Is the Rapture Doctrine Biblical? (Ben Witherington)

Seedbed2 minutes read

The theology of the rapture, supported by Matthew 24 and 1st Thessalonians, depicts believers being left behind as favorable for judgment, with the dead in Christ rising first to meet the Lord in the air before returning to reign on earth. This post-tribulation view emphasizes a royal return with believers as a greeting committee, meeting Christ in the air and returning to reign on earth.

Insights

  • The theology of the rapture, as discussed in Matthew 24 and 1st Thessalonians, focuses on believers being transformed to meet Christ in the air and return with him to reign on earth, rather than a rapture to heaven, emphasizing a post-tribulation return.
  • Paul's analogy of Christ's return as a king coming back to his city highlights the imagery of believers meeting Christ in the air and returning with him, akin to a greeting committee accompanying a king, reinforcing the theology of believers' earthly reign with Christ after being transformed.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What is the theology of the rapture?

    The theology of the rapture is based on biblical texts like Matthew 24 and 1st Thessalonians, where believers are comforted about missing out on the blessings of the Lord's return. It involves the dead in Christ rising first, followed by the living being transformed to meet the Lord in the air, not heaven, to return with Christ to reign on earth.

  • How does the story of Noah relate to the theology of the rapture?

    The story of Noah is referenced in Matthew 24, where phrases like "one will be taken and the other left behind" draw parallels to the theology of the rapture. In this context, being left behind is seen as favorable, as being taken signifies judgment, similar to the flood narrative.

  • What imagery does Paul use to describe Christ's return?

    Paul uses the imagery of a royal return to describe Christ's return, likening it to a king coming back to his city. Believers are depicted as meeting Christ in the air and returning with him to reign on earth, emphasizing a post-tribulation return rather than a rapture to heaven.

  • How does 1st Thessalonians support the theology of the rapture?

    1st Thessalonians supports the theology of the rapture by comforting believers about missing out on the blessings of the Lord's return. It describes the dead in Christ rising first, followed by the living being transformed to meet the Lord in the air, not heaven, to return with Christ to reign on earth.

  • What is the significance of believers meeting Christ in the air?

    Believers meeting Christ in the air, as described in the theology of the rapture, symbolizes a post-tribulation return rather than a rapture to heaven. This imagery emphasizes the idea of believers returning with Christ to reign on earth, similar to a greeting committee meeting a king outside the city and returning with him.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Theology of the Rapture in Scripture

  • Matthew 24 is a key text for the theology of the rapture, with phrases like "one will be taken and the other left behind" drawing from the story of Noah. In this context, being left behind is favorable, as being taken signifies judgment, as seen in the flood narrative.
  • The theology of the rapture is also supported by 1st Thessalonians, where Paul comforts believers about missing out on the blessings of the Lord's return. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by the living being transformed to meet the Lord in the air, not heaven, to return with Christ to reign on earth.
  • Paul uses the imagery of a royal return, likening Christ's return to a king coming back to his city. Just as a greeting committee would meet the king outside the city and return with him, believers are depicted as meeting Christ in the air and returning with him to reign on earth, emphasizing a post-tribulation return rather than a rapture to heaven.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.