• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

Protestantismvsthebible

Active Member
Jun 29, 2018
289
53
64
Dallas
✟5,164.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
The word is not in the Bible.
But;

1 Thess. 4:17—"we will be caught up," [Latin: rapiemur]
Second coming not rapture, the rapture was never heard of until a few hundred years ago in the wretched burned over district !
 
Upvote 0

Protestantismvsthebible

Active Member
Jun 29, 2018
289
53
64
Dallas
✟5,164.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
All refers to the second coming not a rapture of the church where non believers are left here on earth, the dead first then everyone else not just Christians, therefore the second coming, it's the last trump!
 
Upvote 0

ViaCrucis

Confessional Lutheran
Oct 2, 2011
39,588
29,150
Pacific Northwest
✟815,399.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Others
Scripture never speaks of "the rapture" as popular imagination would have it. Instead Scripture teaches Christ's future Parousia and the resurrection of the dead at the consummation of history.

The doctrine of Christians being taken out of the world and directly into heaven is a non-biblical idea, no where is it taught in Holy Scripture. When the Lord comes, He does not come in secret, He comes in glory "and every eye shall see Him".

-CryptoLutheran
 
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
It's at Rev 16:15-16.
This is that verse in context (and it seems to be describing something quite different from the whole rapture idea). I've read that -part of- this passage is prophesying of the Antonine plague in 165-180 CE.

https://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Rev 16

Quoting Duncan McKenzie:
Another example of a physical referent contained in a symbol in Revelation is found in Revelation 16:21, “And great hail from heaven fell upon men, every hailstone about the weight of a talent. And men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.” This plague brings to mind the seventh plague of Egypt (Exodus 9:18-26) where God rained great hailstones on the Egyptians. The hailstones of Exodus were said to be very heavy but the hailstones in Revelation are said to weigh a talent each (around a hundred pounds!). Such heavy hail is a natural impossibility (As of 1999 the world record for hail was around two pounds).13 The reference to one hundred pound “hailstones” in Revelation is not talking about literal hail; it is symbolic of the Roman bombardment of Jerusalem during its siege. Josephus tells us that these stones were shiny white (like hail) and weighed a talent each.14

The reason that Revelation symbolizes the bombardment of Jerusalem with 100-pound stones in the form of one of the plagues of Egypt is because this was a fulfillment of one of the curses that God had said he would bring on His old covenant people when they broke the covenant. God had said He would bring the diseases and plagues of Egypt on His people when they broke the covenant (Deut. 28:58-61); this is why Revelation uses the motif of the plagues of Egypt so frequently (cf. Rev. 16; see my article Revelation, Book of the Covenant Curses). Thus the 100 pound white stones that the Romans were raining on Jerusalem are portrayed symbolically as 100 pound hailstones. Again, the “hail” in Revelation 16:21 is not literal hail, it is symbolic of the one of the covenant curses that God said He would bring on His old covenant people when they broke the covenant. While the hailstones of Revelation 16:21 are symbolic, contained in this symbol is a reference to the weight of the great white stones that the Romans were raining on Jerusalem. Again, this aids in identifying what the symbol of the plague of hail is referring to.​
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Oldmantook

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
3,633
1,526
65
USA
✟106,673.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I think you've missed my point. Everyone who believes in the "rapture" believes that it occurs when Jesus silently steals away the church "as a thief" - prior to the tribulation. Jesus stated the exact opposite. In Rev 16:15-16 Jesus plainly states that he is coming as a thief (v.15) prior to the battle of Armageddon (v.16). The OP of this thread asked where is the rapture? According to Jesus, the rapture happens right before Armageddon. The rapture = the Second Coming. One event; not two separate events and is post-trib.
 
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
I think you've missed my point.
I think I did. I believe I still may be.

When you wrote this:

Oldmantook said:
"According to Jesus, the rapture happens right before Armageddon. The rapture = the Second Coming. One event; not two separate events and is post-trib."


Where are you getting that from?​
 
Upvote 0

Oldmantook

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
3,633
1,526
65
USA
✟106,673.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I think I did. I believe I still may be.

When you wrote this:



Where are you getting that from?​
All rapture believers agree that when Jesus said he will come as a thief he is referring to the pretrib rapture. However Jesus himself said that he will come as a thief not before the tribulation but after the tribulation - just prior to the battle of Armageddon. Read Rev 16:15-16. Armageddon occurs post-trib; not pretrib, therefore the second coming and "rapture" are the same event.
 
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
My understanding on this is still a bit wobbly.....but I'm not of the belief that there is a future "battle of Armageddon" or a rapture. There's confusion between the "coming of His kingdom" and His second coming (they aren't the same). His kingdom CAME to earth (spiritually) in a series of events beginning with Jesus' birth.

The battle (in my belief) that's mentioned in Rev 16 is past - I believe that's the Jewish revolts (and there WAS tribulation prior to that, you're right). Paul told the faithful followers that, in THEIR day, Jesus coming in judgment wouldn't be like a thief for those who are believers:

1 Thessalonians 5: "2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And THEY shall not escape. 4 But YOU, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
 
Reactions: gordonhooker
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Going back a bit in Revelation (11:19) where it says,

"Then the temple of God WAS OPENED in heaven, and the ark of His Covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake and great hail."~ Rev 11:19

and:

Revelation 15:8 ~ "The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and NO ONE WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE TEMPLE TILL the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed."

...that also seems to be a PAST event when the veil of the temple was torn....and God's wrath was completed (in 70 AD).
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Oldmantook

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
3,633
1,526
65
USA
✟106,673.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
While it is true that his kingdom came to earth, it is also true that Jesus will one day return to the earth a second time - hence his second coming. Armageddon is the battle in which Jesus returns to the earth and vanquishes his enemies. The scriptures state that his second coming at Armageddon will be a visible event. If the battle of Armageddon has already taken place as you assert, then everyone on earth at that time should have been eye-witnesses to Jesus' return. But there is no such recording in history of people seeing Jesus' return.
"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen. Rev 1:7
Since no one in history has yet seen his second coming, I must assume that it must still take place in the future.
 
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
While it is true that his kingdom came to earth, it is also true that Jesus will one day return to the earth a second time - hence his second coming
I agree.
Armageddon is the battle in which Jesus returns to the earth and vanquishes his enemies.
I disagree. This is past ("those that pierced Him" witnessed it). This (I believe) was the destruction of the temple/Jerusalem (it wasn't Him "returning to earth" - but the power of His Kingdom that came). You seem to be combining His second coming and the coming of His kingdom.
 
Upvote 0

Oldmantook

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
3,633
1,526
65
USA
✟106,673.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I suggest you reread the passage as it states every eye will see Him coming in the clouds. At the destruction of the temple, there was no recorded witness of Jesus coming in the clouds. It is an event yet to be fulfilled.
 
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
I suggest you reread the passage as it states every eye will see Him coming in the clouds. At the destruction of the temple, there was no recorded witness of Jesus coming in the clouds. It is an event yet to be fulfilled.
I'm not sure what makes you believe I haven't read that passage (because we disagree?).

"Coming in the clouds" has a particular meaning to it. In the old testament when it talks about God coming in the clouds it was always a time when Israel was backslid and He was coming in judgment using clouds as prophetic language of his coming using another nations army to kill some and enslave the rest. Just like he did in 70 A.D. It's not a literal action (in my belief).
 
Reactions: Tutorman
Upvote 0

Oldmantook

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
3,633
1,526
65
USA
✟106,673.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
In my opinion, your reasoning is problematic. If you believe Jesus' coming in the clouds to earth is just figurative, then you would also have to assert that his ascension to heaven from earth was also figurative, however Acts 1:9-11 states this:
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
The plain meaning of this verse indicates that this is not figurative language as it describes actions which involve watching/seeing which are literal/physical. IN JUST THE SAME WAY - Jesus will return to the earth in the same way he departed from the earth and all eyes will see Him.
 
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
What you're quoting is a description. What I'm asserting is that the specific phrase, "coming in the clouds"....no mention of "earth" (what you quoted does not include that phrase) is often an OT phrase that depicts God's judgement. IOW....the religious leaders of Jesus' time (and those educated in the Scriptures) were going to recognize that phrase and trace it back to when the phrase was used and make the connection (which was the prophecy in Daniel 7).

Like I said earlier....I'm still a bit wobbly on this as this is a new understanding for me (just a few months). I'd believed as you do (from what I can tell) for decades....but now reading Scripture with this framework makes so much more sense of the text.

In an effort to clarify better.....here's a quote from Hank Hennegraaff on the topic:

 
Last edited:
Reactions: Tutorman
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Another thing. Think about just this verse (what Jesus said to Caiaphas) - if this is a literal observation (not a "knowing") how is it possible to SEE the Son of Man both sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One....and coming on the clouds of heaven?

It makes more sense -to me- that Jesus was making reference to Daniel 7 (thus -as Hank Hennegraaf wrote, "He was not only claiming to be the preexistent sovereign of the universe, but He was prophesying that He would vindicate His claim before the very court that was now condemning him to death"):

“But I say to all of you, in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven ~ Matthew 26:64
****************************************
In my vision in the night I continued to watch: And I saw One like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. ~ Daniel 7:13
 
Last edited:
Reactions: Tutorman
Upvote 0

Oldmantook

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
3,633
1,526
65
USA
✟106,673.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
In my opinion, the preterist view is fraught with problems. I don't deny that there are different "comings" referred to in Scripture. I also acknowledge that Jesus' statement to Caiaphas referring to his coming in the clouds was a reference to his sonship and judgment as it pertained to that place and time. However, the germane question is, is the Second Coming referred to in Revelation the same as the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.? If the Second Coming is the 70 A.D. event, then it should have been accompanied by a physical resurrection of the dead saints. As far as I'm aware of, there is no historical record of any dead being resurrected at that time. In order to get around this, preterists have to interpret the resurrection of the saints as a figurative event and not as a literal bodily resurrection of deceased believers. This is just one example of how preterists tend to spiritualize and interpret things that don't line up with their view as they have to resort on interpreting events as figurative. That is an extremely unbalanced view in my opinion as while some things referred to in Scripture are figurative, not all prophetic events are figurative. Some are in literal.
 
Upvote 0

mkgal1

His perfect way sets me free. 2 Samuel 22:33
Site Supporter
Jun 22, 2007
27,338
7,348
California
✟573,733.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
is the Second Coming referred to in Revelation the same as the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.?
No. I've been saying there's a distinction between His second coming and the "coming of the Son of Man". It seems that it's rapture believers that make the two one in the same.

But Revelation 1 doesn't seem to be referring to His second coming. Look at the prologue:

This passage doesn't say "coming with the clouds TO EARTH"....just "coming with the clouds" (just as Jesus said to Caiaphas and as is written in Daniel 7).

And why are you saying this needs to be accompanied by the resurrection of dead saints (that happened - in part- at His crucifixion during the feast of first fruits).
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Oldmantook

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
3,633
1,526
65
USA
✟106,673.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
No. I've been saying there's a distinction between His second coming and the "coming of the Son of Man".
We agree on this.

It seems that it's rapture believers that make the two one in the same.
I'm not a rapture believer but those who believe in the rapture believe it as a future event. If you're a preterist may I assume that you believe the Second Coming is a past event? Maybe it's just me but I have difficulty comprehending your view.

This passage doesn't say "coming with the clouds TO EARTH"....just "coming with the clouds" (just as Jesus said to Caiaphas and as is written in Daniel 7).
If not the earth, why does it say every eye will see Him? And if not the earth, then why do all the tribes of the earth, mourn because of Him? Your interpretation brings up more questions than answers.

And why are you saying this needs to be accompanied by the resurrection of dead saints (that happened - in part- at His crucifixion during the feast of first fruits).
Were there any dead saints resurrected in 70 A.D.?
 
Upvote 0