Additional Rapture Points

In regards to the Rapture, which we’ll be looking at this morning Lord willing, much confusion seems to stem from the blending of events that deal with the destruction of Jerusalem with events of the “end days”. Further confusion arises with the dividing of a single event into multiple events (ie. one resurrection into two or three).

While some of the ideas used for the Rapture theory are found in the book of Revelation (ie. Revelation 20), many verses from Matthew 24 are used for ideas such as “the tribulation” (Matthew 24:21).

The tribulation found in Matthew 24, is that of the destruction of Jerusalem. Just a few points regarding that:


“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),
          Matthew 24:15 (note the mentioning of the desolation)


“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
          Luke 21:20 (Jesus prophesied of Jerusalem’s desolation/destruction)


It can be dangerous reading “too much” into a verse, particularly with symbolism involved. We must pay heed to the context of the verses. As we have seen Matthew 24 involves matters of the destruction of Jerusalem and not the destruction of the world.

Let’s consider the following verse as well:


For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
          Matthew 24:28


I found some interesting thoughts regarding this verse. Some have made note of the eagles in the verse being the Romans (the Romans used the eagle as their emblem). And from the context the carcass would be Jerusalem or the spiritually dead Jewish nation.

Let us always test what men say, using the Bible as the perfect standard of truth. We must search the Scriptures continually to find the truthful teachings (Acts 17:11)

                -- John Thrower Jr.