The Rapture Of The Saints

The word is not well-chosen, for its normal usage denotes a burst of irrepressible joy, like the “first wild careless rapture” of the dawn chorus in early Spring. But there is also the idea, suggested by the Latin original, of being snatched away — that of sudden bodily transportation. In this sense the word has become part of the jargon of some of the sects with a strong eschatological bent, and inasmuch as there is no obvious alternative available, it must be put up with.14

The most commonly held idea is that Christ comes, gathers the saints together, and takes them away to heaven whence (by a most unscrupulous man-handling of a very plain Scripture) they are to be “kings and priests, and reign over the earth’’15 (Revelation 5:10). A basis for this grossly mistaken notion is sought in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and John 14:3.

The first of these speaks of the saints as “caught up with them (the dead, now risen) in clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord”.

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Author: Harry Whittaker

Keywords: Rapture Of The Saints, Rapture, pre-trib, pre-tribulation, tribulation, pre-tribulation rapture, come again, second coming, second advent, Jesus second coming, Christ's second coming, caught away, caught away in clouds, clouds, meeting the Lord, meet the Lord, Meet the Lord in the air, ever be with the Lord, will come again, clouds of witnesses

Bible reference(s): 1 Thessalonians 4:17, John 14:3

Source: “The Rapture Of The Saints,” The Last Days.

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