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I've been asked about the Catholic view on the Rapture.
I guess we
would have to ask "which rapture?" To my understanding, there are 3
major theories on the Rapture found in Evangelical circles.
1) Pre-Tribulation
rapture 2) Mid-Tribulation Rapture 3) Post-Tribulation Rapture.
There
are also many variations on each of these theories and much debate among Protestant theologians.
What many Evangelicals don't know is that the Pre-Tribulation, and
Mid-Tribulation theories are less than 175 years old.
(more on that
below) Catholics certainly believe that "we will be caught up in the air" (1
Thess 4:17) when the trumpet sounds.
So Catholics do believe in the
"Rapture" if one is talking about the third option - Post Tribulation
Rapture (although they understand the 1000 years to mean "a long time" Rev.
20:2-3; 7).
The term "rapture" is derived from the text of the Catholic Latin Vulgate
that was written in 390 A.D. It comes from 1 Thess.
4:17-"we will be caught up," [Latin: rapiemur]). Catholics find no solid scriptural evidence that there will be a two or
three-stage return of Christ or that Jesus will come more than one more
time. Nor do Catholics see any Biblical evidence as to why Christians should
be "spared" the tribulation of the evil one.
The Catholic Church feels that all
Biblical evidence points to the contrary - that Christians will undergo
great persecutions and tribulation.
Catholics believe that history bears
witness that the Church thrives under persecution. Perhaps we will win many converts to Christianity during the
tribulation.
Most humans (including me) are more disposed to a conversion of heart
when things are bad.
Nothing creates an open mind and opens someone to a
personal relationship with Christ more than suffering.
During the
tribulation people will be looking for answers.
They will be "ripe" for
conversion.
This is the only value of the tribulation. If all the "good Christians" are taken out of the world during the
tribulation, who will be left on earth to convert the poor souls who are
looking for answers during that time? Would Jesus leave humans on earth for
the devil to ravage but remove all the Christians who can convert them?
This would prevent the spreading of the Gospel during that time.
If he did
that he would be condemning these non-Christians before the Judgment day.
(Mat 11:22) John Darby, founder of the Plymouth Brethren, put forth the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory around 1830 after
traveling to northern Scotland to meet with Margaret McDonald, a woman in
who had a "vision" during a serious illness that convinced her Christ would
come in two stages.
(This was near the time Joseph Smith wrote the book of
Mormon because of a "vision") Prior to that, no theologian or denomination
had ever suggested a "two stage" coming of Christ.
Not Martin Luther, not Wycliff,
not thousands of good Christians nor had the early church fathers ever
suggested Christ would come again in two stages. The Pre-Tribulation theory is currently enjoying tremendous popularity
among some Evangelicals due to the "Left Behind" series of
books and movies.
The theory is
also a common belief among those who believe in the "prosperity" gospel
(that says if we have enough faith we'll be prosperous like Jabez.)
These two theories suggest that faithful Christians will not undergo
persecutions or suffering. Catholics feel that there is a place for
suffering and that there is much biblical evidence that persecution and
suffering have a solid place in the Kingdom and in the evangelization of the
unfaithful. We believe there will be only one more return of Christ and on
that day the faithful Christians will be caught up in the air. We Catholics also know how to have fun and party in the Lord!
Everything has a place. _________________________________________________________ Below are some Scripture passages about only one more return from Christ
and also some passages that defuse the literal interpretation of the 1000 years.
found on
http://www.Scripturecatholic.com/ 1 Thess. 4:17 - Paul writes that "we will be caught up in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air." Many Protestants call this experience the
"rapture" (even though the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible). This
theory says that Christ will take the faithful up to heaven before the final
coming. John 14:3; 1 Cor. 15:52 - these are other passages that Protestants use
to support the rapture experience. The problem with the rapture theory is
that is assumes three comings of Christ. This is contrary to Scripture and
has never been taught by the Church. Heb. 9:24 - instead, the Scriptures are clear that "Christ will appear
only a second time, when he comes in glory to save us." See also Rev.
19:11-16. The Scriptures only reveal two comings of Christ. 2 Thess. 2:1-4 - concerning the coming of the Lord, there will be a time
of great trouble. As part of their rapture theory, Protestants call this
period the "tribulation." 1 Thess. 4:17; 2 Thess. 2:1-4 - the question is when the rapture will
occur. Will it occur before (pre), during (mid) or after (post) the
tribulation? Rev. 20:2-3; 7 - these verses refer to the thousand year period where
satan is bound and Christ reigns. Protestants often called this period the
"millennium." However, the "thousand" year period only means a very long
time. It, like much of apocalyptic literature, is not to be taken literally. Psalm 50:10 - for example, we see the cattle on a "thousand hills." The
word "thousand" here obviously means a very long time. It cannot be taken
literally. This is the same with the "thousand" used in the Apocalypse. Dan. 7:10 - a "thousand thousands" served him. Again, "thousand" means a
very long time. It is not to be taken literally. 2 Peter 3:8 - with God one day is a "thousand" years and a "thousand"
years is one day. "Thousand" is symbolic for a long time. Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46 - the fact that there is immediate punishment
rejects the premillenialism idea of a 1,000 year span between the second
coming of Christ and the final judgment. Matt. 24:24-31; Mark. 13:24-27; 2 Thess. 2:1-12 - these verses reject the
premillenialism and mid-tribulation view because the rapture and the
tribulation occur together. Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43 - the wheat and weeds parable rejects the
postmillenialism idea that the world will be Christianized before the end of
time. Rev. 20:4 - this verse shows the millennium is the period of Christ's
current reign with his
saints in heaven and his
rule through the Church.
This view, which Protestants call "amillenialism," is consistent with the
Catholic view. The rapture and the second coming will occur after Christ's
reign and the end of the Church Militant on earth. There is thus no
"rapture" that precedes the second coming of Jesus. Rev. 20:3; Matt. 12:29-30 - satan is currently bound during this
millennium insofar as he cannot prevent the spreading of the Gospel. Luke 10:17-18 - after the elders preached the Gospel, Jesus said He saw
satan fall like lightning. Thus, satan is currently bound and cannot prevent
us from evangelizing the world. 2 Peter 3:10-15 - in the meantime, we wait for the Lord's coming with
zeal, avoiding sin, and being at peace, in the hope of our salvation. Note: The history of Darby's meeting with Margaret McDonald is documented
in the book "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin" by Dave MacPherson. Are Catholics into the Rapture?
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