Usually when referencing the End-time and rapture, the debate almost always turns to the rapture versus the Second Coming.\u00a0 Recently I heard a minister say that there will be many or several raptures in the End-time.\u00a0\u00a0 The events that he cited as raptures were: John in Rev.4: 1-2, the 144,000 in Rev. 14:1-5, and the two witnesses in Rev. 11:12. Are these events actually considered to be raptures?\u00a0 Is this viewpoint actually supported by scripture?<\/p>\n
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First we must define the meaning of the word \u2018rapture\u2019 to determine whether or not the previously mentioned events qualify as raptures.\u00a0 Rapture is commonly thought to be the time when Christ returns to the earth\u2019s atmosphere to gather all of his saints. \u00a0This is none other than a resurrection; however the rapture is more than just a resurrection.\u00a0 It consists of two distinct elements. The first element is being resurrected, and the second element is being immortal.\u00a0 Many people have been resurrected but they were not raptured, because they had to suffer death again.\u00a0 A person that is raptured is immune to death; therefore he is capable of standing in the presence of God in heaven. \u00a0Lazarus is a perfect example.\u00a0 He died and was resurrected, but he did not stand in the presence of God, because his resurrected body was still mortal.\u00a0 If a body is resurrected and not classified as immortal, then it is not raptured.<\/p>\n
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Let\u2019s examine the events above to determine whether or not they can be classified as raptures. \u00a0In the case of John in Rev. 4:1-2, John had an out of body experience, which is equivalent to a dream or a vision.\u00a0 John\u2019s encounter was the same thing that King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel experienced.\u00a0 Both of these men received revelation knowledge of future events while still in their natural body. We know that John was not raptured because he was alive and well in a natural body as he wrote the book of Revelation.\u00a0 Likewise, King Nebuchadnezzar was not raptured because he continued to rule Babylon, which is an earthly kingdom.<\/p>\n
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The 144,000 in Rev. 14:1-5, was a group of people that lived during the Tribulation Period.\u00a0 This is a unique group because they are considered to be the first fruits.\u00a0 Often times, the phrase \u2018first fruits\u2019 is mistakenly taken to mean the first to go to heaven.\u00a0 The 144,000 are the first Jewish born-again citizens during the Tribulation Period.\u00a0 Scripture stated that they are without fault.\u00a0 They are without fault, because they have just repented.\u00a0 When an individual repents or becomes born-again; all of his past sins are washed away; therefore he is without fault, (Heb. 10:17).<\/p>\n
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The 144,000 are the first to be redeemed from among mankind, (Rev. 14:4).\u00a0 Sometimes people confuse being \u2018redeemed\u2019 to mean that they are in heaven.\u00a0 No, they are not in heaven.\u00a0 They are still on earth.\u00a0 Redeemed means to be bought and paid for.\u00a0 All born-again Christians are redeemed (bought and paid for) but they are still right here on earth.\u00a0 As of yet, no Christian has been raptured, even though they are redeemed. \u00a0All of mankind has been redeemed, merely because Jesus died for us all, even though some has not accepted that redemption.\u00a0 Redemption does not automatically put one in a state of being raptured.\u00a0 Redemption means that Jesus paid the price for all of mankind. His death on the cross; bridged the gap, providing once again a way for mankind to dwell with God.\u00a0 Again, there is no record of the 144,000 dying or receiving an immortal body.<\/p>\n
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Something else to consider, the 144,000 are compared to mortal men singing the words to a song. The 144,000 are still on earth in a mortal body, but the only difference between them and the rest of the Jewish people, is that they are the first to be born again during the Tribulation Period.\u00a0 Because they are recently born-again, they now learn (understand) what it means to worship God, while the unsaved do not understand the love of God.\u00a0 If the 144,000 were in heaven it would be comparing mortals to immortals, the equivalent to comparing apples and oranges.\u00a0 The 144,000 are not raptured.\u00a0 They are born-again but they continue to live hear on earth during the Tribulation Period.<\/p>\n
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The two witnesses in Rev. 11:12 have in fact died.\u00a0 Their dead bodies lay in the street three and a half days.\u00a0 They did indeed come back to life.\u00a0 They also ascended into heaven with immortal bodies.\u00a0 The two witnesses meet all the criteria necessary to be raptured.<\/p>\n
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Scripture tells us that there will only be two resurrections.\u00a0 This poses a problem for the viewpoint of several raptures because there is no rapture without a resurrection.\u00a0 Rev. 20:5-6, stated clearly that there was a \u2018first resurrection (rapture) and a second resurrection (rapture).\u00a0 The second rapture is actually referred to as the\u00a0second death.<\/em>\u00a0This is not an individual that has died two physical deaths.\u00a0 It is referencing a resurrection where an individual is separated from God forever.\u00a0 The first resurrection (rapture) is for all of the righteous dead and those that are righteous and still alive at the time that Christ returns, (1 Thess. 4:13-18).\u00a0 The second death or resurrection (rapture) is reserved for all of the unrighteous at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).\u00a0 It will take place some time after the thousand-year millennium.\u00a0 No there cannot be several raptures as some suppose.\u00a0 It will only be two raptures or resurrections as stated by the scriptures in Rev. 20:5-6.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We have determined that neither, John in Rev. 4:1-2 or the 144,000 in Rev. 14:1-5 were raptured.\u00a0 Of the three groups of people mentioned, the two witnesses were the only individuals that took part in rapture. The next question is which rapture or resurrection did the two witness participate?\u00a0 It would have to be the first resurrection, because we know that they died in a righteous state and when they were resurrected, they journeyed into heaven by way of a cloud while others watched them.\u00a0 They were resurrected before the thousand-year millennium; therefore their rapture could not have been the second resurrection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In conclusion, there will not be several end-time raptures.\u00a0 It will only be ONE and that rapture will take place before the millennium. This rapture will begin with the two witnesses, (Rev. 11:11-12) and it is all inclusive of the rapture of every righteous person, both dead and alive, (1 Thess. 4:16-17).<\/p>\n