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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The True Hope: "Rapture" or Resurrection?, #3
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:40-44)
Matthew 24:29 is part of the context of the above passage, which is frequently used by teachers of the any-moment pre-tribulation "rapture."
This famous "rapture" passage is obviously referring to the historic coming of the Lord of Matthew 24:29. To say that Matthew 24:40-42 is not referring to the Lord's words of Matthew 24:29 is indeed frivolous, indicating that the student is willing to distort the Scriptures in any manner in order to prove his belief is accurate.
The Lord told us He would come after the great tribulation. He also advised us to watch and pray, and remain ready, "for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." The one statement does not invalidate the other.
First Thessalonians, Chapter Four
A few verses taken from the fourth chapter of First Thessalonians are the principal support for the "rapture" teaching. Perhaps if the earnest student examines carefully what actually is stated he will perceive, as we have also, that the current "rapture" teaching cannot possibly be verified by the passage in First Thessalonians.
First Thessalonians, Chapter Four
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (I Thessalonians 4:13)
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep." "Concerning them which are asleep"!
The whole "rapture" doctrine is discredited right here. The following passage, the principal support of the "rapture" teaching, has nothing to do with enabling the believers to escape Antichrist or the great tribulation, with the believers disappearing, or with the believers going to Heaven.
Second Thessalonians does present the solution to persecution and affliction and we will describe that solution a little later on. But the fourth chapter of First Thessalonians does not present the solution to persecution and affliction and we ought not to use the passage for this purpose.
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep." Paul was writing to believers who were concerned about deceased fellow saints. They were ignorant of the provision God has made for those who have "fallen asleep" in the Lord Jesus. It is an excellent passage to read at a funeral and this is the way the writer uses it.
To be continued.