THE RAPTURE THEOLOGY:
IT WAS ‘FRESH WARE’ AND ONLY
POSSIBLE DURING THE TIME OF ACTS
THE RAPTURE THEOLOGY:
IT WAS ‘FRESH WARE’ AND ONLY
POSSIBLE DURING THE TIME OF ACTS.
JAN LILLEBY
By using the original Greek, as in Strong’s Lexicon, we shall learn that the so-called rapture described in 1 Thess. 4 is not the same as being revealed with Christ in Col. 3:1-4.
I will start with quotations in Greek before going for an analysis.
And I am in this errand also correcting an error from James Strong.
PAROUSIA: Greek word for ‘presence’ or ‘coming’:
The Greek word Parousia (παρουσία), meaning "coming" or "presence," appears in several of Paul's epistles, most notably in the 1 & 2 Thessalonians for Christ's return, but also in 1 Corinthians (e.g., 16:17 for human presence), 2 Corinthians, and Philippians, referring to both human and divine presence/arrival. Key passages include 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 16:17, 2 Corinthians 7:6, 10:10, and Philippians 1:26, 2:12, showing its versatile use.
1 & 2 Thessalonians: These letters are central for the eschatological (end-times) Parousia of Christ, describing His coming to gather believers and judge the wicked.
1 Thessalonians 2:19: "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence (Parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?".
2 Thessalonians 2:9: Mentions the Parousia of the "lawless one" (Antichrist) as a parody of Christ's coming.
1 Corinthians: Used for the arrival of human figures, like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.
1 Corinthians 16:17: "I rejoice at the coming (Parousia) of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus".
2 Corinthians: Also used for human presence, highlighting Paul's desire to be with them.
2 Corinthians 7:6: "...God who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming (Parousia) of Titus".
Philippians: Used for both Paul's presence and his hoped-for return.
Philippians 1:26: "that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming (Parousia) to you again".
While Parousia generally means "presence" or "arrival," Paul uses it to describe both the physical arrival of people (like himself or envoys) and, most significantly, the glorious, eschatological "coming" or "presence" of the Lord Jesus Christ, often associated with the "rapture" or His final manifestation.
PHANERÖTHË: Greek word for ‘Revealed’
Strong's Greek Lexicon for Colossians 3:1-4 highlights key Greek words like synēgérthēte (raised with Christ), zēteite (seek/desire), phroneite (set your mind/attitude), kekryptai (hidden), and phanerōthē (revealed), emphasizing the believer's new heavenly identity and calling to focus on eternal realities rather than earthly ones, as their true life is now united with Christ in God.
Here's a breakdown by verse with Greek terms:
Verse 1: εἰ οὖν συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ, τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε (eî oûn sunēgérthēte tōi
Khristōi, ta ánō zēteîte)
Sunēgérthēte (G4814): "raised together with Christ" (from syn + egeiro), indicating a shared resurrection life.
Zēteîte (G2212): "seek" or "desire," an imperative to actively pursue heavenly things.
Ánō (G507): "above," referring to heavenly realms/things.
Verse 2: τὰ ἄνω φρονεῖτε, μὴ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς (ta ánō phroneîte, mē ta epì tēs gēs)
Phroneîte (G5426): "set your mind on," "orient your thinking," "have your attitude toward".
Gēs (G1093): "earth," contrasting with the heavenly focus.
Verse 3: ἀπεθάνετε γάρ, καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐν τῷ θεῷ (apethanete gar, kai hē zōē hymōn kekryptai syn tōi Khristōi en tōi theōi)
Apethanete (G599): "you died," referring to the old life.
Zōē (G2222): "life," specifically the new, spiritual life.
Kekryptai (G2928): "is hidden," indicating security and intimacy in Christ.
Verse 4: ὅταν ὁ Χριστός, ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν, φανερωθῇ, τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ (hotan ho Khristos, hē zōē hymōn, phanerōthē, tote kai hymeis syn autōi phanerōthēsethe en doxē)
Phanerōthē (G phaneroō): "is revealed," pointing to Christ's second coming.
Doxē (G1391): "glory," the state believers will share.
EDITOR’S REMARK TO STRONGS: Christ’s second coming IS NOT TOLD in Greek – but is misinterpreted by John Strong unfortunately, as he was not fully aware of the right division of parts of the Bible. If we are revealed with Christ, and Christ is told only by doxë (glory) and not parousia (coming) how can we be revealed then?? No Bible lexicon is entirely correct – it has to be revised at times…like in this case by me, Jan Lilleby. Greek language is full of invisible traps and we so easily fall into those, unless we hold fast to the CONTEXT. The context here is NOT parousia, but doxë – glory. And thus it has to be up in heaven!
Also please notice that Rotherham’s Lexicon says same as Strong’s regarding verse 4, pertaining to Christ’s Second Coming – so, this is just as wrong and mistranslated, sorry to say! To inform his readers of the future coming of Christ to earth, Paul indeed used the Greek word Parousia. And if it was NOT a description of Jesus coming back, that Greek word would NOT be used. The coming of Christ back down to Israel was a teaching by Paul delivered ONLY to the nation of Israel: Jews and proselytes in the dispersion in the Roman Empire, 37 CE – 62 CE. The church has never been given any such promise or doctrine of faith.
As we go further, into reasoning and logical Biblical hermeneutics, we shall firstly notice that the Greek word PAROUSIA are found only in the listed passages above – and thus not at all in the two ‘Mystery epistles’ – namely Ephesians and Colossians.
The Greek word PHANERÖTHË, thus as opposed to PAROUSIA, is not at all to be found in the first listed passages above, - so to confirm the correct hermeneutical use here in my analysis.
The correct conclusion must therefore be: Col. 3:1-4 is not at all teaching any sort of Second Advent of Christ, Parousia.
The passage is on the contrary telling the Body of Christ, also called ‘One new man’ in Eph. 2:14, 15 – that they shall be meeting (be revealed) with Christ in heavenly GLORY, the English word used to translate the Greek DOXË.
If the saved believers, by Paul called for ‘One new man’, shall be united with Christ in glory, it cannot be any other conclusion than that DOXÊ (glory) must be UP IN THE EPIOURANOS HEAVEN, where Christ is now residing with His Father. It is NOT here on earth. It is not in regard to any future Kingdom of God on earth, Israel!
If Col. 3:1-4 taught a union with Christ as He descend down to earth (Parousia) – Paul would certainly have written this…using Parousia.
So we cannot in any manner whatsoever confuse 1 Thes. 4:15 (NASB),
“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 not precede those who have fallen asleep”,
…with Col. 3:4 (NASB),
“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory”.
The two incidents are entirely different actions from the Lord.
THE GREAT MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE
RAPTURE THEOLOGY
You may find two other articles in my website in which I scrutinize many sides of that erroneous theology. You should read them.
However, in this analysis I am bringing up additional issues to prove that ‘rapture’ of the church (Body of Christ, One new man) is wrong.
Not many Bible tutors, promoting the rapture-theology, have ever presented any sort of explanation on WHY Paul prophesied of a future rapture of his believers. Amazing, isn’t it?
Here is my take on that issue:
FIRSTLY - Paul wrote of that event to only two of his assemblies, Corinthians and Thessalonians. The whole prophecy rests on the fact that he points to the Second Advent of Christ – the Parousia, in Greek. First the dead shall be raised, and then they shall be raptured up in the air together with the living believers on earth, to meet the Lord. And where will the Lord go? He will ‘land down’ in Jerusalem! The prophets tell of Mt. Olives being split as He set foot on the place. That means Jerusalem. See Zec. 14:4.
SECONDLY - The geography is left out by almost all those who propagate this rapture (of the church) – for what is really going to take place.
Paul wrote of the fact that when Jesus comes to establish His Kingdom of God in ISRAEL (!) – He would then gather His believers from other nations/places, and so transferring those into ISRAEL to be with Him. The Corinthians as well as the Thessalonians were comforted by Paul, that when Christ was coming down He would bring His believers (Jews and proselytes) to His Kingdom, namely the New Israel…like it shall become after the Great Tribulation is laid behind. They had NO PROMISE of a salvation up in the epiouranos heaven; their hope was the promised Kingdom of God on earth, often called for ‘The Millennial Reign of Christ’ – and described by the prophets. Paul pointed to that GATHERING in 2 Thess. 2:1, NASB,
“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him”
Paul put the parousia-coming and the gathering – coming together in the same sentence!!
Paul, as he wrote Corinthians and Thessalonians’ was still at that point in time, a minister of Christ to Israel and proselytes. The Mystery-revelation had not yet taken place with Paul, because this was revealed to Paul long after he came to Rome – as Ephesians/Colossians were written after his second jailing, in 63-67 CE. This was AFTER Israel had fallen from God as a nation spiritually, shown in Acts 28:25-28. In late spring 60 CE.
The whole ‘rapture’ fixture in Christianity is a misunderstanding and a false doctrine, because it was for Israel only…including some proselytes. The church, the Body of Christ according to Paul, did not exist when he wrote about the rapture.
Israel – as we find in the Bible canon, was destroyed in 70 CE, and has not been re-established since then. They are still destroyed and scattered what God is concerned. The establishing of Israel in May 1948 is a political and illicit manipulation by man, and not valid in the eyes of God. That is for sure.
So therefore the whole rapture issue is entirely abolished and gone; it was ‘fresh ware’ only valid in the times of the apostles, described in Acts, 28 – 62 CE. The conditions for Paul’s prophecy of a rapture is therefore vanished by the fact that Israel fell away from God as a nation in 60 CE…..Acts 28:28 declares of this catastrophic event,
"Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."
THIRDLY – the rapture in 1 Thess. 4 was promised only to Israel and proselytes, and was never given to the church, the ‘One new man’.
Israel had just the earthly hope of a millennial kingdom in Israel with Messiah Jesus as their anointed King – ref. Gabriel’s greeting to Mary in Luke 1:31-33, NASB,
"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."
The church, the Body of Christ – called also ‘One new man’ by Paul in Eph. 2:14, 15, has by no means any place promised in the millennial kingdom on earth, in Israel. Neither elsewhere in the world. Our calling is entirely heavenly – NOT earthly.
Our hope of salvation is very clearly described in Col. 3:1-4 – the Biblical ‘antidote’ to recover from the false teaching in our time of the rapture-theology,
“1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
We cannot find the church, the ‘One new man’ in Acts time at all.
Church came up post Acts, and Paul described it in both Ephesians and Colossians as a revelation of the Mystery…and this happened as Paul was in jail the second time, 63-67 CE.
The church is the result of God revealing to Paul the mentioned Mystery, which also told of the Law of Moses abolished by Christ, to then create ‘One new man’ putting Jew and Gentile as one, by faith in Christ. All ordinances are cast away. No water baptism, no Holy Communion, no confession of sins, no miracle gifts and healings, and so forth. No Second Advent is taught. No more mention of anti-Christ and Great Tribulation and any sort of eschatology related events. See Col. 2:13-17.
Notice the very absence of these prophetic themes in both church epistles! Notice the absence also of the sign-gifts which we find in Acts with the apostles. These things are gone. And so is the rapture!
Gracepano.com
