[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 24:40[/BIBLEDRB]
Does this support the rapture? Protestants think it does.
What is a good refute to this verse.
I understand that the rapture is a 19th century protestant doctrine, that is really the only rebute I see that the Catholic Church has against it.
But what is a refute to that verse, along with the one in 2 Thessalonians. I forget which.
Thanks.
This verse in no way supports the rapture. The problem with use of Matt 24: 34-41 becomes really clear when looking at the companion passage found in Luke 17: 26-36. In Luke, those who are taken away are not a reference to Jesus rapturing the faithful. Instead it is a reference to punishment. This is clear by the mention of what happened in the days of Noah and Lot.
That passage reads in total as follows:
“As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man. They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was in the days of Lot–they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all–so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed. On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away; and likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left.” And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
So those that are left are the faithful and those taken away are those that are the evil doers.
It is also important to note that the “rapture” is really only referenced in 1 Thess 4:17 and that is a reference to the end of time. Moreover, verse 15 makes it clear that the dead will rise first before anyone is "caught up[raptured] in the air to meet the Lord. John 6 makes it clear that the dead will rise on the last day. Moreover, this can also be seen in the conversation between Martha and Jesus in speaking of Lazarus when he was in the tomb[see John 11:23-24]. In that passage we read the following:
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
I hope this helps and God bless.
