Is the Premillennial Doctrine of the Rapture Defensible

Is the Premillennial Doctrine of the Rapture Defensible from Scripture? An examination of the text of 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -18

Common Timeline: Dispensational Premillennialism Rapture of the Church 2 nd Coming with Church Tribulation Last Judgment Millennium Eternity

Disp. Premillennialism (Rapture) Dispensationalist Premillennialists (such as many Evangelicals, especially in the United States) hold the return of Christ to be in two stages. 1 Thessalonians 4: 15 -17 is seen to be a preliminary event to the return described in Matthew 24: 29 -31. Although both describe a return of Jesus in the clouds with angelic activity, trumpets, heavenly signs, and a gathering of the saints, these are seen to be two separate events. The first event is to be unseen, the rapture proper, when the saved are prophesied to be 'caught up, ' from whence the term rapture is taken. The 'second coming' is the public event when Christ's presence is prophesied to be clearly seen as he returns to end Armageddon. The majority of dispensationalists hold that the first event immediately precedes the period of Tribulation. (wikipedia – Rapture)

A Proof text, without the context, is a pretext! Eisegesis – a personal interpretation of a text (especially of the Bible) using your own ideas Exegesis - an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible) Eis – “in”; Ex – “out” Word. Net

1 Corinthians 15: 51 -54 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed-- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. "

Context of 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -18 • Not a total overview of the final day of judgment • Paul was answering a question asked by the Thessalonians (intimated by verse 13). • What will happen to the righteous dead at the second coming of our Lord? (There is no consideration of the unrighteous dead in the context of this question).

Comparison Readings • • 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -18 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 -4 2 Thessalonians 1: 1 -10 2 Peter 3: 1 -12 Note: Phrases used interchangeably: The Lord’s “coming” “Day of the Lord”

Conclusion There will be one “final” second coming of Jesus. On that day, the following will happen: • The wicked will be punished. • The righteous will ascend to heaven. • The universe will be destroyed. (cf. 2 Peter 3: 11 -12)

2 Peter 3: 11 -12 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?