In this continuing study I take a look at the Rapture Doctrine. Is this a Pre-Trib, as taught in most mainstream Churches are do Christians go through the Tribulation Period? I compare Thessalonians to Matthew 24 along with Revelation. I venture into Paul’s writings to explore what he has to say, along with what Yahweh says in Ezekiel.
In this Part 57 I do a Brief summary of the history of the rapture doctrine:
First of all, the word ‘rapture’ is not even included in the Scriptures and was unknown as a theology or a doctrine by the Church for well over 1,800 years. Where then did it come from and when did it begin?
Its origins are in the Counter Reformation move of Papal Rome in the 16th century after Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. It is less well known that the pope at that time authorized three Jesuit Priests to reinterpret Daniel’s 70 weeks of prophecy; the Book of Revelation; and Ezekiel. The goal of these Jesuits was to take the heat of the reformation away from the papacy and the protestant association of the Anti-Christ with the pope.   The three Jesuits were:
Francisco Ribera (1537-1591) of Salamanca
Luis de Alcazar (1554-1621) of Seville
Cardinal Roberto Bellarmine (1542-1621)
The doctrine – called futurism – which would later become ‘the rapture’ originated and was submitted by Francisco Ribera in 1585. His Apocalyptic Commentary was on the grand points of Babylon and the Anti-Christ which are now known as the rapture doctrine. Ribera’s published work was called “In Sacram Beati Ionnis Apostoli & Evangelistate Apocoalypsin Commentari” (Lugduni 1593).
Unfortunately, over 200 years later a librarian to the Archbishop of Canterbury by the name of S. R. Maitland (1792-1866) was appointed to be the Keeper of the Manuscripts at Lambeth Palace, in London, England. In his duties, Dr. Maitland came across Francisco Ribera’s rapture theology and he had it republished for the sake of interest in early 1826 with follow ups in 1829 and 1830.
This was spurred along with the Oxford Tracts that were published in 1833 to try and deprotestantize the Church of England.  John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) (A Leader of the Plymouth Brethren) became a follower of S.R. Maitland’s prophetic endeavors and was persuaded. Darby’s influence in the seminaries of Europe combined with 7 tours of the United States changed the eschatological view of the ministers which had the trickle down effect into the churches.
In American History there is a name that everyone should know, John Locke. John was labeled by many historians “America’s Philosopher.” Why I am bringing up John Locke? John was a great fan of Robert Bellarmine! Matter of fact John stated these words that will become the rationale of the American Revolution: “Men being by nature all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate and subjected to the political power of another, without his consent…”
In the English speaking world, Edward Irving and John Nelson Darby further elaborated on this system by inventing a secret rapture 7 years before the end. They correctly taught that the Christians are restraining evil—in this case Protestant Christians— who will be removed from the earth before the Antichrist will be revealed. In popular literature it is called the Rapture or catching away!!
Those who are LEFT BEHIND will get another chance to be saved ... if they choose death rather that accept the mark of the beast!!
Don’t overlook that fact that this Pre-Trip rapture doctrine was created by the Jesuits of the Catholic Church to sway the Protestants from believing that the Pope would be the future Anti-Christ! In order to understand these church doctrines you and I need to understand the history in which they were formed!
Have any questions? Feel free to email me at [email protected]