Is the Rapture Doctrine Biblical? (Ben Witherington)

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.