The word rapture is never used at least not in the book and the. These are the ones who follow the lamb wherever he goesand in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without. The idea that jesus would give his people a meaningless book of symbols that no one can understand and promise to bless those that read, hear and keep it does not make sense. The book of revelation reveals how the rapture of the church will take place. First, he will come for believers, both living and dead, in the rapture read 1 thessalonians 4. Many verses in the bible encourage reading gods wordin generalbut only one book has the audacity to claim, in effect, read me, im special.
Rapture and revelation william blackstone doctrine. Jul 07, 2018 the revelation of jesus christ was written by the apostle john. The book of revelation is a series of visions the apostle john received on the island of patmos. The more gentile the church becomes the less it understands the book of revelation. Various individuals will state categorically that there is no mention of the rapture in the bible. The revelation of jesus christ was written by the apostle john. There are many christians who believe that the second coming of jesus christ will be in two phases. I no longer believe, however, that my knowing this represents the lords coming. In dispensational theology, the rapture will be the centerpiece of jesus second coming a glorious, dramatic event with jesus coming to literally take believers up into the sky. Moo, and leon morris present the early christian testimony and the contem porary discu ssion con cern ing th e au thors hip of revela ti on an intr oducti on to t he new testamentgrand rapids. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a. The word rapture does not appear there, but neither does it appear in i thessalonians 4. The meaning or definition of the rapture is the idea that the coming of jesus will take place in two separate stages. The first will be a secret raptureor carrying away of the saved to heavenat the beginning of a sevenyear period of tribulation, during which the antichrist will appear.
He describes a series of visions that the lord gave him about what will happen in the end times. Well cover the rapture first, and then move into the rest of chapter 4. There are a few different arguments made from the book of revelation concerning the rapture. The second phase occurs at the close of this time of tribulation when jesus will return to earth in triumph and glory. Mar 22, 2011 lasseigne manufactures a rapture theology in revelation 4. Most people are familiar with the wacky ideas about the rapture, where the chosen are whisked away into heaven leaving those behind to face years of carnage in the battle between good and evil. The book of revelation is not about the rapture core christianity. First, he will come for believers, both living and dead, in the rapture. The rapture is a captivating topic, but what do we actually know about it. Its more complicated than that, says author michelle fletcher. The apocalypse of john and the rapture of the church if the male child represents not simply the individual, jesus christ, but the unio mystica, the believers of every generation of the church who are, then revelation 12.
Included with these is none other than the rapture. If anyone adds anything to them, god will add to him the plagues described in this book rev. The apocalypse of john and the rapture of the church. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Rossing examines the problems caused by adopting a raptureorientated, dispensationalist reading of the book of revelation. What does the book of revelation say about the rapture. The first thing that we should do is to follow the directions of our government and medical experts. The first will be a secret raptureor carrying away of the saved to heavenat the beginning of a sevenyear period of tribulation, during which the. When it comes to the study of the endtimes, the natural goto book in the bible is revelation. Second coming of jesus christ the rapture the harvest of the earth harvest judgment the reapers then i looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god.
This is no less true of revelation than it is of any other book of the bible. Pretrib rapture lie death sentence at revelation 22. Proposed chronology of the book of revelation prewrath. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation has sometimes been viewed as a book of mystery, yet the title itself implies something brought out of hiding. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Book of revelation, a bible handbook to revelation, ed. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The book of revelation is not about the rapture richard gilbert monday, 30 jul 18 i warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. John the apostle of the church represents the church in the book of revelation. Certainly the event of his second coming is a powerful message of this book. Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus. This is the lcms answer to questions concerning the rapture.
But i dont think so the church as a whole seems to have kicked the prophetic scriptures to the curb lately despite the fact at least a third of the bible is blatant prophecy. The seven seals of revelation, come from the scroll that only one person can open. This view holds that the rapture will precede the sevenyear tribulation, which will culminate in christs second coming and be followed by a thousandyear messianic kingdom. There are several theories about the timing of the rapture. The book of revelation implies a pretribulation rapture without specifically mentioning the event. The book of revelations prophecies about the seven last plagues are terrifying and show there will be massive suffering and destruction around the world in the end times.
I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a. Another crucial passage on the timing of the rapture is revelation 3. This is part of the series of events described in the book of revelation that will occur during the end times. This is a common interpretation among dispensationalists. The book of revelation is the only book of the bible that promises a special blessing to the reader. Is coronavirus one of the plagues in the book of revelation. The mystery of the rapture revelation lamb and lion. For every christian, the goal is to be along in the rapture. Mar 14, 2016 when it comes to the study of the endtimes, the natural goto book in the bible is revelation.
Rapture in the book of revelation christian truth center. Matthew chapter 24 is like a sermon outline, and the book of revelation is a commentary on what jesus said in matthew chapter 24. After god reveals what is the church, we see the heaven open and apostle john called to come up. Jan 02, 2020 another crucial passage on the timing of the rapture is revelation 3. Is the last trumpet of 1 thessalonians 4 the same as the. Revelation and the rapture lets talk about apocalyptic literature. The rapture for the lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of god, and the dead in christ will rise first. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe. The hour of testing as the day of the lords wrath only proves that the church will not experience this wrath cf.
The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching series on. The rapture and the book of revelation mano singham. Rossing examines the problems caused by adopting a rapture orientated, dispensationalist reading of the book of revelation. Why the rapture is not in revelation the american vision. Since we are at the revelation 23 revelation 4 juncture where i believe the rapture is timed in the book of revelation, i thought this would be a good time to address this topic before moving into the rest of revelation. In my attempt to understand the book of revelation and the internal chronology. This will be necessary for god to deal with a sinful and rebellious world. Neither do i believe that the book of revelation has already been completely fulfilled.
Many scholars believe that the harvest of the earth in revelation 14 is the rapture of the church. While it might be tempting to try and identify this virus with one of those plagues, i believe there are a couple of reasons not to. Tim lahaye made it the cornerstone of his revelation rapture theology. Dec 12, 2019 also that the whole book of revelation was fulfilled in the world of spirits back in 1757. And as the apostle john, saw the lord open them, he saw the events of each of its seven sections, and recorded what he saw according to the direction of the lord. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. Book of revelation is not allegory by daymond duck. Mar 24, 2020 is covid19 one of the plagues of revelation. The rapture, revelation, and the absence of the church. In this view, the rapturewhich is the transformation and catching up of all christians, dead or alive, to meet christ in the airwill be secret, for it will be unknown to the world.
That glorious moment when jesus takes those who belong to him up to heaven to be with him eternally. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The book of revelation posted on july 7, 2018 january 19, 2020 by raptureandendtimes christ and the churches, the rapture to the second coming, the millennium, and eternity. Revelation before one asks the question of when the rapture is said to take place, if, indee d, the tim ing of th e eve nt is eve n asse rted by the co ntext. Midtribulation rapture rapture in the mid great tribulation period. In this view, the rapture which is the transformation and catching up of all christians, dead or alive, to meet christ in the airwill be secret, for it will be unknown to the world of unbelievers at the time of its happening. When is the rapture going to occur in relation to the. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The rapture and the book of revelation most people are familiar with the wacky ideas about the rapture, where the chosen are whisked away into heaven leaving those behind to face years of carnage in the battle between good and evil. These visions give insight into the person of jesus christ, his unparalleled power, and his plan to bring his fathers kingdom to the earth. Where is the rapture of the church in the book of revelation. John told to come up here is thought to be a symbolic picture of the rapture 76. Oct 16, 2017 the late, great book of the revelation by wendy wippel. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written.
So, is covid19 one of the seven plagues mentioned in revelation 1617. The new left behind movie 2014 depicts the rapture, which is often assumed to be clearly explained in the bible, especially the book of revelation. Is the last trumpet of 1 thessalonians 4 the same as the seventh trumpet of revelation. Pretribulation rapture rapture before the great tribulation.
Pretribulationism distinguishes the rapture from the second coming of jesus christ to earth, mentioned in the gospel of matthew, 2 thessalonians, and revelation. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Does the book of revelation teach that the church will be. There are nearly as many theories on how to interpret the book of revelation, for example, as there are books in the left behind series. I believe that jesus christ is indeed the only god of heaven and earth. Either christ will protect believers in the midst of the trials, or he will deliver believers out of the trials. The book of revelation is primarily an unveiling of the majesty and glory of the messiah of israel, our blessed lord yeshua. Various commentators and bible teachers have presented a number of options for the description of the rapture in the book of revelation. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. How rapture takes place as revealed in the book of revelation. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so.
While covid19 is likely not one of the seven last plagues of revelation, nor a sign of the end times, it is still very real. Horn is right revelation is a book of hope, not fear following is a reprint of an essay i wrote over twentyfour years ago. Oct 14, 2014 the new left behind movie 2014 depicts the rapture, which is often assumed to be clearly explained in the bible, especially the book of revelation. A popular argument for a pretribulation rapture is the claim that while the church is mentioned 19 times in the first three chapters of the book of revelation, in chapters 418 there is absolute silence. And as christians, we need to respond appropriately to it. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. And this ignorance continued well into church history. Also that the whole book of revelation was fulfilled in the world of spirits back in 1757. I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle.
Those who teach a pretribulation rapture identify them as separate events. Apr 04, 2018 many people believe that i thessalonians 4. Those who hold to a midtribulation rapture teach that the seventh trumpet of revelation 11. More specifically, it is the revelation of jesus christ. The tribulation will be a time of judgment, a time when those left on the earth after the rapture will suffer deeply for their nonbelief. It is here that christians come to study the tribulation, the return of jesus, and other related subjects. Scriptures on the end times the rapture the raising of the church into heaven 1 thessalonians 4. Revelation is from the greek word apokalupsis which means, a disclosure, an unveiling.
The book of revelation is an unveiling of the character and program of god. In chapter 4 verse 1, john sees a door open in the heavens and he is raptured to heaven in what appears to be a symbolic type of the rapture of the church. The rapture is when christ comes back and takes every christian that is still on this earth and resurrects all of those who have died and takes them to heaven with him. The rapture exposed is a full on exorcism of the damaging theology and practice that arises from adopting the endtimes ideas espoused by the sadly and revealingly popular left behind series of novels.
Into this mix are thrown ideas about the antichrist leading the forces of evil against the forces of good that. Enoch, a type of the church, by his rapture, that is by being caught away or translated heb. John calvin said, and i quote, i have written a commentary on every other book of the new testament but frankly i dont understand the book of revelation, and so im not writing a commentary on it. Another evidence of the difference between the rapture and revelation consists in the fact that the church is to escape the tribulation, which precedes the revelation matt. The book of revelation provides the clearest biblical portrait of the events of the tribulation, dealing with the specifics of that terrible time chapters 418. Jun, 2016 the book of revelation is a series of visions the apostle john received on the island of patmos. Lasseigne manufactures a rapture theology in revelation 4. The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. Its fun and exciting stuff and its terribly confusing and its the most misinterpreted portion of the canon, etc. There are 3 theories to the time rapture of the church will take place in relation to the great tribulation period.