Before proceeding any further with this “rapture” series of mini-articles there is a Greek word we need to examine closely as that word is often spotlighted by the “rapture” teachers as definitely showing Jesus Christ’s return is going to be invisible to all but the truly redeemed. That word is the Greek word parousia (pronounced par-oo-SEE’-ah), meaning “advent, return, or presence.” This same Greek word is found in I Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6 and Philippians 1:26. Here are those verses: “Paul writes, “I am glad of the coming (parousia) of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.” (I Corinthians 16:17). These three Christians did not appear in Ephesus (from where Paul wrote the Corinthian letter) invisibly, yet Paul said he was glad of their parousia, or coming. Paul uses the word parousia again in 2 Corinthians 7:6, writing, “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming (parousia) of Titus.” Did Titus come to Paul invisibly? Of course not. Neither will Jesus return in two phases, His first appearance being invisible, His second appearance visible to every eye! And once more in Philippians 1:26, Paul speaks of his visiting the believers at Philippi as his “coming (parousia) to you again.”
Nothing in Matthew 24:3 or 27 implies that Jesus’ return is in two phases or that His presence in the clouds will be invisible to anyone! In fact, verse 27 of Matthew 24 states clearly “for as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall (in like manner) also the coming (parousia) of the Son of man be.” And what light, or lightening effect, comes out of the east and shines to the west? the SUN! Jesus was not referring to the momentary flash of lightning during a storm. He was referring to the sun’s bright light as it shines in full strength as it courses across the sky from east to the west, visible to all but the totally blind. And that brightest of lights is not visible for a split second only. It is visible for many hours, “so shall also the coming (parousia) of the Son of man be.”
Preachers have a bad habit of parroting one another. If most all ministers of their given denomination say such-and-such is the teaching of the scriptures, they generally say the same. Seminary and Bible college graduates of a Lutheran college enter the Lutheran ministry and preach Lutheran doctrine. Young Baptist preachers departing sheepskin in hand from a Baptist seminary preach Baptist doctrine, accepting a pastorate in a Baptist church. Surprise, surprise, surprise!
Look closely at these four verses of scripture from Luke 21: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and (simultaneously) upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity (mankind never having seen such phenomena before), the sea and the waves roaring (as something is happening with the moon that creates the ocean’s tides). Men’s hearts failing them for fear (they’re suffering cardiac arrest because of these terrifying astronomical events), and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth (asteroids, comets, etc. actually striking the earth), for the powers of heaven shall be shaken (moving out of their ageless orbits). And THEN (not before, but THEN) shall they (the fearful and unbelieving) SEE the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and GREAT GLORY (not a “secret” rapture). And when these things (that Jesus has just described) begin to come to pass, THEN LOOK UP (believer), and lift up your heads (no longer bowed in grief due to terrible persecution and violent death at the hands of Islam’s conquering hordes), for your redemption draws nigh (yes, THEN – not before).” (Luke 21:25-28). Those who teach a “secret rapture” of believers could occur at any moment unwittingly make Jesus a false prophet. Those who say Jesus Christ could “break through the blue” at any time misconstrue these plain, clear statements of scripture and many similar passages. I repeat, Satan’s blinding power is staggering. Deceived men pen books like the popular work of FICTION entitled “Left Behind” and millions believe these errors of men and ignore the words of Jesus Christ. Hollywood then makes a movie of that book and everybody gets rich – everybody connected with the writing of the book and making of the movie. When these followers of men live out their lives without seeing the return of Christ their faith will waver. They will be ripe for Satan’s further deceptions and will come to believe the Bible is nothing more than a book of myths when in actuality the myth was the “rapture” teaching. Those who teach and preach the “rapture” error are false witnesses of God, and they will pay dearly for deceiving the hearts of the simple – unsuspecting believers who buy into this lie as they are profoundly ignorant of the scriptures.
Don’t look for Jesus to return just yet. In the above quoted passage of scripture, He told us plainly and clearly WHEN to look for Him and HOW He would return – and it is NOT NOW and it is NOT IN SECRET! God have mercy on those who choose to ignore Jesus and listen to deceived writers of fiction!!!!
But doesn’t the scriptures say quite plainly that Jesus Christ returns WITH His saints? Doesn’t this show plainly that believers are taken to heaven by a rapture prior to our Lord’s second coming? (See Zechariah 14:5; I Thessalonians 3:13 and Jude 14). In Part 5 of this series on the rapture those questions will be answered in depth.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley