Many people have been taught that God’s church and His people will disappear, be “caught up” or raptured, seven years before the loud, visible return of Jesus Christ, (His second coming).
According to this theory it’s a silent rapture first, then seven years of tribulation, then the second coming.
Hypothetically, those who miss the rapture will have a “second chance” to be saved during those future seven years.
Does the Bible really teach this doctrine?
Let’s review the key scriptures that are being used by rapture teachers to support their own views and find out if the scriptures truly support them or challenge and contradict their theories.
“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”. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16
The three noisy sounds connected (non-silent) with the second coming of Jesus Christ are:
- Lord descends with a Shout
- Voice of an Archangel
- Trumpet of God
“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”. 1 Thessalonians 4: 17
Faithful Christians will then be “caught up together”.
Does “caught up” mean disappear without a trace?
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
Parousia – The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
The Parousia or Second Coming of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. For when the unprepared say peace and safety then sudden destruction comes upon them. And they will not escape. The thief idea doesn’t mean a silent coming but a sudden one. The saved are gathered while the prepared shall not escape.
“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness”. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
Then many false prophets will rise and deceive many.
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect”. Matthew 24: 3-5, 11, 24
Concerning his return Jesus Christ warned us four times not to be deceived.
What will the false teachers say about Christ coming?
How then will Jesus come?
“Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left”. Matthew 24: 40-41
When Jesus comes then two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left. Is this a secret “rapture” or the second coming?
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
No One Knows the Day or Hour
When Jesus comes what two things will happen in the “twinkling of an eye”?
- Dead will be raised incorruptible
- Shall be changed
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”. I Corinthians 15: 52
This occurs when the last trumpet sounds!
In conclusion and after careful examination the Bible, does not teach a silent return of Jesus Christ or a secret rapture or disappearing Christians. Taken in context they all teach that true believers will be caught up at the loud, noisy, visible, second coming of our Lord, when the trumpet sounds, at the last trumpet.
