Sermon Central
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The Rapture Theory Debunked
Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 23, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: The Rapture Theory has been adopted by many Christians as being sound doctrine. In this study, we examine the subject by noting that this subject was created by taking texts out of context and ignoring plain statements of Scripture.
So, we cannot use Paul's instruction in 1 THESSALONIANS 4 & 5 to support a secret Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
But, there's more....
Another Scripure that is supposed to support a secret Rapture or resurrection of the righteous is MATTHEW 24:40-41, “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.”
Without considering context, I can see how one might come to the opinion that this describes a sudden resurrection of worthy individuals in the midst of their daily routine. But, not considering the context can lead to confusion and even heresy.
Understanding comes when we connect this passage with Jesus' commands in verses 15-18, where we read that when Christians see the “abomination of desolation....standing in the holy place”, they must immediately “flee to the mountains.” Jesus commands, in verses 16-18, “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.”
The point Jesus is making is that Christian Jews must abandon whatever they are doing or where-ever they find themselves and flee to the mountains ASAP. Imagine the scene. Two men are working in the field, one being a Christian while the other is not. When the Christian field worker sees the “abomination of desolation...standing in the holy place”, he will drop his tools and immediately 'flee to the mountains'. Two women are grinding at the mill, one being a Christian while the other is not. When the Christian woman sees the “abomination of desolation...standing in the holy place”, she suddenly abandons her grinding and 'flees to the mountains'. The non-Christian field-worker and mill grinder will carry-on in their labors, wondering where their partners have gone!
To bring even better clarity, we need to identify the “abomination of desolation”? Supporters of the Rapture Theory have speculated on who or what this is. However, there's no need to speculate because Luke's parallel passage provides the answer, LUKE 21:20-22, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.”
So, we see that the “abomination of desolation” refers to pagan armies besieging Jerusalem. Christians in Judea are to flee from Jerusalem and its environs with great haste running to the mountains. That this is to be fulfilled in our future is totally false. See LUKE 21:32, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.” Jesus is explicitly saying that the “abomination of desolation” would transpire in the lifetime of those who heard Him speak this prophecy. Did Jesus tell the truth? Did this occur in the lifetime of that generation? Absolutely!
