Rapture is Not in the Bible - 10/05/2008
the word rapture is not in the Bible. So, how do we
know to believe it the rapture. I go to a Baptist church and was
raised Church of Christ.
any information will be
appreaciated.
denise
CONTENDER MINISTRIES RESPONSE:
Hello Denise. You're correct that the word "rapture" is not in the
Bible. Neither is the word "Trinity" though, yet that does not negate
the triune nature of God. Trinity is a word used to sum up what the
Bible describes. So is rapture. But rapture actually has a tighter
connection to the Bible. Rapture comes from the Latin word rapere.
Rapere is the Latin translation of the Greek word harpazo,
which means "to be caught up or taken away suddenly." Harpazo is the
Greek word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: "For the Lord himself
will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the 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 in
the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore
encourage each other with these words." So the Greek word for "be
caught up" is harpazo, translated into the Latin as rapere,
from which we now have the English word Rapture. While it may not be
found in the Bible, it is derived from Scripture and refers to
something quite biblical - much like the non-biblical word Trinity
refers to a doctrine and nature of God that is quite biblical. If you
want to learn more about the Scriptural support for the rapture, please
read, "Like
a Thief in the Night - the Rapture of God's Church". I hope this
helps.
In Christ,
Ben Rast
Contender Ministries
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