The rapture - Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

The rapture doctrine – Trash or Truth?

Genesis 1:1
Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
- Where did God dwell before He had heaven?
- Does God even dwell in heaven as we know it?
- Will we even enter heaven as we know it?


1. Does the word rapture even appear in the whole of Scripture?
- No, there is no such word found in all of Scripture and yet that is the focal point of all that speak about our future.
- We want to believe in an event that does not even appear in Scripture.


2. Is there any scripture that talks about a rapture with a tribulation following?
- No, not one in all of Scripture and yet this is the most glorified topic of the end time expounders.
- We are quick to take portions of Scripture out of context and try to make them fit in a sequel of events that suit our imagination of how it should be!


3. Does Scripture talk about being caught up or gathered?
- Yes, in Matthews 13:24-48!!!!! Just remember in the bible when the words is coloured red it means that it is Jesus that speaks.
Mt 13:24 Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mt 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mt 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mt 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mt 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mt 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mt 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Mt 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Mt 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Mt 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
Mt 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Mt 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares (weed) of the field.
Mt 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mt 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mt 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Mt 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mt 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mt 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mt 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mt 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Mt 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Mt 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Mt 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mt 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Mt 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,


- From verse 36 Jesus explains the end time.
a) It is in the words of the Son of God Himself.
b) It is in clear uncluttered wording.
c) It is in sequel of events.
d) It is explained without any confusing periods etc.


- Let’s look at this:
a) He who sows good seed – Son of man (Jesus).
b) Field – the world where all of this is happeneing.
c) Good seed – Children of the kingdom (those born again and who call themselves children of God).
d) Tares (weeds) – Children of the evil one (those not born again that walk in rebellion to the Word of God).
e) Enemy – The devil (serpent, snake, dragon of old).
f) Harvest – Close or consummation of the end of the age (our end time is nothing more than the close of the age or harvest time).
g) Reapers (harvesters) – The angels (not the missionaries as all of church believes). Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more labourers into the field has nothing to do with missionaries.
h) VERY IMPORTANT (VS 40 – 41)
- The tares (weeds) the children of the evil one is gathered FIRST and burned with fire.
- So it will be at the harvest time (close of end of the age).
- Angels (harvesters or reapers) will come which will take out of the kingdom (even some that operate IN the kingdom like those that cause offence, those that do iniquity and those that do wickedly).
- These will also be taken out and burned (is it a physical fire that will burn them up…..no.
i) Then (VS 43) shall the righteous shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their FATHER.
- The righteous remains on earth, remember the unrighteous was pulled up (away).
- The righteous shall inherit the earth!
- The Father is about to come (we will not go)!
j) John 15:6 says that the person that does not dwell in Me (God), he is:
- Thrown out like a broken off branch.
- Withers.
- Such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.


I myself do not believe in rapture! I believe in the gathering of the unrighteous out of the kingdom where the righteous shall remain and rule!


4. What about the sign of Noah in Matthew 24:37-41?
Mt 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mt 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
Mt 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mt 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mt 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mt 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mt 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mt 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
- Again it speaks of the COMING of Jesus and not the going of the church.
- (VS 39) The unrighteous knew nothing until the flood came and took THEM AWAY (the unrighteous left) and that’s how it will be at the coming of Jesus.
- (VS 40) Two men will be in the field, one will be taken (unrighteous – flood took them) and the other left (righteous – shall remain and continue).
- (VS 41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill, one will be taken (unrighteous – flood took them) and one will be left (righteous – shall remain and continue).
- The whole Scripture time after time speaks of His coming and not the departure of the church.
- The whole of Scripture time after time speaks of the unrighteous that is taken away not the church.


5. Where does that leave the righteous according to PSALM 37?
Ps 37:1 A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Ps 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Ps 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Ps 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Ps 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Ps 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Ps 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Ps 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Ps 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Ps 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Ps 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Ps 37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
Ps 37:13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
Ps 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
Ps 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
Ps 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Ps 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
Ps 37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Ps 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
Ps 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
Ps 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Ps 37:22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Ps 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Ps 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Ps 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Ps 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Ps 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Ps 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Ps 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
Ps 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
Ps 37:32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Ps 37:33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
Ps 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Ps 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Ps 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Ps 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Ps 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Ps 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.