The Rapture Research
The rapture
Let me start by saying there are hundreds of rapture theories. To speculate about the way it’s going to be when Christ fulfills His Word cannot set us free. To become dogmatic about a doctrine that requires even a single assumption is foolishness. However, it’s easy to be unaware of our own assumptions. Assumptions become presuppositions and seem real, but they’re just assumptions. So, I wanted to look at this subject with as little preconception as I could. I would suppose that almost any one of the rapture theories could be correct, and I accept Christ regardless of how He wants to manifest Himself. I don’t want my biased ideas to stand in the way. I suppose most of us would say the same. We just want Jesus on His terms, and we realize how inadequate our current understanding is.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, we read that we who are alive at Christ’s parousia (Presence) and remain shall be caught up. The Greek “harpazo” translated as “shall be caught up” is harpazo, and it means “to seize, carry off by force; to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly, or to snatch out or away.” In the Latin Vulgate, the word is Rapiemur (rapture). It says we will be caught up together with those who have died previously in the clouds. When the Bible speaks of clouds, it almost always refers to either clouds of saints, clouds of angels, or, more frequently, clouds of glory. The Greek word, aer, is used in two ways. One is to refer to the lower atmosphere, such as throwing dust into the air. The other is to refer to a higher spiritual realm, such as Satan being the prince of power of the air. We will meet the Lord in the air. The word “air” is translated from the Greek word “aer.” A literal translation of the original Greek word, aer, would be “the lower and denser air as distinguished from the higher and thinner air.” It is the air we breath. However, it can also be a spiritual realm of power, perhaps, the first heaven. Some believe the rapture will take place with those raptured receiving great authority and power in “the air” while remaining in “the air” we currently breath, and that, from that position, God will send them out to minister to those who haven’t yet entered into this experience. That’s quite different from the rapture theory with which most of us have become familiar.
There are many rapture theories. One of these theories has been promoted through books, movies, and commentaries. However, that’s all marketing and doesn’t justify speculation and distortion of Scripture. Some of the rapture theories take 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 and use it to erase other verses of the Bible. Some theories claim there is no progressive experience in Christ that leads to this wonderful experience, but there are many verses that indicate that there is a gradual growing in Christ from glory to glory or light to light until the perfect, totally complete, day. There is a Scripture that says that, though this day will come on others as a thief in the night, it will not come on the faithful believers who are walking in the day as a thief, yet some rapture theories ignore this Scripture.
Scripture doesn’t tell us we can take it easy since we’ve been born again. Grace is through faith. Faith comes by listening to the rhema of God rather than the rambling messages or our fallen minds, the culture, the media, the academics, or demons. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 says, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” We must watch (gregoreuo) and be sober (nepho). To the Greeks, gregoreuo was like stepping on slippery stones to cross a river. You could easily slip and fall if you weren’t careful how you walked, and you had to keep walking to get to the other side. The Greek “nepho” means to be calm and collect in spirit and to always look around yourself. These are words of actions. However, action in the Spirit means being led by the Spirit. Those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God. (Romans 8:14) All righteousness begins with God leading through His rhema by which He speaks to us and shows us the way of righteousness. By His rhema, His faith comes. Jesus Christ, the Word of God, authors faith in us. (Hebrews 12:2) That’s why faith is real substance and absolutely certain expectation. (Hebrews 11:1) We access grace through faith. (Romans 5:2) That’s why salvation is by grace through faith. (Ephesiand 2:8-9) And grace does the works of God through us. (1 Corinthians 15:10) Our part is to yield the members of our bodies to God’s righteousness. (Romans 6:13)
To bolster some of the rapture theories, other verses have been taken out of context or otherwise twisted to support speculations. This is not to say that God has not told us some things. He has told us much. However, we must not add to Scripture or take from Scripture. Some of the distortions of Scripture to support some of the rapture theories are severe enough to hinder the Christian walk with God in two ways. If the rapture is to occur spontaneously at any moment, then those Scriptures that tell us to grow in Christ, to be transfigured from glory to glory make no sense. Under some rapture theories, the Scriptural pattern of the church becomes a bunch of unnecessary rules rather than Christ the body being built as a holy Temple of the Lord.
The Return of Christ versus the Abiding Presence of Christ
The important thing is that we know we must grow into the manifestation of the sons of God. That is, Christ is being formed in us as the fleshly nature is dying away. Here’s the problem. Many believers think we are waiting for Christ to return rather than growing into the mature sons of God. They look at their sole responsibility as being born again and then getting other people born again. Being born again is important, but most of the New Testament is about growing to the fullness of Christ.
We must clearly see the difference between Christ’s return and Christ’s abiding presence with us. Most of Christianity has incorrectly interpreted the word “parousia,” and the enemy has used that misunderstanding as one of the ways he has blurred the difference between Christ’s return and presence. “Parousia” is translated as “coming.” It means “abiding presence.” Many theologians incorrectly interpret it to mean “the return of Christ to rule and reign.” Later in this article, I’ll explain how that confusion is rationalized and how it could potentially bind you and keep you from fulfilling your purpose in Christ.
Christ now abides in His saints and is being formed fully in His saints. Christ will also return as He ascended into heaven. When Christ returns, He won’t return for a divided and confused church that’s full of sin. He will return for a spotless bride. “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27) The church must be restored to a spotless condition before Christ returns. To see how the Church comes into this spotless condition, let’s look at a Scripture just before this one in Ephesians.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (Ephesians 11-13)
This is sonship. This is the church without spot or wrinkle, the church standing in such unity that it is one perfect (complete) man. The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ is Christ the body joined to Christ the Head with each member in total submission to Christ. Christ the body follows the Scriptural pattern exactly by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. No one speaks his or her own words. No one does his or her own actions. God leads each one and does His righteousness through each one. The apostolic office (traveling elders and deacons, having ministry gifts of prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher) must remain until the church comes to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
How does the church come to this state? Brother Herrick Holt wrote, “Being led of the Spirit will bring you into sonship.” The secret to growing in Christ is to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit. All righteousness, holiness, ministry, and order flow from this simplicity. I can’t attain this independently. I need the body of Christ. In need to discern what is and what is not the body of Christ. Brother Holt also wrote, “In the body of Christ, there is no such ministry as an independent one” and “The sons of God have learned the secret of obeying.” Being led implies obedience. It implies submission. It implies submission to God’s delegated authority through His body. The flesh hates submission and obedience. However, the rebellious fleshly nature must decrease as Christ is fully formed within. That’s what spiritual maturity is.
One of the ways the Holy Spirit leads us is by speaking through the apostles. The apostles must equip the saints. Another way the Holy Spirit leads us is by speaking through all the saints. The saints must minister but not in wild disorder. The apostles receive the revelation of the order and the doctrine.
As a side note, many claim to be apostles. Whether they are apostles or not will become evident at the appointed time. They may cooperate with others who call themselves apostles, but they are not in submission to those apostles. They don’t agree on doctrine. I know of only one place where God has established apostolic order with authority where apostles walk in submission to each other and do all they can to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to establish one apostle’s doctrine. We don’t see the denominations dissolving and coming under the authority of those whom God has set at this point, but keep your eyes open for what God is going to do. I’m confident that God knows all about this and has a plan to resolve it to finish what He started.
We need the apostles to set the orders and doctrines and to provide unity in that way. We need them to direct the saints to each know Jesus Christ personally to receive daily direction and power for righteousness in every aspect of each life. We need the apostles to direct the saints to fulfill Ephesians 4:14-16: “That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” In the worldly church systems, I don’t see this. I see a production from the front stage of the assembly where people are taught, entertained, and intellectually stimulated. There are many variations, but one thing in common. What is happening is not “by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part. It doesn’t look like 1 Corinthians 14 at all.
How is it that every joint supplying can lead to building up the church? Each member of the church is a ministry. The ministry is Christ in the member. When you, as a member, speak or act, you are to be in submission to the Holy Spirit. You are to yield your mouth and entire body to the Holy Spirit so God can do His righteousness through you. When you speak, you are to speak as the oracle, the mouthpiece, of God. God is speaking with the same authority with which He created the heavens and the earth. This is the word He is speaking through you even as everything that exists was created by that same word in the beginning. This is the word by which faith comes. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. This is the Seed of the Sower, and some of that Seed will land on good ground. (Mark 4:1-20) Consider the power and authority of the ministry of the Holy Spirit through Christ the body. Jesus said, “other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
In addition to the bride of Christ being complete and holy, many verses indicate that every enemy must be put under Christ’s feet before He can return:
“but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.” (Hebrews 10:12-13)
If you would like a more complete context, read Luke 20:42-43, Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 2:8, Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Acts 3:21.
Christ cannot return until the last enemy, death, is destroyed. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)
Christ’s bride must be without spot or wrinkle and death must be defeated before Christ can return.
Now, let’s look at when this might take place. Here is a verse from Isaiah that talks about the thousand-year Kingdom.
No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives only a few days, Or an old man who does not finish his days; For the youth who dies at the age of a hundred, And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred Will be thought of as accursed. (Isaiah 65:20)
This verse indicates that death will still be here during the thousand-year Kingdom.
When brought alongside verses that say Jesus must stay in heaven until the last enemy, death, is defeated, Isaiah 65:20 conflicts with the most popular theologies that teach “the imminent return of Christ.” It puts Christ’s return after the thousand-year Kingdom. That messes up pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation theologies.
There is another perspective on the words “For the youth who dies at the age of a hundred, And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred Will be thought of as accursed.” Some theologians say these words do not indicate that anyone will die during this time. They say death has already been defeated before the thousand years begin. They say these words are a metaphor. Maybe we can’t settle the matter so easily. Of course, theologians are good at turning troubling passages of Scripture into metaphors.
In addition, someone may ask, “If Christ doesn’t physically return until the end of the Kingdom Age, isn’t Christ supposed to rule and reign in the Kingdom Age?” Christ will rule and reign through a body of Christ that has Christ fully formed within and that walks in perfect unity in the order and pattern of Scripture. Revelation 20:6 says the saints with rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years. 2 Timothy 2:12 says we will reign with Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:25 says Christ must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. (Feet are part of the body.) Isaiah 9:6 says that the government shall be upon His shoulder. (Shoulders are parts of the body.) Daniel 7:27 says the Kingdom shall be given to the saints of the Most High. 1 Corinthians 6:3 says we will judge angels.
As I mentioned before, a big part of the problem is the Greek word “parousia” which means abiding presence and cannot mean returning. And yet, certain theologians still teach that “parousia” means “the returning of Christ” even though this can’t be if language has meaning. If you use an Internet search engine to get a definition of the word “parousia,” you will see what I mean. One authority after another will say “parousia” means Christ’s return or the time when the church leaves the earth. Parousia can be applied to a person coming from one place to another, which makes sense with its literal meaning of “presence.”
As an example of how the error is rationalized, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says parousia means “presence” but may mean “presence after absence,” “arrival” (but not “return,” unless this is given by the context), as in 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6,7; Philippians 1:26. The trouble is that those three references do not give “parousia” as meaning “return” by context. Philippians 1:26 has the words “by my coming to you again,” but the idea of retuning is carried in the words “to you again” and not in the word “coming,” which is “parousia.” To change the literal meaning of a word based on this type of thinking amounts to twisting Scripture. This encyclopedia then goes on to claim a list of passages that use the word “parousia” are referring to Christ’s return. However, if the words of Scripture mean what they say, then those passages do not refer to Christ’s return but rather refer to His abiding presence. And they refer to it in a way that implies the presence of Christ that we now all experience will find fulfillment in a much greater presence that will come as an event on God’s timeline.
If you change every instance where Scripture says “abiding presence” to read “return of Christ,” you drastically change the intent of Scripture. By doing this, you can almost eliminate the need to grow to the fullness of Christ. Alternatively, interpreting the word “coming” as “abiding presence,” you again restore Scripture to what it actually says. Once again, growing in Christ is the major theme of the New Testament, and the means for this growth into Christ’s fullness becomes clear.
None of this is an issue except for the problems created by the misconception of just waiting for Christ’s soon return. If Christ will return at any moment, there is no need to have Christ fully formed in us. If we’re just waiting for the return of Christ, there is no need to overcome the world, our sinful flesh, or the devil. If there’s no need to overcome, then we aren’t going anywhere as we walk in the Spirit. We’re just marching in place. If there’s no need to overcome, then why be concerned about God’s order or the gifts, ministries, and offices revealed through Scripture? This explains the attitudes of many believers. Church becomes a social club. You look for the club with the best programs and entertainment and the least restriction to earthly pleasure. Just don’t push it so far that you get “left behind” at “the rapture.” That misconception misses the whole point of the Church.
We may not be able to say exactly when Christ will return, and we don’t have to. What’s important is that we know His abiding presence right now. That’s “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Don’t allow theology to keep you from becoming what God wants you to become, a manifested son of God. God is calling us to higher heights and deeper depths. Continue to press toward the mark of your high calling in Christ Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to lead you and establish your ministry in its place in Christ’s Body. Be led by the Holy Spirit. Be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Walk in submission to the Holy Spirit. Realize your power and authority in Him. Allow Him to fulfill every part of your gifts and ministry through you. Don’t hold back. Don’t let Satan hold you back. Minister in the local meetings. Minister in your community. Minister in everything you do in every part of your life. This is new ground on our progressive walk. God is moving us on. He is leading the way. It’s a way we have never walked before. What limits has God put on us since “According as his divine power [He] hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3)
Parousia
Parousia Literal Meaning: “the being beside.” From this, we could say it means “the personal presence.”
This word is applied to Christ, but it’s also applied to others in the Bible. In addition, it was a common word in Greek literature of the day.
It has been given a meaning to fit into the context of popular theology, but this makes Scripture hard to understand. The fact that many theologians think a certain way doesn’t change Scripture.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:
(1) “Parousia” (parousia), a word fairly common in Greek, with the meaning “presence” (2 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:12). More especially it may mean “presence after absence,” “arrival” (but not “return,” unless this is given by the context),
This definition goes on to name some examples where it could mean “return” by the context, but none of those examples justifies changing the definition to “return.” The context here is the context of modern theology rather than the context of the language itself. The definition also explains that, it is in modern theology that this word, “parousia,” has been used to mean the “Second Coming.” It might be important to note that the term “Second Coming” is not in Scripture. This is a theological term. That doesn’t mean Christ won’t return since the angels assured the disciples Jesus would return as they stood gazing upward on the Mount of Ascension. However, Christ’s coming is not the same as Christ’s returning.
Strong’s Concordance:
a presence, a coming.
HELPS Word-studies:
Parousia is “used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally ‘the being beside,’ thus, ‘the personal presence’ ”
Imminent Return of Christ
Christ now abides in His saints and is being formed fully in His saints. Christ will also return as He ascended into heaven. When Christ returns, He won’t return for a divided and confused church that’s full of sin. He will return for a spotless bride. “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27) The church must be restored to a spotless condition before Christ returns. To see how the Church comes into this spotless condition, let’s look at a Scripture just before this one in Ephesians.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (Ephesians 11-13)
This is sonship. This is the church without spot or wrinkle, the church standing in such unity that it is one perfect (complete) man. The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ is Christ the body joined to Christ the Head with each member in total submission to Christ. Christ the body follows the Scriptural pattern exactly by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. No one will speak his or her own words. No one will do his or her own actions. God will lead each one and does His righteousness through each one. The apostolic office (traveling elders and deacons, having ministry gifts of prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher) must remain until the church comes to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
In addition to the bride of Christ being complete and holy, many verses indicate that every enemy must be put under Christ’s feet before He can return:
“but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.” (Hebrews 10:12-13)
If you would like a more complete context, read Luke 20:42-43, Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 2:8, Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Acts 3:21.
Christ cannot return until the last enemy, death, is destroyed. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)
Christ’s bride must be without spot or wrinkle and death must be defeated before Christ can return.
Now, let’s look at when this might take place. Here is a verse from Isaiah that talks about the thousand-year Kingdom.
No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives only a few days, Or an old man who does not finish his days; For the youth who dies at the age of a hundred, And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred Will be thought of as accursed. (Isaiah 65:20)
This verse indicates that death will still be here during the thousand-year Kingdom.
When brought alongside verses that say Jesus must stay in heaven until the last enemy, death, is defeated, Isaiah 65:20 conflicts with the most popular theologies that teach “the imminent return of Christ.” It puts Christ’s return after the thousand-year Kingdom. That messes up pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation theologies.
There is another perspective on the words “For the youth who dies at the age of a hundred, And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred Will be thought of as accursed.” Some theologians say these words do not indicate that anyone will die during this time. They say death has already been defeated before the thousand years begin. They say these words are a metaphor. Maybe we can’t settle the matter so easily. Of course, theologians are good at turning troubling passages of Scripture into metaphors.
In addition, someone may ask, “If Christ doesn’t physically return until the end of the Kingdom Age, isn’t Christ supposed to rule and reign in the Kingdom Age?” Christ will rule and reign through a body of Christ that has Christ fully formed within and that walks in perfect unity in the order and pattern of Scripture. Revelation 20:6 says the saints with rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years. 2 Timothy 2:12 says we will reign with Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:25 says Christ must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. (Feet are part of the body.) Isaiah 9:6 says that the government shall be upon His shoulder. (Shoulders are parts of the body.) Daniel 7:27 says the Kingdom shall be given to the saints of the Most High. 1 Corinthians 6:3 says we will judge angels.
Confusing Christ’s coming with Christ’s returning
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says parousia means “presence” but may mean “presence after absence,” “arrival” (but not “return,” unless this is given by the context), as in 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6,7; Philippians 1:26. The trouble is that those three references do not give “parousia” as meaning “return” by context. Philippians 1:26 has the words “by my coming to you again,” but the idea of retuning is carried in the words “to you again” and not in the word “coming,” which is “parousia.” To change the literal meaning of a word based on this type of thinking amounts to twisting Scripture. This encyclopedia then goes on to claim a list of passages that use the word “parousia” are referring to Christ’s return. However, if the words of Scripture mean what they say, then those passages do not refer to Christ’s return but rather refer to His abiding presence. And they refer to it in a way that implies the presence of Christ that we now all experience will find fulfillment in a much greater presence that will come as an event on God’s timeline.
If you change every instance where Scripture says “abiding presence” to read “return of Christ,” you drastically change the intent of Scripture. By doing this, you can almost eliminate the need to grow to the fullness of Christ. Alternatively, interpreting the word “coming” as “abiding presence,” you again restore Scripture to what it actually says. Once again, growing in Christ is the major theme of the New Testament, and the means for this growth into Christ’s fullness becomes clear.
None of this is an issue except for the problems created by the misconception of just waiting for Christ’s soon return. If Christ will return at any moment, there is no need to have Christ fully formed in us. If we’re just waiting for the return of Christ, there is no need to overcome the world, our sinful flesh, or the devil. If there’s no need to overcome, then we aren’t going anywhere as we walk in the Spirit. We’re just marching in place. If there’s no need to overcome, then why be concerned about God’s order or the gifts, ministries, and offices revealed through Scripture? This explains the attitudes of many believers. Church becomes a social club. You look for the club with the best programs and entertainment and the least restriction to earthly pleasure. Just don’t push it so far that you get “left behind” at “the rapture.” That misconception misses the whole point of the Church.
