Quote:
Originally Posted by albion
There is no doctrine/teaching of a secret rapture to be found in any bible translation.
The rapture was born in the 1800s and was first preached by a church of Scotland minister named Edward Irvine.
The church thought that Irvine was, to put it bluntly insane.
In spite of all the evidence disproving the rapture, people still blindly follow the con artists who line their pockets with the money of gullible & misled people.
|
The notion that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture specifically and the Rapture in general were an invention of the early 1800’s originating with little Miss MacDonald is quite simply false. Anyone continuing to believe this today in any respect is simply lacking knowledge of history or willfully ignorant of the facts wishing not to acknowledge the truth of the past. In essence, individuals who would like to change history to fit their own beliefs.
“Rapture”, in the context of eschatology, is an English word derived from the Latin rapio, (or variant spelling rapere) “caught up” as found in the Vulgate rendering of
1 Thessalonians 4:17.
The Oxford English Dictionary provides two pages describing the history of usage of the word in English back to as early as the 1400’s. From the 17th century onwards, the word is attested as rapture with similar senses to the older form rapt. The OED provides the etymology as from Latin rapere: to seize, especially abduct; it likens the words capture and rapture. Of particular note are the various distinctions involving either literal or figurative transport of body or emotions to heaven or from one place to another on earth.
1400: Þe visions of seynt poul wan he was rapt into paradys. — Vernon manuscript in Old English Miscellany 223
1412-20: In this wyse were the brethren twayne To heauen rapt, as thes poetes fayne. — John Lydgate, Chronicle of Troy 2:14
1432-50: Helyas was rapte in this tyme. — Ranulf Higden, Polychronicon, tr. John Trevisa, Rolls Series 3:25
1526: Whan he was rapt & taken vp in to the thyrde heuen. — William Bond, Pilgrim of Perfection, (Wynkyn de Worde, 1531): 25
1610: To this place … were Enoch, Elias and Paul rapt up fore their deaths. — John Guillim, A Display of Heraldry 3:2
1667: Rapt in a Chariot drawn by fiery Steeds. — John Milton, Paradise Lost 3:522
1866: He was rapt up on high and saw S. Peter. — Charles Kingsley, Hereward the Wake 1:12
Doctrinal history
The concept of the rapture, in connection with premillennialism, was expressed by the American Puritan father and son Increase and Cotton Mather. They held to the idea that believers would be caught up in the air, followed by judgments on the earth and then the millennium. The term rapture was used by Philip Doddridge (1738) and John Gill (1748) in their New Testament commentaries, with the idea that believers would be caught up prior to judgment on the earth and Jesus’ Second Coming. The concept of a pre-tribulation rapture was articulated by Baptist Morgan Edwards in an essay published in 1788 in Philadelphia.
Further back,,
The Shepherd of Hermes is one such ancient document.
First, much of what is recorded in these texts does not agree with the teachings of the scripture. That fact alone establishes the complete set of manuscripts of no doctrinal value. But, setting aside that detail for the moment in order to analyze the contents of these documents, we learn one of the records makes mention of a vision the “shepherd” had of a giant raging beast. This animal made an attempt to charge the shepherd presumably to cause him great harm. The shepherd, however was able to escape by relying on God for protection.
The next vision he encounters is that of a beautiful maiden, identified by the shepherd himself as the Church. She in turn identifies the creature as an illustration of the Great Tribulation to come, and tells him he escaped it by putting his full trust in God. She then gives him the responsibility of informing all other believers they can do the same, but only if they too put their full trust in the Lord.
This is a very brief look and oversimplification of the content of those manuscripts. But since they have been accepted to have been written in the second century, it is concrete proof that the “concept” of the Rapture in general (as referring to an escape from a future time of Great Tribulation) and conditions connected to participating in that specific escape existed outside of Biblical text, but inside the body of the Church, to within approximately one hundred years of the physical death of Jesus Christ.
Even if the doctrine is in error, it was a belief of a portion of the membership of the Church, regardless of how few, documented to as early as the second century and there exists earlier evidence. Anyone choosing to deny the clear content of these articles, is blind wishing to remain so. You can honestly choose to believe and thereby continue to teach the doctrine to be in error, but you cannot deny that it was believed by a portion of the early Church. It existed, that is a fact.
There are numerous websites on the Internet that continue to expound the myth that the teaching of the Rapture was not even conceived of until the late 19th or early 20th century. Anyone denying the existence of this doctrine by even the smallest percentage of the early Church should be held suspect concerning any and all doctrines that are put forth by that person or organization.
Further, further back that even that,,,
The Post-Tribulationist overlooks completely the purpose of 2nd Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
The day of Christ mentioned here in verse two is not the Rapture. Nor is Paul informing the Church of Thessalonica in this particular passage that they had not missed the coming of Lord Jesus that they had been waiting for, as instructed. They had been informed by false teachers infiltrating the church that the day of Christ was at hand. In other words it was nigh, very close and that they should be preparing for it. What’s wrong with this picture, you might ask?
The problem was, the false teachers in question were Post-Tribulationists, and were teaching the day of Christos or the day of the Messiah (his coming in power and great glory at the end of The Great Tribulation Period) was at hand. Therefore, by the church’s understanding from the teachings of Paul in his first letter, they concluded they were inside the Great Tribulation Period and had missed “the gathering” of verse one as well as the teachings of Paul in 1st Thess. 4:16-18 (or the Rapture, that they knew would proceed the Great Tribulation).
The Thessalonians were the first “recorded” Partial Rapturists, although their were others. It was a common teaching of the day. If the teachings they were being exposed to were accurate, they had been “left behind” when the Lord had come to gather his bride. This can be easily seen in verse one by the manner in which Paul introduces the explanation to come.
Paul :
Now we beseech you, brethren, (the believers of the church, and by the way, the lost were not being addressed, they are not brethren)
by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (the Glorious Appearing of which they understood Paul to teach would end the Great Tribulation, but were now being instructed was closing in on the world)
and by our gathering together unto him, (the gathering of the Bride, which in consideration to Paul‘s earlier teachings of 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 concerning our being “caught up together“, they were now being informed by false teachers they had missed).
The mention of both comings in reverse order (much like Luke’s description of a more complex sequence in chapter 17:28-36 of his Gospel) is repeated in the following verses. They were confused, and it was Paul’s intention to re-educate them drawing from the lessons of his first letter, as well as his prior visit.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Let no man deceive you by any means: (self explanatory)
for that day (the day of Christ, Christos, The day of The Messiah or conquering King of Israel)
shall not come, (self explanatory)
except (until)
there come a falling away (of which some modern Christians consider to be believers falling away from the truth of the gospel or faithfulness to the Lord, still others believe it could be an obscure mention of the Rapture itself)
first (self explanatory),
and that man of sin (the anti-christ)
be revealed, (self explanatory)
the son of perdition (further identifying the anti-christ).
The key to understanding this passage is in the correct identification of the English phrase “falling way“, translated from the Greek word apostasia.
One, but only one, of the contextual meanings inside the definition is “a departure”. That reference inside the definition has prompted some Pre-Tribulationists to entertain the possibility that the proper translation is just that. Literally a departure, meaning the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Bride. After all, such an interpretation would agree with their timing of the doctrine.
However, accepting the translation “a departure” at face value and inferring it to be referring directly to the “catching up” of the Bride at the time of the Rapture is a selection by the individual of the portion of the definition that appeals to them based on their current beliefs. The actual definition is as follows.
apostasia – the feminine form of the same, (in the neutral, apostasion) – defection (or departure) from the truth (the state of) “apostasy” falling away, to forsake.
So, within the definition we do have an understanding of a departure being conveyed, but only in reference to a defection or forsaking of, the truth. The structure of the sentence itself, nor the definition of the word in the original Greek, make claim inside the context of the passage to a departure as some Pre-Tribulationists suggest. This view must first be inferred, then in turn interpreted as such by the reader. That being the case, it would be more likely that the traditional belief of the church experiencing a departure from the truth or the occurrence of a falling away from the faith just before the Rapture, would be correct. That is, if it were not for another little known definitionary fact.
apostasia – the feminine form of the same, (in the neutral, apostasion)
“apostasia” is the feminine form of its counterpart “apostasion” which is the neutral of the same. Namely, the same subject matter. In the feminine it retains its own definitions of defection, departure, falling away, or forsake, but only within the subject matter of its neutral counterpart, establishing the context of the passage. The neutral form possesses the same attributes, but in a manner active to the subject matter it “specifically” defines.
apostasion – neutral – something separative, specifically divorce, – (writing of) divorcement.
With the word apostasia being by definition “the same as” apostasion in feminine form, the action being discussed in this passage is “in the feminine” a falling away, the state of apostasy, to forsake, a defection from the “Truth” (in subject, the coming of the Lord), but in a setting of divorce defined by its counterpart, apostasion.
The only state that could be being described in relation to this passage is the Partial Rapture’s teaching of the unfaithful and disobedient members of the church being divorced by their Bridegroom the Lord Jesus Christ at the time he comes for his faithful Bride. That would cause the majority of the Church of God to be “Left Behind” at the time of the Rapture, to enter into and endure (and to be martyred inside) the Great Tribulation Period.
So, the “falling away” is speaking of the Coming of the Lord, but is the record of his rejection of the portion of the church who is in violation of its marriage vows, and committing adultery against its Bridegroom.
Paul is teaching them that just as they understood the Rapture of the Bride (or catching up) will proceed the Glorious Appearing, the revealing of the anti-christ and the beginning of The Great Tribulation itself, it will unfortunately also result in the divorce of the unfaithful as well. He is actually confirming the teaching of The Partial Rapture as valid, but reassures them those who remain obedient to the Lord will not be included in the rejection.
The largest majority of the modern church feels, (And I was actually told this next statement by an obvious opponent of these teachings) “That is the single most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. The scripture doesn’t say anything even remotely similar to that anywhere. You would have to torture a passage of scripture to the point of absurdity to get it to “confess” to such a thing.”
Oh, Really ? !!
Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Keep in mind, adultery can only be committed against ones own spouse. The individuals being addressed by Jesus are espoused (or engaged) to Christ.
2nd Corinthians 11:1-3.
2 Corinthians 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in
my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:
for I have espoused you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Luke himself warned us of this in his account of the Olivet Dicourse as taught by our Lord in Luke 21:34-36.
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and [the] cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Hebrews 9:28 (actually 27&28) is the only passage in the scripture that mentions "the second time" he will appear. He has already appeared once, (I think we can all agree) in the flesh, born of a virgin, "Merry Christmas" (sort of, e-mail me for an explanation).
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear
the second time without sin unto salvation.
The problem with believing in "only" a post-tribulation appearance is that the scripture details that appearance as distinctly different. At the appearance of Jesus "the second time" (described by scripture, "you can look it up") he will only appear to those that are looking for him. At the final appearance (the glorious appearance) at the end of the great tribulation period, he will be seen by every single living person on the entire globe.
Second Appearance (The Rapture)
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and
unto them that look for him shall he appear "the second time" without sin unto salvation.
Final Appearance (The Glorious Appearing)
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and
every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Two distinct and separate comings. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke detail the Great Tribulation in the Olivet Discourse, and describe the final appearance in this manner, "after the tribulation of those days". However, all three allude to the possibility of avoiding this terrible time, but Luke pins it down for us as a warning.
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
One final thought, Jesus discribed two distinct comings of himself to the world by his own mouth.
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said,
The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22 And he said unto the disciples,
The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
“One of the days of the Son of man” is a direct indication of more than one, confirmed by the rest of the scripture in its descriptions as two, beginning and ending the time known as The Great Tribulation Period.
Rev. J. W. (Bro. Chip) White, Jr.
revjwwhitejr@aol.com
Author : The Partial Rapture “Theory” Explained / Escaping The Coming Storm
partialrapture.net
Pastor :Courtland Baptist Church
P. O. BOX 550
Queen City, Texas 75572
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I believe you have overlooked the previous post, or have ignored it. (Edited for Length)
The New Year
