Part 2: The Rapture
2. How will Christ come?
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9 (For further study see Philippians 3:20.)
3. Will Christ’s coming be a secret?
“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.” Psalms 50:3
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30 (For further study see 1 Thessalonians. 4:16-17 and Matthew 24:31.)
4. How many will see Jesus when He comes?
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7 (For further study see Luke 21:27.)
Note: The word “rapture” simply means “to be transported to heaven”. The idea of a “secret” rapture has no biblical foundation. Like most deceptions it is supported by only a few Bible passaged taken out of context. The first idea is that Jesus will come as a “thief in the night.” Second Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” This was not to show that it would be a secret but that it would be sudden. The wicked go about their business as though it is an ordinary day with no thought about eternity, but the righteous are waiting, watching and preparing (see question 9). The second passage is misinterpreted. It is found in Luke 17:34-36 “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” The word “taken” in these verses means “to take with.” See also Matthew 24:40-41. There is nothing in this verse or any verse that states the rapture will be secret. This verse simply shows that there will be only two classes of people on earth when He returns, those who are safe to take to heaven and those who will be left. Those who are left will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming. See 2 Corinthians 2:8.