The Rapture or The Resurrection?

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)

Have you ever seen the bumper sticker on any vehicles that says, “In case of rapture this vehicle will be unmanned”? This is referring to the idea that someday there will be rapture in which the saints will be taken by the Lord and the unsaved will remain on the earth. There are many that teach this doctrine, many books have been written about the rapture, and just a few years ago there was a movie entitled “Left Behind” based upon the doctrine of the rapture. Is this doctrine a Biblical doctrine or is this teaching a false view of what the Bible actually teaches in regard to the events that will take place someday?

There are many details regarding the teaching of the rapture that could be discussed but instead of giving an exhaustive list of the teaching of the rapture we will notice just a few aspects of this teaching and then focus on what the Bible says. First of all, those that teach the rapture teach that Jesus is coming. This fact is plainly stated in several places throughout Scripture. There are songs in hymnal that refer to the coming of Christ that remind us of the fact that Jesus will return. The rapture demands that Jesus returns on multiple occasions. The idea is that Jesus will come and take the saints to be with Him and then after a period of time He will return again. This leads to another thought of His coming during the rapture and that is that when He comes it will be a secretive coming, and that some will be taken and those that remain may wonder why they are no longer on the earth. The thought is that it will be something that happens in an instant and people may be driving cars, flying airplanes, working, etc. and suddenly they will disappear from the earth, leaving others to wonder what happened.

Is this teaching a Biblical teaching? The word “rapture” is not found in Scripture, and neither is the idea of a rapture. The word “rapture” is taken from a Latin word which means “to catch up or take away.” The rapture and the taking away of some while others remain on the earth cannot be found in the Scriptures. The Bible does, however, speak of a certain time that is coming when Jesus will call all people, we will leave this earth, and then be judged by Him. This day is called the “resurrection.” Jesus plainly spoke about the resurrection day and promised that He is coming back to judge the world. John 5:28-29, Jesus speaks of a time when the resurrection will take place and at that time those that have lived as commanded in Scripture will be resurrected unto eternal life and those that are unrighteous will be resurrected unto eternal damnation. When Jesus comes to call all to stand before His throne of judgment it will not be a secretive coming, there will not be anyone left to wonder what happened to certain people, cars and airplanes will not be left unmanned leaving others to wonder, but all will be called and all will be aware of what is taking place. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 gives insight to what will take place when the Lord returns. When He returns it will not be a secretive coming, as He will come “with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God” (1 Thess. 4:16). When this happens those that are dead will be raised, and those that remain on this earth will be caught up together with them (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Furthermore, when He returns, He will not return to earth but rather we will meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4:17). There is a day that is coming in which all will be resurrected, Jesus will be revealed to all, He will take vengeance on the unrighteous and will reward the righteous (2 Thess. 1:7-10). When this great day takes place, everyone will be called at the same time and then the earth and all the elements that are therein will melt away with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10).

Jesus warns us that there is an appointed time which all of mankind will be judged. It is a day that is unknown when it will be (Matt. 24:36) and is a day for which we should be fully prepared. (Matt. 24:42). Knowing the resurrection will take place, and knowing that some will be resurrected to eternal life, and others will be resurrected to eternal damnation, may we examine our lives and if we need to make changes may we do so before it is too late.