The mystery of the rapture

Nelly Favis Villafuerte By Nelly Favis Villafuerte   Do you know that we can be spared the trauma of death? Do you know that we can also be spared the famine, physical calamities, and other disasters that will occur during the tribulation? And more. Do you know that the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel to meet the believers in Christ (both living and the dead) in the air? All believers in Christ who are “caught up” together the dead will return with Jesus Christ when He Christ returns to earth in the Second Coming. *** My dear readers, this is not a myth; it is not a fiction but a prophetic event in the Holy Bible (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) called “Rapture.” People are talking about it. Spiritual leaders are preaching about it too. It is a favorite piece of conversation of those who read the Holy Bible. No current subject has caused so much confusion, anxiety, panic, and even hysteria as rapture – except probably Christ’s second coming. *** What is rapture? It is an event where Jesus Christ will suddenly “snatch” His Church out of this world without any notice. Church as used here refers to people. To be more specific, Church refers to a community of believers. Church does not refer to a building. Relating this to the New Testament, Church refers to people – people who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9) *** One may ask: Is there a Biblical basis for rapture? Yes. It is a New Testament doctrine. It is found in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 in the New Testament. This Biblical verse says: “Listen, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 also says: “After that, we who are still alive and left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Remember the story of Enoch in the Book of Genesis – where while still alive, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more because God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Like Enoch, the believer in Christ who is alive can likewise be taken by God up in the clouds (raptured). Based on science findings, the twinkling of an eye takes about 1/10 of a second. The nerve impulse causing the twinkle reflex travels at approximately (30) miles per hour. Within this short time (1/10 of a second) all believers both living and in the grave will be with Christ. *** Many people, even those who are reading the Holy Bible are skeptical about rapture since the word is not found in the Holy Bible. This is true. The English word ‘rapture’ does not appear in the Holy Bible. The term rapture is derived from the Latin Vulgate version of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 where the expression ‘caught up’ is translated by the Latin word rapturo. The phrase ‘caught up’ is the Greek word ‘harpazo’ which actually means “to be snatched away violently.” The Latin equivalent of harpazo is the verb rapio meaning “to take away by force.” In the Latin Vulgate (one of the oldest Bibles in existence), the appropriate tense by rapio appears in verse 17 of Chapter 14, Book II Thessalonians. *** Many of us are wondering whether the second coming of Jesus Christ is the same as the rapture of the Church. Are they the same? No. They are separate events. During the rapture, the chosen living as well as the dead go up the air to meet Jesus Christ. On the other hand, at Christ’s second coming, Jesus Christ will come down to earth. Also, the rapture takes place earlier than Christ’s second coming. *** When will the rapture take place? We do not know the exact time of the rapture. From the Biblical standpoint “no man knows the day or hour.” It will come like a ‘thief in the night.’ Do not be deceived by people not even by preachers and other spiritual leaders who say that the date of the rapture can be pinpointed. This is very unscriptural. I repeat, please do not be alarmed when some people tell you that the date of the rapture has been ascertained. Like Christ’s second coming, the exact time and hour of the happening of rapture is not revealed. We should keep calm and condition our minds that there are more false prophecies that will come our way. How then can we be shielded from these kinds of rumors? Simply, by knowing the real thing so we can detect the counterfeit. How? I appeal to all of you – spare time to read the Holy Bible – the Word of God. This is the only safeguard we need. Unless we know by heart the Biblical doctrines and teachings, we will always panic everytime a prophet of doom is around. What is important is that we are ready all the time to meet the Lord God. We have no problem with rapture or Christ’s second coming – if we live everyday as if it were our last day on earth. *** We are pleased to announce that we are giving out, free of charge one hundred (100) copies of a book titled, “Preparing for Eternity” by Mike Gendron. This is a book which challenges us to resolve the question: Should we trust God’s Word or religious traditions? Those interested to receive a copy, kindly email your complete mailing address. *** This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis-Villafuerte, 5233 LRV Building, Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred. Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: villafuerte_nelly@yahoo.com)