RAPTURE: INTERPRETATION
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Rapture
a) The word Rapture does not appear in the Bible. It comes from the Latin word rapare which means "seize", "snatch" or "take away." The term Rapture is used to refer to the faithful believers being taken up to meet Christ in the air as described in this passage written by the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.
2. Interpretation
a) Paul did not provide any other details of this event, and it is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. Questions about the details and timing of the Rapture are not answered in the Bible. The lack of details has led to different theories and interpretations.
3. Majority Interpretation
a) There are many other New Testament passages describing the resurrection of the dead and the gathering in of the faithful when Jesus comes again (Matthew 16:27, 24:30-31, 25:31-32, 26:64, Mark 12:18-27, 13:26-27, Luke 17:26-35, John 5:21, 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 6:14, 15:12-32, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:4, 2 Peter 3:8-10, Revelation 1:7).
b) These other passages use various descriptions and images to describe wondrous events that we cannot fully understand (1 Corinthians 2:6-10, 13:9-12).
c) None of these other passages use the image of the faithful being caught up in the clouds and meeting the Lord in the air, nor did Paul use that description in his later writings. Therefore, most Christians do not place any great significance on the particular imagery Paul used in 1 Thessalonians. Most Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias do not mention the Rapture at all.
The End ...
1. Rapture a) The word Rapture does not appear in the Bible. It comes from the Latin word rapare which means "seize", "snatch" or "take away." The term Rapture is used to refer to the faithful believers being taken up to meet Christ in the air as described in this passage written by the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.
2. Interpretation
a) Paul did not provide any other details of this event, and it is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. Questions about the details and timing of the Rapture are not answered in the Bible. The lack of details has led to different theories and interpretations.
3. Majority Interpretation
a) There are many other New Testament passages describing the resurrection of the dead and the gathering in of the faithful when Jesus comes again (Matthew 16:27, 24:30-31, 25:31-32, 26:64, Mark 12:18-27, 13:26-27, Luke 17:26-35, John 5:21, 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 6:14, 15:12-32, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:4, 2 Peter 3:8-10, Revelation 1:7).
b) These other passages use various descriptions and images to describe wondrous events that we cannot fully understand (1 Corinthians 2:6-10, 13:9-12).
c) None of these other passages use the image of the faithful being caught up in the clouds and meeting the Lord in the air, nor did Paul use that description in his later writings. Therefore, most Christians do not place any great significance on the particular imagery Paul used in 1 Thessalonians. Most Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias do not mention the Rapture at all.
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