How do I explain to a Protestant the Rapture is not biblical?

[nlanier]

Reading the previous post you answered on the Rapture. Here’s my question regarding the Rapture: Some of my non-Catholic friends believe in the Rapture and I the Resurrection. I haven’t found any scripture supporting the Rapture. How do I explain this to them without offending?

Thank you.

 

[Karlo_Broussard]

The most common view of the Rapture is that faithful Christians will be caught up with the Lord before the great tribulation. The wicked will be “left behind” to go through the tribulation with a chance to repent and be saved.

The problem with this view is that the text used to support it, Lk 17:34-35, actually suggests the opposite of the Rapturist’s view. According to the context, the wicked are taken away and the righteous are left behind.

The clue that leads to this interpretation is the apostles’ question in vs. 37, “Where Lord?” Obviously they are not asking about the people left behind because we know where they are left–on earth. How does Jesus answer? “Where the body is, there the vultures will gather.” Does that sound like Heaven? Of course not. Consequently, we conclude that the people taken are the wicked and those left behind are the righteous.

For more information, read this tract by Catholic Answers:
catholic.com/tracts/the-rapture