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Greek Exegesis of the Rapture Passages

   

Some years ago I worked on translating all of the passages in the New Testament on the doctrine of the rapture of the church saints. Besides the grammar work I did, I consulted the best of the classical grammarians. I was surprised to see so many who called these passages "rapture" passages, though with their philosophy of amillennialism, they did not know what to do with the verses or where to put them in the order of biblical prophecy. I trust this study will bless all those who have a longing for the Lord's return to carry the Church away before the terrible days of the worldwide tribulation..

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
    "I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT"
    The Scripture in 1 Thessalonians most clearly shows a distinction between the Rapture and the second coming judgment of the Lord when He returns to earth to reign and rule. Chapter four verses 13-18 describes the Rapture, while chapter five verses 1-11 describes the Day of the Lord, the unleashing of His wrath upon the earth, and the culmination of His literal coming to the earth as the son of David and Israel's Messiah!

  • John 14:1-3
    "I AM COMING BACK TO GET YOU!"
    These verses are part of what is called the Upper Room Discourse in which the Lord spoke in an intimate way to His disciples just before His arrest, trials, and crucifixion. Almost all scholars recognize these verses as referring in an initial or primitive description of the doctrine of the rapture. It must be remembered that Christ's disciples will enter the dispensation of the church with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 ....

  • James 5:7-8;9b
    "BE PATIENT, UNTIL THE COMING OF THE LORD!"
    James is probably the oldest of our New Testament books (circa. 45 AD). When he writes about the coming of the Lord is he speaking about the Second Coming or the Rapture of the church?

  • 1 Thessalonians 7:18-19; 3:13
    "TAKEN BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHER AND CHRIST"
    Paul told the Thessalonians how he wanted to come and see them yet he had been stopped by the Enemy! Still, from a distance, he had continual concern for them and felt a kindred bond. Though he could not be there in person he was with them in spirit. But someday they would all be in glory with Christ and God the Father when the rapture takes place

  • 1 Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
    "THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME!"
    The "Day of the Lord" is not describing the rapture of the church. It is a common expression of the Day of Tribulation, the Day of God's Wrath that will last for seven years. Some mistakenly have called this the rapture, and as well, the expression "a Thief in the Night" (v. 2).