The No Rapture Theory

The No Rapture Theory
By Chris Schang

One of the most strange theological positions held by a small group of Christians is that there will be no rapture in the end times. This of course is simply not the case. The folks who support this view try to cite several main arguments to support their no rapture position.

The first major argument for the no rapture theory position is that they say the word rapture is not found in the Bible. While it is true that the word rapture is not found in most editions of the Bible it is found in the Latin Vulgate versions. Likewise the Greek versions of the Bible use the word “harpazo” to denote the rapture which means to “snatch up or to be caught up”, etc. Anyhow, despite the confusion the event is clearly taught by the following scriptures:

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess, 4:16-18).”Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-53).

As we can see from the verses above the rapture event is clear taught in the Bible. It is an imminent event that can literally happen at any moment. To further illustrate the fallacy of such thinking we can point out the while the Word of God is called the Holy Bible, the word Bible is never mentioned in the scriptures either. And I don’t think anyone would try to argue against the combined Word of God being called the Bible. So just because a word is not used in the scriptures does not mean that the teaching or doctrine is not true.

Another attempt to support the no rapture theory position comes from preterists who think that all prophecy has been already fulfilled. The preterist believes that there is no more prophecy to be fulfilled as it was already fulfilled by 70 AD. This is simply not true as we can see literal fulfillments of prophecy coming to pass today on the world stage. The modern day rebirth of Israel in 1948 is just one example of prophecy being fulfilled today. And there are literally hundreds of other end times prophecies that have been fulfilled or are currently in the process of being fulfilled. So once again the no rapture position holders are found to be wrong again.

Another favorite tactic of the no rapture theory crowd is to try to pass off the rapture as being the same as the Second Coming of Christ. This again is just more theological confusion. The rapture of the church is an event where Jesus returns and takes believers to Heaven. Jesus returns in the air, raises up all believers, and takes them to the place he has prepared for them in his Father’s house. The Second Coming on the other hand Jesus returns to earth, literally touches his feet on the Mount of Olives, and brings the church back with him as illustrated in Revelation. So, in the case of the rapture Jesus does not touch the ground and raises believers up to him, whereas the Second Coming he literally touches the ground and brings believers back with him. These differences separate the two events and show why they can’t be taking about the same event.

In conclusion, we have soundly refuted the no rapture theory position held by a small number of Christians who simply have not done their homework on the subject. The points made in this article show that we can have the assurance that Jesus will carry out the rapture of the church just s he has promised. I hope this article has been helpful in your study of the blessed hope of the rapture of the church.

God bless.