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Burning Questions
answered by Rev. Colin Le Noury
Is the rapture of millions of
souls
too fanciful to be credible?
The
question highlights an objection often raised by
unbelievers and theologians alike. The idea that
at one given moment in history literally millions
of souls disappear from the face of the earth in
a fleeting moment of time is, for some, too hard
to conceive.
Our
analysis of the subject must begin as always with
scripture. Let us see what the word of God says.
Two passages of scripture are especially poignant
and unmistakably clear.
Paul,
the apostle, writing to the Thessalonian church
says:
'For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,
that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them that
are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the trump of God; and
the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds; to meet the
Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with
the Lord.' (1 Thess. 4 vv 15-17.)
The
same apostle writing to the Corinthian church also
stated:
'Behold
I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.'
(1 Cor. 15v51.)
Both
of these scriptures point to a moment when God will
break into human history and physically remove all
the living souls who, by faith, have received Christ
as their Saviour.
At
the same time, those who have died in faith will
be raised up with them to meet the saviour somewhere
in the heavens. This is the rapture of the church.
Fanciful as it may seem, it is clearly prophesied
in God's word.
Critics
of this great truth are increasingly more sceptical
of the pre-tribulation viewpoint which places the
event before the tribulation period. To suggest
that the world could continue indifferently or unchanged
following such an event, they say, is absurd.
Let
us deal with some of these criticisms. Firstly the
suggestion that it is fanciful. This criticism is
not just reserved for the doctrine of the rapture.
The very same critics use the argument in attacking
the resurrection, the atonement, the virgin birth
and not least the miracles associated with the earthly
ministry of Christ.
All
of these have been deemed 'fanciful' by those who
do not believe. The truth is that in matters of
christian doctrine, faith, not rationalisation,
is the criterion with which to approach these things.
These
are matters of faith and they require the application
of faith. This is just as true of the rapture as
the other doctrines mentioned. To try and rationalise
them is a denial of the sovereignty of God and of
His miraculous power.
Critics
of the pre-tribulation rapture also question the
effect it would have on those left behind. The suggestion
that it would cause the whole world to suddenly
start believing in God is a fallacy. The problem
of human depravity will still be there following
the rapture, and it will take more than the disappearance
of God's people to alter that.
Indeed
it might be said that such an event will only harden
the hearts of those left behind. Certainly the story
of the Exodus and the hardening of Pharaoh's
heart is a good example of that.
In
the same connection we should also give consideration
to a verse of scripture in 2 Thess. 2 v 11 which
says:
'And
for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie...'
We
cannot be absolutely sure how this verse will be
fulfilled but it does suggest that antichrist will
offer the world an explanation for the disappearance
of the Church which will seem credible to those
left behind. What antichrist will say we cannot
imagine, but remember, the devil is the father of
lies. One can almost visualise the scenario in which
the world is placed on a state of global emergency.
Antichrist appears on T.V. and his broadcast is
flashed around the world. A plausible explanation
is countless multitudes fall for it because, as
always, falsehood is easier to believe than truth.
One
should not forget also, that the whole event will
be enveloped in confusion as many supposed
christians,
perhaps men of the cloth among them, will still
be on earth, whilst others not thought to have been
believers will have been taken away.
This
writer is also convinced that the world is being
mentally prepared for such an happening. The much
emphasised attention given to UFOs and so called
unexplained phenomena, so prevalent in today's media,
could be part of a preparation process for what
will be the greatest unexplainable phenomenon in
human history. One can see that the mystery of iniquity
is already at work. It is conceivable that antichrist
will use some of these ideas to explain away the
rapture to a world of people whose minds have been
well prepared and conditioned over many years.
Thankfully
we who are ready and prepared for the Lord's coming
will not have to face such deception. Rather we
live in the light of 'the blessed hope and the glorious
appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.'
For
those with faith, this is not fanciful, but credible,
and entirely real!
YT
2/98
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