Bible says nothing about the rapture. The word "rapture" is not found in all of God's Word. Neither is the idea of the rapture in the Bible. False teachers, commonly called "Premillennialists" or "Dispensationalists," have invented the doctrine of the rapture. It is a doctrine of man, not of God. "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." "But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (Matthew 15:9,13).
Second, concerning the second coming of our Lord, the Bible teaching is very plain and simple. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. Jesus Himself promised He would return (John 14:1-3). When Jesus ascended back to Heaven, the angels promised He would come again (Acts 1:9-11). The apostle Peter promised that our Lord would return (2 Peter 3:10,11). Many other passages could also be added which teach that Jesus is coming again.
Third, the Bible teaches that the coming of the Lord will be sudden and unexpected. The Bible says: "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. . . . Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 24:42,44). Please read also I Thessalonians 5:1-11.
Fourth, the Bible plainly teaches that no man knows the time when the Lord will return. Jesus said: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36). If no man knows the hour, it is not possible that anyone can predict the time or give any signs of the time (Mark 13:32).
Fifth, the Bible teaches that Christ is coming back to receive His kingdom (church). Please note the words of the apostle Paul: "Then cometh the end when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Sixth, the Bible clearly teaches that when Christ comes again, this earth and everything in it will be destroyed: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).
Seventh, the Bible teaches that when Christ comes again, the dead will be raised and judgment will take place. Jesus said: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28,29). Please read also Matthew 25:31-46.
Eighth, following the second coming of Christ, the judgment of the world, and the destruction of the earth, the saved ones will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Bible teaching on the second coming is simple, plain, and easily understood. There is nothing in the Bible, however, about the rapture. Our purpose on earth is not to try to guess the time when the Lord will come, but to be ready so that when He does come, we will be prepared.
Are you prepared to meet the Lord when He comes again? Have you believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). Please read also Mark 16:16. Have you repented of all your sins? "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38). Have you confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32,33). "And Phillip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest, And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God"
(Acts 8:37). Have you been baptized (buried in water and raised up) into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). Please read Acts 2:38 and Galatians 3:26,27 also.
Why not obey Jesus Christ today so that you will be prepared to meet Him when He comes, whenever that may be.
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Tract courtesy of Truth for the World