Eschatology (2)

Resurrection, Return, & the Rapture

Precursory Thoughts

I. Resurrection of the Dead

Daniel 12:2 ESV

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

A. The Two Kinds of Resurrection:

1. The Resurrection unto Life

Key Passages:

Luke 14:13–14 ESV

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Philippians 3:10–14 ESV

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:35 KJV 1900

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

John 5:28–29 ESV

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

2. The Resurrection to Contempt

Key Passages:

John 5:29 KJV 1900

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Revelation 20:5 ESV

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.

B. Who is part of these resurrections?

John 5:19-29

John 5:19–29 ESV

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

“those who hear and believe” -John 5:25

“all who are in the tombs” - John 5:28

C. Will these occur simultaneously?

1. The Resurrection unto Life

o Ek-nekron = (Greek) Out of the Dead- never implied for the ungodly (used 49 times, 34 to Christ’s resurrection, 3 times to John’s supposed resurrection, 3 times for Lazarus, 3 times to figuriatively talk about spiritual resurrection, 2 times used of OT figures, and 4 times used to express a future resurrection.

§ Verses include… Mark 12:25, Luke 20:35-36, Acts 4:1-2, and Philippians 3:11….

§ It literally means here “the out resurrection from among the dead”… giving it a special emphasis to the idea that part of the dead will be raised before all the rest are raised

o First Resurrection= Is another name for the Resurrection unto Life

Revelation 20:6 ESV

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

o The First Resurrection will occur in stages.

2. The Resurrection to Damnation (The Second Resurrection)

o The ungodly dead will remain dead until the very end of time. (Rev. 20:5- …. rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished)

o God will raise up the wicked one last time to pronounce judgment and condemnation for all the evil deeds they have done. Then will cast them eternally into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11-13… and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them)

D. The Stages of the First Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:22-26

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order

1. The First Stage is Christ

“Christ the firstfruits…”

2. The Second Stage is the Church at the Time of the Rapture

“Afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming…”

-Bodily, we must be changed… (1 Corinthians 15:42-53)

-Not all will be “resurrected from dead” but some will be changed instantaneously from our normal bodies… (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

3. The Final Stage is those who are Christians during the Tribulation

“Then cometh the end…. When He shall put down all rule…”

*Revelations 20:6- tells us that those who received Christ during the tribulation and were martyred for their faith will be raised to life again to rule with Christ during the 1,000 year kingdom. This is referred to as the first resurrection.

II. Return of Christ

Key Passages:

Acts 1:9–11 ESV

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Titus 2:12–13 ESV

training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Philippians 3:20 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

John 14:3 ESV

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Key Terms:

What You Should Know about the Rapture Chapter Five: The Vocabulary for the Second Coming

Do the words used for the second coming in the New Testament indicate that it will be a single event (posttribulationism), or can they describe two events separated by seven years (pretribulationism)?

Parousia- meaning “coming”, “arrival”, or “presence”.

-1 Corinthians 16:17, 2 Corinthians 7:6-7, Philippians 1:26, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 in a general sense

-1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 4:15, 5:23, James 5:7 in used of the rapture

- Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Peter 1:16 in used of the 2nd Coming

What You Should Know about the Rapture Parousia

Two different conclusions are possible from this evidence. (1) Parousia describes the same, single event, meaning that the rapture and the second coming are a single event at the end of the Tribulation. (2) Parousia describes two separate events, both characterized by the presence of the Lord, but events that will not happen at the same time. Either conclusion is valid.

Consider an illustration. Suppose proud grandparents should say to their friends, “We are looking forward to enjoying the presence (parousia) of our grandchildren next week;” then later in the conversation add, “Yes, we expect our grandchildren to be present at our golden wedding celebration.” If you heard those statements you could draw either of two conclusions. (1) The grandchildren are coming next week for the golden wedding anniversary, In other words, the grandparents were speaking of the coming and the anniversary as a single event, occurring at the same time. Or (2) the grandchildren will be making two trips to see their grandparents—one next week (as part of their vacation, say), and another later to help celebrate the golden wedding anniversary.

Likewise, since the Lord’s presence (parousia) will characterize both the rapture and the second coming, the word itself does not indicate whether these are a single event or separate events. In other words, the vocabulary used does not necessarily prove either pre- or posttribulationism.

Apokalupsis- meaning “revelation”

-1 Peter 4 13, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Luke 17:30 - used of the Second Coming of Christ

-1 Corinthians 1:7, Colossians 3:4, 1 Peter 1:7, 13- used to reference the coming of Christ in the air for His church

What You Should Know about the Rapture Apokalupsis

Two conclusions are possible. (1) The rapture and the second coming are the same single event. Since both are called a revelation of Christ, they must occur at the same time and be part of the same event at the end of the Tribulation. (2) Both the rapture and the second coming will reveal Christ, but not at the same time or under the same circumstances. Therefore, the rapture and the second coming can be separated as pretribulationism teaches.

Notice that the first conclusion used the word revelation as a cataloging word; that is, it catalogs whatever event is referred to in all the passages where the word is used as the same, single event. The second conclusion sees the word revelation as a characterizing word; that is, it is used to characterize different events in the same way, as a revelation.

Epiphaneia- meaning “manifestation”

-Luke 1:79, 2 Timothy 1:10- used in the incarnation of Christ (His first coming)

-1 Timothy 6:14, 2 Timothy 4:8 seem to refer to the rapture

-2 Timothy 4:1, Titus 2:13 seem to refer to His Second Coming

What You Should Know about the Rapture Epiphaneia

Take the word motor. My automobile has a motor. My wife’s washing machine has a motor. My moped has a motor. Our furnace fan has a motor. My camera has a motor that automatically advances the film. Is the term motor a characterizing feature of these rather diverse machines? Or is it a means of cataloging them that would force us to conclude that everything that has a motor is the same thing? The answer is obvious.

What You Should Know about the Rapture Epiphaneia

But the posttribulationists’ underlying assumption in continuing to use this argument is that these words catalog rather than characterize. To be sure, vocabulary might do that; but to be equally sure, it might not.

III. Rapture of the Church

2 Thessalonians 2:1–2 ESV

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 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.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 ESV

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ESV

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. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 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. 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. 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. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

What is the Rapture?

*Rapture= (latin) means “caught up.” Those raptured will be caught up into heaven in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, without dying, to meet the Lord in the air.

*Paul believed that the rapture could occur at any time. That is why he included himself in the phrase “and we which are alive and remain…”

*The rapture of the Church is called a “mystery” by the apostle Paul. This is because the Rapture applies to the church-age saints and was therefore not revealed to Israel in Old Testament times. It is also a mystery, in that no one else is instantly changed without dying first.

Is the term Rapture biblical?

What You Should Know about the Rapture Chapter Three: What is the Rapture?

The Greek word from which we take this term rapture appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and is translated “caught up.” The Latin translation of this verse uses the word rapturo, from which we derive our English word rapture. So it is a biblical term that has come to us through the Latin translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

The original Greek word in that verse is harpazo. Like the Latin word it also means to snatch or take away, and it occurs thirteen times in the New Testament. It describes how the Spirit caught up Philip near Gaza and brought him to Caesarea (Acts 8:39). Paul used it to describe his experience of being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2–4). Thus there can be no doubt that it is describing an actual removal of people from earth to heaven when used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 of the rapture of the church.

Aspects of the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Return of Christ (v.16)

Resurrection (v.16)

Rapture (v.17)

Reunion (v. 17)

Reassurance (v.18)

Views about the Rapture (namely when it takes place)

Pretribulation Rapture: The rapture will take pale before the seven-year period of the Tribulation begins. Therefore, the church will not go through any of the Tribulation period.

Prewrath Rapture: The rapture of the church occurs prior to the wrath of God poured out on the earth, but in this view, the wrath of God does not occur until about or after the last quarter of the Tribulation. Thus, the church will experience most of the events of the book of Revelation.

Mid-tribulation Rapture: The rapture will occur in the middle of the Tribulation, after 3 ½ years.

Post-tribulation Rapture: The Church will be on earth during the entire Tribulation. Some would say the rapture is part of the second coming, others that it is distinct from the second coming though separated by only a very short interval of time.

Partial Rapture: Only saints who are worthy will be raptured before the wrath of God is poured out; those who have not been faithful will remain on the earth to endure the Tribulation.

Main Beliefs:

Mid-Tribulation:

Reasons they hold this belief:

The book of Daniel emphasizes the last 3 1/2 years as intense judgment on earth that will begin with a great event. They believe this to be the rapture.

The Last Trumpet of Revelation 10:7 corresponds to the last trump of 1 Corinthians 15:52.

They argue that Revelation 11 is the true timing of the rapture. Spiritualizing the two witnesses found in this passage to be representing the church and will be raptured midway through the 7 years of tribulation.

Ultimately, it is a compromise of pre-trib and post-trib beliefs.

Post-Tribulation:

Reasons they hold this belief:

The Historical Argument

The Promise of Tribulation

Argument from Resurrection

Translations of Advent

Pre-Tribulation:

Reasons they hold this belief:

No Distinction between Israel and the Church

Literal approach for the reason for Tribulation- Jeremiah 30:7

Importance of Imminent Return of Christ- Matthew 24:24

Context of 1 & 2 Thessalonians

The Church is never mentioned in Revelation 6-18

The wheat and tares passage found in Matthew 13

Jesus is on His throne when He separates goats and sheep- Matthew 25

The Bible describes many times that God rescued the righteous from His wrath- 1 Thess. 5:9

The church is busy elsewhere during the Tribulation- 2 Corinthians 5:10, Rev. 6:6-9

Chronologically it fits well- Revelation 4-5

Bible describe the Rapture and 2nd coming as separate/different events

Rapture Second Coming

Rapture in the air/return to Mt. of Olives

Mt. of Olives is unchanged/Mt. of Olives is divided

Living bodies obtain glorified bodies/ living bodies remain in same bodies

believers go to Heaven/ believers go to Millennium

World is left unjudged & choatic/world is judged and order established

no signs precede it/ signs precede it

only revealed in New Testament/ Entirety of Scripture talks about it

For believers only/ involves both believers and unbelievers