The Rapture of the Church

by Danny True

In an article about the anti-Christ  I touched on and then ran from the subject of the end-time premise of the rapture of the Church. I purposely did not elaborate  on that matter then since it required a more in-depth “exploration”.  Now is the time!

Except for the protocol of  how to conduct a water baptism; sprinkling, partial or full immersion, in a river, lake or pool, etc., there is no more disparity within the Church regarding whether or if there will be a “rapture”! The argument is further sub-divided into whether a rapture will occur before the Tribulation, during the Tribulation, or near the end of the Tribulation. The fourth opinion is that it will not occur at all; that the Church will “suffer” through the full Tribulation!

First of all, it must be made clear that the word “rapture” is not found in the Bible (at least not in most traditional or “generally accepted” versions). The closest descriptive is found in the Hebrew word “nasa’ “.

It is strange yet circumstantial that over 50 years ago, the US Government formed an agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the primary purpose of which was/is to probe and explore space, whose acronym is NASA! The Hebrew word nasa’ (pronounced “naw-saw“) has many definitions, one of which is “to lift up“. That is exactly what the US space program does, “lifts up” vehicles to escape earth’s gravity and explore space. I’m sure that, except those fluent in Hebrew,  no one noticed the similarity of terms in 1958!

The nearest Greek word is “epairo” which means “lift or take up“. Another is  ”analambano”, “to take up” – describing the ascension of Jesus into Heaven after His resurrection. However, since none of these word are directly linked to a process of what is generally described as “the rapture”,  most discussion is conjecture. But there are some “clues” that tend to substantiate the probability of the Church being removed from harm’s way during the scourging that will occur during the Tribulation.

In my years of studying the End-time scenario in the Scriptures, primarily in the Books of Revelation, Ezekiel and Daniel, in my opinion, the most conclusive evidence is the time span between Chapters four and  nineteen in the Book of Revelation.

In the first three chapters the Lord is addressing the Church collectively, actually  the churches in seven cities. In that dialog (notice the red letters, indicating the Lord Jesus Himself speaking) He is talking about the short-coming of most of the churches. The seventh church He applauds as being more in line with what a church should be.

With the beginning of the fourth chapter you will find this: After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.“

From John’s description, “after these things” (the “correction” of the churches that occurred in chapters 1-3)” – - – he heard a “voice” (GR: phone – a tone, a noise, a sound) that sounded like a trumpet.

In Scripture, the trumpet is used over and over to announce or precede a tremendous  act or move of God. The trumpet sounded before the falling of the wall around Jericho.  It is used extensively in the Book of Revelation, during the Tribulation period, announcing the next curses or other similar actions.

After Chapter 3, the “church”, God’s people, are not mentioned or heard of again, until they (the multitude) miraculously appear (in Chapter 19) with Jesus (the rider on the white horse) as He returns victoriously over evil in the earth! Where was the church meanwhile?  At this time they are coming out of Heaven with Jesus. The conclusion may be made that, after the angel blew the trumpet in Chapter 4, verse 1, the church was removed; “epairo-ed”, “analambano-ed”, “nasa-ed” from the earth, probably straight to Heaven, to protect them from the ravaging that was to follow!

Sure, there will be Christians on earth during the Tribulation; converts to Christianity. That will be the work of the one-hundred-forty-four-thousand Jews – - –  BUT that is part of yet another story! The Book of Revelation is quite complex and cannot be properly capsulated in a restricted-by-space blog site.

In conclusion, I must remind you, the reader, that much of what is presented here is conjecture, even after many years of study. No one has the full answer to all these issues. The Bible is unclear regarding certain details, and from my viewpoint, for a valid purpose. As far as to the future, except those things which have been clearly revealed prophetically, we must put our trust in the Lord that He has covered “all the bases”; that He is looking out for what is best for us. He will not allow His brothers and sisters to endure more than they are able and, clearly, the Tribulation will be something that NO ONE can survive!

- – - God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13 KJV)

As with all articles that are presented on this WEB site, you are encouraged to respond with your pro or con comments, especially this subject that opens the door for other “opinions.” All we ask is that you use the Scriptures to confirm or underscore  your view or rendering.

See you in the clouds!

Photo:    NASA Hubble telescope view