The Rapture Fact or Fiction?

Recent History of the Rapture Doctrine In 1957, John Walvoord, a theologian at Dallas Theological Seminary, authored a book, The Rapture Question, that gave theological support to the pre-tribulation rapture; this book eventually sold over 65,000 copies. In 1958, J. Dwight Pentecost authored another book supporting the pre-tribulation rapture, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology, which sold 215,000 copies.

Recent History of the Rapture Doctrine During the 1970s, belief in the rapture became popular in wider circles, in part due to the books of Hal Lindsey, including The Late Great Planet Earth, which has reportedly sold between 15 million and 35 million copies, and the movie A Thief in the Night, which based its title on the scriptural reference in 1 Thessalonians 5:2. Lindsey proclaimed that the rapture was imminent, based on world conditions at the time. The Cold War figured prominently in his predictions of impending Armageddon.

Recent History of the Rapture Doctrine Other aspects of 1970’s global politics were seen as having been predicted in the Bible. Lindsey suggested, for example, that the seven-headed beast with ten horns, cited in the book of Revelation, was the European Economic Community, a forebearer of the European Union, which between 1981 and 1986 had ten member states; it now has 27 member states.

Recent History of the Rapture Doctrine In 1995, the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture was further popularized by Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind series of books, which sold tens of millions of copies and were made into several movies. Today, the doctrine of the rapture continues to be an important component of American Evangelical Christian eschatology.

The Rapture and Baptists 18. What is the SBC's stance on the end times? There is no official stance in the SBC beyond what you find in the Baptist Faith and Message. The views among Southern Baptists regarding the end times are broad. If you surveyed Southern Baptists, you would likely find many who hold to the "Pre-Tribulational" view of the rapture, others who hold to a "Mid-Trib" view, some to a "Post-Trib" rapture, some who hold to historical premillennialism, and perhaps even a few who don't agree with any of these views. http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/faqs.asp#18

Popular Preachers of the Rapture John Walvoord Hal Lindsey Pat Robertson Billy Graham Tim LaHaye

Failed Rapture Predictions 1844 – William Miller predicted that Christ would return between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844, then revised his prediction, claiming to have miscalculated Scripture, to October 22, 1844. 1914, 1918, 1925, 1942 – Various dates predicted for the rapture by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. 1981 – Chuck Smith predicted that Jesus would probably return by 1981. 1988 – Publication of 88 Reasons why the Rapture is in 1988, by Edgar C. Whisenant. 1989 – Publication of The final shout: Rapture report 1989, by Edgar C. Whisenant. This author made further predictions of the rapture for 1992, 1995, and other years. 1992 – A Korean group, the Mission for the Coming Days, predicted that the rapture would occur on October 28, 1992. 1993 – Multiple predictions were given for 1993, seven years before the year 2000; the rapture would have to start to allow for seven years of the tribulation before the return of Christ in 2000. 1994 – Pastor John Hinkle of Christ Church in Los Angeles predicted that the rapture would occur on June 9, 1994. Radio evangelist Harold Camping predicted September 6, 1994. 2011 – Harold Camping’s revised prediction had May 21, 2011 as the date of the rapture. After this prediction proved inaccurate, he claimed that a non-visible "spiritual judgment" had taken place, and that the physical rapture would occur on October 21, 2011. Both of Camping’s predictions failed.

Errors of the Rapture Doctrine First, the rapture doctrine takes 1 Thess. 4:16-17 out of its context (4:13 – 5:11) The rapture doctrine teaches that the righteous will be caught up and the wicked “left behind” on the earth Paul is writing about how the righteous dead and the righteous living will be caught up together; but, Paul does not address the state of the wicked elsewhere (1 Thess. 5:3,9; 2 Thess. 1:7-9)

Errors of the Rapture Doctrine Second, the rapture doctrine demands too many “comings” of Jesus The rapture doctrine teaches that Jesus will “come” secretly in the rapture for his saints, then he will “come” again later with his saints at the end of the 7- year tribulation (is it the 2nd or 3rd coming?) The truth is that Jesus will come only a “second time” (Heb. 9:28) and that coming will be audible and visible, not secretive (Acts 1:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:52- 54; 1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Pet. 3:10)

Errors of the Rapture Doctrine Third, the rapture doctrine allows for too many “resurrections” The rapture doctrine allows for a “resurrection” at the beginning of the rapture, at the end of the 7-year tribulation, and at the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth The Bible teaches that there is only one resurrection day for both the righteous and the wicked (Jn. 5:28-29; 11:24; Acts 24:15)

Errors of the Rapture Doctrine Fourth, the rapture doctrine has Jesus coming for the wrong reason – to rapture the saints away The rapture doctrine has Jesus coming for his saints to protect them from “tribulation” and the “Anti- Christ”; he will come with them at “Armageddon” The “tribulation” refers to the destruction of Jerusalem (Mt. 24:9,21,29,35); the “anti-Christ” refers to unbelievers in John’s day (1 Jn. 2:18,22; 4:3; 2 Jn. 7); and “Armageddon” (Har-Madedon) is symbolic of God’s judgment upon Rome (Rev. 16:16)

Errors of the Rapture Doctrine Fifth, the rapture doctrine allows for the gospel to be preached on the earth and the lost saved during the 7-year tribulation The rapture doctrine allows for a second-chance opportunity to obey the gospel The Bible teaches that we have one opportunity now to obey before Jesus comes again (2 Thess. 1:8-9)

The Truth About the Second Coming ( The Rapture is Fiction ) It will be unannounced (Mt. 25:13; 1 Thess. 5:2-4) It will be visible, audible, and glorious (Mt. 25:31; Jn. 5:28; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 2 Thess. 1:7) It will be for all people (Mt. 16:27; 25:31; Jn. 5:28-29; 2 Tim. 4:1) It will be final (Mt. 25:46; 1 Cor. 15:23-24; 2 Pet. 3:10) Are you ready for his second coming?