Although the word “rapture” does not appear in our Bible translations, it is perfectly usable. Rapture simply summarizes all the biblical phrases identified with this event; such as: “Received unto the Lord…” (John 14:3); “Caught up to meet the Lord in the air…” (1 Thess. 4:16); and “Gathered together with the Lord…” (2 Thess. 2:1).
However, if one does not wish to use the word rapture, then use the biblical phrases that describe the event.
Satan, our adversary, has sown more confusion within the Christian community over this prophesied event than any other. It is evident that he does not want anyone to believe in this biblical event. If he cannot keep one from believing, then he attempts to keep them in a state of confusion.
Among Christians there are those who are pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation, no-tribulation, a-millennist and pan-millennist. Confusion abounds!
Who is the author or source of all this confusion? First Corinthians 14:33 clearly establishes that it is not God! Therefore, Satan, our adversary, is the source. Wouldn’t you know it, everybody has scripture for their favorite position. Think with me. Satan has always used scripture, out of context, to either have his way or prevent one from knowing the truth.
Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Satan used scripture, out of context, in his attempt to confuse Jesus in Matthew 4. Christians must not allow themselves to be misled simply because a minister may use scripture.
A cardinal rule of theology is never take scripture out of context. This rule has been violated again and again by sincere ministers and theologians.
There can only be ONE position on the event of the rapture that is absolutely biblical. All others will be the result of satanic confusion. One of several reasons confusion is rampant among Christians is because we “pick and choose” from the scripture whatever seems to agree with our personal ideas and opinions.
When scripture is left in context and allowed to relate to the subject in both Old and New Testaments, one discovers God’s absolute position on the subject. Now let us allow God’s Word to speak in context for itself.
A Scriptural Study Of The Rapture
A careful study of the scriptures reveal a total of seven “catching away” events.
Genesis 5 reveals the catching away of Enoch. This supernatural event occurred prior to the flood of Noah’s day. Hebrews 11:5 and 6 provide additional insight to Enoch being caught up to Heaven.
The second event involved the Prophet Elijah. The record of his experience is found in 2 Kings 2. An interesting point with Elijah’s experience is that he knew he was going prior to the catching away. He simply did not know where along the way the event would occur.
Elijah was faithful and obedient and ready for the event. Interestingly enough both Jesus and Paul teach us to stay obediently ready, because like Elijah, we do not know the day and hour of the appearing of our Lord Jesus.
Event number three was none other than the taking up of our Lord Jesus from the Mount of Olives.
Acts 1 provides the story of His ascension, with similar wording of the taking up of Enoch. Keep in mind Jesus is our example.
The fourth catching away is the one referred to by Jesus in John 14:3; by Paul in Romans 5:9, Colossians 3:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and 4:16-18. It is the resurrection and catching away of all the righteous to meet Jesus in the air.
This rapture must occur prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. The Tribulation begins with a massive act of God’s wrath. God has always provided for the complete removal of the righteous before an act of His wrath.
See Genesis 6 and 19, Exodus 14, Nahum 1:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11. A thorough study of the Holy Scriptures firmly establishes the catching away of the righteous prior to the beginning of the Tribulation.
Catching away number five is the Great Multitude of Revelation 7:9. This event occurs at the mid-point of the Tribulation. The description of this Great Multitude is quite different from that of the righteous who were previously caught up.
Number six is revealed in Revelation 14:1-5. It is none other than the 144,000 young Jewish men who have served as God’s ministers during the Tribulation until their catching away.
The last to be caught away are the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11.
After lying dead for 3½ days, they are resurrected, on camera, for all the world to witness and then caught up to Heaven. This is the seventh—and final—event of the rapture.
For more than 150 years, preachers of evangelical backgrounds have been preaching “Jesus is coming soon.” Occasionally one hears someone say they have changed their mind and no longer believe in the catching away.
Such a person has allowed their intellect to overrule their spirit and enter into unbelief of scriptural teachings.
Often the question is asked, “When is Jesus coming?” The answer is found in John, Chapter 17. There Jesus is praying to our Father and asking that we become one, even as They are one, that the world may know that the Father sent Him.
It becomes our responsibility as Christians to get to know one another and have wonderful fellowship. Together—in unity—we will cause an immense harvest of souls; the greatest in history!
Although we do not know the day or hour of Jesus’ coming to catch the Glorious Church away, we have a clue. This important clue is found in the teachings of Jesus recorded in Matthew 24:44-47.
Here is the clue: “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find him so doing.” Doing what, you may ask? Simply learning how to get along with fellow Christians and in unity winning the lost to Jesus.
At the peak of this harvest, Jesus will step out of Heaven and shout, “come up here!” I strongly recommend you begin to get along with fellow Christians, even though we may differ on some points of theology.
Generally, our theological disagreements have nothing to do with God’s gift and plan of salvation.
Jesus is coming soon! Get ready!
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Dr. Sutton was one of the world's foremost authorities on the prophetic Scriptures, including the majestic book of Revelation. Even after his passing, Dr. Sutton's publications and messages continue to teach Bible prophecy without doom, gloom, or speculation in an edifying way that inspires victory, joy, peace, and hope, setting believers free from unscriptural fear of the future. Over sixty years of studying and preaching the prophecies of the Scripture qualified Dr. Sutton as the senior prophetic teacher during his lifetime.
Following his military service during World War II, Dr. Sutton studied music at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Then, upon accepting the call to ministry, he attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Dr. Sutton received his Doctorate of Theology from Cornerstone University in Jerusalem, Israel. Centreville Bible College of the American Baptist bestowed on him a Doctorate of Divinity for his research, studies, and writing concerning the book of Revelation. An honorary Doctorate of Christian Ministries was bestowed in 1989 by El Seminario Teologico Misionero of Guatemala, C.A.
Dr. Sutton personally addressed members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Military, members of the Israeli Knesset, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry. He was acquainted with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and personal friends with President Shimon Peres, Yitzak Shamir, the late Yitzak Rabin, and Menachem Begin.
Dr. Sutton authored numerous books, including his masterpiece, a verse-by-verse study of the book of Revelation entitled Revelation Revealed. The Revelation Teaching Syllabus is a companion piece to Revelation Revealed that serves as a teaching guide to his fourteen-hour study of the book of Revelation, available on CD and DVD. The in-depth Revelation study brings this timeless, essential book to life. The Revelation Revealed study on DVD has been used for curriculum in many Colleges, Bible Schools, study groups, and churches around the world, and all who sit under this teaching come away with a greater understanding of "God's Grand Finale."
His legacy will be remembered for many generations as the foremost authority on Bible Prophecy. Allow the heritage of faith from this "General in the Faith" to impact your life and the lives of those around you for many years to come.