In conservativeProtestantChristian eschatology, the rapture ("harpazo" in Greek in 1 Thessalonians 4:17) is the name given to the event in which all Christians living on earth are simultaneously transported to Heaven to be with Jesus Christ. This is a common belief among Fundamentalists, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Baptists, and many independents. While almost all Christian groups believe that those who are saved will have eternal life, the term "rapture" is applied specifically to the event in which all Christians on earth simultaneously ascend to join Christ, and are transformed into immortal bodies. The concept was popularized since the 1830s, and recently since the 1970s, by proponents of the premillenialist, and in particular the dispensationalist interpretations of scripture. According to these theories, world events indicate that the fulfillment of prophecies of the end times is imminent, and that the rapture could take place at any moment.
The timing of when the rapture will take place is a key point often discussed and debated between denominations and individuals who accept the notion. A popular interpretation is that the rapture will take place immediately prior to the Tribulation, a seven-year period preceding the second coming of Christ to the earth. Others propose that the rapture will take place either mid-way through the Tribulation, called The Great Tribulation, or after it when Christ comes to earth to establish his kingdom, taking over rulership of the world for 1000 years. (see Millennialism)
Etymology
"Rapture" is a word of Latin origin, not Hebrew or Greek, the languages of the Bible. Its Greek equivalent is harpazo, which is found in the Greek text of 1 Thes. 4:17. When translated into English, both words mean "to be caught up, or snatched away." Harpazo, the word Paul actually used, comes from roots that mean, "to raise from the ground", "take for oneself" or, simply, "to choose" (haireomai), all of which are akin to airo, "to raise up."
History
The origins of the doctrine of the rapture are hotly debated. The Orthodox, mainline Protestant, and Roman Catholic churches, which represent the majority of Christians worldwide, have no tradition of such a teaching and reject the doctrine, in part because they cannot find any reference to it among any of the early Church fathers [1] and in part because they do not interpret the scriptures the way that Rapture-believers do.
Two early Church fathers from the first century, Clement and Polycarp, made statements that may appear to be a reference to the rapture. [2]
There was a manuscript, The Shepherd of Hermas, dated to the second century, that is perhaps the oldest known reference to a great tribulation to come and a possible escape from it. This text includes a series of visions that appeared to the shepherd. The first vision was of a giant raging bull, and the Shepherd was able to escape harm from it by relying on God for protection. The next vision encountered was that of a beautiful maiden, identified by the shepherd as the church. She identifies the bull as the great tribulation to come, and tells him he escaped it by putting his trust in God. She then charges him to go tell all other believers they can also escape the coming tribulation but only if they also put full faith in the Lord [citation needed]. This interpretation, however, is not accepted by scholars[citation needed], as it is clearly taking the visions out of context. The "escape" of the "beautiful maiden" does not refer to a rapture, or being taken out of the tribulation, but it refers to going through the tribulation and yet coming out victorious from it by faith in the Lord.[3]
Some pre-Tribulation proponents maintain that the earliest known extra-Biblical reference to the "pre-Tribulation" rapture is from a sermon falsely attributed to the fourth-century Church FatherEphrem the Syrian, which says "For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins."[4][5] However, the interpretation of this writing, as supporting pre-Tribulation rapture, is debated.[6][7]
There exists at least one 18th century and two 19th century pre-Tribulation references, in a book published in 1788, in the writings of a Catholic priest Emmanuel Lacunza [8] in 1812, and by John Darby himself in 1827.[9] However, both the book published in 1788 and the writings of Lacunza have opposing views regarding their interpretations, as well.
The rise in belief in the "pre-Tribulation" rapture is sometimes attributed to a 15-year old Scottish-Irish girl named Margaret MacDonald (a follower of Edward Irving), who in 1830 had a vision that was later [10]published in 1861.
The popularization of the term is associated with teaching of John Nelson Darby, prominent among the Plymouth Brethren, and the rise of premillennialism and dispensationalism in English-speaking Churches at the end of the 19th century. In 1908, the doctrine of the rapture was further popularized by an evangelist named William Eugene Blackstone, whose book, Jesus Is Coming, sold more than one million copies[11]. The following year, 1909, the Scofield Reference Bible, which teaches the pre-Tribulation rapture, was published; by 1930 it had sold 1 million copies, and as of 2007 has sold 5 million copies.[12]
In 1957, Dr. John Walvoord, a theologian at Dallas Theological Seminary, authored a book, "The Rapture Question," that gave theological support to the pre-Tribulation rapture; this book eventually sold over 65,000 copies. In 1958, J. Dwight Pentecost authored another book supporting the pre-Tribulation rapture, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology, that sold 215,000 copies.
During the 1970s, the rapture became popular in wider circles, in part due to the books of Hal Lindsey, including The Late Great Planet Earth, which has reportedly sold between 15 million to 35 million copies.[13] Lindsey proclaimed that the rapture was imminent, an idea which he based on world conditions at the time. The Cold War and the European Economic Community figured prominently in his predictions of impending Armageddon. Other aspects of 1970s global politics were seen as having been predicted in the Bible. Lindsey suggested, for example, that the seven-headed beast with ten horns, cited in Revelation, was the European Economic Community, a forebear of the European Union, which at the time aspired to ten nations; it now has 27 member states.
In 1995, the doctrine of the pre-Tribulation rapture was further popularized by Tim LaHaye's book series, Left Behind, which sold tens of millions of copies and was made into several movies.
The doctrine of the rapture continues to be an important component in fundamentalistChristian eschatology today. Many Christians continue to feel that world conditions point to the rapture, Tribulation, and return of Christ occurring soon.
Image of person ascending to Heaven. The Greek word is pronounced "harpazo", which means "caught up".
Supporters of the doctrine of the rapture generally cite the following primary sources[14] in the New Testament (the following are quoted from the NRSV):
"Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)
"For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever." (1 Thessalonians 4:15–17)
"He [Christ] will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be formed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself." (Philippians 3:21)
"In my Father's house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2–3)
"It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." (Luke 17:30-35)
Four major views on the timing of the rapture
One of the tenets of the dispensationalist interpretation of bible prophecy is that in the prophecy of 70 weeks from the book of Daniel (Daniel 9:27), between the 69th and 70th weeks there is a break, lasting an unspecified period of time. Thus, the 70th week of seven years has not yet occurred. This seven-year period will mark the end of the current dispensation, and is referred to as the Tribulation. There is considerable debate (see rapture debate) among Christians who believe in the rapture in regard to the timing of the rapture relative to the Tribulation. Most views hold that Christian believers will be either removed from, or protected from the judgment of God's wrath.
Comparison of Christian millennial interpretations
Pre-Tribulation
The pre-Tribulation rapture, or "Pre-Trib", is the view that the rapture will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation period. According to this view, the Christian Church that existed prior to that seven-year period has no vital role during the seven years of Tribulation, and will be therefore be removed. Those people who accept Christ after the Rapture will be martyred for their faith during the Tribulation. Saint John the Divine, which some believe is apostle John is seen in Revelation 4:1 as representing the Church caught up to Heaven. John hears the Trumpet and a voice that says, "Come up hither", and he is translated in the Spirit to Heaven and then sees what will happen for those left on earth. The pre-Tribulation rapture is the most widely held position among American evangelical Christians. It has become popular in recent years around the world and through the work of dispensational preachers such as Tim LaHaye, Jack Van Impe and Hal Lindsey. [15]
Imminent or not imminent?
The vast majority of those who believe in a pre tribulation rapture, believe that the rapture is imminent, that is to say, that nothing else needs to happen first, before the rapture. However, some others allege that certain warning signs must first take place, even before the pre-Tribulation rapture. The following is a list of these events:
The nations of the world must unify their currency onto a universal standard. (Visa?)
There will be peace in Israel according to Ezekiel 38.
There may be a one world government, something like the 7th beast of Revelation, prior to the antichrist's 8th beast government. (United Nations?)
The Jewish temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt in its original place.
The Jewish people must be in control of the land of Israel.
Many Old Testament commandments must be performed in the temple. This includes the sacrifice of an unblemished red heifer.
The Antichrist must be walking the earth in human form. [16]
Mid-Tribulation
A minority view, with few proponents today, is that the rapture happens half-way through the seven-year Tribulation. This view is supported by the 7th chapter of Daniel, where it says the saints will be given over to tribulation for "time, times, and half a time" which is interpreted to mean 3.5 years. That is, half way through the seven years of the tribulation. At this juncture, the Antichrist commits the "abomination of desolation" by desecrating the Jerusalem temple (to be built on what is now called The Temple Mount.) [17]
The prewrath rapture view is that the tribulation of the church begins towards the latter part of the seven-year period, being Daniel's 70th week, when the Antichrist is revealed in the temple. The great Tribulation, according to this view, is of the Antichrist against the church at this time. The duration of this tribulation is unknown, except that it begins and ends during the second half of Daniel's 70th week. According to Jesus (in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21), this tribulation will be cut short by the second coming of Christ to deliver the righteous by means of rapture, which will occur after the sixth seal is opened and the moon is turned to blood.
All these events occur just before God's wrath of trumpets and bowls (a.k.a. "the Day of the Lord") begins, hence the term prewrath.
[18] The Day of the Lord's wrath against the ungodly will follow for the remainder of the seven years. [19]
Post-Tribulation
The other main view is termed the post-Tribulation rapture (or "Post-Trib"). This view admits the concept of "rapture" from 1 Thessalonians, and sees the rapture occurring at the end of the seven-year tribulation period. This viewpoint is that Christian believers will be on earth as witnesses to Christ during the entire seven years, until the last day of this age. Post-Tribbers question the "Yo-Yo Therory" which describes the coming of Christ in the clouds for the rapture and then coming back again for the second coming. The Post-Tribulation view represents one all incompassing, grand event. Also, the bible describes The Tribulation Period as Satan's reign. God's Wrath is described as what comes at the end of the seven years, The Battle of Armageddon. The post-Tribulation view is supported by Matthew 24:29–31 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days...they shall gather together his elect...". This is how the end times are described by Pat Robertson in his 1995 novel The End of the Age. Another account which lends support to the idea of a post-Tribulation rapture is in the specific prayer of Jesus that the Father not take us from the earth, but that he (the Father) would nevertheless "keep them from the evil one." This precludes a pre-Trib or a mid-Trib Rapture to heaven at any time. [20]
Date setting
Generally, believers in the rapture do not make predictions about the specific timing of the rapture, but believe it to be imminent, as did the Apostle Paul when he penned 1 Thessalonians 4. Scripture professes, no man will know the day or hour, but we will know the time and season. Various sects that have attempted to set dates for this event have done so to their embarrassment when the event does not take place. The website Rapture Ready offers a detailed list of these failed date settings.[1]. A more extensive list is available from A Brief History of the Apocalypse.
Some notable predictions include these:
1988 - Publication of 88 Reasons why the Rapture is in 1988, by Edgar C. Whisenant.
1989 - Publication of The final shout: Rapture report 1989, by Edgar Whisenant. More predictions by this author appeared for 1992, 1995, and other years.
File:1992 Rapture.jpgPosters placed in public locations around the New England area in 19921992 - Korean group "Mission for the Coming Days " predicted October 28, 1992 as the date for the rapture.
1993 - Seven years before the year 2000. The rapture would have to start to allow for seven years of the Tribulation before the Return in 2000. Multiple predictions.
1994 - Pastor John Hinkle of Christ Church in Los Angeles predicted June 9, 1994.
1997 - Stan Johnson of the Prophecy Club predicted September 12, 1997.
1998 - Marilyn Agee, in The End of the Age, predicted May 31, 1998.
2000 - Many "millennial" predictions.
2006 - Many predictions for June 06, or 06/06/06.
The rapture in the English-speaking media
The 1941 religious propaganda film The Rapture calls to the faithful to make sure that they are ready for the rapture and shows the fate of those left behind.
At the heights of the Jesus Movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Rapture figured prominently in popular songs by secular artists such as "Are You Ready?" by Pacific Gas & Electric (#14 in August 1970) and "In The Year 2525" by Zager and Evans (#1 in July 1969). Also at this time, there was the song "I wish we'd all been ready" written and performed by Larry Norman, one of the founders of the nascent "Jesus Rock" movement in the early seventies. Other songs about the Christian end times are "Goin' By The Book" as well as "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash and "Tribulation" by Charlie Daniels. Later popular songs based on the Apocalypse, if not explicitly the Rapture, are "1999" by Prince and "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by REM. Norman Greenbaum's song "Spirit in the Sky" is also related to the subject.
The 1972 four-part movie series starting with A Thief in the Night, which chronicled events before and after the rapture, in an intentionally frightening way, produced by Russell S. Doughten.
The 1991filmThe Rapture, about one woman's experience of the rapture, starring Mimi Rogers and David Duchovny. The film shows the progression of Mimi Roger's character from hedonistic swinger to devout Christian, and finally to rejection of God even after the Rapture has taken place.
In 1995, Left Behind was published. The Rapture is a major component of the premise of the book and their various spin-offs. These books greatly revived public interest in this concept. The books have started being adapted for the screen with the first three made into movies starring Kirk Cameron.
The band Sonic Youth, released their 21st album Rather Ripped, which features a song called "Do You Believe in Rapture?"[21](see external link below to read the lyrics of the song).
In 2000, Left Behind: The Movie, it was depicted as people disappearing, but leaving their clothes behind in a pile. If they were driving cars, they careen into other cars upon losing their drivers. The view is echoed in the popular bumper sticker which reads "In case of Rapture, this car will be unmanned."
On August 2, 2001, humorist Elroy Willis posted a Usenet article entitled "Mistaken Rapture Kills Arkansas Woman". This fictional, satirical story, about a woman who causes a traffic accident and is killed when she believes the Rapture has started, circulated widely on the Internet and was believed by many people to be a description of an actual incident. Elements of the story appeared in an episode of the HBO television drama Six Feet Under, and a slightly modified version of the story was reprinted in the US tabloid newspaper Weekly World News. The story continues to circulate via electronic mail as a chain letter.[22]
In Mark E. Rogers' book, "The Dead", published in 2001, those chosen for salvation disappear in a blinding flash of light. It is possible for people who have been left behind to redeem themselves in the eyes of God; those who do are immediately Raptured. Sacrificing oneself to help others is one way of being redeemed. Some characters are actually under attack by the reanimated corpses, or by Legion himself, at the time of their Rapture. The blinding flash of light totally disorients the corpses who witness it, rendering them incapable of any action at all for a short period of time. The humans are literally "caught up" "in an instant" by God.
On May 8, 2005, in Episode 19 in season 16 of The Simpsons, titled "Thank God It's Doomsday" features Homer predicting the Rapture. After seeing a movie titled "Left Below" (a parody of "Left Behind"), he becomes paranoid and predicts that the Rapture will occur at 3:15 p.m. on May 18.
In Brian Flemming's 2005 documentary The God Who Wasn't There, Scott Butcher, founder of the website RaptureLetters.com (see external link below), speaks about the rapture.
In the Drawn Together episode "Lost in Parking Space, Part One", Princess Clara, a devout Christian, warns her unconcerned housemates that the Rapture is coming, even going so far as to contact a Rapture Hotline run by Kirk Cameron (star of Left Behind: The Movie). When her housemates later run off to the mall without her, she fears they have been taken off to heaven and she has been left behind.
The 2006 BBC documentary "The Doomsday Code" by Tony Robinson explores the political, social and historical impact of American Christian evangelical '"end-timers" with a critical eye.
In 2006Senses Fail's new CD titled 'Still Searching' Included a song titled 'The Rapture'.
In 2006 Hurt's debut CD 'Vol. 1' included a song titled 'Rapture'
The 2006 album 'Saturday Night Wrist' by Deftones includes a song titled 'Rapture'
In 2006, a controversial video game was released based on the movie, Left Behind which many saw as endorsing a holy war.[citation needed]
The 2007 album 'Resurrection' by Chimaira includes a song titled 'Resurrection'
The setting for the 2007 video game Bioshock is named Rapture.
A 2007 episode of the reimagining of the sci-fi television series Battlestar Galactica was entitled 'Rapture'
On their 2003 full length release "War all the Time", the band "Thursday" entitled a song "Between Rupture And Rapture".
While some of these views may have been popular for many years beforehand, there is no doubt that these movies and novels have influenced some people's thinking on the "rapture". Many rapture fiction novels demonstrate a different understanding of the gospel and the Christian life than that taught within the historic "orthodoxy" of evangelical Protestantism. This issue is explored in Rapture Fiction and the Evangelical Crisis by Crawford Gribben, 2006, ISBN 0-85234-610-7.
ShoutVoiceTrump.com : Has the Rapture started? The nearly million member group following the message through William Branham stating the Rapture is three steps currently in progress: A shout, voice and trump.
