(This article was originally done as a five part series in New Heaven and Earth Newsletter starting in the October 2002 issue, and concluding in April 2003)

1 Thess.4:13-18: "... For the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout.... - the dead in Christ will rise first and we who are alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air....
- Therefore comfort one another ...."

The above biblical quote; a statement by Paul, to "comfort, encourage and build up" (vs,18; 5:11) the brethren in Thessalonica, at a time of confusion and concern for the deceased believers, has been taken and written in rubric as a literal-physical phenomenon at the Second Coming. It has become a passionate, bosom-held belief of most Christians.

In this so-called "rapture," a multitude of believers will physically levitate into the sky to meet Christ at his Second Coming as he descends from Heaven.

At first glance, all may seem in good order in embracing a literal-physical understanding of this proto-apocalyptic narrative in Paul's writings. However, on closer examination, it appears that there are some serious misunderstandings especially related to the phrase: "caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."

Today (the time of the last days), there is an heightened sense of expectation in watching the skies in the hope of seeing Christ descend from Heaven to catch away the believers. Afterall, the bible says: "Look up for you redemption draweth nigh." This too, is taken literally, even though it means to 'have great [Charles Anderson Artist] expectation'.

As this belief is so dear to the hearts of many, let us, with heavenly wisdom and biblical truths, consider the following:

1). Paul was referring to the resurrection at the end times prophesied by the prophets of the Old Testament and spoken of by Jesus himself, in Jn.4:21-29. Paul spoke of his own conditiion and hope of that same resurrection in Phil.3: 8-11, 20,21.

The essential process of resurrection is not that one "flies off into the air," but that one crosses over from the realm of spiritual death (caused by the fall) to spiritual life, by believing and uniting absolutely with Christ (Jn.5:24; 6:53,54; 8:23,24; 1Cor. 15:22). Thus, Jesus posed the question: "When the Son of Man comes will he find faith on earth?" (Lk.18:8).

2) Heaven is not located in the physical skies. The Lord does not descend from a physical dimension, on physical clouds (water vapor). When Jesus came, he said: "I have come down from heaven...." (Jn.6:38,42,51 & 58). However, no one saw him descending on physical clouds.

Heaven is the spiritual domain of God - the spirit world. To see a person descending from heaven or raised up to heaven, one's spiritual eyes must be opened (e.g: Matt.3:16, Acts 1:11).

3) Daniel prophesied that: "The Son of Man comes with the clouds of heaven...." (Dan.7:13), but Jesus did not come down from heaven on literal clouds. John also said of the Second Coming: "Behold, he is coming with clouds...." (Rev.1:7). Are we to think that he comes with literal clouds, when "clouds" are a metaphor for "host or multitude (of angels and saints)?" (Heb.12:1; Jude 14; Rev.17:14b). Jesus was accompanied by such "clouds" when he came (Lk.2:13), and when he entered Jerusalem as the messiah. The multitude that followed him became "the cloud" (Lk.19: 37-38), affirming his messiahship.

4) The resurrection of "the dead in Christ" takes place not on the basis that their physical bodies are reconstituted after returning to the natural elements (e.g., through decomposition), but that spiritually they are able to attain (partake in) the Kingdom of Heaven (Rev.22:14; 20:6). In other words, they will resurrect from the level of Paradise to the level of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the spirit world. The physically dead will be raised spiritually (1Cor.15:35, 44).

5) To be "caught up in the air" is synonymous with being "quickened; exalted; raised up; made alive;" and, similar terms describing the effect of being resurrected. Likewise, to "be changed" by receiving a "new body;" "become a new creature;" "born again;" and other such similar experiences come about due to the transforming process of resurrection.

7) Let us consider a biblical precedent of resurrection of the deceased saints that some believed to be an example of the "rapture." Matt.27:52 tells us that, "after the resurrection of Jesus, many of the saints (of the Old Testament era)were raised up and appeared to many in the Holy City."

Their appearance to many in Jerusalem was as in dreams and visions, and not that they were physically walking around the Holy City and lived at particular geographical addresses. Had this been the case, all of Israel would have directly heard the testimonies of Abraham, Moses, King David, and notable others, that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Who would dare disbelieve these great patriarchs? All of Israel would have repented about killing Jesus and become converted.

Paul wisely instructs us that the body with which they (the physically dead) come is the spiritual body (1Cor.15:44), and Peter informs us that Jesus died in the flesh but resurrected in the spirit (Pet.3:18,19).

What does our Lord have to say on the matter? He speaks to this in John 6:62,63: "What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life (quickens), the flesh is of no avail...." (RSV)

In another account, the Bible records that Moses and Elijah appeared (spiritual manifestation) from Heaven and met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Lk.9, Matt.17, Mk.9). The disciples were amazed to have been able to witness this spiritual encounter, and to have heard the voice of God testifying to Jesus as: "My beloved son...." When it was concluded, Moses and Elijah suddenly disappeared from the scene (Mk.9:8).

The nature of the appearance of Moses and Elijah who had died hundreds of years before was that of a "spiritual manifestation," that which is analogous with angels appearing from Heaven (e.g. Lk.1:26; Acts 1:10), and similar to Jesus' promise to "manifest" to those who love him (Jn.14:21).

8) The popularity of a spectular apocalyptic event dramatized in futuristic science-fictional garb far outshines the position that Christ at the Second Coming, "comes like a thief in the night" (Rev.3:3; 16:15; Lk.12:39-40) to receive those who are spiritually awake; those who are able to show faith and wisdom to believe in the one whom God sends. The allegory of a "thief in the night" may evoke great displeasure, confusion and even fear. For, who likes the image of a burglar who stealthily enters one's home to rob and plunder, then without being recognized, escapes with the most treasured store? Here, we do not see a "catching away into the skies," befitting any form of euphorism. Instead, we are confronted with a challenge to practice faith and wisdom. That which Jesus found most lacking at the first advent. He was amongst them, but they did not recognize him as the Lord.

In Luke 17:26-37, Jesus draws a parallel of the days of the coming of the Son of Man with the days of Noah and Lot. He predicts that similar attitudes of the Sodomites and of those at Noah's time will prevail at the Second Coming. Again, the lesson to be learnt is quite obvious. It is through the practice of faith that man receives resurrection, when he unites with the one whom God sends to execute His will (Jn.6:28-29).

9) To escape from the world in the last days, as many believed will be effected through the "rapture," appears to be most convenient and comfortable. Compared to the ordeal of Noah building the ark of safety, and Moses going through the endless forbearing with the Hebrew people to escape Pharaoh's army, the "rapture" is indeed a spiritual handout unmatchable.

In John 17:15,20; as Jesus prepares for his departure, he forsees the fear-concerns of the believers (contemporary and future disciples). His prayer: "Father... I do not pray that you shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one...." This is an indication to us all that it is not by escaping but by the protection of God from Satan and evil demonic powers that we are able to trod the path of salvation.

"One taken and the other(s) left" means: 'the faithful will believe and follow and the unfaithful will remain behind.' It was the story of his faithful few disciples and the many who refused to believe and follow him. The New Testament references to this sad reality are overwhelming. To reiterate, resurrection (interim or final) takes place not by physical ascension into the atmosphere, but by believing in and uniting with the one whom God sends to accomplish His will on earth. (Jn.5:24, 6:28,29).

We can be assured by the words of Jesus that God consistently pursues His providence through a central figure on the earth, and at the Second Coming; faith, love and obedience on our part, before the returning Lord, will be the required response.

11) We will now look at a major area of misunderstanding, and in most cases, confusion, about the nature of the spirit body as it relates to the physical world.

The spirit body is an invisible body to the physical eyes, yet it is a substantial body. (Gen.2:7b; Zech.12:1; 1Cor.15:44b). It possesses universal qualities transcending time and space. It also has the ability to manifest in the physical world (as angels do)and function in ways typical of the physical body. (Gen.18:8; 32:24; Lk.24:37,41; Jn.20:26). When a person dies, his/her body goes back to the natural elements (by decay, cremation or otherwise)and his/her spirit goes to the spirit world (Eccl.12:7; Lk.16:22,23; Acts 2:31; 1:11).

That Jesus died and was resurrected by God; was seen by his disciples, ate with them, was touched by Thomas, and interacted in various ways with things physical, may be mistaken by many in believing that his state was physical. However, as we also know, he passed through locked doors and could appear and disappear in ways that angels do (Lk. 24). This is clear indication that he was in a supernatural or resurrected body. (Jn.6:63; 1Pet.3:18,19; 1Cor.15:44).

Scriptures affirm that we who are in Christ will resurrect with a body like his. (Phil.3:21). Since Jesus was resurrected with a spiritual body (spirit body), then we too will possess a similar body. This is the eternal body which is uniquely qualify to exist in Heaven (spirit world). (1Cor.15:50).

A "resurrected or redeemed physical body" (for those alive on the earth) will result as one which is cleansed of sin in the flesh, at the time of the Second Coming. Man's state will be as the original Adam before the fall, and like Christ.

Resurrection in both senses (spiritual and physical) means to "cross over (raised up, quickened or exalted) from the realm and lifestyle of death caused by the fall, to the realm of life in Christ" (Jn.5:24) and, according to God's original standard before Adam and Eve fell.

Proponents of the rapture doctrine consider this episode to be an example of end-time rapture. Such a belief is based on a misunderstanding of the workings of the spirit self. The spirit self has the ability to visit the spirit world at will (transcending time and space) while the physical body of the person remains here, on earth. This act of the spirit self is not a "rapture" as is presented by rapturists, but a visitation to the spirit world.

In John's case, he was given a special mission to record and declare to the church prophetic events of the last days. His physical body remained on the Isle of Patmos, it did not escape his exile (imprisonment) on the island.

Similar occurences of the actions of the spirit self may take place when a person is asleep or awake. They are often called: "in the body or out of the body experiences.." (see 2Cor.12:2,3).

13) On further reflections on 1 Thess.4, we encounter Paul's usage of the phrase: "in the air." (vs.17b). Immediately, one is apt to apply a literal-physical interpretation especially when one's mind is affixed to a naturalistic understanding typical of a Nicodemean response. With the awareness that Paul is speaking of the final resurrection, "in the air" takes on a special meaning. Here, it does not mean the physical, but rather, the holy spiritual atmosphere which surrounds Christ at His parousia- when he appears. In contrast, "...the air " of Eph.2:2, is the spiritual environment of the world controlled by Satan - the evil environment of which Satan is the prince.

14)Is there a contradiction in the 1Thess.4 text? Verses 14b, 16b and 17? On careful examination of the text, the above verses appear to be in contradiction. In what sense? If we should adopt a rapture-centered exegesis of the text, then the deceased believers (e.g., Stephen, the right hand thief and others, who died in Christ) who are already with Christ in Heaven, will come with him and at the same time, be resurrected from their graves, on earth, to meet him in the air. In other words, they are coming with Christ from Heaven while they are rising from their graves to meet him in the air. Both events cannot occur simultaneously.

Deceased believers literally rising from their earthly graves with physical bodies intact while concurrently descending from Heaven with Christ make the events in the narrative nonsensical, at best, when view from the standpoint of literal-external interpretation.

God is not an author of confusion. However, those who cling to a naturalistic understanding of spiritual things (e.g., John 6:51-56) will inevitably be caught in an delusion.

As we have explained previously, "those who have fallen asleep" (the physically dead) are not residing in literal physical graves, their spirit-selves are in their proper places in the spirit world (e.g. in Paradise). To rise from their graves/tombs" (e.g. Matt.27:53) means to resurrect from their assigned domains in the spirit world in order to ascend to a higher spiritual level (realm) through the process of resurrection, effected in and through Christ. Resurrection is also attained by those who are alive on earth (in the flesh), those who believe and receive Christ at his Coming (Jn.5:24; 1Cor.15:23). In this sense, both the deceased believers and those alive will be with Christ as a heavenly host ("clouds"). Their purpose and mission: to assist in the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth and in Heaven.

15) "The trump of the archangel." (1Thess.4:16b). From the perspective of the rapture doctrine, the rapture will be preceded by a trumpet call of an archangel. Today, we live in 'the last days of last days', and many of the prophecies that Jesus spoke of are literally unfolding before our eyes. According to the Book of Revelation, an angel of the Lord will blow a trumpet as each major event is about to unfold (8:7-13; 11:15). Yet, so far, no earthly person has heard the trimpet calls of angels heralding from heaven.

Here, again, we encounter a wrong assumption and a misunderstanding by rapture believers of the manner in which spiritual events unfold in the physical world.

There are a multitude of happenings occurring in the spirit realm unbeknownst to us on earth. Because, unless we are granted a special privilege (e.g., as John of Patmos received) to witness such events, in spirit, they go unnoticed to us while the providence of God moves forward.

Certainly, Christ will receive and bless those who faithfully believe and follow him at his coming. However, the question is: "in what manner will these events be fulfilled?"

The mistakes of the architects of the rapture doctrine occur due to their misunderstanding that decayed and/or non-existent dead bodies will be reasembled, and living people will take off in the atmosphere.

Because the human fall resulted in the loss of our spirituality and proper understanding of God's principles of creation, we have often times adopted a literal-physical understanding of profound spiritual matters, especially in areas of providential mysteries expressed in various types of apocalyptic writings. In addition to our unfavorable spiritual disposition, we are often at a loss to have an accurate understanding of the Bible which is written in codes, dark speech, and heavily laden in symbolic and parabolic language (Num.12:6; Ps.78:1-4; Mk.4:34; 1Cor.2:7a).

Nicodemus, the seventy disciples, the Jews, and even Jesus' immediate apostles had much problem understanding his words. In the case of the seventy, a major rift with Jesus resulted. (Jn.6:51-66).

For those looking for an easy ride, a "fly-me-into-heaven quickie"; those whom Jesus may label as unwise, looking for a wide gate to heaven, the rapture doctrine is most comfortable and convenient (Matt.7:13). However, there emerges another way, that which is described by him in Luke 13:24 - "the narrow path of faith," which must be traversed when the "Son of Man" returns on earth. (Lk.18:8).

A sky-watching, rapture-centered Christianity is liable to be blind to Satan's subtleties on earth. A ubiquitous mentality of imminent escapism is always lingering on the hearts of many and is often preferable to the serious commitment of the hard responsibilities of faith. Much of the fiery zeal of a once vibrant Christianity is conspicuously lacking in our present-day churches. Could it be that this rapture-conscious doctrine and its associated attitudes also have something to do with this? It can hardly be said that today's rapture-ready churches are ones "without spot or wrinkle"; the spiritual state necessary to meet Christ at his coming.

The historical biblical record of God's work to restore sinful man informs us that we should show faith in believing in the one sent by Him (Jn.6:28-29), deny ourselves and follow in absolute obedience and love. Through this process, resurrection, salvation, redemption and all the other spiritually transforming realities will take place. Fallen man does not meet the Messiah and enter Heaven by going through the physical skies, in his physical body, but by going the arduous path of faith, love and obedience. (Heb.11).

Today, the Holy Spirit is speaking plainly to those who will open their hearts, willing to help us understand the deeper things of scripture. Had Jesus not corrected Nicodemus, (Jn.3:4-5) today, we would still be waiting to re-enter our mother's womb to be reborn (a spiritual concept). What Paul calls: "caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1Thess.4:17) is also a spiritual concept, expressed in proto-apocalyptic language.

Jesus utilized the concept of the "marriage banquet" (Matt.22:1-4, Rev.19:7-9) to describe the main messianic event for receiving the faithful. Today, rapture preachers constantly probe the limits of pseudo-science to pose the question: "Are you ready or will you be left behind?" However, more accurately, our concerns should be about being "left out" of the marriage feast (Matt.25:10-12, 22:5; Rev.19:9), not because the Lord desires anyone to left out, but because many of us will not show faith to believe in him when he comes (Lk.18:8; 21:34-36).

Instead of dramatizing one of the most poignant of providential events in science-fictional garb, loaded with Hollywood-style fanfare, which results in sensationalism throughout the Christian world, it would better serve the will of God to encourage serious spiritual preparedness for the marriage supper.

Without doubt, the invitation to the marriage banquet (Matt.22:2-8; Rev.19:9) will be given again when the Lord arrives as the Bridegroom, and comes "as a thief in the night." (Rev.3:3). For, at the first advent, no one truly believed in him to the extent of risking their life for him. (Matt. 26:56b,74).