I receive a lot of comments from viewers of the “Rapture” videos I have on YouTube. Nearly all of those comments chide me for saying that the word “Rapture” is not found in the Bible. They usually say something along the lines of this one:
The word “rapture” is a term used to refer to believers being caught up to be with the Lord. Just because the exact word “rapture” isn’t used, doesn’t mean the event isn’t described in the bible[sic].
Here is another one that expresses the typical response:
The word rapture is a term to describe being “called up” or “taken up.” The word “rapture” is not found but the concept is certainly explained by the words “caught up,” etc. The word “trinity” does not appear in the Bible either, but the concept surely is explained. So, I guess this guy doesn’t believe in the trinity either.
This is one of the ways the Rapture apologist tries to make their doctrine sound palatable. When they say it means “called up” or “taken up,” in reference to 1 Thess. 4:17, people think, “that’s right, it says ‘caught up.’”
When they say that the word “rapture” simply means “caught up” they are referring to Latin word rapio, which does literally mean “caught up.” It is the word used to translate the Greek word in 1 Thess. 4:17 harpazō. What they are leaving out is that there is nothing in the Bible about a returning of those “caught up” in 1 Thess. 4:17 back to earth seven years later, which is taught in the Rapture doctrine. They are, in short, being deceitful by trying to imply that they are using the word “rapture” with the same literal meaning it had in the Latin translation of the New Testament. The fact is, when they use the word “rapture” they are referring to a very important part of their Premillennialist ideology. It means much, much more to them than just the idea of being caught up! So their criticism of me for saying that the word “rapture” is not found in the Bible is a little silly, really. In fact, it isn’t in the Bible – Greek or English, I guess if everyone still spoke Latin I wouldn’t be able to say that. But, what’s more, is that their idea of its relation to Premillennialism is not in the Bible either. Premillennialism itself is not in the Bible, much less their Rapture doctrine!
Personally, I find it really telling on their part that the best argument they can come up with to attack me over is that I said the word rapture is not in the Bible. Here is a link to the original lesson notes from the video they’re complaining about. It seems to me they should be more concerned over the fact that I exposed their fallacious arguments on nearly every crucial point of their doctrine. Yet, what do they complain about, I said the word rapture is not in the Bible.
Well, yesterday this comment was posted to the video:
This guy should get into a debate with respected theologians. He’d probably walk off the debate because of the TONS of verses in both the old and the new testament that refer to the rapture. This guy knows nothing about Scripture, and only uses reasoning as a majority of his argument. Totally inadequate!!! :)
So, I responded:
I accept your challenge to debate whoever you want to put up. Pick your man and put him in touch with me. I have been looking for someone who would actually be willing to stand for the Rapture doctrine that could make a rational argument. I would love to hear from them if you can find them. See if your “Pastor” would be willing to do it. I’ll be waiting to hear back from you soon.
This was his reply:
I don’t consider myself to be a respected theologian, but I do have a master’s in theology. I’m glad you offered my [sic] the opprotunity to prove you wrong. Give me one verse at a time, and I will respond to it, demonstrating clearly how that verse actually proves the rapture. Remember to use verses only – not reason influenced by tradition.
I don’t have a name yet, only a YouTube handle. I have offered the invitation to engage in a discussion on the Rapture doctrine here, on BibleQnA.com. We will pick up with this post and continue in the comment chain. I am offering my original lesson notes as the starting point for our discussion. I will leave it up to my opponent to choose whatever point he wants to deal with first from those notes. Hopefully it will be something other than the word “rapture” not being in the Bible.
Because this post is being opened for a discussion between myself and my opponent, to be named soon, I will not be accepting outside comments until our discussion has concluded. If outside comments are submitted they will not be posted. When the discussion is concluded your comments, questions and observations will be most welcome.
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