April 2019 – christianfaithfuls

What Does the Bible Really Say about the Rapture?

The rapture of the church is a hotly debated topic among Christians in the present day, within academic settings as well as in church settings. There are many different views surrounding the rapture, which have been developed by various scholars over time.

Depending on the view you hold will affect how you view the events of eschatology. In this article, we are going to be discussing what the Bible says about the rapture.

Rapture of the Church

The Bible passages surrounding the rapture include 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50–54. In each of these Bible passages, the Apostle Paul gives us vital information surrounding the rapture.

Paul tells us that the rapture will happen quicker than the “twinkling of an eye” as he says,

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

From Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, we are told that the Lord will come down from heaven, but He will not physically touch down upon the earth. The Lord will not touch down physically upon the earth until the Second Coming, which is distinct from the rapture of the church.

Many scholars blend the Second Coming of Christ with the rapture, yet these are two distinct events that will occur in the future. In addition to the Lord coming down from heaven, the passages of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us there will be a “loud command,” and the voice of the archangel will speak.

While we do not know what this loud command will be, it could possibly be the Lord calling us to come home to Him. Similar to the loud command, scholars are divided on the identification of the archangel, yet most scholars agree that this will be the voice of the archangel Michael.

During the rapture of the church, we are also told there will be the “trumpet call of God.” The trumpet is believed to be a reflection of the trumpet sounds in the Old Testament, which was symbolic of God making an announcement to His people.

After the trumpet call of God, the dead in Christ will rise to meet Christ in the air, followed by believers who are presently alive. The “dead in Christ” refers to believers who passed away before the rapture.

During the event of the rapture, all believers who had died will be resurrected into their glorified bodies. If a believer is alive at the time of the rapture, they will be taken up with Christ, and their body will be transformed into their glorified bodies. Therefore, whether a Christian is alive or dead at the time of the rapture, they will both alike be taken up to be with the Lord.

The rapture of the church will be a quick event, which will happen before the seven-year tribulation. Many scholars have differing views on this subject, especially if one scholar is a covenant theologian whereas the other is a dispensationalist.

Both covenant theology and dispensationalism build their foundation on the Bible, yet they come to different conclusions based on their interpretation of the text.

The Bible college I attended, as well as the seminary I attended, were dispensationalists; therefore, I was taught in accordance with dispensationalism; however, we were also taught covenant theology.

Through my college and seminary classes, as well as through my own personal Bible study, I also came to believe in the teachings of eschatology in congruence to dispensationalism rather than adhering to covenant theology.

According to dispensationalism, the rapture of the church happens before the seven-year tribulation. In this way, the rapture saves believers from having to undergo the Tribulation.

This is in agreement with the statement Paul makes in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”

From Paul’s words, we can ascertain that God has not destined us for wrath but rather for salvation.

God doesn’t desire His children to go through the terrible and dark days of the tribulation, which is why He will rapture believers before the genesis of the tribulation. This theory is known as the pre-tribulation view of the rapture.

Differing Views

Covenant theology teaches a few different views of the rapture, including the pre-wrath view and the post-tribulation view.

Most dispensationalists adhere to the pre-tribulation view of the rapture, myself included; however, covenant theologians will either hold to the pre-wrath view or the post-tribulation view.

The pre-wrath holds to the stance that God will rapture His children out prior to the second half of the tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation.

The pre-wrath view separates God’s wrath from Satan’s wrath as they believe God’s wrath is at the start of the tribulation, yet Satan’s wrath completes the final three and a half years of the tribulation.

This is an erroneous view as the tribulation is made up only of God’s wrath. In other words, only God’s wrath is being poured out onto the world. Satan does not have any control over the tribulation as the events are accomplished by God — not Satan.

The post-tribulation view of the rapture believes the rapture will happen at the end of the seven-year tribulation.

Post-tribulation supporters blend the Second Coming of Christ with the rapture of the church, which is how they develop their theory on the rapture.

These individuals believe God will divinely protect believers throughout the tribulation and then rapture them up to Heaven after the end of the tribulation.

Lastly, the pre-tribulation theory teaches that the rapture happens prior to the seven-year tribulation of God pouring out His wrath upon the earth.

After the Rapture

From a pre-tribulation view, after the rapture of the church, believers will be taken to heaven, to which we will participate in the Bema seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12).

The Bema seat of Christ is not a test of salvation but rather a test of how one served Christ during their earthly life. It is to be noted that salvation is never in jeopardy at this time as a person is eternally saved from the time they accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Once a person accepts Christ, they obtain salvation, and this can never be taken away. The Bema seat of Christ will be a time when believers will be awarded for what they have done as well as rewards will be taken away for what they did not do for Christ.

After the Bema seat of Christ and the end of the tribulation upon the earth, the thousand-year reign of Christ will be established, followed by the New Heaven and New Earth.

During the thousand literal reign of Christ, the Lord will physically walk among His people and live among us.

After the thousand-year reign of Christ, God will establish the New Heaven and New Earth, which will be paradise. There will no longer be any more pain, crying, or death (Revelation 21:4).

While our final destination of living in the New Heaven and New Earth with God may seem a long time away, it is no time for God. The rapture is the catalyst of these future events of eschatology.

Once the rapture happens, we will be on our way to living with God in the New Heaven and New Earth, where there will only be smiles, joy, and love.

As we eagerly wait for the day of the rapture, we need to help others know the gospel by sharing the truth of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4: John 3:16-17).

Health Rapture

Growing up is tough. Each year, our children’s lives bring new transitions, constant change, and an abundance of physical and mental transformations.

10 Creative Ways to Support Your Child This School Year

10 Creative Ways to Support Your Child This School Year

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Our childhood, along with family dynamics, shape our adulthood. Children who grow up feeling loved, encouraged, and safe tend to be well-adjusted. On the flip side, children who experience abuse, neglect, or fear in adolescence, tend to struggle later in life.

Even in the best homes, with parents who love the Lord and strive to give their children a picturesque childhood, kids can battle depression, discouragement, and disappointment. So, how, as parents, can we continually support our children at any age and stage?

1. One Hug a Day

A hug seems simple yet often neglected in our morning rush out the door. Weekday mornings are chaotic between packing lunches, signing permission slips, and ensuring your child has matching shoes. But, remember to grab a quick peck on the cheek, a big bear hug, or slap a high-five and let your kiddo know they are loved. This also works at night time too. Don’t be afraid to tuck that teenager in, you don’t want to skip checking for the monsters under a toddler’s bed, and be sure to always make time to say a prayer with your tween.

2. Bring Your Kid Lunch

Even if you are a super-parent who packs hand-cut-out sandwiches and homemade brownies in your kid’s lunch, everyone loves getting lunch from their favorite restaurant. Schedule a day, grab lunch, and drop it off at your child’s school. Have the option to join them at the cafeteria? Go for it!

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3. Sneak a Note

Last year, I discovered these fun joke cards on Amazon. Sure, they are a bit corny, but I have loved talking about the jokes with my kids after school. I don’t put them in their lunch boxes every day, but if it’s been a while, they are sure to remind me! A handwritten note is tried and true; a message in the lunchbox is a beautiful reminder that you are in your kid’s corner.

Let’s explore ten ways we can support our children this school year:

4. Share an Inside Joke

Humans like connection–with real people, not just screens. Everyone likes to be a part of something, in on the joke, one of the team members. Think of something you can share with just your child. I have three girls, and I created unique hand symbols (a full handshake for my middle child) specifically for each of them. When they get out of the car, before they go on stage, or even when tucking them in bed, I throw up our gesture, our secret “ I love you.”

5. Play Hooky Last year, the movie “Yes Day” came out, sparking kids everywhere to ask their parents for a day when they couldn’t say no. If you feel up for it, grab your kid and have a “yes day.” Want to participate in the fun without the big commitment? Surprise your kid, and keep them out of school for the day. I understand that this may not be ideal for everyone for various reasons, but if it’s an option for you, consider it. So many things are routine and mundane, so why not take a time-out for spontaneous fun?
6. Be the Biggest Cheerleader Is your son nervous about the big game this Friday? Is your daughter anxious about her part in the school play? Get some glass chalk and decorate your car windows. You could also take it old school, grab some poster board, and hang it up in their room. Make shirts with your child’s jersey number, or write an encouraging message on the front that they can read to help calm their nerves. A little goes a long way with our children. If these ideas are too much for you, a simple “you’ve got this!” or “I’m praying for you today; can’t wait to see you shine!” goes a long way.

7. Invite Their Friends Over

Hear me out. As parents, we are crazy busy, and it’s a wild ride, especially during the school year. The last thing you want to do when the weekend comes is host a bunch of loud kids at your house. Because it doesn’t matter the age, it’s going to get rowdy when you put a bunch of friends together.

It doesn’t have to be an all-night affair, ordering countless boxes of pizza and hosting a movie. It can be offering your house to the youth to hang out with after church on Sunday, or maybe it’s a place for the group project members to get together and work. It means a lot to our children when we open our homes to their friends. They may not always show their gratitude, but I can promise you the memories made will be cherished forever.

8 Creative Ways to Support Your Child This School Year

8. Volunteer at the School

Again, this is probably geared towards the younger kids, but you’d be surprised; instead of crumpling up the request for parent chaperones or ignoring the invitation to read to your child’s class, attempt to make it happen. The elementary years are prime time for you to engage with them at school. I understand that it might mean you have to forgo something you wanted to do or perhaps you’ll have to work later that night, but to your child, this act will go a long way to make them feel supported!

Do you have older children? Ask if there is an area they would like you to participate or volunteer. Maybe they want you to be the band mom but didn’t bring it up because they know you were having a hard time at work. Or perhaps they wanted to ask you to come along on the field trip, but they know money is tight. With teens, communication isn’t often easy; initiate the conversation with your child by asking them questions. You’ll be surprised what you find out!

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