The Timing of the Rapture

Northwest Bible Church – July 9, 2023 – 1 Thess. – Alan Conner
1 Thess. 4:13-18
The Timing of the Rapture

Intro

A. THE WORD “RAPTURE” (1 Thess. 4:17).

1. The English word “rapture” comes from the Latin Vulgate’s rapere.

2. The pretribulation view of the rapture.

B. THE TIMING OF THE RAPTURE.

1. Context – nothing about a future tribulation period.

a. Concern about the future of dead saints (1 Thess. 4:13, 18).
b. Only tribulation mentioned for believers is present. 1:6; 2:14; 3:3-4.

2. The word to “meet” in 1 Thess. 4:17 only fits with a post trib. rapture.

a. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Kittel, 1:380.
b. The Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament, by Moulton and Milligan, p. 53,
c. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, ed. Brown, 1:325, “The use of apantesis in 1 Thess. 4:17 is noteworthy. The ancient expression for the civic welcome of an important visitor or the triumphal entry of a new ruler into the capital city and thus to his reign is applied to Christ.”

3. Comparison with Mt. 24.
Mt. 24 1 Thess. 4:13-18
Mt. 24:30 Son coming 1 Thess. 4:15 the coming of the Lord
Mt. 24:30 from heaven 1 Thess. 4:16 from heaven
Mt. 24:31 His angels 1 Thess. 4:16 voice of archangel
Mt. 24:31 great trumpet 1 Thess. 4:16 trumpet of God
Mt. 24:31 elect gathered 1 Thess. 4:17 caught up
Mt. 25:6 to meet Him 1 Thess. 4:17 to meet the Lord
Mt. 24:30 in clouds 1 Thess. 4:17 in clouds

4. Biblical attitude toward tribulation. EXPECT it, PREPARE FOR IT, REJOICE in it because you are BLESSED. Mt. 5:10-12; Lk. 9:24; Acts 5:40-41; Phil. 1:29; 3:10; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:13-14; Rev. 14:12-13

Conclusion

Discussion questions: How does one’s view of the rapture impact their Christian lives? If the posttribulation view of the rapture is correct, how would this affect your view of suffering tribulation? See the verses under #4 above. What might be some of God’s reasons for having the church go through the tribulation?