This theory is usually linked with the idea of a seven-year tribulation. As mentioned above, this has no basis in the scriptures. The rapture idea is based on a false understanding of tribulation.

The idea that the church will be taken out of the world prior to a time of tribulation has no basis in the Bible. This chapter has looked at numerous passages that speak of a time of troubles on the earth, but none of these mentions an escape from these troubles for Christians. A number of passages do speak of Christians being caught up into the air to be with the Lord, but they all relate to the second coming at the end of the age. For example, 1 Corinthians 15 which describes the rapture in detail, ends by saying that "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (v.54). Death will only cease at the end of the age. (All the scriptures describing the rapture will be described in detail at the appropriate place in chapter 10). There are none which place it prior to a time of tribulation.

The whole idea is actually a recent addition to theology. Originally, it was not based on the Bible, but on a prophecy given in 1830 by a young Scottish woman called Margaret McDonald. The rapture theory was adopted by J. N. Darby as part of his dispensational scheme, and then popularised in the Schofield Reference Bible. It has now become part of the conventional wisdom. This prophecy was contrary to the Bible, so it is not a sound basis for a doctrine.

This teaching requires two second comings. Jesus comes the first time to receive the church, and then again at the end of the age. However, Jesus himself gave no hint that he would come twice. Nor does the New Testament teach that Jesus will come twice. Jesus taught that his second coming would be a very public event, seen by the whole world. This just does not fit with the idea of a secret rapture.

This pre-tribulation rapture has made the church defeatist. Instead of working to bring in the Kingdom. Christians have tended to sit around and wait for the rapture. As the world has got worse and worse, they have been almost glad, because they take this as a sign that the rapture is near. They have not realised that their retreat from the world is really the cause of the increase in evil. If we are going to be caught out of the world at any time, there is not much point in trying to build the Kingdom, yet this is what Jesus commanded us to do. Expecting to be raptured out of the world as soon as things get tough is disobedience to Jesus.

Those who hold this view place too much emphasis on the nation of Israel. They say that the Jews will evangelise the world during the tribulation. This is based on Revelation 7:1-4, which describes 144,000 Jews being sealed by an angel. This is hardly a picture of the Jews evangelising the world. Anyway it is ridiculous to suggest that the Jews, without the benefit of Christian teaching, and without the Holy Spirit would be able to do in seven years, what the church has been unable to do in 2000 years with the Spirit’s help.

This teaching is also a denial of Holy Spirit. He is often said to be taken out of the world when the church is raptured. If this is true then he is a failure. While he has been present, the world has gone from bad to worse. Once he is gone, God is able to do greater things in the world. This is an absurd thing to teach about the Spirit of God. The Bible teaches, that through the mighty presence of the Spirit the church will be victorious in the world.