Pastor, I Have a Question December 2011

QUESTION: I heard something about this “rapture.” I am not sure about this going up in the air, and who is left behind? I am confused because Scripture and other people tell me these things but I do not know what to believe.
ANSWER: Paul wrote: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:15–17). This is God’s truth.
Some trace the word “rapture” to the Vulgate (a Latin translation of the Bible). In it Jerome translated “shall be caught up together” as rapiemur.
On the last day, the Day of Judgment, heaven and earth will pass away (Luke 21:33). Jesus will bring with Him the souls of all those who died in faith, resurrecting their bodies. He will gather together believers who remain on earth. Our bodies will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:50–57). He will take us to be with Him in heaven (John 14:3). Those who lived and died in unbelief will hear His dreadful words: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matthew 25:41). They will not be left behind. They will be condemned for eternity for rejecting the atonement God’s Son accomplished for them by His death and resurrection.
Believers have nothing to fear. The Lord, who came in humility on Christmas to earn for us forgiveness, life, and salvation, encourages us concerning His return, “When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).
Today, “rapture” means something more, something not found in the Bible. This writer saw a bumper sticker something like, “In case of the rapture the driver will be taken.” This year, a prominent religious radio personality set a date for the rapture. It came and went. Nothing happened. He reset the date for October. If you are reading this, he was wrong again.
In 1830, a Scottish girl had a vision. She was sick and thought she was dying. She saw Jesus return and rescue certain Christians, taking them to heaven early and leaving the rest of humanity to suffer something called “The Great Tribulation.” This notion was made popular among certain English churches by preachers who visited her. These false teachings are called Dispensationalism and Millennialism. Recently, these false teachings were spread with the publication of the Left Behind series of books written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Some of these books became movies, infecting many souls.
People talking about the “rapture” today no doubt are talking about this false doctrine. Save yourself the anxiety. You know what to believe. Examine the Scriptures. Consult your pastor for passages. Ask your pastor to conduct a Bible class about the end times. Then do what the faithful Bereans did: “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:10–11). In this way, Jesus will comfort you with His Good News including the good news about His promised return. You will know exactly what to believe. You will be able to discern God’s truth from false teachings.
Rev. Charles Keeler
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Winter Haven, FL
cjohnk@aol.com