end times rapture in catholic theology

[jjsmity]

Just wondering what is the end times/rapture etc in catholic theology how/when does it happen? when does jesus return etc?

thanks.

 

[thistle]

Just wondering what is the end times/rapture etc in catholic theology how/when does it happen? when does jesus return etc?

thanks.

catholic.com/tracts/the-rapture

 

[Gorgias]

Rapture – at least in terms of what it currently means in the context of the past two centuries – doesn’t exist in Catholic theology.

How could it? It was developed in the 1800’s by Protestant exegetes!

Rather, Catholic theology teaches that there will be a single “second coming” of Jesus, not a ‘hidden’ and a ‘public’ second coming. It teaches that Jesus will return, and the end of the world will occur, and all will stand before Jesus, separated “as sheep and goats” and the eschaton will commence.

Catholic theology teaches that 1 Thess 4 teaches what Paul had in mind – not that there would be living humans ‘left behind’, but rather, that at the end of time, the dead will rise first and all of the rest of us who are living will be caught up with Christ in the clouds (to experience the final judgment). We recognize that Paul was talking to people who feared that their loved ones – who had died and were buried – would not be able to participate in eternal life. We realize that Paul’s words in 1 Thess 4 speak not to a ‘rapture’ of part of the living, but to the fact that all – living and dead – will have a share in eternal life.

Catholic theology teaches that a desire to transform Revelations from the apocalyptic genre to a ‘roadmap’ of predictions that will allow us to predict the time of the end of the world is unScriptural – just as Jesus taught us (that is, it is not for us to know the day or the hour)!

Hope this helps…

G.

 

[TimothyH]

There is no rapture.

-Tim-

 

[JackieO123]

The rapture is a protestant invention. A rather recent one at that.

 

[Ignatius]

Just wondering what is the end times/rapture etc in catholic theology how/when does it happen? when does jesus return etc?

thanks.

The Bible talks about the Parousia when Jesus returns at the end of time and His kingdom will have no end.

The term ‘Rapture’ is not in the bible.

 

[robwar]

Just wondering what is the end times/rapture etc in catholic theology how/when does it happen? when does jesus return etc?

thanks.

there are two very good books out there which explain the Catholic view on the end times
“will Catholics be left behind” and “the Rapture Trap”.
End times that are based on dispensationalism which lead to the rapture pre-millanialism are not a part of Catholic teaching and view of Jesus second return. Nor is it found in most mainline or historic Protestant groups either. It is a 19th century invention. You should read both books with goes into the rapture history and what it based on and then the real Catholic view of Jesus return which the Catholic church does teach but not in the way you are thinking.

 

[Gorgias]

The term ‘Rapture’ is not in the bible.

Actually, the word itself – rapiemur (we will be lifted up) – is in the Bible, at 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The particular non-Catholic doctrine of the ‘rapture’, as it’s been taught beginning in the 19th century, is what is not in the Bible.

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

Catholics do believe in the parousia of the last day. Those who are still on earth at the second coming of Christ will be caught up (1 Th 4:17). Jesus Christ only has one return. He will not come for “true Christians”, bring them up to heaven, and then let 7 years of tribulation happen to those who are supposedly left behind. 1 Th 4:15 says "For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.” The coming of the Lord is only going to happen once.

What’s funny is that people who believe in pre-millenial rapture think it’s biblical. But this is just the sort of distortion that we are warned about in 2 Pt 3:16. For example, the Scriptures says "As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left.” The one’s left behind were Noah and his family… the ones taken were the evil ones.

The twisting of Scripture to arrive at the notion of pre-millenial rapture is troubling enough, but that fact it wasn’t taught in the first 1800 years of Christianity is another red flag. It can be traced to one man’s (John Nelson Darby) distorted interpretation of Scripture. I’ve even looked at websites which make the claim that Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Cyprian taught the Rapture. Then I looked at the quotes and they are about the Last Day. :doh2:

 

[phil19034]

Rapture – at least in terms of what it currently means in the context of the past two centuries – doesn’t exist in Catholic theology.

How could it? It was developed in the 1800’s by Protestant exegetes!

Rather, Catholic theology teaches that there will be a single “second coming” of Jesus, not a ‘hidden’ and a ‘public’ second coming. It teaches that Jesus will return, and the end of the world will occur, and all will stand before Jesus, separated “as sheep and goats” and the eschaton will commence.

Catholic theology teaches that 1 Thess 4 teaches what Paul had in mind – not that there would be living humans ‘left behind’, but rather, that at the end of time, the dead will rise first and all of the rest of us who are living will be caught up with Christ in the clouds (to experience the final judgment). We recognize that Paul was talking to people who feared that their loved ones – who had died and were buried – would not be able to participate in eternal life. We realize that Paul’s words in 1 Thess 4 speak not to a ‘rapture’ of part of the living, but to the fact that all – living and dead – will have a share in eternal life.

Catholic theology teaches that a desire to transform Revelations from the apocalyptic genre to a ‘roadmap’ of predictions that will allow us to predict the time of the end of the world is unScriptural – just as Jesus taught us (that is, it is not for us to know the day or the hour)!

Hope this helps…

G.

Please note: the Orthodox do NOT believe in the “Rapture” either. Their understanding is exactly the same as (or extremely similar to) Catholic theology regarding the end of times.

 

[SAVINGRACE]

Everyone else has explained the Catholic position on ‘rapture’.

As for when Jesus will return, the Church has no official position or exact date. The Church does not predict dates. Sacred Scripture points to the time and place of the second coming of the Messiah as being unknown.

The Church encourages believers to focus on our immediate spiritual welfare in daily life.

Having said that some Catholics enjoy ‘looking for the signs’ when Christ will return. I don’t engage in this as I believe it serves no purpose to my spiritual edification.

I hope that was helpful.

 

[Nelka]

There is no rapture in the manner that Protestants teach it.

None of us will be caught up to avoid antichrist.

 

[Gorgias]

There is no rapture in the manner that Protestants teach it.

None of us will be caught up to avoid antichrist.

… and, therefore, neither will anyone be “left behind” to have to deal with him.

 

[TimothyH]

… and, therefore, neither will anyone be “left behind” to have to deal with him.

Actually the righteous will be with the Lord but they will remain here on earth, left behind (if you will). The unrighteous will be swept away.

As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. (Matthew 24:27-31)

The unrighteous were swept away in the days of Noah. Only righteous Noah and his family were left behind. Rapture theology however, teaches that the unrighteous will be left behind - exactly opposite of what the Bible says.

-Tim-

 

[jjsmity]

Thank you all for posts.

 

[Church_Militant]

I agree with what other posters have offered. You might also check out the following links.

• The Rapture?
• A friend of mine has been reading the “Left Behind” books that have all of this stuff about the “Rapture” in them…is there really going to be a “Rapture” like these books talk about?
• The Rapture and the Bible