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NASB | Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 2:13 awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, |
Subject: The Rapture, a comming event. |
Bible Note: Greetings Bruce! It is a common statement that the doctrine of the Rapture is only a recent development theologically. Unfortunately, it simply isn't true. One can make a case for it from Scripture - even though the word 'rapture' is not used in Scripture, the concept is certainly there. Secondly, there is historical evidence from early in Church history that the concept of the rapture was taught even then by some. Here is a repost of an older post of mine on this topic. ************************************* Greetings Kalos! From the reading I have done, it seems that post-tribulationists have tried very hard to make it seem that a pre-tribulational rapture is a recent deveolopment in theology. However, there is evidence dating from between 300-600 a.d. of a pre-tribulational rapture. This evidence is found in a document called "Pseudo-Ephraem's Sermon." Here is a quote which discusses the nature of this document: ******************************************** "The word "Pseudo" (Greek for false) is a prefix attached by scholars to the name of a famous historical person or book of the Bible when one writes using that name. Pseudo-Ephraem claims that his sermon was written by Ephraem of Nisibis (306-73), considered to be the greatest figure in the history of the Syrian church. He was well-known for his poetics, rejection of rationalism, and confrontations with the heresies of Marcion, Mani, and the Arians. As a poet, exegete, and theologian, his style was similar to that of the Jewish midrashic and targumic traditions and he favored a contemplative approach to spirituality. So popular were his works that in the fifth and sixth centuries he was adopted by several Christian communities as a spiritual father and role model. His many works, some of doubtful authenticity, were soon translated from Syriac into Greek, Armenian, and Latin." (http://millennianet.com/atpro4se/ancient.html) The relevant quotation is cited below: "All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins." -Pseudo-Ephraem (c. 374-627)" ********************************************** I hope this is helpful! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |