AUDREY DICKEY MINISTRIES
Glory International Center
"A Center for God's Presence"
THE RAPTURE
Introduction
There are many popular theories regarding the Rapture of the Church. However, none have proved to be satisfactory for me, for the following reasons:
According to Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Therefore, Jesus would not have a Rapture in the Old Testament, Genesis 5:24, 2 Kings 2:11, and not in the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 12:2, or in Revelation 4:2; 7:14; 14:14-16.
God is not the author of confusion, 1 Corinthians 14: 33. Therefore, when we properly discern what the Word of God is saying, all scripture should agree and not be in opposition to other scripture causing strife and confusion.
Each theory or point of view leaves out scriptures that pertain to the rapture in order to make their viewpoint represent the soundest view.
The “this is the only way it shall occur” viewpoint promotes fear rather than comfort as scripture tells us in 1Thessalonians 4: 17-18.
I am not suggesting having more than one opportunity and not just one instance of the rapture occurring is unique. There have been others. It is generally taken there will be only one instance in time when the Lord Jesus Christ will take the living and the dead Believers out of this world before, during or after a time of the greatest distress the world has ever known, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Matthew 24:21.
The Holy Bible, whether Old or New Testament is true.
The three main views for our purpose can be joined together as one cohesive view having clarity and purpose allowing the Body of Christ to be on one accord regarding the Tri-Rapture Catching Away of the Church.
The Holy Scriptures, referred to as the Bible in Christianity and as the Tanakh and B’rit Hadashah in Judaism, tell us that in the “Last Days” that the Lord, who Christians know as Jesus Christ, while Messianic Jews know Him as Yeshua Hamashiach and traditional religious Jews know as Adonai/Hashem/Hamashiach, will appear and rule the earth, Zechariah 14:9, Revelation 19:15. For clarification let me state that Jesus for Christians and Yeshua for Messianic Jews are one and the same. I utilize both together as we go forward. The Bible tells us in the Book of Daniel chapter twelve and the Book of Matthew chapter twenty-four that there will be a time of trouble (tribulation) which the world has never experienced. Along with this we are told that those who belong to the Lord will be protected from this time of Tribulation. First Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us “the dead in Christ” and those who are alive in Christ “shall rise” and “be caught up” and “meet the Lord in the air.” This event is referred to commonly as “The Rapture.” There are three primary views as to when this “rapture” shall occur in reference to the end time period of Tribulation: Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation and Post-Tribulation.
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words." First Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Emphasis added.
The term "caught up" is used in the context that we will be taken up by the Lord to meet Him in the air, hence, the rapture.
In order to explain the confusion caused by the different views of the Tri-Rapture of the Church it is necessary to understand that the primary problem is that it has to occur at one of three points in time. Each point in time is in reference to a seven year period of time known as the Tribulation/Great Tribulation Period as spoken of in the books of Daniel, Matthew and First Thessalonians.
Each of the points of view has with it it’s own body of scripture to support it's position. Therefore, the only plausible explanation that aligns itself with scripture is that each view in fact will occur. For a complete explanation on the theory of the rapture of the Church read my soon to be published book, “The Tri-Tribulation Rapture of the Church.”
Robert L. Dickey, PhD
2015-10-12 (from Doctoral Dissertation Abstract)
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