Who Invented The Rapture?
Who invented the doctrine of the Rapture? Some say that it was a Pentecostal-type believer from the 1800s. Some say it was some Bible commentators from the 19th century. Some say it was Paul who invented and taught this idea of believers being caught up into the air.
There was a great apocalyptic “fever” in the 1800s. Was it the Christians from this era that invented and fueled the idea of a rapture? Who was the first to dream up such a doctrine? Was it the early Church fathers from the 2nd century?
Peter said that the attitude of scoffing and mocking at the idea of Jesus' promise to come again is a sign of the end times (2Pet 3:3). These are not atheists but church-people. They have heard this rapture stuff so much, they have heard this end-times so often, they are tired of it. As the end approaches, just as Christ is about to appear, they abandon all hope of seeing a rapture. While the world is still in relatively normal days, they declare that there is no such thing as the Coming of the Lord in a dramatic fashion. Just as the King approaches the door, they mock the very idea of His Coming.
Ignoring veiled references in the Old Testament, the first person to bring forth the idea of a Rapture was a young Israeli man. He said,
... I will come again, and receive you unto myself; ... (John 14:3)
Here we have a promise that is for the purpose of taking believers “unto Myself”.
Then, He said that two people will be working in the field or two people at a mill. One will be taken. Also, two people will be sleeping. One will be taken. (Luke 17:34-36). People sleeping at night and people working in a field? How can this be? Jesus is describing a global event. It is midnight at one place and midday at another point on the planet.
Then, the disciples asked Jesus, Taken where?
He (Jesus) answered, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will be gathered.” (Luke 17:37 AMP)
The gathering is in the clouds.
Some are taken to gather in the air.
So, no one “invented” the Rapture. Rather, it is a promise of Jesus. Paul, speaking of these things, really does not intend to teach about a Rapture, primarily. Instead, he is responding to a question concerning deceased loved ones. He directly addresses the resurrection. He reminds us, concerning reuniting with others that are dead and that are living
17 Then we...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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thess 4)
Dec 2, 2024