Is there a Rapture?
Firstly, this word "rapture" is NOT found in the English version of the bible, NOR in the Latin translation of the bible (called the Vulgate and translated in 382AD).
So where did people get the word "rapture" from the bible?
Many refers the verse 1 Thessalonians 4:17 as speaking about the rapture. In fact, futurists like to quote religiously on this verse and teach on a future rapture which I shall call it the "rapture theory".
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
It is important to take note that this "rapture theory" that is taught in churches was only invented about 200 years ago around the late 18th century. Some writers wrote about this in small articles and later it became a fundamental doctrine in the modern contemporary church in Europe and then in America. From there the theory spread to the rest of the church world.
Prior to that, there was NO "rapture theory" ever since the time of Jesus and his disciples, and definitely NOT in the 1st century church.
Scofield popularize the "rapture theory"
In the early 20th century, Cyrus Scofield produced the Scofield Reference Bible that was widely circulated as a study bible, and in that bible he added his own notes and annotations within the sideline of the pages. It was there that he promoted the "rapture theory" and dispensationalism.
This reference bible became a best seller with more than 2 million sold at the end of World War 2. The dispensationalists used his references to teach on the "rapture theory" in their study of eschatology or end times.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scofield_Reference_Bible
Why was the "rapture theory" suddenly became popular?
This theory became a popular topic when the whole world went to war during World War 1 and World War 2 in 1914 and 1939 respectively. People were taught that these wars were signs of the coming great tribulation. They went on to debate whether the rapture would happen before the great tribulation or after the great tribulation, thus calling it Pre-tribulation and Post-tribulation. If the rapture happens in the midst of the tribulation, it will be called Mid-tribulation.
It should be noted that all of these ideas of "rapture theory", Pre-trib, Post-trib and Mid-trib, were a result of using the scriptures out of its original Context to confirm their presumptions.
With that in mind, we shall look at these verses and its passage properly particularly the 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and 5.
1Th 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Firstly, Paul wrote these words for the main purpose of encouragement (verse 18) for the believers (verse 13) in Thessalonica. He didn't write it and said it was for the futuristic church that is expecting tribulation and rapture.
Secondly, Paul wrote in verse 16 and 17, that they will be always living with the Lord in the "air". It doesn't say in "heaven" or on "earth", but in a space or realm that is neither "heaven" nor "earth". We shall come back to this "air" later. Futurists like Scofield said that the so-called rapture is to a new heaven and a new earth, making it a physical place of living. Well, Paul said no, it is in the air.
Thirdly, Paul speaks of a resurrection in verse 16. Resurrections were not uncommon events in the bible. There were resurrections in the Old Testament. Examples are resurrection of the widow’s son in Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:17–22), resurrection of the Shunammite’s son (2 Kgs 4:18–37), resurrection of the man thrown into Elisha’s grave (2 Kgs 13:20).
In the New Testament, we have resurrection of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:41), resurrection of the young man at Nain (Luke 7:14), resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:38–44), resurrection of unknown saints during the crucifixion (Matt 27:52–53), resurrection of Christ (Matt 28:1-6), resurrection of Tabitha/Dorcas (Acts 9:36–42), resurrection of Eutychus (Acts 20:7–12).
So when Paul wrote about resurrections, he was not particularly speaking about the rapture and future resurrection of the dead. Biblically and historically, there had been many resurrections and particularly, at the cross where Jesus was crucified, many dead saints came back to life or resurrected as recorded in Matthew 27:52.
A serious mistake
It is a grave mistake that people can isolate 1 or 2 verses of the bible and build an entire doctrine around these verses. This is a dangerous way to read the bible.
Question: So how do we proceed to interpret this if not for the "rapture theory"?
Answer: It is important to take note that Paul did not stop writing at the end of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, and take a break and then continue on into chapter 5. Paul did not write in chapters and verses. He just wrote line upon line in one continuous letter. So let us look at how chapter 4 develops in chapter 5. See 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - 5:2
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1Th 5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
So Paul is encouraging the audience that concerning the timing of these events in 1 Thes 4:13-18, they already knew what to expect, and that Paul need not repeat in writing to them again.
What is Paul speaking about here to his audience? A future rapture? a future tribulation?
NO, he is talking about "THE DAY OF THE LORD COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT".
Paul is telling them that they already knew about this event (the day of the Lord, not the rapture theory) because this event is coming as a thief in the night.
Do you know where did the believers learnt that the day of the Lord is coming as a thief in the night?
It is from Matthew 24, where Jesus himself told them explicitly and openly, until it has become common knowledge. So Paul is telling his audience that this knowledge is so widespread and common, that they have no need for Paul to write to them again. They have been hearing this from Jesus and his disciples. It was their common expectation to look out for the signs leading to the event of the Day of the Lord.
See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Lord
Let us come back to the phrase "caught up in the air".
What is this "air" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
This word "air" has its original Greek word "aemi" meaning the "breath" (or breath of God).
So it also has a spiritual meaning representing the dimension or the realm of the spirit / breath
Paul is saying that in the Day of the Lord, the believers who are alive will meet up with Jesus in a new dimension, the realm of the spirit or breath, representing the essence and presence of Jesus. This is like being ushered into the presence of Christ in his new Messianic Age. It is a new spiritual era.
A new realm of living in the spirit, and not only in the physical. We are transferred into the spiritual realm, from Moses to Jesus. This is the Age that is to come for the believers.
As we read on in 1 Thessalonians 5:3-8, we see that Paul was reinforcing the Day of the Lord is like a thief in the night.
As we read on in 1 Thessalonians 5:3-8, we see that Paul was reinforcing the Day of the Lord is like a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1Th 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
1Th 5:5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
1Th 5:6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
1Th 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
This is exactly what Jesus taught them in Matthew 24.
History records that the atrocities caused by the Roman armies on Jerusalem were so sudden and swift that many who procrastinated leaving Jerusalem (because they doubted Jesus's warnings), were not able to escape anymore when that window of opportunity was gone.
Verse 6 is a reminder for the believers to be prepared and not slumber.
Verse 8 points them to Jesus who is their hope of salvation. The Son of Man will redeem them from the coming judgement.
Come back to the crux of the matter:
1Th 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
This is the reason for Paul to write to them in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, to save them through Jesus Christ.
There is a wrath that is coming, and that is the wrath on Jerusalem, but the believers are not meant to receive the wrath but salvation.
We continue:
1Th 5:10 (Jesus) who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
1Th 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
The greatest desire of God is expressed here, and that is we might live with him.
We should take note that most of the New Testament is about not going back to the Mosaic System, not going back to the Temple sacrifices and ceremonies, because God doesn't want them to go back.
God wants them to live together with Christ under the new kingdom, the Messianic Age.
They need to wake up to a new Age, a new spiritual realm or reality of who they are in Christ, and walking with Christ because He lives in them in their spirit (or breath).
A brief reference from the Harper Study Bible:
[... 1 and 2 Thessalonians were written around AD50 - AD51, within a short time of each other; These 2 letters comprise the earliest epistles of Paul found in the New Testament. Paul instructs believers to be busy about the ordinary tasks of life, since their expectation of the immediate return of Christ had caused some to grow careless about daily duties. ...
Apparently they had misunderstood what he had said. His emphasis on the imminence of the Lord's coming resulted in some of them thinking that the day of the Lord had already started. Others thought he was coming so soon that they stopped work and waited idly. They had missed the point that Jesus will come as a thief in the night and at a time when people do not expect him. ...
One statement in this letter seems to suggest that the Thessalonians had been led astray by wrong teaching from unauthentic sources. He begs them not to be shaken or alarmed, "either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here" (2:2). ...]
Anyone who reads these letters to the Thessalonians will realize that they were expecting the coming of the Day of the Lord. If the Day of the Lord is more than 2000 years in their future, it is futile for Paul to write to them like this, because they will be all dead by then, and furthermore it doesn't concern them at all.
Clearly the believers were taught wrongly after receiving the 1st letter from Paul and that prompted Paul to write the 2nd letter very quickly.
Anyone who reads these letters to the Thessalonians will realize that they were expecting the coming of the Day of the Lord. If the Day of the Lord is more than 2000 years in their future, it is futile for Paul to write to them like this, because they will be all dead by then, and furthermore it doesn't concern them at all.
Clearly the believers were taught wrongly after receiving the 1st letter from Paul and that prompted Paul to write the 2nd letter very quickly.
2Th 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,
2Th 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Paul wrote to elaborate about the coming of the day of the Lord, and the gathering together unto him. Don't be troubled. Don't be alarmed. Paul had to comfort them.
Then Paul added,
2Th 2:3 Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition,
2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself forth, that he is God.
Temple
Look at the word "temple" in verse 4. This verse, together with the book of Revelations, and Matthew 24, speaks of an existing standing Temple that is in Jerusalem.
Futurists think that the Temple will be rebuilt, and then 2 Thessalonians 2:4, will be fulfilled.
Actually, Paul was talking to the audience within that generation, about the existing Temple at Jerusalem. The Romans had not yet destroyed it in AD52, when Paul wrote these letters to the Thessalonians. It was only destroyed in AD70, just as Jesus prophesied it would be in Matthew 24:2
Today, in Israel, there is a Zionist movement talking about rebuilding the destroyed Temple. They are talking about chasing the Muslims out of their Dome of the Rock (their mosque), that was built on top of the land of the destroyed Temple.
Sadly, many Christians subscribing to this futuristic rapture theory are pro-Zionism, thinking that the Temple will be rebuilt and then the rapture happens.
What are they doing? They are trying to squeeze modern events into their own interpretation of prophetic scripture.
Events preceding the day of the Lord
According to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, there is a sign that preceded the day of the Lord, and that is the appearing of the man of sin (also called the son of perdition), and this man will call himself God and sit as God in the temple.
Qn: Who is this "man of sin" or "son of perdition"?
An: I don't know. There are a few assumptions, but nothing concrete. However, we do know that the same phrase "perdition" is used of Judas who betrayed Jesus in John 17:12. Whoever it was, it is a man who betrayed his own people, an evil person, and a man of sin.
One explanation on man of sin.
One explanation says John of Giscala could be the man of sin, and that historically the Jewish priesthood did not leave Jerusalem but held back the Roman siege that started in AD68. Then some Jewish zealots betrayed and murdered the high priest Anarus, together with 12,000 of the Jewish priests. The leader of these Jewish rebels was John of Giscala.
These zealots then fought among themselves, and without a trained army like the Romans, they eventually lost the battle to defend Jerusalem. John was later imprisoned by the Romans in AD70, when they took over the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.
In short, this John established himself in the Temple, the one standing when Paul wrote, and put himself above Rome and above God, thereby taking the place of God in the Temple. All this happened, right then and there, and exactly as Paul had said the "man of sin" would do.
See:
https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/john-of-gischala-the-man-of-lawlessness.7211/
Another explanation on man of sin
Another explanation says that the man of sin or son of perdition was Caesar Nero because grammatically the spelling of Caesar Nero was the Roman numerals 666 as in the book of Revelations. Before Nero became emperor, he was suppressed by the then Caesar Claudius, so when Claudius was no longer the emperor (taken out of the way as in verse 7).
Nero became known as the "man of sin" who persecuted the Jews, and declared himself to be God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Qn: So what is the future?
Ans: The future shows that the kingdom of God is continuing to expand until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. So we need to wake up to who you are in Christ, and wake up to the knowledge of Christ in you for he is our righteousness.
Rather than waiting for the manifestation of the kingdom, realize that the kingdom has come in Christ and Christ is in me.
Christ is our hope of glory. He is not the hope of our salvation anymore. That was the prophetic word for them in their last days before the destruction of Jerusalem.
We have the hope of glory manifesting out of us. The kingdom of God is within me, and things are going to get better.
