Is the rapture biblical?
by David Baumgaertal
QUESTION: Is the rapture biblical?
ANSWER:
Yes! The word rapture refers to what is translated "caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Rapture comes from the Latin translation of the Greek word ἁρπάζω (harpazó), which means to seize, or to snatch away suddenly. The Medieval Latin word is raptura, which is where our English word rapture comes from. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 describes the Lord Jesus Christ returning for His Church, to take us to be with Him forever. Some other references to this event include: John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; and 2 Thessalonians 2:1. This event includes the resurrection of believers who have died, and also the transformation into glorified bodies of believers who remain alive when He comes.
While the rapture is undoubtedly taught in the Bible, there is disagreement over the timing of the rapture. Some of us at FBC believe in a pre-tribulational rapture, while others believe in a post-tribulation, or some sort of mid-tribulation rapture. Even though we may disagree, this is a great topic to discuss with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Why is it worth discussing? Because Paul says it is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13), he even instructs us to comfort each other with it (1 Thess 4:18). It is a theme that permeates the New Testament.
QUESTION: Is it a new idea? I've heard that it originally comes from around 1830?
ANSWER:
The rapture is not a new idea. A common myth is that the pre-tribulation rapture idea was invented around 1830. While it made a comeback in the 1800s, even the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine has precedent in the early church. The early church father Irenaeus (born 130 AD) believed very similarly to the pre-tribulation* rapture view, saying, "And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, ‘There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be’” (Against Heresies 5.29.1).
The 1800s also saw a revival of premillennialism, which is a more fundamental doctrine than the rapture, and a view which FBC teaches. Premillennialism is the idea that Jesus will return to earth prior to a literal Millennial Kingdom**. Premillennialism was the predominant view of the early church, of people like Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and others, but was largely replaced by the Amillennialism*** espoused by Augustine (around 426 AD). A few generations after the Reformation, premillennialism began to make a comeback, and along with that came renewed interest in reading prophecies in the Bible literally (straightforwardly). This led to renewed interest in a pre-tribulation rapture, and discussion over the timing of the rapture more generally. But regardless of how old or young a doctrine is, the important question is: does the Bible teach it?
QUESTION: The rapture seems important. If it's true, does Jesus talk about it?
ANSWER:
He does! After the last supper, Jesus says this to his 11 disciples: "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." This parallels what Paul says in the "rapture" passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. So while Jesus does not talk about His return for His church very much, He is the one who introduces this idea, and His apostles reveal even more details.
So, is the rapture biblical? Absolutely. Is the rapture pre-tribulational, post-tribulational, or somewhere in-between? That is less clear. This question is important and it's worth wrestling over. We should discuss these things — but it is a secondary issue that should never lead us into fights that hurt friendships. Even the more important topic of premillennialism vs. amillennialism is a secondary matter. And no matter what view of the timing of the rapture we hold, we should be like the Thessalonians, who eagerly waited for Jesus to come from heaven (1 Thess 1:9-10). We should all be able to say with the Apostle John as he closes out the Bible, "come, Lord Jesus!"
*The Tribulation, or The Great Tribulation, is the future time period of judgment on the earth, that the Bible says will occur right before Jesus returns to set up His glorious kingdom on the earth. See Daniel 9:27, Matt 24:21, Mark 13:14, Rev 7:4.
**The Millennium is what is described by Revelation 20: a Kingdom of God on the earth for 1000 years before the Eternal State.
***Amillennialism teaches that there is no literal 1000-year Kingdom on the earth, but that Jesus is reigning spiritually right now, and will return someday to usher in the Eternal State.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: