The Rapture

Eschatol ogy: The Rapture ◦ 3 May 2023 ◦ Spring 1 LEARNING TO LEARN When we forgot what we knew, or never knew what we should. 2 Learning to Learn ◦“And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”” (Matthew 13:52, ESV) ◦2 Kings 22:8–20 (ESV) 3 What we have forgotten, and what we assume Revelation 4:1 (ESV) 4 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Assumption—Revelation 1-3 is about the church, the rest of Revelation is about Israel until chapter 22:16. 4 Assumptions of the Rapture theory, and of Dispensationalism A gap between the 69th and 70th year in Daniel Revelation written after the fall of Jerusalem Revelation not written to the church in the 1st century, but written for believers thousands of years in the future The church is not mentioned after Revelation 4 Answer: Individual churches are mentioned in Revelation 1-3, but the church named in its martyrs. Named in the saints: (5:8; 8:3, 4; 11:18; 13:7, 10; 14:12) 5 Assumptions of the Rapture theory, and of Dispensationalism Assumes that God has a separate plan for the Jews and the church, and after the church is taken out God fulflils OT prophecies to Israel. This means that they are two distinct people with distinct promises and plans. It is from this that the argument for a rebuilt temple, complete with sacrifices, arises. 6 A Map of Dispensationalism 7 What does the word, “rapture” mean? The term, “rapture,” from the Latin, rapiemur. “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 8 Scriptures 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV) Note: this is on the resurrection Fear for those already dead is the main concern Vs 14, 15 do not indicate that Paul expected this in his lifetime. Parallel Passage 1 Corinthians 15:50–58 (ESV) 9 Rapture passages indicate the final resurrection John 5:28–29 (ESV) 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. 10 Taken Away Matthew 13:24–30 (ESV): Who is taken first? Who is taken, who is left behind? Matthew 13:36–43 (ESV) Matthew 24:36–44 (ESV) Parallel: Luke 17:34–37 (ESV) 11 Notes on “Swept Away” Flood Field Mill 12 A theme in Scripture: the righteous are not moved, but the wicked are taken away ◦Psalm 37:10-22; 36 ◦Job 7:10; 24:24 13 Summary 1. Modern proponents of the rapture theory admit that there is no mention of it anywhere in church writings prior to the 19th century. This includes the reformers. It is a new doctrine. 1. Darby 2. Scofield 2. This doctrine is not named in Scripture 3. It forms a pillar of a system of interpretation, Premillennial Dispensationalism that is overlaid on Scripture but is not evident from the Bible. 14 PREMILLENNIALISM CHART 15 A MAP OF DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALIS M 16 A Map of Dispensationalism 17 18