The Destruction of the “Rapture” Doctrine
In examining the concept of the “Rapture” doctrine, we turn to the words of Jesus, who often used parables and analogies to convey profound truths. In Matthew 24:37-40 and 51, Jesus draws a parallel between the days of Noah and the coming of the Son of man. He speaks of people eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage before a dramatic event unfolds.
1) In Noah’s time, those indulging in these activities were the wicked.
2) Similarly, before the arrival of Titus and the Roman army in 70 AD, those feasting and celebrating in Jerusalem were not the righteous but the wicked.
Now, when the flood came in Noah’s day, it “TOOK THEM ALL AWAY,” referring to the wicked. Likewise, in 70 AD, the judgment primarily fell upon the wicked in Jerusalem.
3) The flood of Noah’s time took away the wicked.
4) The Roman invasion led by Titus took away the wicked in Jerusalem.
The result in both cases was weeping and gnashing of teeth among the unrighteous.
5) In Noah’s day, the wicked wept and gnashed their teeth.
6) Likewise, during the Roman siege, the unrighteous in Jerusalem experienced sorrow and suffering.
Crucially, those who were “LEFT” in both events were the righteous. This is evident in the account of Noah, where only Noah and those with him in the ark were “LEFT.”
8) In Noah’s day, Noah and the righteous were left.
9) Similarly, during the events of 70 AD, the righteous were left untouched by the judgment.
This illustrates that the righteous were not “taken” in Noah’s time, nor were they “taken” in the events of 70 AD. This understanding challenges the notion of a future rapture event.
The phrase, “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be,” is often misunderstood. Some have used it to support the idea of the rapture by reversing the roles of those who are taken and those who are left behind. However, a careful examination of the text reveals that Jesus is drawing a parallel between two events – the flood in Noah’s time and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Just as in Noah’s day, the wicked were taken away by the flood, and the righteous were left to begin anew, so it was with the events of 70 AD. The wicked faced judgment, and the righteous were spared.
The belief in a literal rapture, where the righteous are taken away, finds its roots in the teachings of certain individuals like Irving, Darby, and Scofield. While they may have genuinely believed in the truth of their doctrine, belief alone does not make something true. Understanding the symbolic and metaphorical nature of many passages in the Bible is crucial.
In conclusion, the “Rapture” doctrine has been built upon a misinterpretation of the words of Jesus. The parallel between the days of Noah and the events of 70 AD points to the fact that the righteous are not taken away but left to inherit the new Kingdom. Rather than retreating, as the doctrine suggests, God’s people are called to advance and overcome in the face of challenges, just as the faithful have done throughout history.
As believers in Christ, let us hold fast to the truth and not be swayed by doctrines that distort the message of the Gospel. The Kingdom of God is established on earth, and we are called to be faithful and wise servants, ruling in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.