There is an old saying that when one cannot successfully defend a position, he may ‘poison the well’ in an attempt to prove his point.  This means he will attack the credibility of the one who holds a position he cannot argue against.  The truth of the Rapture of the church is as old as the Bible itself.  As we will see, it is clearly taught in the Apostle Paul’s writings.  Some who do not accept the truth of the Rapture try to dissuade others by attacking the integrity of people like John Nelson Darby and Dr. C.I. Schofield.  Some have attributed the origin of the Rapture to a young girl, or a young witch, who had a dream or a vision and passed this along to people like John Darby, who was very instrumental in sharing the precious truth to the world in his lifetime. 

What should concern us about this issue is, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?  That should always be our standard when seeking to understand truth…WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Here are a few points to consider as we seek to see what the Bible says about the Rapture of the church.

• The Church was a mystery revealed through the Apostle Paul – Ephesians. 3:1-7
• The Rapture of the Church was also a mystery revealed through the Apostle Paul – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
• The truth and details of the Rapture of the Church are not found in the Old Testament, or in the Gospels (Read Matthew 24:3-21). 
• The Day of the Lord describes the Lord’s return to the earth after the Tribulation Period.  It is not the Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10) (Read Zechariah 14:1-4 with Acts 1:9-12)
• Could the Rapture occur today?  Is the Lord’s return imminent? 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 says, “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” 
• Is the word ‘Rapture’ found in the Bible?  1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  In this verse, the Greek word, “harpazo” is translated into two English words: “caught up”.  In the latter part of the 4th century, there was a Latin translation of the Bible produced that is called the Latin Vulgate.  In this translation, the two words, “caught up” are translated “rapio” from which we get the word “rapture.”  So, while the word rapture is not found in our English translation, it was in the Latin translation of the Bible.

These are just a few points to show that the truth of the Rapture of the church is plainly taught in the New Testament.  This teaching did not start with John Nelson Darby, or Dr. C.I. Schofield.  It certainly did not begin with a young girl (or a witch)!  I encourage you to search these things out in the scriptures and allow the Word to speak for itself on this and very issue.

At ANSWERS FROM THE BOOK, we have answered many questions dealing with the truth of the Rapture of the church.  I encourage you to visit our website: www.answersfromthebook.net.  There you can use the search engine (type in the word: Rapture) to read what the Bible says about this wondrous and soon coming event.  (CC)  (713.6)