The Rapture

We certainly believe in the coming of the Lord, and that He is coming to set up a kingdom. That is absolutely true, but why do we postulate that the word, since the word rapture isn't in the Bible, there's no catching away? There is a catching up, but there's not a catching away. How old is this doctrine that is so commonly taught among dispensational and futuristic teachers?

One of the questions when we have to deal with the rapture issue is this. Many scholars and Bible teachers, as you read their books and as you listen to their sermons, you have to ask, is there a two-stage coming yet future, or is there just one coming? Now, number 1, the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth. And the angel told Mary in the book of Luke that He shall reign over the House of Jacob forever. And of His kingdom there shall be no end. And He shall sit upon the throne of His father David. So He is coming back, because the throne of David was right here on this earth, not in heaven somewhere.

The Apostle Paul was telling the saints at Thessalonica after he gave them the word that is found in I Thessalonians, Chapter 4, verses 13 through 18, that is so, quoted so often concerning the rapture. But this is what he adds to that.

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. And this is the nature of His coming. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."

Now this is what the Apostle is saying, that He's coming one time with a two-fold nature. Number one, taking vengeance on them that know not God and to reward the righteous. Those two things are going to happen at the same appearing. It is not going to be one appearing where He catches all the good people away in a rapture and then a second appearing three and a half or maybe seven years later to punish the wicked. But in one appearing, the Lord is coming in flaming fire to take vengeance upon His enemies and also to reward the saints.

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