Who cares if the word “rapture” doesn’t appear in the Bible? It is still a term used to describe a real event
Question:
I read your article on the Rapture. It was interesting but not convincing to me. Who cares if some people use the word 'Rapture' - it is only a term used to describe a real event. The word 'trinity' isn't in the Bible either but most Christians use the term freely to describe the Godhead. Do you believe we will be 'caught up in the air'?
Answer:
The point of The Ruse of the Rapture is that neither the word nor that idea attributed to the concept of a rapture is found in the Bible. Yes, the Bible teaches, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). But the people espousing a notion of a rapture say that this is only temporary, lasting only 3-1/2 or 7 years depending on which theory is believed. This verse makes no mention of anyone returning to the earth.
Among the doctrines falling under the term "rapture" is the idea that only the righteous will be raised. But Jesus stated, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. ... Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:25, 28-29).
