The Teachings of the Apostle Paul on the Rapture of the Glorious Church of Jesus Christ!

Howdy Everyone! I will post the graph of John Chapter 20 once again. Here is the graph...

Christ's
Resurrection,----I---One Week separation---I----Christ Returns
Appearance,--------------------------------------------appears to Thomas
Departure

I will use this graph of John Chapter 20 as a backdrop for the teachings of the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

The first point I want to make is that Paul is teaching the Church of Thessalonica what is going to happen in the future regarding all believers in Jesus Christ when the Church Age comes to an end. So, Let us look at the following verses...

1) 1 Thessalonians 4:16--a Resurrection.
2) 1 Thessalonians 4:17--an Harpazo--snatching away by force--those who are alive and remain. See Also 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 and Philippians 3:20-21.

3) 2 Thessalonians 2:1--an episunagogue--a gathering together
4) 2 Thessalonians 2:2--The Day of Christ
5) 2 Thessalonians 2:3--The Apostasia--The Falling away (KJV)
6) 2 Thessalonians 2:7--ginomai ek--be taken out of

Now, I am going to post from the Liddell and Scott Greek-English Lexicon (Online) the following information. The Greek Word Apostasia defined...

Apostasia defined--1. A defection or revolt
----------------------------2. departure, disappearance
----------------------------3. distinguishing
----------------------------4. distance

As you can see, The Greek Word Apostasia has 4 distinct meanings. Only one of these definitions fits The Apostle Paul's Teaching regarding the Christian Church at the end of the Church Age. See Romans 11:25 and Acts 15:14-16.

1 Timothy 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

What is Paul teaching in the above 3 passages of Scripture? That Christ will appear and present to Himself His Glorious Church not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

With this information in mind, Let us now go through Paul's teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 7 keeping John Chapter 20 in view.

1) Christ's appearing as taught by the Apostle Paul
2) 1 Thessalonians 4:16--Resurrection of dead believers in Christ
3) 1 Thessalonians 4:17--An Harpazo, i.e. a snatching away, of living believers

4) 2 Thessalonians 2:1--An Episunagogue--Gathering in the air
5) 2 Thessalonians 2:2--on The Day of Christ
6) 2 Thessalonians 2:3--The Apostasia--A Falling away first (KJV)
7) 2 Thessalonians 2:7--Ginomai ek--be taken out of

Now, Looking at what Paul was teaching the Church of Thessalonica, What do you think the Greek Word Apostasia would mean in context? Well, The answer is quite simple. The Definition would not be in conflict with what Paul is teaching. And, The Definition would fit what Christ did in John Chapter 20.

So, Let us graph Paul's Teaching to the Church of Thessalonica as follows...

Christ's appearing
Resurrection
Harpazo---------------1 Thess 4:16-17----I-----One Week-----I-----Christ returns
Gathering in the air----------------------------Tribulation period-------Matt 24:29-31
Departure to Heaven
As the BrideGroom---------------------------------------------------------The Lion of Judah

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Paul's writings in Context, and looking at what Jesus Christ did in John Chapter 20 as well as looking at the Liddell and Scott Greek-English Lexicon, The Greek Word Apostasia means departure, disappearance. Paul's Teaching precisely lines up with what Jesus Christ did in John Chapter 20.

Rev. Dr. Michael Dickson, Th.D.

The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.