The Rapture in Revelation

Dr. David Hocking

Our Lord Yeshuasaid in John 14:3: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COMEAGAIN, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." At our Lord's ascension into heaven, two menin white apparel said: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up intoheaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall socome in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." The promise of the Second Coming of theMessiah, our blessed Lord Yeshua, is clearly established. The ApostlePaul had made this matter quite clear in his words to Titus, his "own sonafter the common faith (Titus1:4)" when he wrote inTitus 2:13: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of thegreat God and our Savior Jesus Christ." In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul wrote: "For ourconversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the LordJesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned likeunto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even tosubdue all things unto Himself." In Colossians 3:4 Paul wrote: "When Christ, Who is our life shall appear,then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."

The Apostle Peterwrote in I Peter 1:7: "That the trial of your faith, being much moreprecious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might befound unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." In II Peter 1:11 he wrote: "For so anentrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdomof our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

The Apostle John,the writer of the Book of Revelation, also wrote in I John 3:2-3: "Beloved,now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but weknow that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him asHe is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, evenas He is pure."

In our desire to beaccurate about the details concerning the Second Coming of our blessed Lord,may God help us to rejoice in His promise, and be watching and waiting!

THEUSAGE OF THE WORD "RAPTURE" IN THE BIBLE

Among those who donot believe that the Second Coming of our Lord will be in two phases, theyoften point out that the word "rapture" does not appear in the EnglishBible. But, as we all know, the New Testament was written in Greek, notEnglish. The word which is used in Greek to give us the understanding ofthe Rapture is harpazo- translated in I Thessalonians 4:17 with the English words "caught up." Additional usages of harpazo include Matthew 11:12; 12:29; 13:19; John6:15; 10:12, 28-29; Acts 8:39; 23:10; II Corinthians 12:2, 4; Jude 23; andRevelation 12:5. Our English word "rapture" is a transliteration of the Latin translationof I Thessalonians 4:17 which uses the word "rapturo."

Some use Acts 8:39as a reference to the Rapture where we read: "the Spirit of the Lord CAUGHTAWAY Philip." However, it is clear from verse 40 that this verse is not referring to theSecond Coming of our Lord. Some see a connection in II Corinthians 12:2where Paul refers to "such an one CAUGHT UP to the third heaven." Again, in verse 4 he repeats: "Howthat he was CAUGHT UP into paradise." While interesting in the usage of the word harpazo, it does not specifically refer to the SecondComing of our Lord. The primary passage is, of course, I Thessalonians4:17 which reads: "Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UPtogether with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall weever be with the Lord."

The word harpazo is also found in Revelation 12:5 where the "womanclothed with the sun"gives birth to a son, and the text says "and her child was CAUGHT UP untoGod, and to His throne."

THERAPTURE IN REVELATION

The Book ofRevelation is primarily an unveiling of the majesty and glory of the Messiah ofIsrael, our blessed Lord Yeshua. Certainly the event of His Second Comingis a powerful message of this book. Revelation 1:7 says: "Behold, Hecometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which piercedHim: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so,Amen." Most Bibleteachers believe that this verse refers to His Second Coming at the end of theTribulation (often called "The Revelation") which is described powerfully inchapter 19 of this book.

In Revelation 1:19we have an outline of the book given to us: "Write the things which thouhast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." This threefold outline includes thevision of our resurrected Lord in chapter 1 as "the things which thou hastseen";

the messages to theseven churches in chapters 2 and 3 as "the things which are" (meaning - existing in John's day); and fromchapter 4, verse 1, to the end of the book - "the things which shall behereafter." Theword "hereafter" (Greek:meta tauta) or "afterthese things" (followingthe "things which thou hast seen" and the "things which are") is an important clue to the order of things in this book. We read in Revelation 4:1: "After this" (Greek: meta tauta) and at the end of the verse the word "hereafter"(Greek: meta tauta). It would appear, therefore, that thethird part of the outline of the Book of Revelation begins with Revelation 4:1and continues to the end of the book. These events follow the "thingswhich are" or themessages to the seven churches existing in John's day.

The followingissues seem to be at the heart of the question concerning the Rapture in theBook of Revelation:

1. The PROMISE to the Churchof Philadelphia - Revelation 3:10

2. The PROBLEM of any Gentilebelievers surviving the Tribulation -

cf. IThessalonians 4:17 with Revelation 6:11; 7:9-17; 11:7; 13:7, 15; 14:13; 15:2;16:6; 18:24; 20:4

3. The PLACE of John inheaven - Revelation 4:1

4. The PRESENCE of 24 eldersin heaven during the judgments on earth - Revelation 4:4, 10; 5:6, 8-14;7:11-14; 11:16-18; 19:4

5. The PROCLAMATION of a newsong by the 24 elders - Revelation 5:9-10

THEPROMISE TO THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA

Revelation3:10

"Because thouhast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour oftemptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell uponthe earth."

It is this oneverse that gives the primary understanding of the pre-tribulational rapture ofthe Church. The debate over this verse between Pre-tribulationalists andPost-tribulationalists seems to center on whether it is a promise of immunityfrom the judgments of the Tribulation or a promise of removal from this awfulperiod of time known as the "Day of the Lord." One thing is for sure - it is thepromise of our Lord Himself - "I also will keep thee." A few things must be kept in mindconcerning the meaning of this verse:

1. The definite article in Greekappears in front of the word "hour" and the word "temptation."

It is not referringto any particular period of trial, but to a specific one that is obviouslystill in the future at the writing of the Book of Revelation. It speaksof "THE hour of THE temptation/trial."

2. The specific trial is global inimpact, not a local situation.

John saysconcerning this coming trial: "which shall come upon ALL THE WORLD."

3. The purpose of this "temptation/trial" is to "try them that dwell upon theearth."

In the Book ofRevelation these earth-dwellers appear to be non-believers, NOTbelievers! Consider Revelation 6:10; 11:10; 13:12, 14; 14:6; 17:8.

4. The preposition following theword "keep" is ek whose primary root meaning is "out of" - teaches removal, not immunity.

THEPROBLEM OF ANY GENTILE BELIEVERS SURVIVING THE TRIBULATION

The words of IThessalonians 4:17 say: "Then we which are alive and remain." It appears from the words of I Thessalonians2:14-16 that the church in Thessalonica was composed primarily ofGentiles. I Thessalonians 4:17 implies that when the Lord comes, therewill be Gentiles alive when it happens (Paul also uses the editorial "we" and includes himself!). But, in the Bookof Revelation, it appears that the Gentile multitude of chapter 7 who are savedduring the tribulation - do NOT survive the wrath of the dragon and his "beast." The false prophet also adds to thisterror against the Gentile believers (Revelation 13:15) and causes as many asdo not take the mark and worship the beast to be killed. Revelation 13:7says that this beast will "overcome" the believers, and comparing this with Revelation 11:7 (in thecase of the two witnesses) it appears that to "overcome" them means to kill them. Revelation 20then describes the martyrs of the tribulation being resurrected at the end ofthe tribulation (along with Old Testament saints - cf. Daniel 12:1-3,12-13). The "first resurrection" refers to believers being resurrected; it appears to be in twophases - one at the Rapture, and secondly, at the Revelation, or the end of thetribulation. The "second resurrection" refers to all unbelievers being resurrectedto stand before the great white throne judgment to hear the verdict of the LordHimself - this occurs 1000 years after the "first resurrection."

THEPLACE OF JOHN IN HEAVEN

Revelation4:1

"After this Ilooked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which Iheard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, 'Come up hither,and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.'"

Revelation 4:2adds: "And immediately I was in the spirit." The definite article "the" is not in the Greek text. John simplysays that he was "in spirit." The same thing is found in Revelation 1:10. By some means of spiritualtransference, John was ushered into heaven where he could view the events thatwould transpire on the earth in the future. He also heard a voice like a "trumpet" talking with him; The words of IThessalonians 4:16 include "the trump of God."

The very fact ofthis detail would point to a possible Rapture that would precede the comingtribulation. John, both as an apostle and as a believer, would certainlypicture such an event.

THEPRESENCE OF 24 ELDERS IN HEAVEN DURING THE JUDGMENTS ON EARTH

There is no doubtthat the issue of the 24 elders is critical to the whole argument ofPre-tribulationalism. George Eldon Ladd, a Post-tribulationalist, admitsthat very fact in his commentary on the Book of Revelation.

Here are the factsabout the 24 elders:

1. They sit on thrones around thethrone of God in heaven - Revelation 4:4a

2. They are clothed in white raiment- Revelation 4:4b

3. They have crowns of gold on theirheads - Revelation 4:4c

4. They are pictured as ones whofall down before God and worship Him, casting their crowns at His feet -Revelation 4:10-11; 5:14.

5. They are also pictured as fallingdown before the Lamb, and have harps and bowls of incense representing theprayers of the saints -

Revelation 5:8

6. The sing a new song about theworthiness of the Lamb - Revelation 5:9-10

The very fact thatthe 24 elders are seen in heaven, NOT on earth during the judgments of theTribulation forces us to connect them with the following possibilities:

1. They refer to angels.

2. They refer to all believers whohave died and are now in heaven.

3. They refer to Gentile believerswho are saved during the Tribulation and are martyred.

4. They refer to church-agebelievers only.

The 24 elderscannot refer to angels because they are identified separately from them inRevelation 5:11 and 7:11. They cannot refer to the Gentile multitude whois saved during the tribulation on the basis of the discussion of Revelation7:13-14.

The description ofthese 24 elders in Revelation 4:4 connects them with the promises to church-agebelievers in Revelation 2 and 3. The words about them sitting on thronesremind us of Revelation 3:21; the reference to them being clothed in whiteraiment connects us with the words of Revelation 3:5; the picture of them withcrowns of gold on their heads reminds us of Revelation 2:10 and 3:11.

These 24 elders arenot called "priests"or "saints" but rather"elders." Thatis a specific description of church leaders as well as the "elders" who acted as judges and administrators ofjustice among the children of Israel.

However, the "elders" of the Sanhedrin who are often connected withthe priests and the scribes are not treated as genuine believers in the NewTestament. They are the ones who condemned our Lord to death anddelivered Him to the Romans for crucifixion.

The use of thenumber "24" is alsovery instructive. There have been many attempts by Bible teachers todivide this number into the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of theChurch. But, there is no Biblical warrant for that kind ofexegesis. The number is found in I Chronicles 24 and 25 and refers to 24divisions of priests and musicians for the Nation of Israel. But, theseare not called "priests"but rather "elders."

THEPROCLAMATION OF A NEW SONG BY THE 24 ELDERS IN HEAVEN

Revelation5:9-10

This issue is themost important of all and involves a great deal of controversy among Bibleteachers. Consider the various English translations of these verses:

King James -"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and toopen the seals thereof; for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed US to God by Thyblood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hastmade US unto OUR God kings and priests: and WE shall reign on the earth."

New King James- "And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll, andto open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed US to God by Yourblood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made USkings and priests to our God; and WE shall reign on the earth."

NewInternational - "And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take thescroll and open its seals, because You were slain and with Your blood Youpurchased MEN for God from every tribe and language and people andnation. You have made THEM to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,and THEY will reign on the earth."

New AmericanStandard - "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy art Thou to takethe book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase forGod with Thy blood MEN from every tribe and tongues and people andnation. And Thou has made THEM to be a kingdom and priest to our God; andTHEY will reign upon the earth.'"

ChristianStandard Bible - "And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take thescroll and to open its seals; because You were slaughtered, and You redeemedPEOPLE for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people andnation. You made THEM a kingdom and priests to our God, and THEY willreign on the earth."

Complete JewishBible - "And they sang a new song, 'You are worthy to take the scrolland break its seals; because You were slaughtered; at the cost of Your bloodYou ransomed for God PERSONS from every tribe, language, people, andnation. You made THEM into a kingdom for God to rule, cohanim to serveHim; and THEY will rule over the earth."

The Net Bible- "They were singing a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and toopen its seals because You were killed, and at the cost of Your own blood Youhave purchased for God PERSONS from every tribe, language, people, andnation. You have appointed THEM as a kingdom and priests to serve ourGod, and THEY will reign on the earth."

The EnglishStandard Version - "And they sang a new song saying, Worthy are You totake the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your bloodYou ransomed PEOPLE for God from every tribe and language and people andnation. And You have made THEM a kingdom and priests to our God, and THEYshall reign on the earth."

The New RevisedStandard - "And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are You to take thescroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood Youransomed PEOPLE for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.And You have made THEM a kingdom and priests to our God, and THEY shall reignon the earth."

First of all, inrelation to the differences in verse 10 between the King James Version andother English translations, the Greek text shows a number of variantreadings. If the third person plural is preferred, it still does notprove anything because it can simply refer to those mentioned in verse 9. It is interesting that we have in Revelation 1:6 these words: "And hath madeUS kings and priests unto God"- and there is no variation in the manuscripts supporting this reading. It would appear that Revelation 5:10, therefore, should support the reading ofRevelation 1:6.

Secondly, the realproblem depends upon the manuscript evidence behind Revelation 5:9. Doesthe evidence support the word "US" or a reading of "THEM" or "MEN" or "PEOPLE"etc.? The Greek manuscripts (that we have today) of the passage inRevelation 5:9 are 24 in number, and 23 of them read "US" - only CodexAlexandrinus differs in this regard. We also have many Latin manuscriptsof this verse and all of them read "US." Even the primary languages into whichthe Greek version was soon translated - all read "US." The issue iscritical to the argument - are the 24 elders singing a song of redemption aboutthemselves or about others who would be redeemed during the Tribulation? It appears that the evidence is overwhelming and that the King Jamestranslation is the correct one of Revelation 5:9. 


CONCLUSION: It would appear that the Rapture is indeed pictured and stated in the Book ofRevelation and that church-age believers will be removed from the judgments ofthe great Tribulation upon the earth!