Why The Rapture Cannot Happen

Regrettably, there are a number of false ideas circulating about Jesus’ return. For example, despite clear biblical admonitions which state that no one can set a date for Jesus’ return (1 Thessalonians 5:2), many try. Others believe that the Lord will come and rapture His people off this planet before a time of terrible tribulation. This writer wishes to take an opposing view of the rapture theory, by arguing from Holy Writ that the rapture cannot happen in 2014 or any other future year. Why? Because the rapture is simply not taught in Scripture. It is simply not true.

The following are three reasons why there will be no rapture ever:

1) The Rapture Cannot Happen Because There Will Be Only One Resurrection — An essential component of the doctrine of the rapture is that there will be two resurrections. The first will be just for the righteous dead. They will be raised along with all the living Christians who are raptured up before the time of tribulation. Then, there will be a second resurrection of the unrighteous dead. The Bible simply does not teach this two resurrection theory. Hear Jesus in John 5:28-29: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” Jesus knows nothing of two resurrections. He says that all, good and evil, come forth at one time. Paul echoes this thought in Acts 24:15: “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” Again, we see that the idea of two resurrections is simply unscriptural. Paul speaks of one resurrection, a resurrection of good and evil.

2) The Rapture Cannot Happen Because The Coming Of The Lord Won’t Be Silent, Mysterious Or Invisible — Rapture proponents love to talk about how Jesus will mysteriously snatch out all true believers, leaving a puzzled world behind. This is simply not the picture scripture paints. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). These are the very verses rapture believers turn to in order to bolster their beliefs. Yet, here we read of three different audible warnings (a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God) that Jesus is coming again. Does this match up with what the rapture folks tell us? 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 adds that Jesus’ return will include "angels and flaming fire." Does this sound mysterious and invisible to you?

3) The Rapture Is Based On Perverting The Scriptures — Much rapture material is filled with scripture references that appear, at first, to back up the teaching of the rapture. A closer look at those passages finds that they are quoted out of context or their meaning is twisted. For example, much is made of Matthew 24 prophecies about "tribulation" (Matthew 24:21) and "one taken and another being left" (Matthew 24:40-41). Yet, if one reads the first three verses in this chapter, it becomes apparent that Jesus is talking about the destruction of the Temple. The most puzzling part of Matthew 24 is verse 15 and its reference to “the Abomination of Desolation.” What is that? Luke 21 contains the parallel passage to Matthew 24 and reveals that the Abomination of Desolation is the Roman armies: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near” (Luke 21:20). Note who is to see this. You and I? No, Jesus says when “you” see it; the people living in that generation.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets