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Ask The Pastor
March 8, 2004
> Question: Rapture theory. What exactly is the
truth or is the truth completely known. Does the bible clearly state there will
be a rapture of "the church" or is this hollywood and book selling
propaganda. And the Holy Spirit will not be here on earth? I have not read that
the Holy Spirit will disappear after the Rapture, but I hear a few people saying
that??
Barbara,
The doctrine of the rapture finds its major emphasis from the Greek word 'harpazo.'
This word speaks of a translocation or a sudden removal from one place to
another. Harpazo was translated over into Latin as 'raptura,' and comes to us in
English as rapture.
A primary Scripture used for the rapture is 1
Thessalonians 4:16-18. It says...
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be
'caught up' [harpazo] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with
these words."
This particular portion does speak of a translocation or rapture (harpazo) of
God's people. As for the Holy Spirit not being on earth, I don't agree with
that. I personally believe that people will be saved during the tribulation
period with the help of the Holy Spirit. However, these saved people will have
to remain on the earth until the return of Jesus.
There are other views on this so I don't press the issue. It is good to keep
an open mind when it comes to prophetic writings.
Hope this helps.
Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask
the Pastor
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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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