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In the study of Bible prophecy, you tend to find certain events
that generate very passionate debate. The rapture is one of
those events. The debate is not so much over what
happens as when it happens.
The rapture event is the dramatic
resurrection and translation of believers into their eternal state
to be with the LORD Jesus.
The phrase "caught up" is where the term "rapture"
originates. This event is presented in Scripture at various
points. At each point, there is no indication of any preceding
events that must be fulfilled before the rapture occurs. In
fact, it is presented as an immediate and sudden event in which
every believer in the LORD Jesus should find hope and great comfort.
Outline
- Warning against dogmatic positions
- Identifying the rapture event
- Differences between the rapture event and the return of
Christ
- Key sequences of prophetic events
- The critical issue for placement of the rapture
1. Warning against dogmatic positions
Frankly it is puzzling why the debate over the rapture gets so
intense. First of all, the timing of the rapture event is not
one of the essentials of the Christian faith. As Augustine
said, "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, diversity. In
all things, charity [love]." Second, the Bible is not
explicit as to the timing. One must study and piece together a
number of prophetic passages from both Old and New Testament books
to infer the timing of this event. Simply put, the
Bible is not dogmatic on the timing of the rapture.
Where the Bible is dogmatic (clear and forceful on a
particular point), we should be equally dogmatic. Jesus
Christ rose physically and bodily from the grave, never to die
again. The Bible is dogmatic on the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. The whole of the Christian faith rests on the
resurrection of Jesus. And so we should be equally dogmatic on
the resurrection.
But where the Bible is not dogmatic, we should not put our
opinion on a pedestal next to the Bible. WordTruth Press℠
has reached a conclusion regarding the timing of the rapture in
relation to other prophetic events. But you are encouraged to
study this conclusion for yourself, ask questions, and come to your
own conclusion.
Each one should be fully convinced
in his own mind. (Romans 14:5, NIV)
Perhaps the final consideration here is that if the rapture is
pre-tribulation, those who believe otherwise will finally be
convinced when they meet the LORD Jesus in the air. On the
other hand, what if one holding a pre-tribulation view wakes up one
morning in the middle of the tribulation period? Do not allow
your faith to fail because you were dogmatic on a secondary issue
that turns out to be wrong. It is important for all of us to
keep the main things (the essentials of the Christian faith)
the main things and be open to different points of view on the
secondary issues.
© 2010. Randy Lariscy. All rights
reserved.
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