Is it a foolish hope to take comfort in the rapture?
“Comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:18)
That’s what the Apostle Paul told the believers in the church at Thessalonica. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote about prophetic issues. The church, having learned a lot from Paul, was very alert to prophetic themes and apparently discussed them often. Many churches during that time experienced increasingly intense persecution. Many believers lost property, homes, freedom, and their lives as a result. There wasn’t a lot to take comfort in during those troubling times. When the church members would gather in groups in their homes, the discussions often centered around those who had lost their lives.
They mourned the losses and also feared for their own families.
The church members reasoned among themselves, “If Jesus is coming back, does that mean those who have died will miss out on that glorious appearing?” The questions and concerns were genuine and reflected the fact they did take comfort in the words of the Apostle. They believed Jesus would return and take them all to heaven, where they would find peace from their persecutors. Paul addressed those concerns in both his letters to the church. What happens to those who die? Will they get to heaven too, or have they missed out?
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Comfort one another
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.
Take Comfort
When Paul wrote to them, saying, “take comfort in these words.” he wasn’t referring to persecution and how to handle it. He was telling them to take comfort in something we now refer to as the ‘rapture.’ Paul instructed the believers about an ‘event’ on the prophetic timeline which we now call the rapture. At the appointed time, Jesus will return from heaven and gather the church with him. From that time forward, the church will forever be with the Lord.
That’s the rapture. The verses that come before 1 Thess. 4:18 describe the Lord coming down through the clouds and gathering believers to be with him. That was the message Paul said they should take comfort in. He also said they shouldn’t worry about those who had passed away because they would experience a resurrection and meet the living believers in the sky with Jesus.
A happy reunion.
Old friends and family members would not miss out on the peace and joy at the return of Christ. It would be a shared experience for everyone. It is certainly a reason for comfort considering all they were enduring at the time.
Fast forward to today–many in the church argue about whether the rapture is a truly biblical doctrine or something made up in the last couple hundred years.
The scholarly debate
I’m going to hand the readers over to a few modern-day scholars who are discussing this very point with their own readers and listeners.
Also, see Alan’s suggestion for why we can’t know when the rapture happens.
Is the Meaning of Harpagēsometha in 1 Thess 4:17 ‘Rapture’ or ‘Plunder’? Part 1 – Ep. 114
In this brief article, Alan Kurshner argues that two authors are not properly interpreting scripture when they argue against the teaching of the rapture.
The article is brief but also adds links to further research options including videos and podcasts.
Both sides take their positions by using deeper study methods than most of us normally involve ourselves with. I strongly suggest you hear from both sides of the argument so you can strengthen your own beliefs in your position on the rapture.
Remember; never take someone else’s word. Learn to conduct your own studies. Mr. Kurshner also has great recommendations for some of the better Greek study materials we should use to better our understanding of God’s Word.
1 Corinthians 14:3
But those who prophesy speak to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.
Let me know what you think.