Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
F. T. Ruhland, in the Walther League Messenger, tells of an American tourist traveling through northern Italy. He visited a majestic castle, Villa Asconati, northwest of Milan. This rural palace featured many beautiful gardens. When he came to the front gate, a friendly elderly gardener opened the gate and showed him the grounds, which this gardener kept in perfect order. The tourist asked when the owner of the castle had last been there. The gardener replied, “Twelve years ago.” The tourist asked, “Does he ever write to you?” He answered, “No.” The conversation continued: “From whom do you get your instructions?” “From his agent in Milan.” “Does he come?” “Never.” “Who, then, comes here?” “I am almost always alone; only once in a while a tourist comes.” “But you keep this garden in such fine condition just as though you expected your master to come tomorrow.” The old gardener promptly replied, “Today, sir, today!”
Just as this gardener was looking for the imminent return of his master, so we who know Jesus as our Savior should be anticipating His return at any moment. Just as the gardener sought to keep the gardens and the grounds always prepared for the master’s return, so we believers must keep our lives ready in light of His possible return at any time. Over a year ago we began a study of the most amazing One to have ever lived on this earth: the Lord Jesus Christ. We have examined the wonder of His character and the amazing works that He has done. We stand amazed at who He is and what He has done. His ministry on the earth culminated in His substitutionary death, His victorious resurrection, and His glorious ascension. In the last article we saw the work that He is presently doing in and for His Church. What is the next event on our Savior’s timetable? According to Scripture, it is His return in the air, known as the Rapture of the Church. We must consider this important question: “What If It Were Today?” Let’s ponder the doctrine of the Rapture.
The Development of the Comings of Christ (His first and second comings) (developed throughout the Bible)
In the Old Testament: the truth is presented that Christ is coming, but the writers could not distinguish between His first and second comings (cp. I Pet. 1:10-12).
In the Gospels: His coming has two phases. . . He has come once, and announces that He will come again.
In the Letters: His second coming unfolds into two phases—His coming in the air and His coming to earth.
In the Revelation: each of the two phases of His second coming unfolds into a series of events.
(Adapted from The End Times, Herman A. Hoyt, pp. 57-58)
The Definition of the Rapture of the Church
The term, “rapture,” though not in the English Bible, is from the Greek of I Thess. 4:17—“caught up” (Latin rapere). There are three key passages on the Rapture: John 14:1-3, I Thess. 4:13-18, and I Cor. 15:51-53.
The Rapture is the literal, personal, and bodily return of Jesus Christ in the air to take the Church to heaven.
The Rapture has been characterized as “the great snatch,” “the great escape,” and “the meeting in the air.”
The Declaration of the Rapture (John 14:1-3) What Jesus declared about His return. . .
He is coming again (literally, “I am coming”—John 14:3).
He will take His own to the place prepared for them in the Father’s house (John 14:2-3).
He will receive them to Himself—they will see Him again and will be with Him (John 14:3).
The Description of the Rapture (I Thess. 4:13-18) The one passage describing in detail the actual event. . .
The reason for our hope: the death and resurrection of Christ (I Thess. 4:13-14), resulting in the absence of a hopeless sorrow (4:13) and the assurance of a heavenly reunion (4:14)
The reality of the hope: the return of Christ (I Thess. 4:15-17)
A declaration of Christ’s promise (4:15): Christian dead will be raised first, preceding the living believers.
A description of Christ’s coming (4:16-17): the return of Christ (4:16a). . . the resurrection of dead believers (4:16b). . . the rapture of living believers (4:!7). . . the reunion in the air (4:17b).
The result of the hope: comfort and encouragement—the practical effects of the return of Christ
The Details of the Rapture (I Cor. 15:51-53) Further details concerning the event, relating to the physical body
The revelation (15:51-52a): something previously hidden in times past, but now revealed. . . the mystery is not the resurrection (Job 19:25; Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2), but that many will enter heaven without dying.
The results (15:52b): the dead shall be raised incorruptible. . . the living shall be changed.
The reason (15:53): the corruptible must put on incorruption. . . the mortal must put on immortality.
The Distinctives of the Rapture (I Cor. 15:51-53) The Rapture is. . .
Certain (John 14:1-3; II Pet. 3:3-4, 9): it will occur. . . nothing can prevent it. He will fulfill His promise.
Imminent (I Thess.4:15; I Cor. 1:7; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 10:37): it could happen at any moment.
Unexpected (I Thess. 5:2-3): it will catch the world by surprise. . . it will happen so suddenly.
Literal (I Thess. 4:16-17; John 14:1-3): His coming will not be spiritual in nature. . . it will be a literal event.
Personal (I Thess. 4:16; Acts 1:9-11): it will be “the Lord Himself” who will come. . . He will come personally.
Bodily (Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:39-43): He will come just as He left. . . in a glorified, physical body.
Pretribulational (I Thess. 1:9-10; 5:1-10): He will come before the Tribulation period.
Transforming (Phil. 3:20-21; Rom. 8:23; II Cor. 5:2, 4; I Cor. 15:53): believers’ bodies will be transformed.
Motivating: His coming should motivate believers to faithful service and holy living (Rom.13:11-12; I Cor. 5: 4-5; 11:26; 15:58; Tit.2:11-13; I Thess.2:19-20; 4:18; 5:4-8, 23; Heb.10:25; Jas.5:7-8; I Pet.4:7-8; I Jn.2:28; 3:2-3).
Just as sure as He came the first time, Jesus will return. We don’t know when He will come. . . we shouldn’t set dates. . . but we must live in the daily expectation that it could be today. What if it were today? Are you ready to meet Him?
Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie