The "Not-So-Secret-Rapture" - Revelation 11:11-12.

If the two witnesses are, as I believe, representing the Church on earth, then verses 11-14 of Chapter 11 show the catching up, the rapture of the Church and her glorification. “But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.” (Revelation 11:11–12, NIV)

 

This rapture was then co-existent with the Seventh and final Trumpet, the Judgement of God (Rev 11:13ff).  "Strikingly similar to Rev. 11:11–13 is 4 Ezra 6:23–27, which states that at the end of time “the trumpet will sound aloud, at which all people, when they hear it, will be struck with sudden fear. And at the same time, the earth shall be stricken with fear.… And those who have been taken up, who have not tasted death from their birth, will appear.… For evil will be blotted out.” [1]

As noted in the previous blog, the end of the end of the end scenario tends to be described in terms of a strong prophetic Church proclaiming the Gospel and then falling under intense demonic assault, such that almost obliterates it.  But God in His mercy breathes life into His People and evacuates them from the earth at the sound of the last trumpet.  This challenges many modern prophecy teachers.  First there is nothing in this account about a physical Golden Age -- a millennial kingdom on earth.  Secondly there is nothing in this passage about a pre-tribulation, secret rapture of the Church.  In fact Revelation 11, tracks very closely with 1 Thessalonians 4:

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, NIV) 

Now usually that's where teachers stop.  But there are no chapter divisions in the original.  Notice what follows after this so-called rapture theory:

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–2, NIV) 

Paul, like John is clearly talking about the events that precede the Day of the Lord, the final Judgement -- the Seventh Trumpet.  The truth of the matter is that there is no biblical evidence for a pre-tribulation, secret rapture of the Church.  So where did that idea come from?

In the 1830 Scottish minister by the name of Edward Irving (who was eventually de-frocked) -- a hyper charismatic was holding a service where a lady by the name of Margaret MacDonald fell into a "trance". After several hours of "vision" and "prophesying" she revealed that "christ's" return would occur in two phases, not just one. "Christ" would first come visibly to only the righteous, then He would come a second time to execute wrath on the unrighteous in the nations.

This "secret rapture" was promoted by Irving claiming he, too, had heard a "voice" from heaven commanding him to teach it. John Darby, an Englishman and pioneer of the "Plymouth Brethren" movement became caught up in the rapture philosophies of Irving. When Darby heard about Irving's activities, he travelled to Scotland to talk with Irving and his followers about the "secret rapture".

It was Darby who became the master architect of the doctrine finding biblical support, so-to-speak, throughout the Bible. [2]

There will be indeed a rapture of the Church, but as John saw it will occur just prior to the wrath of God being poured out.  A question might be, "Then how do we claim the promises of sealing and protection if the Church is to go through the period of tribulation?"  We will address that next!

Father, all of us need to admit that we too kind find biblical evidence for anything if we try hard enough.  But Father that will always lead us to what is false and destructive. Cause the text of Scripture to speak to us, not the reverse.  Cause our hearts to be changed and forbid our hearts changing Your eternal Word.  Cause us to be great workmen and workwomen of the Word; cutting it straight; cutting it faithfully.   Amen.

_________________________________________

1. Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (601). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

2. http://www.goodnewsaboutgod.com/studies/rapture2.htm