Revelation Series Episode 24 – Deconstructing the Rapture

 

You can watch the video of this sermon on my YouTube channel tonight between 8pm and 9pm AEST: here. 

One of the most helpful things I ever had someone do at one of my in person Bible studies was bring a series of verses that they had been told taught the rapture for us to examine. So, what we did in that study is we went systematically through all the verses so that we could see if they taught the rapture, and if not (and they don’t) what they actually teach.

The reason this was helpful is that it helped to demystify the idea of the rapture for people in the Bible study and reorientate their thinking around the traditional Christian teaching of the second coming. Rapture teachers take many passages about the second coming of Jesus Christ out of context so that they try and show that the rapture is biblical. However, not only is it not a biblical doctrine it comes with a lot of baggage that creates problems for orthodox Christian teaching.

So, what I am going to do tonight is reproduce that Bible study so that you will have this as a resource for answering those who seek to promote rapture nonsense. I make no apologies for speaking about the rapture doctrine as nonsense. The rapture is not historical Christian teaching. It is a modern aberration in the same vein as the Jehovah’s Witnesses view of the 144,000 thousand and other cult-like beliefs. Of course, we want to try and win people around who hold this view, so we will seek to address this thoroughly and biblically.

I have addressed this topic on my YouTube channel once before in some detail. However, this video will be even more useful, because it is being based on even more passages that are generally used to try and teach the rapture, which were brought to me by someone who used to hold to this teaching. 

Let’s examine the passages. Here they are, below is a summary of my argument, which I will expand on in the study online tonight.

1.     John 14:1-3

2.     1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

3.     1 Corinthians 15:50-58

4.     1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

5.     1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

6.     Luke 21:34-37

7.     Matthew 24:36-42

8.     Luke 17:26-29

9.     Revelation 4:1-3

10.  Revelation 19:11-16

11.  Jude 1:14-15

12.  1 Thessalonians 3:13

13.  Revelation 3:10

Overall Consistent Theme: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

The position I will be putting forth is that there is only the Second Coming and no secret rapture. Hebrews 8 says this, “27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Heb. 9:27-28). Notice here that the one return of Christ is compared to the one necessary sacrifice. Just as there is only need for Jesus to die once on the cross, there is prophesied only one return.

I noted in my older video on this topic that consistently the passages about the return of Christ say that he will come after the tribulation, “immediately after” as Matthew, Luke and Mark all say. This is so consistent that it actually shocks me that people deny this, still, to this day. However, I think it will be useful to examine these wider range of passages, because they are used together to make a kind of code that these rapture teachers say point to a secret rapture. This is basically an admission that the Bible does not teach such a doctrine. But once we examine the passages this will become even clearer.  

To summarize what I will be presenting for clarity: The core argument presented in this study is that these verses, when read in their immediate and broader biblical context, do not describe a secret, pre-tribulation "rapture" where Christ secretly snatches away believers before a period of tribulation. Instead, they consistently point to a single, glorious, and universally visible Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the end of history. This event is simultaneously:

• The resurrection and final gathering of all believers (both living and dead).
• The final judgment of the wicked.
• The consummation of God's kingdom and the end of the present age.

It is a public, triumphant, and decisive event, not a silent, secret one.

Analysis of the Passages

Here is a brief summary analysis of the listed passages, showing that they do not teach the rapture doctrine. The rapture doctrine is the idea that there will be a secret return of Christ either prior to the tribulation (pre-trib rapture) or halfway through the tribulation (mid-trib rapture) taking all the faithful believers out of the way, so that God can focus on the time called “Jacob’s Trouble”. Part of the justification for this idea is the belief that God will use the tribulation which is focused around the plan to save the nation of Israel, to refine and bring many Jews to repentance, and in this way “All Israel will be saved.” Christ will then return at the end of the tribulation to destroy the antichrist and his armies, ushering in the millennial reign. This would mean that there are at least two more literal comings of Jesus.

Here is how each passage is typically interpreted to support the view of a single Second Coming, countering the rapture doctrine:

1. John 14:1-3 – “14 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

• Rapture Claim: Jesus is coming to take believers to heaven.
• Historical Interpretation: This is a promise of eternal fellowship, not a specific timeline for a secret rapture. The "dwelling places" (or "mansions") are prepared through Christ's work, and His return is the final union with His people. It is equated with the Parousia (Second Coming), not a separate, secret event.

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[d] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

• Rapture Claim: The quintessential "rapture" passage describing believers being "caught up... in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
• Historical Interpretation: This describes the very public and audible Second Coming. It occurs with a loud command, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God. These are not features of a secret event. The "meeting in the air" is seen as a symbolic gesture of honor, like a welcoming party going out to escort a dignitary back to the city (earth), which Christ will renew and reign over. It is the moment of resurrection and final gathering, not an escape from tribulation.

3. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 – “50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

• Rapture Claim: The "twinkling of an eye" transformation at the "last trumpet."
• Historical Interpretation: This is explicitly about the resurrection of the dead at the end of history ("the last trumpet"). The "victory" gained is over death itself, which occurs at Christ's final return, not before a seven-year tribulation.

4. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 – “9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

• Rapture Claim: Jesus "rescues us from the coming wrath" aka the tribulation.
• Historical Interpretation: This is not about being physically removed from a future tribulation, but about being saved from the eternal wrath of God's final judgment (see 1 Thessalonians 5:9). Believers are delivered through God's protection and salvation, not necessarily from all earthly suffering.

5. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10 – “5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.”

• Rapture Claim: The "day of the Lord" comes like a "thief in the night," surprising the world but not believers.
• Historical Interpretation: This passage is directly connected to 1 Thessalonians 4 and describes the same event. The "thief" imagery emphasizes suddenness and finality, not secrecy. Believers are to be "alert and sober," expecting this day, but they are not told they will be taken away before it starts. In fact, verse 9 states God "did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation," which, again, refers to final judgment, not temporal tribulation.

6. Luke 21:34-37 & 7. Matthew 24:36-42 & 8. Luke 17:26-29 – Matthew 24:36-42 - “36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

Luke 17:26-29 – “26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—"

• Rapture Claim: People are "taken" suddenly, which is interpreted as the rapture.
• Historical Interpretation: In the context of Noah's flood and the destruction of Sodom, the ones who were "taken" were taken in judgment. Noah and Lot were the ones "left behind." Jesus uses these analogies to warn of the sudden judgment that will occur at His return. The teaching is to be ready for the final judgment, not to expect a secret evacuation.

7. Revelation 4:1-3 – “1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.”

• Rapture Claim: The voice saying "Come up here" symbolizes the church being raptured to heaven before the tribulation judgments begin in Revelation.
• Historical Interpretation: This is a prophetic vision given to John to show him "what must take place after this." It is a call for John, as a representative prophet, to receive revelation, not a command for the entire church to be removed from earth. The church is still present on earth in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, and the people of God, the Church, are referred to in countless ways in the book of Revelation, as we have already established in our study.

8. Revelation 19:11-16 – “11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

• Rapture Claim: The armies of heaven following Christ at His return are the raptured saints.
• Historical Interpretation: This fits perfectly with the single Second Coming view. This is the climax: Christ returns with the saints (who have already been resurrected and gathered to Him at His coming) to execute judgment and establish His kingdom. It is not a separate event.

9. Jude 1:14-15 – “14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.”

• Rapture Claim: These speak of Christ coming with His saints or being kept from the "hour of trial."
• Historical Interpretation: Clearly describes the Second Coming for judgment.

10. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 – “13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

•        Rapture Claim: Jesus return with his saints.
•        Historical Interpretation: This verse speaks of the "coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones," which is the public, final event.

11. Revelation 3:10 – “10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."

•         Rapture Claim: This faithful Church is being told they will be kept, or taken, hence pointing to the rapture.  

•         Historical Interpretation: The promise to the church of Philadelphia to be "kept from the hour of trial" is interpreted as divine protection and preservation through trial (as with the Israelites in Egypt during the plagues), not a physical removal from it.

Conclusion

The argument presented in this study is that a consistent, contextual reading of these passages reveals a unified narrative: Jesus Christ will return once, visibly, and triumphantly at the end of the age. This event will involve the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the destruction of evil, and the establishment of the new heaven and new earth. The "rapture" (in the popular, pre-tribulational sense) a modern doctrine that pulls these verses out of their context to construct a separate, secret event that the original authors did not envision. It is an error and should be rejected. We look forward to the one, true, return of Christ.