By Dr. James Ricks
A movie and book series is now very popular and established. It is called Left Behind. The movies and books are based on the rapture doctrine. This is a very popular modern doctrine in our world that obscures the true doctrine of the resurrection. A person does not need to be resurrected if already in heaven. Some of the resurrection scriptures are turned into proof of a rapture. We will look at the one most prominently utilized by our deceived world.
What is Paul warning the brethren about in 1 Thessalonians 4:17? Is he talking of a secret rapture? No, he is talking about the second coming of Jesus Christ! We will see that he is talking about the resurrection the saints which is the major theme of the New Testament.
1 Thessalonians 4:14-15, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”
The word rapture is not in the New Testament. Paul is speaking of the resurrection of the dead and of those instantly changed to spirit beings upon the second coming of Christ. Christ is coming to this earth, not near the earth to rapture some away. Where will the believers go after meeting with Christ upon his second coming? Will they watch temporarily from the clouds as their less religious relatives suffer the tribulation? No, the Bible says they will ever be with Jesus!
1Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Christ’s Secret Return?
Christ is not returning quietly, but with a loud angelic megaphone-type shout. Believers will then be permanently with the Messiah, not on a temporary heavenly visit during the terrifying Great Tribulation.
Note that Christ will not return secretly, but with the shout of a powerful archangel. A world-wide trumpet blast will precede his second coming. How can some say this represents a “secret rapture” or gathering of people in the air? They are so deceived they take part of the verse and ignore clear statements to the contrary regarding other parts of the verses.
We will be gathered to the Lord, not to escape trouble for a few years, but to help Christ change this world into a Christian paradise with true worship of the true God. A world with Godly Laws and God’s blessings is coming. Christ will not just come close to the earth but will stand on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14:3-4, “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”
Christ will return as a conquering king to defeat the forces of evil and begin God’s new government at Jerusalem. He is coming with all the bright glory of God to rule all nations and is coming relatively soon to rule this evil society.
Matthew 25:31-32, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:”
Jesus is coming to rule this world in all His bright glory and it will be anything but secret. The major doctrine of the New Testament is the resurrection of the DEAD. It is not the rapture of the living. Note what Paul says:
Hebrew 6:1 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
“Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
Note the fundamental doctrines include resurrection of the dead not rapturing away the living. When Christ comes all mankind will know of His arrival. It will not be a secret in any fashion.
Matthew 24:26-27, “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Where Will the Saints be When Christ Returns?
Christ Himself says do not believe those who say that He is coming in secret. His second coming will be like lightning in the heavens seen by all. When Christ returns with the loud blast of the TRUMPET where will the saints be sent? Will they ascend to heaven and wait a few years? The Bible says they will rule on this EARTH. When Jesus enters the atmosphere will the saints then be whisked off to heaven temporarily? No, our rewards when Jesus returns, are on earth. Note the prophesies:
Revelation 2:26-27, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
“And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
Though we are saved by grace, God has us doing our part in the gaining a Godly heart and overcoming the evils of this world. Those of us who do our part will be rewarded with power to help alter this evil world which so desperately needs the sons of God. Our rule is on this earth when Jesus returns and brings paradise.
Revelation 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
The twelve Apostles were promised that they would rule over the twelve tribes or nations of Israel upon Christ’s return. Those tribes are on this earth obviously.
Jesus is Our Protection Against the Evil to Come
The retirement benefits of working for the true God are wonderful. In this age we need to find and worship and obey the real Jesus. This is not easy since the vast majority are deceived. Most do not know Christ; not the real Christ. The truth is a rare thing in this age as Christ told people. If you find the real truth hold on to it tightly.
Matthew 13:15-17, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
“For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
If we are able to see the truth at end of this age we are blessed. Hold onto to the truth in the age of clever false doctrines like the rapture. We must learn to obey all ten of the commandments and develop a relationship with Jesus in prayer.
Luke 13:26-27, “Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
“But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
We must do our part in obeying God; including keeping all the Sabbaths and praying and developing a personal relationship with Christ. Then we will be eligible to receive God’s gracious protection from the end time tribulation. Note the description of those protected.
Revelation 3:8-11, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
Unlike most Jews, these worshipers accept Jesus and also obey all the Bible. They keep the word of God and therefore will be protected from the crisis that will fall upon the remainder of the world. If one wants true safety in the end of the age do not rely upon a secret rapture. Rely on Christ. Obey Jesus and the entirety of the Bible. If we follow Jesus we can be hidden in places of safety on this earth until the danger passes.
This includes the Feast of Trumpets that celebrates the earth shattering, loud return of Jesus Christ at the Last Trump. It is the beginning of the secular new year and it will be a new age of happiness for all surviving mankind. Jesus the Messiah will return to this earth at the last of the seven trumpets to sound in the book of Revelations. Paul was referencing this trumpet call to victory and the Kingdom of God in I Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 5:3-6, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
The world will be caught off guard by the Last Trumpet. However; the true believers will not be surprised because we are soberly watching the spiritual affairs of this world.
