The Rapture
The secret rapture theory is based on eight points:
1.The rapture is silent.
2.The rapture is invisible.
3.The rapture leaves the wicked alive.
4.God removes the righteous to protect them from the tribulation.
5.Christ’s second coming will be in two stages: (1) the secret rapture, and (2) the actual coming, which will be glorious.
6.These two stages of the second coming will be seven years apart.
7.The rapture will take place before the revelation of the Antichrist, who then will bring about the tribulation.
8.The wicked will at this point have a second chance to be converted and to serve Christ.
Let’s examine these 8 points in light of what the Bible teaches:
1.The Bible teaches that the rapture is not silent, but rather is extremely noisy. Jesus will descend “with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16); “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: … it shall be very tempestuous round about him” (Psalms 50:3); “The Lord shall roar from on high … he shall mightily roar … he shall give a shout. … A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:30, 31).
2.The rapture is not invisible it will be seen by all. “Behold, he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). The second coming will not be a secret event. “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, shineth even unto the west so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:27). The second coming will be lighted by the glory of the Father (Matthew 16:27), the glory of the Son (Matthew 25:31) and glory of the angels (Matthew 28:2-4).
3.The rapture does not leave the wicked alive. They are destroyed by the Lord’s coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:17, 18; Isaiah 11:4; Jeremiah 25:33).
4.The Lord does not rapture the righteous from tribulation, but rather protects them through it (Psalms 91:5-12). Christ’s second coming will not be in two stages – one secret and the other seen by all. There is only one second coming (Matthew 16:27; Matthew 5:28,29; Matthew 25:31,32).
5.&6.The secret rapture believers say there is a seven-year period between the two second comings of Christ. This is not supported by scripture.
7.The Antichrist does not appear 3 1/2 years after the second coming of Jesus. He has been active since the beginning of time (1 John 4:3).
8.The wicked will not have a second chance to be saved after the second coming (Matthew 16:27; Matthew 5:28,29; Matthew 25:31,32). All sinners will be destroyed by Christ’s second coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Jeremiah 25:33; Revelation 19:17, 18).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
