The Rapture
As with any subject that has been discussed by theologians, the rapture doctrine has developed certain terminology. In considering that terminology we must keep in mind that there are both Biblical terms and theological terms. It is important that we differentiate between Biblical terms and Theological terms when studying God’s Word. A Biblical term is a word that the Scripture consistently uses as it teaches us Biblical concepts and precepts. A theological term is a word scholars have developed to help them teach us these concepts.
Let us start with the word “rapture”. This is a theological term and it is never used in the Scripture. It is derived from a Latin word meaning to be caught up. In the ancient Latin version it is used, in the English it is not. The Greek word from the text in Thessalonians 4:17 is “harpazo”, which means to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). This word is used 13 times in the New Testament, but only once in reference to our gathering together to meet Him in the air.
“then we who are alive and remain will be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds to meet the lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the lord.” (1Th 4:17 NAS)
I am sure it will surprise some people to see how this word “harpazo” (caught up) is used in other scriptures. There are a couple of places that it is used to describe the action of God, such as when Philip was caught up from the Ethiopian Eunuch, or when Paul was caught up in the Spirit and shown great revelations, but most of the time it refers to something other than God catching up someone or something, such as:
“”when anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away (harpazo) what has been sown in his heart. this is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.” (Mt 13:19 NAS)
“”he who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches (harpazp) them and scatters them.” (Joh 10:12 NAS)
What becomes obvious when considering these facts is that the rapture in itself is not an event. The return of Christ is that event. Part of that event is our being gather together to meet our Lord and be a participant in that event. Being caught up or “raptured” is merely describing how we are enabled to meet Him in the air
History of the Rapture Doctrine
The historical background of this doctrine goes back only to about 1830. The earliest references we find which separate our gathering together and Christ’s triumphal return in judgment, are found in the writings of the Plymouth Brethren in Europe. Before this time the Church taught that we would be gathered together at Christ second coming as He returned to set up His kingdom on Earth. Around this same time there was a woman who claimed to have had a vision in which it was revealed to her that Christ would return for His Church prior to the Great Tribulation of the earthly kingdoms. It is unclear the effect this woman’s vision had on the acceptance of this teaching as doctrine. What is clear is that the teaching was spread among the Plymouth Brethren. One of the more influential people promoting this doctrine was John Nelson Darby with his dispensationalist view of scripture.
As this teaching spread among the Brethren it was introduced in America. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s it gradually gained adherents among the evangelicals in America. Probably one of the most influential men involved in the acceptance and spread of this teaching was Scofield. In developing the Scofield Reference Bible he promoted this teaching in his notes. The Scofield Reference Bible’s popularity accelerated the spread of this doctrine throughout America.
From Theory to Doctrine
Over the last century this teaching has become doctrine for many Churches. What at one time was introduced as a controversial teaching has now become dominate throughout American and most of the western world. It has now become controversial to teach the traditional teaching of the rapture, which teaches that it will occur at the event of Christ’s second coming. In deed its popularity is understandable in a culture where religious persecution has not been severe for several generations.
In recent years we have seen the rise of movies and books portraying the ramification of this event through fictional stories and events. It has become the accepted view of the fulfillment of end time prophesy. One of the results of the controversy surrounding this teaching is that the different views concerning end time events involving Christ’s return are categorized by their relationship to the Great Tribulation. Therefore, Pre-trib, Mid-trib, and post-trib, have become familiar term when referring to the differing views of Bible scholars.
Our Focus
The problem is that our focus then centers in on the time of great tribulation. The tribulation is not the focus when we read Scripture. Jesus focused on the day of His return, specifically that we would be ready, watching, and working, so that that day would not overtake us as a thief. Our fear should not be of tribulation, for in Christ we can be over-comers. But we should fear God’s wrath which we can avoid if we follow His commands. Tribulation and wrath are two different things.