The Secret Rapture: Is It Scriptural? - Softcover

Woodrow, Ralph E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0916938093 ISBN 13: 9780916938093

Publisher: Ralph Woodrow, 1989

Synopsis

Explains why men like Oswald J. Smith would say: "There is not a single verse in the Bible that upholds the pre-tribulation theory." Based on part one of GREAT PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE, by Ralph Woodrow, this 64-page book (available in this form for wider distribution), shows that the now-popular "secret" rapture was not taught in the early centuries of the church, but developed within the last two centuries.

All Christians generally believe that Christ will come again and believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. But as to the TIME of this event (in relation to other events), there is not this general agreement. De Haan says that believers will be caught "up into heaven" before the tribulation period and that this "is the teaching of Revelation and of the entire Bible." On the other hand, many believe the same as Oswald J. Smith, who said there is no Scripture for the secret rapture theory.

About this title

About the Author

In addition to authoring over a dozen books, Ralph Woodrow has had the opportunity to speak for many Churches and groups of various denominations during 40 years of ministry-including camp meetings, conventions and conferences. Through a unique set of circumstances he was put into the ministry at age 18 (and has never had any other occupation). His ministry began in Canada, where he went as a pianist for an evangelist-but soon several Churches and groups opened their doors for Ralph to preach extended revival meetings. When he returned home after a few months of ministry in Canada, God continued to open doors for him to preach the Gospel- preaching for many Churches and denominational rallies. As a single man of 21 he felt led to hold tent revivals and also to preach on the radio, with good results from both. From these early beginnings sprang an inter-denominational ministry, through which many effective doors of ministry open to this day.

In his early teens, he began to search the Scriptures-becoming intrigued to discover things in the Bible that he hadn't been taught. Similarly, he began to discover that some of the things he had been taught were not in the Bible. Ralph memorized hundreds of Scriptures as a teenager-his whole life revolved around studying God's Word and seeking God's will for his life. He preached his first sermon when he was 15 in their local Church. He spent much time at the Church, doing anything he could to serve the Lord-mowing the lawns, cleaning the Church, praying, and attending the meetings where he grew in the Spirit-filled life.

Throughout his ministry, in addition to preaching the Gospel at large, he has shared neglected biblical truths. AS AN AUTHOR, he is known for his scholarly research, along with his emphasis on the importance of love and unity. He emphasizes that if Christians disagree on some points of doctrine-they should disagree agreeably-knowing that all Christians agree on more than they disagree. Books he has authored total over a half million in print. Also, he has shared printed sermons with a select list-since 1961. Woodrow was born in San Jacinto, California and grew up in nearby Riverside. He and his wife, Arlene who is also a minister and writer, minister in various capacities locally in addition to periodically ministering throughout the U.S., and sometimes in Canada.

FREE-learn more about Woodrow's ministry. Send a legal size SASE and request "Celebrating 40 Years Ministry" ('97) and the January '98 "Palm Springs Letter."

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

We hear a lot today about the "rapture." It is preached and taught in positive terms on Christian radio and television programs. "The ultimate trip," as some call it, has been the theme of sensational movies. Bumper stickers carry slogans like: "In case of the Rapture, this vehicle will be unmanned," or "The Rapture: The only way to fly!"

Dramatic sermons tell how thousands of people will suddenly disappear into thin air. Cars will wreck, veer off the road, or plummet over cliffs, as drivers are raptured away. Planes will crash as Christian pilots go up in the rapture! Television programs will be interrupted as frantic voices give reports-a horrified husband says he and his wife were eating, when suddenly she disappeared right before his eyes. A mother reports seeing her baby instantly vanish from its crib. A Christian doctor who had just made the incision for major surgery, suddenly disappeared through the ceiling of the operating room!

While newspaper boys holler out headlines about "Millions Missing," church members (who missed the rapture!) will meet in emergency sessions, choosing new leadership, as they face the years ahead. The rapture has taken place! The trumpet of the Lord has sounded! And time continues on. IS THIS THE SCRIPTURAL DESCRIPTION OF THE RAPTURE?

One can search all the way through the Bible and he will never find the word "rapture." The word itself is form the Latin rapere, the same word from which "rape" comes-meaning to seize, to take away. It seems to us that a more appropriate expression would be to simply say what the Bible says: that believers will be "caught up" to meet the Lord in the air. Nevertheless, the word rapture is now in common use, it is applied to the catching up of believers to meet the Lord, and so we will not refrain from using it here.

The issue before us is not the word "rapture." The doctrine of the second coming of Christ, which has been the "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) of the church over the centuries, is not the issue. That believers will actually be caught up to meet the Lord in the air is not the issue. The issue before us is whether this catching up (or rapture) is a separate and earlier event from the coming of the Lord.

Christians who hold what is called the "dispensational" interpretation of prophecy, teach that the second coming of Christ will be in two stages: first, the RAPTURE (his coming for the saints), and then later the REVELATION (his coming with the saints). The interval between these two events, the great tribulation period, is commonly regarded as seven years. Verses like Revelation 1:7, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him," are applied to the REVELATION-his coming in power and glory. The RAPTURE, on the other hand, is presented as a quiet, invisible, and secret coming

...In all due respect to those who still hold the secret rapture teaching-some dear friends and fellow ministers being among that number-it is our sincere conviction that it should be rejected, first, because it lacks solid scriptural support, and secondly, because of its comparatively recent origin. Though the secret rapture position still receives a lot of publicity, there are many within the body of Christ who are taking a second look at the rapture question. There is a distinct turning back to the original, apostolic, historical position.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ralph Woodrow
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0916938093
• ISBN 13: 9780916938093
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 64