Kingdom, Judgment, and Victory

The Rapture Of The Wicked

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Eschatology

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2016-09-27

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver challenges the popular dispensational pre-tribulation rapture theory, arguing from Scripture that the 'rapture' (harpazo) passages in Luke 17 and Matthew 24 actually describe the taking away of the wicked in judgment, not the secret removal of saints. He traces the rapture theory's origins to the 1830s, surveys four eschatological views, and emphasizes that all orthodox positions affirm Christ's literal, visible, bodily return. The message urges holy living and warns against false assurance, concluding that at Christ's coming the wicked will be seized first for destruction while the righteous remain to inherit the earth.

[John Weaver] Luke 17 verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the days of the son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, also, as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted and built it. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed. And that day he which shall be upon the housetop and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away, and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

[John Weaver] Remember Lot's wife, whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed, the one shall be taken, the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinded together, the one shall be taken, the other left. Two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left.

[John Weaver] And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Let me make a rather lengthy introduction to this message today. You know, the problem is everybody wants to be right. And not only do we want to be right, we want our family to be right. We want our church to be right. We want our friends to be right. And therefore, we will always defend the views that we hold and or necessarily the views that our friends hold. I remember years ago when the Lord not only saved me but called me to preach and then I went to college and I remember in the class the teacher was teaching something entirely different than I had been taught. And actually if that teacher was right, and I realized it, if that teacher was right, not only was I wrong, But all my friends who had taught me and helped me were wrong as well. And I never will forget, I stood in class and where I went to the university, you just don't do this, but I was so upset, I was so angry, I put my finger in his face and I said, the only reason you're saying what you're saying is because you want to be intellectually

[John Weaver] accepted in the academic elite. And you know what he said to me? Mr. Weaver, sit down and shut up. He said, I'll see you after class. Well, the thing that galled me and the thing that got me was because I realized if what he was saying was right, then I was wrong. And all my friends were wrong. And I did not want my friends to be wrong worse than I didn't want to be wrong myself.

[John Weaver] But it meant, therefore, that all the teaching, all the years that I'd had, were in vain. Now usually, whenever anyone hears anything different from the way they were raised or the way that they've been taught, the very first response is to reject it. Just cast it to a side. Why? Because we believe that what we've always been taught and what we always have heard is right. And usually it takes two or three times hearing a subject before we even begin to see it. And then once we begin to see it and everything clicks and falls into place, then we wonder why we never understood it the first time.

[John Weaver] Why did we ever get upset? Why did we ever reject it the first time? Because now we can see it clearly.

[John Weaver] Now, whenever you begin to talk about the subject of eschatology, and eschatology is the study of last things, there is absolutely so much confusion over eschatology today. And let me say, whatever your eschatological position is, and I'm going to define the major positions for you in just a moment, but whatever your eschatological position is, let me point out the fact that most people believe what they believe eschatologically, not because they have studied it out from Scripture and are convinced that that's what the Scripture teaches. Most people believe what they believe eschatologically because that's what they've heard all their life. That's what they've been taught and preached to, and that's why they believe it. But do you realize that's true in every other doctrine? That's why most Baptists are Baptists. Not because they've studied the Bible and believe that the Baptists are closer to the Word of God than any other group. No, they were just raised Baptists.

[John Weaver] Same thing with Roman Catholics. Same thing with Methodists. The truth is, most of us just simply do not study.

[John Weaver] Now, in light of the video series and the book Left Behind, I mean, man, there is a plethora of books promoting all kind of eschatological position. You know, and I find it absolutely interesting that there are so many prophecy conferences, and you turn on the TV, and everybody's talking about prophecy, and everybody's talking about what's going to happen 40 years from now, and they're worrying about the Antichrist, and they're worrying about the ward on the nose of the Antichrist, You know, but no one is concerned about living godly and holy and obedient now. I'm going to tell you, I believe there is, first of all, an undue emphasis placed upon eschatology. And eschatology is important and I'm going to talk about that in just a moment.

[John Weaver] But the truth is, the average church and the average Christian is living in utter chaos and confusion. And that's not only true in his individual life, but in the church and also in our homes and in the state. Everywhere I go, I have people ask me this simple question. Don't you believe that we're living in the last days? And my response to that is this. Well, of course, but which last days are you talking about?

[John Weaver] And you know, that really gets a puzzled look on them. Well, let me show you what I'm talking about. Look in your Bibles, whole Luke 17, we're coming back there. But look in 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11. 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11. I'll explain my question, which last days are you talking about? 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11, the Word of God says this, Now all these things happen unto them for examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends, plural, of the world are come. Oh, there's more than one end of the world. Isn't that amazing? The word ends is plural. You say, how can there be more than one end of the world? Well, I'll explain in just a moment. Look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter 2.

[John Weaver] Notice, if you would please, verses 16 and 17. Acts 2, beginning there with verse 16. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

[John Weaver] Well, what is he saying? But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. He's talking about the day of Pentecost. Peter is preaching at the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, and he says this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. It shall come to pass in the last days. The last days of what? Well, there's the last days of the Old Covenant. There's the last days of the Levitical priesthood. You follow me? There's more than one last days. Look in your Bible, if you would please, to 1 Peter chapter 1. 1 Peter chapter 1. Notice verse 20. 1 Peter 1 verse 20. In reference to Jesus Christ, in fact, read verse 19, you'll see it.

[John Weaver] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Here's the last times of those Old Testament sacrifices. I mean, you know, look in 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 7.

[John Weaver] Now the Apostle Paul says, but the end of all things is at hand, Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. The end of all things. There are a number of things that ended in the New Testament. But I ask that you turn in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter 1, and this will probably answer a lot of it for you. When someone asks me, Brother Weaver, don't you believe we're living in the last days? And my answer is, well, yes, of course. But do you know when the last days began?

[John Weaver] Most people do not, but here it is spelled out in Scripture. Look at it. Hebrews 1 verse 1, God, who at sunbury times and in divers or different manners spake in time passing the fathers by the prophets.

[John Weaver] Now, how did God speak in the Old Testament and part of the New Testament? Through the prophets. Watch. He hath in these last days spoken thus by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world. When did the last days begin? At the first coming of Jesus Christ. We've been in the last days since the birth of Christ. So we've actually been in the last days for what? Two thousand years.

[John Weaver] Now, the point I'm trying to make is, there is so much confusion over eschatology. And many times, and I'll explain this and show it to you from the Bible, many times we do what is known as eisegesis instead of exegesis. Eis is the Greek word which means into. So actually in eisegesis, what you do is you read into a passage what you already think and what you already believe. Exegesis, ex means to draw out of. Exegesis is when you actually draw out of that passage. and bring forth what that passage actually teaches. Now the truth of the matter is this, you know as well as I do, anyone can make the Bible teach whatever they want it to teach as long as they engage in exegesis. But when you engage in exegesis, you can't do that. You must make the Bible say what the Bible says. Now, let me just make several statements.

[John Weaver] The first one is this, eschatology is important, but it is not something to divide fellowship over. Good men have disagreed on eschatology for thousands of years. And I want to assure you, I will not settle the major question of eschatology by this one message. I will not. Good men have disagreed over this for thousands of years. So if you don't necessarily agree with what I'm going to teach today, My advice to you is don't get bent out of shape, just study the Scripture. Okay? Just don't get upset about it. Just look and see what the Scripture does say.

[John Weaver] Now, you've got to understand that eschatology does indeed influence your worldview. It influences your everyday life, your conduct, your actions, your short-term goals, your long-term goals. I heard J. Vernon McGee. He's now dead and thankfully he knows better. But someone asked him a question about trying to subdue the world and exercise dominion. And here was his answer. You don't polish brass on a sinking ship. That's what he said. Well, I got news for you folks. Even if this world is sinking, you still must do what God commands you to do. I mean, I don't believe the world is sinking, but I'm just simply saying we've got to understand that you can have a defeatist attitude or you can have an optimistic attitude based upon your eschatology. Now, remember, eschatology is not something to divide over, and I'll explain in just a moment, but it is important because it affects your worldview.

[John Weaver] Now, let me give you very quickly the four main eschatological positions. Whenever you hear about eschatology, and by the way, we normally think of the return of Christ, but eschatology involves death, it involves judgment, it involves the return of Christ, it involves more than the return of Christ, but most people just single out the return of Jesus Christ. Now, you have four main views of eschatology. You have what is known as historic premillennialism. Historic premillennialism just simply teaches that Jesus Christ is going to come back before the millennium. In other words, he will inaugurate the millennium by his return. Now, historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture, did not believe in a rapture, did not even know of a rapture.

[John Weaver] That was the view of some of the early Baptist preachers. They were historic premillennialists. Okay. The second group, and I'm going to tell you a little bit more about them in just a moment. There is what is known as the dispensational premillennialist. Now the dispensational premillennialist teach that our Lord is coming back in two stages. He's going to come back in a rapture. Then there's going to be a seven year tribulation period. And then he's going to come back a second time. And when you get in dispensational premillennialism, you have, are you listening? You have a pre-trib rapture theory, a mid-trib rapture theory, and a post-trib rapture theory. So some people believe that the rapture is going to come before the tribulation, some during the tribulation, and some immediately after the tribulation. So actually, a dispensational pre-trib man may have several pastor friends who hold different views as to when the rapture is going to come. So you have a dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. Thirdly, you have amillennialism.

[John Weaver] Amillennialism was started by Augustine in the fourth century at the fall of the Roman Empire. And basically it spiritualizes the millennium and says that Christ is reigning now in the heart. And that is true. He is reigning now in the heart, but there is amillennialism. And fourthly, you have what is known as postmillennialism. Postmillennialism says that Christ is going to come back after the millennium. that the millennium will be an unspecified period of time and that we will have victory on this earth in time and in history by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. See, that's postmillennialism. Now you've got historic premillennialism, you've got dispensational premillennialism, you've got amillennialism, and you've got postmillennialism.

[John Weaver] Now let me show you why I said it's really nothing to fall out and sever fellowship about. Do you realize whichever position you take, all four positions teach that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. They just disagree as to when and how. You see what I'm saying? So, if Ed wants to be an amillennialist and Henry wants to be a postmillennialist and Doc wants to be a premillennialist, They all believe that Christ is human, literally, visibly, and bodily. Why in the world are they going to fight about when He's coming back and how He's coming back?

[John Weaver] Now, I can assure you this. I don't know the answer to all of them, but I can assure you this. At least three of those positions are wrong. And we're going to know for sure which one is right. when the Lord comes back. So I'm just simply trying to demonstrate the fact that, you know, there are some things you cannot be dogmatic on. We can be absolutely dogmatic that our Lord is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. We just cannot necessarily be dogmatic as to when and how. Now, I know what I believe concerning that. You may know what you believe concerning that. But we cannot fuss and fight about it and lose fellowship over it. Now, I'm going to be preaching today on what I've called the rapture of the wicked. That is an absolutely astounding and an amazing subject. Most people associate the word rapture with the saints. The rapture theory as you and I have been taught it and have heard it all of our lives, believe this or not, it is the truth.

[John Weaver] Did not begin until the 1800s. specifically in the 1830s and actually it came to light by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald who was a tongue-speaking prophetess and during one of her trances when she was speaking in tongues she discovered this dispensational pre-trib rapture theory she taught it to her cohort who was a Roman Catholic priest. The Roman Catholic priest, of course, believed it. He then taught it to John Nelson Darby of the Plymouth Brethren. The Darbyites then embraced what is known as dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. Now what John Nelson Darby did was this. He turned around and taught this to one of his ablest students. who was a man by the name of C.I.

[John Weaver] Scofield, who put it in the notes of the Scofield Bible. And consequently, it became popular throughout this country. There were numerous prophecy conferences back then, and of course, most of the pastors rejected what is known as the Rapture Theory. They fought against it, but however, Through C.I. Schofield, it actually came to be acceptable. Now, may I point out that the word rapture does not occur in the Bible. The word rapture is derived from the Latin word rapillo, which literally means to seize or to catch by force. Now, there is a difference, and let me point this out. There is a difference between what is known as the rapture and the fact that our Lord is coming again. You see, all four views once again believe that our Lord is returning literally and visibly and bodily. But the dispensational premials say that He's coming back twice. Once in a secret rapture, and then once again at the end of the tribulation period. So historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture. So the fact that our Lord is indeed returning visibly bodily and will gather his own to himself.

[John Weaver] Are you listening? That fact does not necessitate a secret rapture or even a separate rapture for the Saints.

[John Weaver] Now, I'm going to show you several verses in the Bible. The Greek word is the word harpazo. I'm going to show you every time it occurs in the New Testament. It only occurs 13 times. But the word caught up that is translated in 1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 17 is the Greek word harpazo. We'll look at it in just a moment. So please understand this word is used only 13 times.

[John Weaver] I will tell you what it means. It literally means to catch or to take away or to seize by force. For instance, let's go in our Bibles to Matthew 11, the very first time the word occurs. Very quickly, you turn with me to these passages. You can underline it in your Bibles. Here it is every time that it occurs in the New Testament. Matthew 11, and look if you would please, 12, verse 12. Matthew 11, verse 12.

[John Weaver] Our Lord says, And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffered violence, and the violent do what? Take it by force. That's the word harponzo. So it's translated there to take by force. Look at Matthew 13 and verse 19. Matthew 13 and verse 19. He says, When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, that is Satan, and catcheth away, or takes away by force that which was sown in his heart, this is he who receives seed by the wayside. So Satan then is catching away or taking the word by force. Look in John chapter 6 and verse 15. Here's the third time the Word occurs. John chapter 6 and verse 15. Here the Word of God says, When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come in Harpazo, that is, take Him by force to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone. Look in John chapter 10 and verse 12. John 10 and verse 12. Every one of these verses is the Greek word herpazo.

[John Weaver] He says, But he that is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth a wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, or takes them by force, and scattereth the sheep. Look in John 10 and verse 28. He says, And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck or take them by force out of my hand. Look in John or Acts chapter 8 and verse 39. Acts 8 verse 39. Once again, it means to catch away or to take by force. Here's Philip. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip or took him by force that the eunuch saw him no more and he went his way rejoicing. So he took him by force. Then if you look in Acts 23 in verse 10. Acts 23, verse 10. Acts 23, notice if you would please verse 10.

[John Weaver] Here the word of God says, And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him by force, there's the word arpazo, from among them and bring them into the castle. Then if you'll look in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 2 and verse 4, 2 Corinthians 12, look in verse 2, same word, Paul says, I knew a man in Christ above 14 years ago, whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth such in one caught up or seized and taken away by force into third heaven. And I knew a man whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell God knoweth how that he was caught up into paradise or seized and taken away by force. Then very quickly, if you'll go to first Thessalonians chapter four, here it is in verse 17, the passage I alluded to earlier. 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 17, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

[John Weaver] So once again it means to be caught up. Then if you look in Jude 23, Jude 23, in Jude 23, you find this verse.

[John Weaver] and others, save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, that is, snatching them, taking them by force out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted by the flesh. And then if you look in Revelation 12 and verse 5, here's the last time the word is used in Scripture. Revelation 12 and verse 5, And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up unto God and to his throne. Now those are the only passages in the New Testament where the word harpazo was used. Remember the word means to seize or to carry away by force or to snatch away forcefully.

[John Weaver] Now let me give you an amazing statement and then I'm going to prove it to you. Scripture teaches that if anyone is going to be snatched away or taken away by force, it's going to be the wicked, not the righteous. In fact, look in your Bibles, first of all, to Psalm 37. Psalm 37, and look at verses 1 and 2. We're going to go back to Luke 17 in just a moment. But look in Psalm 37, verses 1 and 2. The Word of God says to the righteous, fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Now, why should we not get bent out of shape over the wicked? Why should we not fret over the workers of iniquity. Here's why.

[John Weaver] Verse two, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. The word soon there literally means promptly, quickly, or rather speedily.

[John Weaver] Now Psalm 37 is an encouragement to the righteous in that they shall indeed inherit the earth. Look in Psalm 37 verse 11. He says, But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall alight themselves in the abundance of peace. What is going to happen to the wicked? They're going to be cut off. They're going to be cut down. It is the meek, that is, God's people, who've been broken to yoke, who submit to His rule, they're the ones that are going to inherit the earth. Look in verse 34. He says, Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off What's that next phrase say? Well, who's going to be taken away? Who's going to be cut off? It's going to be the wicked. The righteous are still going to be here. Now, I want you to understand that God does indeed remove the wicked from the land in time and in history by what you and I would call temporary judgments.

[John Weaver] Look in Psalm 55 and verse 23. Psalm 55 Verse 23. Look what he says. Psalm 55, verse 23. But thou, O man of God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in thee. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. What's that mean? It means God will cut them off quickly. Look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs 10, verse 27. Proverbs 10, verse 27. Look at what he says. Proverbs 10, verse 27. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days, but the years of the wicked shall be what? Shortened. They'll be cut off. Look in Proverbs 10 and verse 30.

[John Weaver] The righteous shall never be removed. But the wicked shall not what? Inhabit the earth. Now if the righteous are not going to be removed, who is going to be removed? The wicked. Look in Proverbs 11 and verse 31. He says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed or rewarded in the earth much more the wicked and the sinner. Now, if God gives the righteous rewards in time and history, and He does so, He says, How much more am I going to give the wicked their reward in time and history? Now, it will not be a full and final reward, but if God blesses us and rewards us in time and history, He says, I'll cut off the wicked in time and history. And that's why you see from time to time Wicked men being cut off, cut down in the prime of their youth. Look in your Bibles to Job chapter 19.

[John Weaver] Let me ask you a question. Have you ever wondered why God sends these temporary judgments? Think of the hurricanes, think of the tornadoes, think of the wars. But look what God says in Job 19 and verse 29. Very important verse, Job 19 verse 29. God says, be afraid of the sword. Why? For wrath bringeth the punishment of the sword that you may know that there is a judgment. Do you realize all of the temporary judgments in time and history just point to the full and final judgment at the end of the world? So God says, whenever you see the sword, whenever you see judgment in history, it's that you may know there is a full and final judgment.

[John Weaver] Now, I want us to go back to Luke 17. And I want you to note with me that these verses, the very same verses that are normally used to teach the rapture of the saints. Teach exactly the opposite. They teach the rapture of the wicked. I'm going to show it to you. Look in Luke chapter 17, and let's begin reading there in verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.

[John Weaver] Could I ask you to do something before I really get started right here? Go ahead and find 2 Peter in your Bible, 2 Peter chapter 2, because we're going to turn back there and corroborate Exactly what I'm reading here. Okay, and exactly what I'm going to say go ahead and find 2nd Peter chapter 2 and just hold that now go back to Luke 17 and look in verse 26 and As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man They did eat they drank they married wives that were given in marriage Until the day that Noah entered in the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all now What is the context of Luke 17, 26 and 27? It is the context of judgment. He said they ate and they drank until the flood came and destroyed them all. By the way, the word flood here is the word cataclysmos. It's where we get our English word cataclysm from. Literally he says, They did eat, they drank, they married wives, were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the cataclysm came and destroyed them all.

[John Weaver] Now, if you doubt my interpretation of that, look in 2 Peter 2, and let's begin reading in verse 3. 2 Peter 2, verse 3, he's talking about wicked men, and he says, And through covetousness shall they with fain words make merchandise of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not, For if God spared not the angels at sin, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into the chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment, and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, here it is, bringing the flood or the cataclysm upon the world of the ungodly.

[John Weaver] So what is the context then of Luke 17, 26 and 27? It is that of judgment. Now, Go back to Luke 17. Hold 2 Peter 2. He says in verse 29, or 28, Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. I know you know that's judgment, but go back to 2 Peter 2, and look if you would please, beginning there, with verse 6. He says it like this, And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemn them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that should hereinafter live ungodly. Now, go back to Luke 17. We see the context in the days of Noah. The context is that of judgment.

[John Weaver] By the way, answer this question for me. In the days of Noah, Who was it that was taken away? The wicked. Alright? We've looked at Lot. The context is that of judgment. In the days of Lot, who was it that was taken away? Wicked. Would you look at verse 30? In verse 26 and 27, he talks about Noah. Verse 28 and 29, he talks about Lot. Then he says in verse 30, Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. What will it be in the day that the son of man is revealed? Well, it's going to be a day of judgment, but who did he take away first? The wicked, even the shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed. Now, I want you to understand that the warnings that are given in verses 31 through 36 of Luke 17 are given therefore in the context of judgment. Now let me tell you what verses 31 through 33 are. Verses 31 through 33 are a warning against an unsound or an unreal profession of faith.

[John Weaver] Look at it. In verse 31, In that day he which shall be upon the housetop and his stuff in the house, let him not come down and take it away. He that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Why? There'd be no reason to. Remember Lot's wife, Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

[John Weaver] Now, how can this be a warning against an unreal profession of faith? Let me tell you something, folks. Just because an individual professes faith in Jesus Christ does not mean that that individual is a real Christian. Hypocrites do that often. Pharisees do that regularly. Was Lot's wife saved by her association with Lot? No. Are unsaved church members saved by their association with the church? No. There are plenty of people that have been baptized, that have joined churches, that are never, ever have been saved by the grace of God.

[John Weaver] And in the day of judgment, they will not be spared. What does 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19 say? If you can't quote it, you ought to learn it. I'll quote it for you. 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And let everyone that name of the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

[John Weaver] I got news for you folks. You might can fool me, but you can't fool God. No one can feel it. The Lord knows who is genuinely converted and who is not. He says you just need to remember Lot's wife. Now, look at what our Lord says in verse 34. He says, I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in bed. The one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding together. The one shall be taken the other left. Two men shall be in the field. The one shall be taken the other left.

[John Weaver] Now, all my life I've heard that preach. That was a rapture of the saints. You just wake up and find your mate gone. Or the airplane's gone without a pilot. Or the car's going down the road without a driver. Well, now, what was the context of Luke 17? Help me out. The context was judgment. So, now what does our Lord say in verse 34? Two men in bed, one taken, one left. Two women grinding, one taken, one left. Two in the field, one taken, one left. Well, wouldn't you like to know where those people were taken? Well, the disciples wanted to know, so in verse 37, they asked Him. And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord? Where are these folks taken?

[John Weaver] And our Lord said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together." Now, isn't that amazing? They said, Lord, where are these people going to be taken? He said, wherever the body is, that's where the eagles are going to be gathered together.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you, the whole context is judgment. Where are these people going to be taken? To death and to judgment. I'm going to show it to you from the Bible. Whole Luke 17. Turn in your Bibles, first of all, to Job 39. Job 39. And look, if you would please, beginning with verse 27. Job 39, verse 27. Job 39, verse 27.

[John Weaver] Now, where were those bodies carried? Whithersoever the eagles were gathered together. Job 39 verse 27. Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, or make her nest on high? Here's what he says about the eagles. She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off her. Young ones also suck up the blood, and where the slain are, there is she. Look in Proverbs 30 and verse 17. Proverbs 30 and verse 17. Are you watching? Proverbs 30 verse 17. The eye that mocketh in his father and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young eagles shall eat it.

[John Weaver] Now they said, Lord, You said two are going to be in bed, one's taken, one left. Two are going to be grinding at the mill, one taken, one left. Two in the field, one taken, one left. Where are they taken? Whether so ever the body is, that's where the eagles are going to be gathered together.

[John Weaver] Now, to confirm everything that I've told you, look in your Bibles to Matthew 24. Here is the parallel passage of Luke 17. Matthew 24, and look at verse 28. In fact, we'll look at several other verses while we're here. Matthew 24 and verse 28. Our Lord says, for wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Would someone like to elaborate and tell me what a carcass is?

[John Weaver] It's a dead body, isn't that right? In fact, that's exactly the word used here in the Greek. It's a carcass. It's a dead body. That's where the eagles are gathered together. Where were these people taken? They were snatched out. They were raptured. They were taken by force. They were taken to death and to judgment.

[John Weaver] Now, if you think I'm making this up, let's stay in Matthew 24 and let's skip down to verse 37. Matthew 24, verse 37. Okay. Look at it if you would, please. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the son of man be. For the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark and knew not until the flood came and took them all away. Now watch. So shall also the coming of the son of man be.

[John Weaver] There shall be two in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left. Two women shall be grinded at the mill, the one shall be taken, the other left. Watch therefore, you know not what hour your Lord doth come." May I remind you of this fact? When the Bible speaks of the coming of the Lord, it does not always speak of His visible, physical, bodily return.

[John Weaver] You say, how can you say that? Because He comes in several ways, and one of the ways that He comes is in judgment. Okay?

[John Weaver] Now, it is true He's going to come in judgment at the final time as well. But many times in the Bible, the coming of the Lord refers to a time of judgment. But here, these two that are going to be taken, it's the same thing as in Luke chapter 17. They're taken to judgment and death.

[John Weaver] Now, let's go to Matthew 13 and see if there are any other passages in the Bible that say what I've been trying to enunciate. Let's look at Matthew 13 and let's begin there with verse 24. Our Lord is teaching. Our Lord is teaching and all what He teaches is an eye-opener. Matthew 13, verse 24. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man which sowed good seed in his field. And while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? For whence then hath it tares? He says unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servant said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? And he said, Nay, lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them.

[John Weaver] Let both go together unto the harvest. And in the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and buy them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.

[John Weaver] Now, let's go back to verse 24. Our Lord is teaching and He says, here's what the Kingdom of Heaven is really like. It's like a man who sowed good seed in a field. But while he slept, the enemy came along, who's the devil, and sowed some tares.

[John Weaver] Now the interesting thing is the tare and the wheat look exactly alike. And just looking at them, you really can't tell any difference until verse 26, But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, Then appeared the tares also tares do not produce fruit So since some had fruit and some did not have fruit they came to our Lord and said now Lord Someone has sold some tares in your field.

[John Weaver] Let's go out and root them up. Let's take care of my whole nose in the Lord. Don't do that Let them both stay together until the harvest He said then at the harvest You will gather first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then we'll get the wheat. You say, now, Brother Weaver, are you trying to tell me that what our Lord is saying, that when he comes back, he's going to first get the tares? Yep. You say, well, that's a big supposition on your part. Oh, no, I cheated.

[John Weaver] I read the rest of the chapter. If you look in verse 38, our Lord gives this interpretation Himself. I don't see how it can be any plainer. Matthew 13, verse 38. Look what He says. In fact, let's read verse 36. Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house, and His disciples came to Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

[John Weaver] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man. That's understandable. The field is the world. That's understandable. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. That's understandable. But the tears of the children of the wicked one. That's understandable. The enemy that sowed them is the devil. That's understandable. The harvest is the end of the world. We got that.

[John Weaver] The reapers are the angels. We got that. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all of his elect from the four corners of the earth. Is that what that verse says? No. They shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Watch, then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, who adheres to hear, let him hear." Who is left? Who is taken? The wicked. Our Lord says this is exactly the way it's going to be at the end of the world. The wicked are going to be taken out. They are going to be destroyed. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He that hath ears to hear, let them hear.

[John Weaver] Now, the only thing I'm trying to show you folks is this. If you're going to talk about a rapture, let's talk about the rapture of the wicked. Because they're going to be seized and taken away by force unto judgment. Well, let's skip down to verse 47. Let's just make sure our Lord really knew what He was talking about, okay? I believe we don't have any problem with that, but let's see if He says the same thing again, for emphasis sake. Matthew 13, verse 47. He says, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast in the sea, and gathered of every kind. Which when it was full, they drew it to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good in the vessels, but cast the bad away. Then our Lord says, So shall it be at the end of the world, the angels shall come forth, and help me out, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them, the wicked, into the furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[John Weaver] Jesus saith unto them, Have you understood all these things? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. What did our Lord just get out of His mouth? The wicked. are going to be taken out first.

[John Weaver] Now, someone says, well, Brother Weaver, those are parables. Well, what is a parable? It's a way to understand truth. It's a way to convey truth and make it clear and understandable. But do you know something? It's not just Matthew 13, Matthew 24, Luke 17 and other passages. that teach it, a multitude of others do as well. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. Look at Paul's eschatology and look at what he says. 2 Thessalonians 1 verse 7. Here's what he teaches. 2 Thessalonians 1 and verse 7.

[John Weaver] And to you who are troubled, rest with us. Oh, I like that. And to you who are in trouble, rest with us. When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, when He's going to be revealed, what is He going to do? In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. Look at verse 10.

[John Weaver] when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired of all them that believe." What's our Lord going to do? He's going to destroy the wicked first, and then he's going to be glorified and admired by all of his saints. Isn't that simple?

[John Weaver] Now, if you look in your Bibles to Psalm 58, here's the last passage I want to show you. There are a multitude. This one is sufficient, or at least it should be. Because it doesn't matter if it's the testimony of the Old Testament or the testimony of the New Testament. Psalm 58. And let's begin reading. Psalm 58. Begin there with verse 1. Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?

[John Weaver] Do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men? Now look how our Lord describes the wicked. And look what he says about them. Yea, in heart you work wickedness. You weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb. They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent. They're like the deaf adder that stop at their ear, which will not harken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. So the wicked are.

[John Weaver] are totally depraved, cannot change in and of themselves. And so now we begin this imprecatory prayer. And look what David says. Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. Here's God's judgment against them. Let them melt away as waters which run continually. When He bendeth His bow to shoot His arrows, let them be as cut in pieces, as a snail which melteth. Let every one of them pass away like the untimely birth of a woman.

[John Weaver] that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away with a whirlwind, both living and in his wrath."

[John Weaver] Now watch, what's God going to do? He's going to judge and destroy the wicked. Verse 10, the righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that a man shall say, verily, there is a reward for the righteous Verily, he is a God that judges the earth. May I ask you a question? Who is left? Who is standing around watching the destruction of the wicked? The righteous. That's what he says. Verse 10, The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily, there is a reward for the righteous. Verily, he is a God that judges. the earth.

[John Weaver] Now, do you realize so many people think, well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I will put off seeking the Lord. I will put off salvation and I will wait. And when the saints are quote unquote raptured out, then I'll believe and I'll repent. But dear friend, if it's not the saints who are raptured, if it's the wicked who are taken by force and seized and carried away to judgment, what are you going to do then? Many who plan to repent at 12 p.m. died at 11.59. How wicked men are by failing to seek the Lord. And I'm going to tell you what, if all of these verses I read this morning are true, and they are true, When the Lord returns, the first thing on His agenda is to destroy the wicked.

[John Weaver] In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them who know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, when He shall come to be admired of all of His saints. You know what this ought to do? This ought to encourage every true child of God to holy living. It ought to excite us because we know the wicked will not get away with their wickedness.

[John Weaver] You say, Brother Weaver, how can you say that? I can say that because of Revelation chapter 19. Do you remember when the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever? Please tell me what the saints say. Hallelujah. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. When our Lord returns, whenever he returns. Whether or not it's a historic premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism, whenever he returns, the first thing on his agenda is to destroy the wicked.

[John Weaver] Then the righteous shall shine as the stars. Let's pray.

The Rapture Of The Wicked

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	CsezhfW7sI0
Subject	Eschatology
Course	Kingdom, Judgment, and Victory
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-09-27
Dictation Name
Book	Book 069: Kingdom, Judgment, and Victory — Chapter 6
Source Timed Segments	83

Formatted Transcript

Opening

Luke 17 verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also, as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted and builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. And that day he which shall be upon the housetop and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away, and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed, the one shall be taken, the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together, the one shall be taken, the other left. Two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left.

Introduction: The Problem of Wanting to Be Right

Weaver shares a personal story about resisting a teacher's correction because it would mean he and his friends were wrong, illustrating how people reject unfamiliar teachings to protect their existing beliefs.

Scripture Reading — Luke 17:26-37

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Let me make a rather lengthy introduction to this message today. You know, the problem is everybody wants to be right. And not only do we want to be right, we want our family to be right. We want our church to be right. We want our friends to be right. And therefore, we will always defend the views that we hold and or necessarily the views that our friends hold. I remember years ago when the Lord not only saved me but called me to preach and then I went to college and I remember in the class the teacher was teaching something entirely different than I had been taught. And actually if that teacher was right, and I realized it, if that teacher was right, not only was I wrong, but all my friends who had taught me and helped me were wrong as well. And I never will forget, I stood in class and where I went to the university, you just don't do this, but I was so upset, I was so angry, I put my finger in his face and I said, the only reason you're saying what you're saying is because you want to be intellectually

accepted in the academic elite. And you know what he said to me? Mr. Weaver, sit down and shut up. He said, I'll see you after class. Well, the thing that galled me and the thing that got me was because I realized if what he was saying was right, then I was wrong. And all my friends were wrong. And I did not want my friends to be wrong worse than I didn't want to be wrong myself.

But it meant, therefore, that all the teaching, all the years that I'd had, were in vain. Now usually, whenever anyone hears anything different from the way they were raised or the way that they've been taught, the very first response is to reject it. Just cast it to a side. Why? Because we believe that what we've always been taught and what we always have heard is right. And usually it takes two or three times hearing a subject before we even begin to see it. And then once we begin to see it and everything clicks and falls into place, then we wonder why we never understood it the first time.

Confusion Over Eschatology and the Need for Exegesis

Most Christians hold eschatological views based on tradition rather than personal Bible study. Weaver defines eisegesis (reading into the text) versus exegesis (drawing out the text's meaning) and stresses the importance of letting Scripture speak for itself.

Now, whenever you begin to talk about the subject of eschatology, and eschatology is the study of last things, there is absolutely so much confusion over eschatology today. And let me say, whatever your eschatological position is, and I'm going to define the major positions for you in just a moment, but whatever your eschatological position is, let me point out the fact that most people believe what they believe eschatologically, not because they have studied it out from Scripture and are convinced that that's what the Scripture teaches. Most people believe what they believe eschatologically because that's what they've heard all their life. That's what they've been taught and preached to, and that's why they believe it. But do you realize that's true in every other doctrine? That's why most Baptists are Baptists. Not because they've studied the Bible and believe that the Baptists are closer to the Word of God than any other group. No, they were just raised Baptists.

Same thing with Roman Catholics. Same thing with Methodists. The truth is, most of us just simply do not study. Now, in light of the video series and the book Left Behind, I mean, man, there is a plethora of books promoting all kind of eschatological positions. You know, and I find it absolutely interesting that there are so many prophecy conferences, and you turn on the TV, and everybody's talking about prophecy, and everybody's talking about what's going to happen 40 years from now, and they're worrying about the Antichrist, and they're worrying about the mark on the nose of the Antichrist. You know, but no one is concerned about living godly and holy and obedient now. I'm going to tell you, I believe there is, first of all, an undue emphasis placed upon eschatology. And eschatology is important and I'm going to talk about that in just a moment.

But the truth is, the average church and the average Christian is living in utter chaos and confusion. And that's not only true in his individual life, but in the church and also in our homes and in the state. Everywhere I go, I have people ask me this simple question. Don't you believe that we're living in the last days? And my response to that is this. Well, of course, but which last days are you talking about? And you know, that really gets a puzzled look on them. Well, let me show you what I'm talking about. Look in your Bibles, hold Luke 17, we're coming back there. But look in 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11. 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11. I'll explain my question, which last days are you talking about? 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11, the Word of God says this, Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends, plural, of the world are come. Oh, there's more than one end of the world. Isn't that amazing? The word ends is plural. You say, how can there be more than one end of the world? Well, I'll explain in just a moment. Look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter 2.

Notice, if you would please, verses 16 and 17. Acts 2, beginning there with verse 16. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Well, what is he saying? But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. He's talking about the day of Pentecost. Peter is preaching at the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, and he says this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. It shall come to pass in the last days. The last days of what? Well, there's the last days of the Old Covenant. There's the last days of the Levitical priesthood. You follow me? There's more than one last days. Look in your Bible, if you would please, to 1 Peter chapter 1. 1 Peter chapter 1. Notice verse 20. 1 Peter 1 verse 20. In reference to Jesus Christ, in fact, read verse 19, you'll see it.

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Here's the last times of those Old Testament sacrifices. I mean, you know, look in 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 7. Now the Apostle Peter says, but the end of all things is at hand, Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. The end of all things. There are a number of things that ended in the New Testament. But I ask that you turn in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter 1, and this will probably answer a lot of it for you. When someone asks me, Brother Weaver, don't you believe we're living in the last days? And my answer is, well, yes, of course. But do you know when the last days began?

Most people do not, but here it is spelled out in Scripture. Look at it. Hebrews 1 verse 1, God, who at sundry times and in divers or different manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Now, how did God speak in the Old Testament and part of the New Testament? Through the prophets. Watch. He hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. When did the last days begin? At the first coming of Jesus Christ. We've been in the last days since the birth of Christ. So we've actually been in the last days for what? Two thousand years.

Now, the point I'm trying to make is, there is so much confusion over eschatology. And many times, and I'll explain this and show it to you from the Bible, many times we do what is known as eisegesis instead of exegesis. Eis is the Greek word which means into. So actually in eisegesis, what you do is you read into a passage what you already think and what you already believe. Exegesis, ex means to draw out of. Exegesis is when you actually draw out of that passage and bring forth what that passage actually teaches. Now the truth of the matter is this, you know as well as I do, anyone can make the Bible teach whatever they want it to teach as long as they engage in eisegesis. But when you engage in exegesis, you can't do that. You must make the Bible say what the Bible says. Now, let me just make several statements.

The first one is this, eschatology is important, but it is not something to divide fellowship over. Good men have disagreed on eschatology for thousands of years. And I want to assure you, I will not settle the major question of eschatology by this one message. I will not. Good men have disagreed over this for thousands of years. So if you don't necessarily agree with what I'm going to teach today, my advice to you is don't get bent out of shape, just study the Scripture. Okay? Just don't get upset about it. Just look and see what the Scripture does say.

The Four Main Eschatological Positions

Weaver outlines historic premillennialism, dispensational premillennialism (with pre/mid/post-trib variations), amillennialism, and postmillennialism, noting all agree on Christ's literal, visible, bodily return but differ on timing and manner.

Now, let me give you very quickly the four main eschatological positions. Whenever you hear about eschatology, and by the way, we normally think of the return of Christ, but eschatology involves death, it involves judgment, it involves the return of Christ, it involves more than the return of Christ, but most people just single out the return of Jesus Christ. Now, you have four main views of eschatology. You have what is known as historic premillennialism. Historic premillennialism just simply teaches that Jesus Christ is going to come back before the millennium. In other words, he will inaugurate the millennium by his return. Now, historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture, did not believe in a rapture, did not even know of a rapture.

That was the view of some of the early Baptist preachers. They were historic premillennialists. Okay. The second group, and I'm going to tell you a little bit more about them in just a moment. There is what is known as the dispensational premillennialist. Now the dispensational premillennialist teach that our Lord is coming back in two stages. He's going to come back in a rapture. Then there's going to be a seven year tribulation period. And then he's going to come back a second time. And when you get in dispensational premillennialism, you have, are you listening? You have a pre-trib rapture theory, a mid-trib rapture theory, and a post-trib rapture theory. So some people believe that the rapture is going to come before the tribulation, some during the tribulation, and some immediately after the tribulation. So actually, a dispensational pre-trib man may have several pastor friends who hold different views as to when the rapture is going to come. So you have a dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. Thirdly, you have amillennialism.

Amillennialism was started by Augustine in the fourth century at the fall of the Roman Empire. And basically it spiritualizes the millennium and says that Christ is reigning now in the heart. And that is true. He is reigning now in the heart, but there is amillennialism. And fourthly, you have what is known as postmillennialism. Postmillennialism says that Christ is going to come back after the millennium. That the millennium will be an unspecified period of time and that we will have victory on this earth in time and in history by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. See, that's postmillennialism. Now you've got historic premillennialism, you've got dispensational premillennialism, you've got amillennialism, and you've got postmillennialism.

Now let me show you why I said it's really nothing to fall out and sever fellowship about. Do you realize whichever position you take, all four positions teach that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. They just disagree as to when and how. You see what I'm saying? So, if Ed wants to be an amillennialist and Henry wants to be a postmillennialist and Doc wants to be a premillennialist, they all believe that Christ is coming literally, visibly, and bodily. Why in the world are they going to fight about when He's coming back and how He's coming back?

The Historical Origin of the Rapture Theory

The pre-trib rapture theory began in the 1830s with Margaret MacDonald, spread through a Roman Catholic priest to John Nelson Darby, and then to C.I. Scofield, whose study Bible popularized it. The word 'rapture' is not in the Bible.

Did not begin until the 1800s, specifically in the 1830s, and actually it came to light by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald who was a tongue-speaking prophetess and during one of her trances when she was speaking in tongues she discovered this dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. She taught it to her cohort who was a Roman Catholic priest. The Roman Catholic priest, of course, believed it. He then taught it to John Nelson Darby of the Plymouth Brethren. The Darbyites then embraced what is known as dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. Now what John Nelson Darby did was this. He turned around and taught this to one of his ablest students, who was a man by the name of C.I.

Scofield, who put it in the notes of the Scofield Bible. And consequently, it became popular throughout this country. There were numerous prophecy conferences back then, and of course, most of the pastors rejected what is known as the Rapture Theory. They fought against it, but however, through C.I. Scofield, it actually came to be acceptable. Now, may I point out that the word rapture does not occur in the Bible. The word rapture is derived from the Latin word rapio, which literally means to seize or to catch by force. Now, there is a difference, and let me point this out. There is a difference between what is known as the rapture and the fact that our Lord is coming again. You see, all four views once again believe that our Lord is returning literally and visibly and bodily. But the dispensational premillennialists say that He's coming back twice. Once in a secret rapture, and then once again at the end of the tribulation period. So historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture. So the fact that our Lord is indeed returning visibly bodily and will gather his own to himself.

The Biblical Meaning of Harpazo (Caught Up)

Weaver examines all 13 New Testament occurrences of harpazo, showing it means to seize or take by force. He notes that 1 Thessalonians 4:17 uses this word for the saints being caught up, but the context of judgment in other passages points to the wicked being taken.

I will tell you what it means. It literally means to catch or to take away or to seize by force. For instance, let's go in our Bibles to Matthew 11, the very first time the word occurs. Very quickly, you turn with me to these passages. You can underline it in your Bibles. Here it is every time that it occurs in the New Testament. Matthew 11, and look if you would please, 12, verse 12. Matthew 11, verse 12.

Our Lord says, And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent do what? Take it by force. That's the word harpazo. So it's translated there to take by force. Look at Matthew 13 and verse 19. Matthew 13 and verse 19. He says, When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, that is Satan, and catcheth away, or takes away by force that which was sown in his heart, this is he who receives seed by the wayside. So Satan then is catching away or taking the word by force. Look in John chapter 6 and verse 15. Here's the third time the word occurs. John chapter 6 and verse 15. Here the Word of God says, When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and harpazo, that is, take Him by force to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone. Look in John chapter 10 and verse 12. John 10 and verse 12. Every one of these verses is the Greek word harpazo.

He says, But he that is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth a wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, or takes them by force, and scattereth the sheep. Look in John 10 and verse 28. He says, And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck or take them by force out of my hand. Look in Acts chapter 8 and verse 39. Acts 8 verse 39. Once again, it means to catch away or to take by force. Here's Philip. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip or took him by force that the eunuch saw him no more and he went his way rejoicing. So he took him by force. Then if you look in Acts 23 in verse 10. Acts 23, verse 10. Acts 23, notice if you would please verse 10.

Here the word of God says, And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him by force, there's the word harpazo, from among them and bring him into the castle. Then if you'll look in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 2 and verse 4, 2 Corinthians 12, look in verse 2, same word, Paul says, I knew a man in Christ above 14 years ago, whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth such an one caught up or seized and taken away by force into third heaven. And I knew a man whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell God knoweth how that he was caught up into paradise or seized and taken away by force. Then very quickly, if you'll go to 1 Thessalonians chapter four, here it is in verse 17, the passage I alluded to earlier. 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 17, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

So once again it means to be caught up. Then if you look in Jude 23, Jude 23, in Jude 23, you find this verse.

and others, save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, that is, snatching them, taking them by force out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted by the flesh. And then if you look in Revelation 12 and verse 5, here's the last time the word is used in Scripture. Revelation 12 and verse 5, And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up unto God and to his throne. Now those are the only passages in the New Testament where the word harpazo was used. Remember the word means to seize or to carry away by force or to snatch away forcefully.

Old Testament Evidence: The Wicked Are Removed, the Righteous Remain

Psalm 37, Proverbs 10, and other passages teach that the wicked will be cut off and removed from the earth, while the righteous will inherit it. Temporary judgments in history foreshadow the final judgment.

Verse two, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. The word soon there literally means promptly, quickly, or rather speedily. Now Psalm 37 is an encouragement to the righteous in that they shall indeed inherit the earth. Look in Psalm 37 verse 11. He says, But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. What is going to happen to the wicked? They're going to be cut off. They're going to be cut down. It is the meek, that is, God's people, who've been broken to yoke, who submit to His rule, they're the ones that are going to inherit the earth. Look in verse 34. He says, Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off. What's that next phrase say? Well, who's going to be taken away? Who's going to be cut off? It's going to be the wicked. The righteous are still going to be here. Now, I want you to understand that God does indeed remove the wicked from the land in time and in history by what you and I would call temporary judgments.

Look in Psalm 55 and verse 23. Psalm 55 Verse 23. Look what he says. Psalm 55, verse 23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in thee. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. What's that mean? It means God will cut them off quickly. Look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs 10, verse 27. Proverbs 10, verse 27. Look at what he says. Proverbs 10, verse 27. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days, but the years of the wicked shall be what? Shortened. They'll be cut off. Look in Proverbs 10 and verse 30.

The righteous shall never be removed. But the wicked shall not what? Inhabit the earth. Now if the righteous are not going to be removed, who is going to be removed? The wicked. Look in Proverbs 11 and verse 31. He says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed or rewarded in the earth much more the wicked and the sinner. Now, if God gives the righteous rewards in time and history, and He does so, He says, How much more am I going to give the wicked their reward in time and history? Now, it will not be a full and final reward, but if God blesses us and rewards us in time and history, He says, I'll cut off the wicked in time and history. And that's why you see from time to time wicked men being cut off, cut down in the prime of their youth. Look in your Bibles to Job chapter 19.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever wondered why God sends these temporary judgments? Think of the hurricanes, think of the tornadoes, think of the wars. But look what God says in Job 19 and verse 29. Very important verse, Job 19 verse 29. God says, be afraid of the sword. Why? For wrath bringeth the punishment of the sword that you may know that there is a judgment. Do you realize all of the temporary judgments in time and history just point to the full and final judgment at the end of the world? So God says, whenever you see the sword, whenever you see judgment in history, it's that you may know there is a full and final judgment.

Now, I want us to go back to Luke 17. And I want you to note with me that these verses, the very same verses that are normally used to teach the rapture of the saints, teach exactly the opposite. They teach the rapture of the wicked. I'm going to show it to you. Look in Luke chapter 17, and let's begin reading there in verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.

Luke 17 and Matthew 24: The Rapture of the Wicked

In the days of Noah and Lot, the wicked were taken away in judgment. Jesus' words about one taken and one left occur in a judgment context. The disciples' question 'Where, Lord?' is answered with a reference to eagles gathering at a carcass, signifying death and judgment.

Could I ask you to do something before I really get started right here? Go ahead and find 2 Peter in your Bible, 2 Peter chapter 2, because we're going to turn back there and corroborate exactly what I'm reading here. Okay, and exactly what I'm going to say. Go ahead and find 2 Peter chapter 2 and just hold that. Now go back to Luke 17 and look in verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Now what is the context of Luke 17, 26 and 27? It is the context of judgment. He said they ate and they drank until the flood came and destroyed them all. By the way, the word flood here is the word cataclysmos. It's where we get our English word cataclysm from. Literally he says, They did eat, they drank, they married wives, were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the cataclysm came and destroyed them all.

Now, if you doubt my interpretation of that, look in 2 Peter 2, and let's begin reading in verse 3. 2 Peter 2, verse 3, he's talking about wicked men, and he says, And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into the chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment, and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, here it is, bringing the flood or the cataclysm upon the world of the ungodly. So what is the context then of Luke 17, 26 and 27? It is that of judgment. Now, go back to Luke 17. Hold 2 Peter 2. He says in verse 28, Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. I know you know that's judgment, but go back to 2 Peter 2, and look if you would please, beginning there with verse 6. He says it like this, And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that should after live ungodly. Now, go back to Luke 17. We see the context in the days of Noah. The context is that of judgment.

By the way, answer this question for me. In the days of Noah, who was it that was taken away? The wicked. Alright? We've looked at Lot. The context is that of judgment. In the days of Lot, who was it that was taken away? Wicked. Would you look at verse 30? In verse 26 and 27, he talks about Noah. Verse 28 and 29, he talks about Lot. Then he says in verse 30, Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. What will it be in the day that the Son of man is revealed? Well, it's going to be a day of judgment, but who did he take away first? The wicked, even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Now, I want you to understand that the warnings that are given in verses 31 through 36 of Luke 17 are given therefore in the context of judgment. Now let me tell you what verses 31 through 33 are. Verses 31 through 33 are a warning against an unsound or an unreal profession of faith.

Look at it. In verse 31, In that day he which shall be upon the housetop and his stuff in the house, let him not come down and take it away. He that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Why? There'd be no reason to. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Now, how can this be a warning against an unreal profession of faith? Let me tell you something, folks. Just because an individual professes faith in Jesus Christ does not mean that that individual is a real Christian. Hypocrites do that often. Pharisees do that regularly. Was Lot's wife saved by her association with Lot? No. Are unsaved church members saved by their association with the church? No. There are plenty of people that have been baptized, that have joined churches, that have never, ever been saved by the grace of God.

And in the day of judgment, they will not be spared. What does 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19 say? If you can't quote it, you ought to learn it. I'll quote it for you. 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

I got news for you folks. You might can fool me, but you can't fool God. No one can fool Him. The Lord knows who is genuinely converted and who is not. He says you just need to remember Lot's wife. Now, look at what our Lord says in verse 34. He says, I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in bed. The one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding together. The one shall be taken the other left. Two men shall be in the field. The one shall be taken the other left.

Now, all my life I've heard that preached. That was a rapture of the saints. You just wake up and find your mate gone. Or the airplane's gone without a pilot. Or the car's going down the road without a driver. Well, now, what was the context of Luke 17? Help me out. The context was judgment. So, now what does our Lord say in verse 34? Two men in bed, one taken, one left. Two women grinding, one taken, one left. Two in the field, one taken, one left. Well, wouldn't you like to know where those people were taken? Well, the disciples wanted to know, so in verse 37, they asked Him. And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord? Where are these folks taken?

And our Lord said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Now, isn't that amazing? They said, Lord, where are these people going to be taken? He said, wherever the body is, that's where the eagles are going to be gathered together.

Now, let me tell you, the whole context is judgment. Where are these people going to be taken? To death and to judgment. I'm going to show it to you from the Bible. Hold Luke 17. Turn in your Bibles, first of all, to Job 39. Job 39. And look, if you would please, beginning with verse 27. Job 39, verse 27. Job 39, verse 27.

Now, where were those bodies carried? Whithersoever the eagles were gathered together. Job 39 verse 27. Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, or make her nest on high? Here's what he says about the eagles. She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up the blood, and where the slain are, there is she. Look in Proverbs 30 and verse 17. Proverbs 30 and verse 17. Are you watching? Proverbs 30 verse 17. The eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young eagles shall eat it.

Now they said, Lord, You said two are going to be in bed, one's taken, one left. Two are going to be grinding at the mill, one taken, one left. Two in the field, one taken, one left. Where are they taken? Wheresoever the body is, that's where the eagles are going to be gathered together.

Now, to confirm everything that I've told you, look in your Bibles to Matthew 24. Here is the parallel passage of Luke 17. Matthew 24, and look at verse 28. In fact, we'll look at several other verses while we're here. Matthew 24 and verse 28. Our Lord says, for wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Would someone like to elaborate and tell me what a carcass is?

It's a dead body, isn't that right? In fact, that's exactly the word used here in the Greek. It's a carcass. It's a dead body. That's where the eagles are gathered together. Where were these people taken? They were snatched out. They were raptured. They were taken by force. They were taken to death and to judgment.

Now, if you think I'm making this up, let's stay in Matthew 24 and let's skip down to verse 37. Matthew 24, verse 37. Okay. Look at it if you would, please. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark and knew not until the flood came and took them all away. Now watch. So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

There shall be two in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, the other left. Watch therefore, you know not what hour your Lord doth come. May I remind you of this fact? When the Bible speaks of the coming of the Lord, it does not always speak of His visible, physical, bodily return.

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares: The Wicked Gathered First

In Matthew 13, Jesus explains that at the end of the age, the tares (wicked) are gathered first and burned, then the righteous shine. The parable of the net reinforces this order.

Let both go together unto the harvest. And in the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn. Now, let's go back to verse 24. Our Lord is teaching and He says, here's what the Kingdom of Heaven is really like. It's like a man who sowed good seed in a field. But while he slept, the enemy came along, who's the devil, and sowed some tares.

Now the interesting thing is the tare and the wheat look exactly alike. And just looking at them, you really can't tell any difference until verse 26, But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Tares do not produce fruit. So since some had fruit and some did not have fruit, they came to our Lord and said, now Lord, someone has sowed some tares in your field. Let's go out and root them up. Let's take care of my whole nose in the Lord. Don't do that. Let them both stay together until the harvest. He said then at the harvest, you will gather first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then we'll get the wheat. You say, now, Brother Weaver, are you trying to tell me that what our Lord is saying, that when he comes back, he's going to first get the tares? Yep. You say, well, that's a big supposition on your part. Oh, no, I cheated.

I read the rest of the chapter. If you look in verse 38, our Lord gives this interpretation Himself. I don't see how it can be any plainer. Matthew 13, verse 38. Look what He says. In fact, let's read verse 36. Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house, and His disciples came to Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man. That's understandable. The field is the world. That's understandable. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. That's understandable. But the tares are the children of the wicked one. That's understandable. The enemy that sowed them is the devil. That's understandable. The harvest is the end of the world. We got that.

The reapers are the angels. We got that. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all of his elect from the four corners of the earth. Is that what that verse says? No. They shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Watch, then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Who is left? Who is taken? The wicked. Our Lord says this is exactly the way it's going to be at the end of the world. The wicked are going to be taken out. They are going to be destroyed. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Now, the only thing I'm trying to show you folks is this. If you're going to talk about a rapture, let's talk about the rapture of the wicked. Because they're going to be seized and taken away by force unto judgment. Well, let's skip down to verse 47. Let's just make sure our Lord really knew what He was talking about, okay? I believe we don't have any problem with that, but let's see if He says the same thing again, for emphasis sake. Matthew 13, verse 47. He says, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast in the sea, and gathered of every kind. Which when it was full, they drew it to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good in the vessels, but cast the bad away. Then our Lord says, So shall it be at the end of the world, the angels shall come forth, and help me out, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them, the wicked, into the furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus saith unto them, Have you understood all these things? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. What did our Lord just get out of His mouth? The wicked are going to be taken out first.

New Testament Confirmation and Final Application

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 describes Christ returning in flaming fire to destroy the wicked, then being glorified in His saints. Psalm 58 pictures the righteous rejoicing at the destruction of the wicked. The message calls for holy living and urgent repentance.

Now, someone says, well, Brother Weaver, those are parables. Well, what is a parable? It's a way to understand truth. It's a way to convey truth and make it clear and understandable. But do you know something? It's not just Matthew 13, Matthew 24, Luke 17 and other passages that teach it, a multitude of others do as well. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. Look at Paul's eschatology and look at what he says. 2 Thessalonians 1 verse 7. Here's what he teaches. 2 Thessalonians 1 and verse 7.

And to you who are troubled, rest with us. Oh, I like that. And to you who are in trouble, rest with us. When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, when He's going to be revealed, what is He going to do? In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. Look at verse 10.

when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired of all them that believe. What's our Lord going to do? He's going to destroy the wicked first, and then he's going to be glorified and admired by all of his saints. Isn't that simple?

Now, if you look in your Bibles to Psalm 58, here's the last passage I want to show you. There are a multitude. This one is sufficient, or at least it should be. Because it doesn't matter if it's the testimony of the Old Testament or the testimony of the New Testament. Psalm 58. And let's begin reading. Psalm 58. Begin there with verse 1. Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?

Do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men? Now look how our Lord describes the wicked. And look what he says about them. Yea, in heart you work wickedness. You weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb. They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent. They're like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. So the wicked are.

are totally depraved, cannot change in and of themselves. And so now we begin this imprecatory prayer. And look what David says. Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. Here's God's judgment against them. Let them melt away as waters which run continually. When He bendeth His bow to shoot His arrows, let them be as cut in pieces, as a snail which melteth. Let every one of them pass away like the untimely birth of a woman.

that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away with a whirlwind, both living and in his wrath. Now watch, what's God going to do? He's going to judge and destroy the wicked. Verse 10, the righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that a man shall say, verily, there is a reward for the righteous. Verily, he is a God that judges the earth. May I ask you a question? Who is left? Who is standing around watching the destruction of the wicked? The righteous. That's what he says. Verse 10, The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily, there is a reward for the righteous. Verily, he is a God that judges the earth.

Now, do you realize so many people think, well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I will put off seeking the Lord. I will put off salvation and I will wait. And when the saints are quote unquote raptured out, then I'll believe and I'll repent. But dear friend, if it's not the saints who are raptured, if it's the wicked who are taken by force and seized and carried away to judgment, what are you going to do then? Many who plan to repent at 12 p.m. died at 11:59. How wicked men are by failing to seek the Lord. And I'm going to tell you what, if all of these verses I read this morning are true, and they are true, when the Lord returns, the first thing on His agenda is to destroy the wicked.

In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them who know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, when He shall come to be admired of all of His saints. You know what this ought to do? This ought to encourage every true child of God to holy living. It ought to excite us because we know the wicked will not get away with their wickedness. You say, Brother Weaver, how can you say that? I can say that because of Revelation chapter 19. Do you remember when the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever? Please tell me what the saints say. Hallelujah. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. When our Lord returns, whenever he returns, whether or not it's a historic premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism, whenever he returns, the first thing on his agenda is to destroy the wicked.

Then the righteous shall shine as the stars. Let's pray.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Rapture of the Wicked

Summary: Contrary to popular teaching, the 'taking away' in Luke 17 and Matthew 24 refers to the wicked being seized for judgment, not the saints being secretly raptured.

Evidence: In Luke 17:26-37, the context of Noah and Lot is judgment; the disciples ask 'Where, Lord?' and Jesus answers with eagles gathering at a carcass (death). Matthew 24:37-41 parallels this, and Matthew 13:30, 40-42 explicitly says the tares (wicked) are gathered first.

The Importance of Exegesis Over Tradition

Summary: Most believers hold eschatological views based on what they've always heard, not on careful Bible study. True understanding requires drawing meaning out of Scripture (exegesis) rather than reading preconceived ideas into it (eisegesis).

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Most people believe what they believe eschatologically because that's what they've heard all their life... not because they have studied it out from Scripture' (236.0-297.6s). He defines eisegesis and exegesis (675.8-719.9s).

Unity on the Essentials of Christ's Return

Summary: All four major eschatological views (historic premillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism) agree that Christ will return literally, visibly, and bodily. This common ground should prevent division over timing and manner.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'All four positions teach that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. They just disagree as to when and how' (957.0-999.7s).

The Historical Novelty of the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory

Summary: The secret rapture doctrine originated in the 1830s with Margaret MacDonald, not from historic Christian teaching. It spread through Darby and Scofield, becoming popular despite early resistance.

Evidence: Weaver traces the origin: 'Did not begin until the 1800s, specifically in the 1830s... by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald' (1076.6-1139.6s).

The Righteous Inherit the Earth, the Wicked Are Removed

Summary: Old Testament passages consistently teach that the wicked will be cut off and removed, while the righteous remain to inherit the land. This pattern is fulfilled at Christ's return.

Evidence: Psalm 37:2, 11, 34; Proverbs 10:27, 30; Proverbs 11:31 all speak of the wicked being cut off and the righteous inheriting the earth (1654.4-1857.9s).

Warning Against False Assurance

Summary: Association with the church or a profession of faith does not guarantee salvation. Like Lot's wife, many will be taken in judgment because they lack genuine conversion.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'Just because an individual professes faith in Jesus Christ does not mean that that individual is a real Christian... Was Lot's wife saved by her association with Lot? No' (2225.9-2291.4s).

Urgency of Repentance and Holy Living

Summary: Since the wicked will be suddenly taken in judgment, there is no second chance after a secret rapture. Believers should live holy lives and the unsaved must repent now.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Many who plan to repent at 12 p.m. died at 11:59... when the Lord returns, the first thing on His agenda is to destroy the wicked' (3309.8-3405.8s).

Key Arguments

The context of Luke 17:26-37 is judgment, not rescue of saints.

Summary: Jesus compares the days of Noah and Lot, where the wicked were destroyed. The question 'Where, Lord?' is answered with a reference to eagles gathering at a carcass, indicating the taken ones are taken to death.

Evidence: Weaver points out that in Noah's day the flood 'destroyed them all' (Luke 17:27) and in Lot's day fire 'destroyed them all' (v.29). The disciples ask where the taken ones go, and Jesus says, 'Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together' (v.37), which Job 39:30 and Proverbs 30:17 connect to death and judgment.

Matthew 24:37-41 parallels Luke 17 and confirms the wicked are taken.

Summary: In Matthew's account, the flood 'took them all away' (the wicked), and the one taken is compared to those swept away in judgment.

Evidence: Weaver reads Matthew 24:39: 'the flood came, and took them all away' and then vv.40-41: 'Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken...' He argues the 'taken' are the wicked, consistent with the flood analogy.

The parable of the wheat and tares explicitly states the tares are gathered first.

Summary: Jesus interprets the parable in Matthew 13:36-43, saying the tares (children of the wicked one) are gathered first and burned, then the righteous shine.

Evidence: Weaver reads Matthew 13:30: 'Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them' and vv.40-43: 'As therefore the tares are gathered and burned... so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend... and shall cast them into a furnace of fire... Then shall the righteous shine forth.'

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 describes Christ destroying the wicked at His coming, then being admired by saints.

Summary: Paul's eschatology places vengeance on the wicked first, followed by glorification in the saints, matching the pattern of the wicked being taken first.

Evidence: Weaver reads 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10: 'the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven... in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God... who shall be punished with everlasting destruction... when he shall come to be glorified in his saints.'

Old Testament wisdom literature consistently says the wicked are removed, the righteous remain.

Summary: Psalm 37, Proverbs 10, and other passages promise that the wicked will be cut off and the righteous will inherit the land, contradicting the idea of a secret rapture of saints.

Evidence: Weaver cites Psalm 37:2, 11, 34; Proverbs 10:27, 30; Proverbs 11:31, all indicating the wicked are cut off and the righteous remain.

The word harpazo means to seize by force and is used of both saints and wicked being taken.

Summary: While 1 Thessalonians 4:17 uses harpazo for saints being caught up, the word itself does not imply a secret rapture; it is used for forceful seizure in various contexts, including judgment.

Evidence: Weaver lists all 13 NT uses of harpazo, including Satan catching away the word (Matt. 13:19), a wolf catching sheep (John 10:12), and Paul being taken by force (Acts 23:10). He argues the word's meaning must be determined by context.

The pre-trib rapture theory is a recent innovation, not historic Christian doctrine.

Summary: The secret rapture idea began in the 1830s with Margaret MacDonald and spread through Darby and Scofield. Historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Did not begin until the 1800s, specifically in the 1830s... by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald' and 'historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture, did not believe in a rapture' (1076.6-1139.6s; 840.5-904.9s).

Scripture References

Luke 17:26-37

Context: Primary text for the message; Jesus compares the days of Noah and Lot, warns about Lot's wife, and speaks of one taken and one left. Weaver argues the context is judgment and the taken are the wicked.

1 Corinthians 10:11

Context: Used to show that 'the ends of the world' is plural, indicating multiple 'last days' periods.

Acts 2:16-17

Context: Peter says the day of Pentecost fulfills Joel's prophecy of the 'last days,' showing the last days began with the New Covenant era.

1 Peter 1:20

Context: Christ was manifest in 'these last times,' referring to the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system.

1 Peter 4:7

Context: Peter says 'the end of all things is at hand,' indicating multiple endings in the New Testament era.

Hebrews 1:1-2

Context: God has spoken in 'these last days' by His Son, showing the last days began at Christ's first coming.

Matthew 11:12

Context: First occurrence of harpazo in the NT; 'the violent take it by force.'

Matthew 13:19

Context: Satan 'catcheth away' (harpazo) the word sown in the heart.

John 6:15

Context: The crowd intended to 'take him by force' (harpazo) to make Jesus king.

John 10:12, 28

Context: The wolf 'catcheth' (harpazo) the sheep; no one can 'pluck' (harpazo) them out of Jesus' hand.

Acts 8:39

Context: The Spirit 'caught away' (harpazo) Philip.

Acts 23:10

Context: The chief captain commanded soldiers to 'take him by force' (harpazo) from the crowd.

2 Corinthians 12:2, 4

Context: Paul was 'caught up' (harpazo) to the third heaven and paradise.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Context: The saints will be 'caught up' (harpazo) to meet the Lord; Weaver acknowledges this but argues it does not necessitate a secret rapture.

Jude 23

Context: Others save with fear, 'pulling them out of the fire' (harpazo).

Revelation 12:5

Context: The man-child was 'caught up' (harpazo) to God.

Psalm 37:1-2, 11, 34

Context: The wicked will be cut down like grass; the meek shall inherit the earth; the wicked are cut off.

Psalm 55:23

Context: Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; God brings them down to destruction.

Proverbs 10:27, 30

Context: The years of the wicked are shortened; the righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Proverbs 11:31

Context: The righteous are rewarded in the earth; much more the wicked and sinner.

Historical References

Margaret MacDonald (1830s)

Context: A tongue-speaking prophetess who, during a trance, originated the dispensational pre-trib rapture theory.

John Nelson Darby (Plymouth Brethren)

Context: Learned the pre-trib rapture theory from a Roman Catholic priest who got it from MacDonald; Darby then taught it widely.

C.I. Scofield (Scofield Reference Bible)

Context: A student of Darby who incorporated the pre-trib rapture theory into his study Bible notes, popularizing it in America.

Augustine (4th century)

Context: Started amillennialism at the fall of the Roman Empire, spiritualizing the millennium.

J. Vernon McGee

Context: Quoted as saying, 'You don't polish brass on a sinking ship,' reflecting a defeatist eschatology Weaver critiques.

Important Quotes

Most people believe what they believe eschatologically, not because they have studied it out from Scripture and are convinced that that's what the Scripture teaches. Most people believe what they believe eschatologically because that's what they've heard all their life.

Significance: Highlights the central problem of tradition over biblical exegesis in eschatology.

All four positions teach that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. They just disagree as to when and how.

Significance: Emphasizes the common ground that should prevent division over eschatological details.

Did not begin until the 1800s, specifically in the 1830s, and actually it came to light by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald who was a tongue-speaking prophetess and during one of her trances when she was speaking in tongues she discovered this dispensational pre-trib rapture theory.

Significance: Traces the historical origin of the pre-trib rapture theory to a non-biblical source.

Scripture teaches that if anyone is going to be snatched away or taken away by force, it's going to be the wicked, not the righteous.

Significance: The central thesis of the message, directly challenging popular rapture teaching.

Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Significance: Jesus' answer to the disciples' question about where the taken ones go, interpreted by Weaver as a reference to death and judgment.

Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.

Significance: Explicit biblical statement that the wicked are gathered first at the end of the age.

Many who plan to repent at 12 p.m. died at 11:59.

Significance: A sobering warning against presuming upon a future opportunity to repent after a supposed rapture.

Discussion Questions

How does the context of judgment in Luke 17:26-37 challenge the common interpretation of 'one taken, one left' as a secret rapture of saints?

Context: Weaver argues that the comparisons to Noah and Lot, where the wicked were destroyed, set the context for the 'taken' ones being the wicked.

Why is it significant that the disciples asked 'Where, Lord?' and Jesus answered with a reference to eagles and a carcass?

Context: Weaver connects this to Job 39:30 and Proverbs 30:17, indicating the taken ones are taken to death and judgment.

How does the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) explicitly teach that the wicked are gathered first?

Context: Jesus interprets the parable, saying the tares are gathered first and burned, then the righteous shine.

What does 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 reveal about the order of events at Christ's return?

Context: Paul describes vengeance on the wicked first, then Christ being glorified in His saints.

How do Old Testament passages like Psalm 37 and Proverbs 10 shape our expectation of who will be removed and who will remain?

Context: These passages consistently say the wicked are cut off and the righteous inherit the land.

Why does Weaver emphasize that all four eschatological views agree on Christ's literal, visible, bodily return, and how should that affect our fellowship?

Context: He argues this common ground should prevent division over the timing and manner of Christ's return.

What are the dangers of holding an eschatological view based on tradition rather than personal Bible study?

Context: Weaver warns that most people believe what they've always heard, not what Scripture actually teaches.

How does the warning about Lot's wife (Luke 17:32) apply to those who have a false assurance of salvation?

Context: Weaver uses Lot's wife as an example of someone associated with the righteous but not truly saved.

Applications

Study Scripture for yourself rather than relying on tradition.

Summary: Believers should examine eschatological teachings directly from the Bible using exegesis, not simply accept what they've always heard.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Most people believe what they believe eschatologically because that's what they've heard all their life... just simply do not study' (236.0-304.9s).

Maintain unity with other believers who hold different eschatological views.

Summary: Since all orthodox views affirm Christ's literal, visible, bodily return, this common ground should prevent division over timing and manner.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'All four positions teach that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. They just disagree as to when and how... we cannot fuss and fight about it and lose fellowship over it' (957.0-1072.7s).

Live in holiness and readiness, not in speculation about end-times scenarios.

Summary: Rather than obsessing over prophecy charts, Christians should focus on godly living and obedience now.

Evidence: Weaver critiques the undue emphasis on prophecy conferences: 'no one is concerned about living godly and holy and obedient now' (305.1-356.9s).

Examine your own salvation; do not presume upon a future second chance.

Summary: Since the wicked will be taken suddenly in judgment, there is no opportunity to repent after a secret rapture. Urgency is required.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'Many who plan to repent at 12 p.m. died at 11:59... when the Lord returns, the first thing on His agenda is to destroy the wicked' (3309.8-3405.8s).

Take comfort that God will judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous.

Summary: The righteous can rejoice that God will not let the wicked escape justice; this should encourage holy living and trust in God's timing.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'This ought to encourage every true child of God to holy living. It ought to excite us because we know the wicked will not get away with their wickedness' (3408.2-3450.5s).

Do not be deceived by an unreal profession of faith.

Summary: Association with the church or a verbal profession does not guarantee salvation; like Lot's wife, many will be taken in judgment.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T23:37:47Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T14:31:34Z

Clean Transcript

The Rapture Of The Wicked

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Luke 17 verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also, as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted and builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. And that day he which shall be upon the housetop and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away, and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
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Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed, the one shall be taken, the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together, the one shall be taken, the other left. Two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left.
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And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Let me make a rather lengthy introduction to this message today. You know, the problem is everybody wants to be right. And not only do we want to be right, we want our family to be right. We want our church to be right. We want our friends to be right. And therefore, we will always defend the views that we hold and or necessarily the views that our friends hold. I remember years ago when the Lord not only saved me but called me to preach and then I went to college and I remember in the class the teacher was teaching something entirely different than I had been taught. And actually if that teacher was right, and I realized it, if that teacher was right, not only was I wrong, but all my friends who had taught me and helped me were wrong as well. And I never will forget, I stood in class and where I went to the university, you just don't do this, but I was so upset, I was so angry, I put my finger in his face and I said, the only reason you're saying what you're saying is because you want to be intellectually
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accepted in the academic elite. And you know what he said to me? Mr. Weaver, sit down and shut up. He said, I'll see you after class. Well, the thing that galled me and the thing that got me was because I realized if what he was saying was right, then I was wrong. And all my friends were wrong. And I did not want my friends to be wrong worse than I didn't want to be wrong myself.
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But it meant, therefore, that all the teaching, all the years that I'd had, were in vain. Now usually, whenever anyone hears anything different from the way they were raised or the way that they've been taught, the very first response is to reject it. Just cast it to a side. Why? Because we believe that what we've always been taught and what we always have heard is right. And usually it takes two or three times hearing a subject before we even begin to see it. And then once we begin to see it and everything clicks and falls into place, then we wonder why we never understood it the first time.
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Why did we ever get upset? Why did we ever reject it the first time? Because now we can see it clearly.
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Now, whenever you begin to talk about the subject of eschatology, and eschatology is the study of last things, there is absolutely so much confusion over eschatology today. And let me say, whatever your eschatological position is, and I'm going to define the major positions for you in just a moment, but whatever your eschatological position is, let me point out the fact that most people believe what they believe eschatologically, not because they have studied it out from Scripture and are convinced that that's what the Scripture teaches. Most people believe what they believe eschatologically because that's what they've heard all their life. That's what they've been taught and preached to, and that's why they believe it. But do you realize that's true in every other doctrine? That's why most Baptists are Baptists. Not because they've studied the Bible and believe that the Baptists are closer to the Word of God than any other group. No, they were just raised Baptists.
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Same thing with Roman Catholics. Same thing with Methodists. The truth is, most of us just simply do not study.
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Now, in light of the video series and the book Left Behind, I mean, man, there is a plethora of books promoting all kind of eschatological positions. You know, and I find it absolutely interesting that there are so many prophecy conferences, and you turn on the TV, and everybody's talking about prophecy, and everybody's talking about what's going to happen 40 years from now, and they're worrying about the Antichrist, and they're worrying about the mark on the nose of the Antichrist. You know, but no one is concerned about living godly and holy and obedient now. I'm going to tell you, I believe there is, first of all, an undue emphasis placed upon eschatology. And eschatology is important and I'm going to talk about that in just a moment.
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But the truth is, the average church and the average Christian is living in utter chaos and confusion. And that's not only true in his individual life, but in the church and also in our homes and in the state. Everywhere I go, I have people ask me this simple question. Don't you believe that we're living in the last days? And my response to that is this. Well, of course, but which last days are you talking about?
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And you know, that really gets a puzzled look on them. Well, let me show you what I'm talking about. Look in your Bibles, hold Luke 17, we're coming back there. But look in 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11. 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11. I'll explain my question, which last days are you talking about? 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 11, the Word of God says this, Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends, plural, of the world are come. Oh, there's more than one end of the world. Isn't that amazing? The word ends is plural. You say, how can there be more than one end of the world? Well, I'll explain in just a moment. Look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter 2.
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Notice, if you would please, verses 16 and 17. Acts 2, beginning there with verse 16. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
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Well, what is he saying? But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. He's talking about the day of Pentecost. Peter is preaching at the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, and he says this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. It shall come to pass in the last days. The last days of what? Well, there's the last days of the Old Covenant. There's the last days of the Levitical priesthood. You follow me? There's more than one last days. Look in your Bible, if you would please, to 1 Peter chapter 1. 1 Peter chapter 1. Notice verse 20. 1 Peter 1 verse 20. In reference to Jesus Christ, in fact, read verse 19, you'll see it.
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But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Here's the last times of those Old Testament sacrifices. I mean, you know, look in 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 7.
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Now the Apostle Peter says, but the end of all things is at hand, Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. The end of all things. There are a number of things that ended in the New Testament. But I ask that you turn in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter 1, and this will probably answer a lot of it for you. When someone asks me, Brother Weaver, don't you believe we're living in the last days? And my answer is, well, yes, of course. But do you know when the last days began?
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Most people do not, but here it is spelled out in Scripture. Look at it. Hebrews 1 verse 1, God, who at sundry times and in divers or different manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.
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Now, how did God speak in the Old Testament and part of the New Testament? Through the prophets. Watch. He hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. When did the last days begin? At the first coming of Jesus Christ. We've been in the last days since the birth of Christ. So we've actually been in the last days for what? Two thousand years.
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Now, the point I'm trying to make is, there is so much confusion over eschatology. And many times, and I'll explain this and show it to you from the Bible, many times we do what is known as eisegesis instead of exegesis. Eis is the Greek word which means into. So actually in eisegesis, what you do is you read into a passage what you already think and what you already believe. Exegesis, ex means to draw out of. Exegesis is when you actually draw out of that passage and bring forth what that passage actually teaches. Now the truth of the matter is this, you know as well as I do, anyone can make the Bible teach whatever they want it to teach as long as they engage in eisegesis. But when you engage in exegesis, you can't do that. You must make the Bible say what the Bible says. Now, let me just make several statements.
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The first one is this, eschatology is important, but it is not something to divide fellowship over. Good men have disagreed on eschatology for thousands of years. And I want to assure you, I will not settle the major question of eschatology by this one message. I will not. Good men have disagreed over this for thousands of years. So if you don't necessarily agree with what I'm going to teach today, my advice to you is don't get bent out of shape, just study the Scripture. Okay? Just don't get upset about it. Just look and see what the Scripture does say.
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Now, you've got to understand that eschatology does indeed influence your worldview. It influences your everyday life, your conduct, your actions, your short-term goals, your long-term goals. I heard J. Vernon McGee. He's now dead and thankfully he knows better. But someone asked him a question about trying to subdue the world and exercise dominion. And here was his answer. You don't polish brass on a sinking ship. That's what he said. Well, I got news for you folks. Even if this world is sinking, you still must do what God commands you to do. I mean, I don't believe the world is sinking, but I'm just simply saying we've got to understand that you can have a defeatist attitude or you can have an optimistic attitude based upon your eschatology. Now, remember, eschatology is not something to divide over, and I'll explain in just a moment, but it is important because it affects your worldview.
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Now, let me give you very quickly the four main eschatological positions. Whenever you hear about eschatology, and by the way, we normally think of the return of Christ, but eschatology involves death, it involves judgment, it involves the return of Christ, it involves more than the return of Christ, but most people just single out the return of Jesus Christ. Now, you have four main views of eschatology. You have what is known as historic premillennialism. Historic premillennialism just simply teaches that Jesus Christ is going to come back before the millennium. In other words, he will inaugurate the millennium by his return. Now, historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture, did not believe in a rapture, did not even know of a rapture.
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That was the view of some of the early Baptist preachers. They were historic premillennialists. Okay. The second group, and I'm going to tell you a little bit more about them in just a moment. There is what is known as the dispensational premillennialist. Now the dispensational premillennialist teach that our Lord is coming back in two stages. He's going to come back in a rapture. Then there's going to be a seven year tribulation period. And then he's going to come back a second time. And when you get in dispensational premillennialism, you have, are you listening? You have a pre-trib rapture theory, a mid-trib rapture theory, and a post-trib rapture theory. So some people believe that the rapture is going to come before the tribulation, some during the tribulation, and some immediately after the tribulation. So actually, a dispensational pre-trib man may have several pastor friends who hold different views as to when the rapture is going to come. So you have a dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. Thirdly, you have amillennialism.
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Amillennialism was started by Augustine in the fourth century at the fall of the Roman Empire. And basically it spiritualizes the millennium and says that Christ is reigning now in the heart. And that is true. He is reigning now in the heart, but there is amillennialism. And fourthly, you have what is known as postmillennialism. Postmillennialism says that Christ is going to come back after the millennium. That the millennium will be an unspecified period of time and that we will have victory on this earth in time and in history by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. See, that's postmillennialism. Now you've got historic premillennialism, you've got dispensational premillennialism, you've got amillennialism, and you've got postmillennialism.
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Now let me show you why I said it's really nothing to fall out and sever fellowship about. Do you realize whichever position you take, all four positions teach that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. They just disagree as to when and how. You see what I'm saying? So, if Ed wants to be an amillennialist and Henry wants to be a postmillennialist and Doc wants to be a premillennialist, they all believe that Christ is coming literally, visibly, and bodily. Why in the world are they going to fight about when He's coming back and how He's coming back?
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Now, I can assure you this. I don't know the answer to all of them, but I can assure you this. At least three of those positions are wrong. And we're going to know for sure which one is right when the Lord comes back. So I'm just simply trying to demonstrate the fact that, you know, there are some things you cannot be dogmatic on. We can be absolutely dogmatic that our Lord is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. We just cannot necessarily be dogmatic as to when and how. Now, I know what I believe concerning that. You may know what you believe concerning that. But we cannot fuss and fight about it and lose fellowship over it. Now, I'm going to be preaching today on what I've called the rapture of the wicked. That is an absolutely astounding and an amazing subject. Most people associate the word rapture with the saints. The rapture theory as you and I have been taught it and have heard it all of our lives, believe this or not, it is the truth.
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Did not begin until the 1800s, specifically in the 1830s, and actually it came to light by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald who was a tongue-speaking prophetess and during one of her trances when she was speaking in tongues she discovered this dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. She taught it to her cohort who was a Roman Catholic priest. The Roman Catholic priest, of course, believed it. He then taught it to John Nelson Darby of the Plymouth Brethren. The Darbyites then embraced what is known as dispensational pre-trib rapture theory. Now what John Nelson Darby did was this. He turned around and taught this to one of his ablest students, who was a man by the name of C.I.
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Scofield, who put it in the notes of the Scofield Bible. And consequently, it became popular throughout this country. There were numerous prophecy conferences back then, and of course, most of the pastors rejected what is known as the Rapture Theory. They fought against it, but however, through C.I. Scofield, it actually came to be acceptable. Now, may I point out that the word rapture does not occur in the Bible. The word rapture is derived from the Latin word rapio, which literally means to seize or to catch by force. Now, there is a difference, and let me point this out. There is a difference between what is known as the rapture and the fact that our Lord is coming again. You see, all four views once again believe that our Lord is returning literally and visibly and bodily. But the dispensational premillennialists say that He's coming back twice. Once in a secret rapture, and then once again at the end of the tribulation period. So historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture. So the fact that our Lord is indeed returning visibly bodily and will gather his own to himself.
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Are you listening? That fact does not necessitate a secret rapture or even a separate rapture for the saints.
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Now, I'm going to show you several verses in the Bible. The Greek word is the word harpazo. I'm going to show you every time it occurs in the New Testament. It only occurs 13 times. But the word caught up that is translated in 1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 17 is the Greek word harpazo. We'll look at it in just a moment. So please understand this word is used only 13 times.
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I will tell you what it means. It literally means to catch or to take away or to seize by force. For instance, let's go in our Bibles to Matthew 11, the very first time the word occurs. Very quickly, you turn with me to these passages. You can underline it in your Bibles. Here it is every time that it occurs in the New Testament. Matthew 11, and look if you would please, 12, verse 12. Matthew 11, verse 12.
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Our Lord says, And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent do what? Take it by force. That's the word harpazo. So it's translated there to take by force. Look at Matthew 13 and verse 19. Matthew 13 and verse 19. He says, When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, that is Satan, and catcheth away, or takes away by force that which was sown in his heart, this is he who receives seed by the wayside. So Satan then is catching away or taking the word by force. Look in John chapter 6 and verse 15. Here's the third time the word occurs. John chapter 6 and verse 15. Here the Word of God says, When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and harpazo, that is, take Him by force to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone. Look in John chapter 10 and verse 12. John 10 and verse 12. Every one of these verses is the Greek word harpazo.
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He says, But he that is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth a wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, or takes them by force, and scattereth the sheep. Look in John 10 and verse 28. He says, And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck or take them by force out of my hand. Look in Acts chapter 8 and verse 39. Acts 8 verse 39. Once again, it means to catch away or to take by force. Here's Philip. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip or took him by force that the eunuch saw him no more and he went his way rejoicing. So he took him by force. Then if you look in Acts 23 in verse 10. Acts 23, verse 10. Acts 23, notice if you would please verse 10.
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Here the word of God says, And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him by force, there's the word harpazo, from among them and bring him into the castle. Then if you'll look in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 2 and verse 4, 2 Corinthians 12, look in verse 2, same word, Paul says, I knew a man in Christ above 14 years ago, whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth such an one caught up or seized and taken away by force into third heaven. And I knew a man whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell God knoweth how that he was caught up into paradise or seized and taken away by force. Then very quickly, if you'll go to 1 Thessalonians chapter four, here it is in verse 17, the passage I alluded to earlier. 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 17, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
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So once again it means to be caught up. Then if you look in Jude 23, Jude 23, in Jude 23, you find this verse.
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and others, save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, that is, snatching them, taking them by force out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted by the flesh. And then if you look in Revelation 12 and verse 5, here's the last time the word is used in Scripture. Revelation 12 and verse 5, And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up unto God and to his throne. Now those are the only passages in the New Testament where the word harpazo was used. Remember the word means to seize or to carry away by force or to snatch away forcefully.
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Now let me give you an amazing statement and then I'm going to prove it to you. Scripture teaches that if anyone is going to be snatched away or taken away by force, it's going to be the wicked, not the righteous. In fact, look in your Bibles, first of all, to Psalm 37. Psalm 37, and look at verses 1 and 2. We're going to go back to Luke 17 in just a moment. But look in Psalm 37, verses 1 and 2. The Word of God says to the righteous, fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Now, why should we not get bent out of shape over the wicked? Why should we not fret over the workers of iniquity? Here's why.
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Verse two, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. The word soon there literally means promptly, quickly, or rather speedily.
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Now Psalm 37 is an encouragement to the righteous in that they shall indeed inherit the earth. Look in Psalm 37 verse 11. He says, But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. What is going to happen to the wicked? They're going to be cut off. They're going to be cut down. It is the meek, that is, God's people, who've been broken to yoke, who submit to His rule, they're the ones that are going to inherit the earth. Look in verse 34. He says, Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off. What's that next phrase say? Well, who's going to be taken away? Who's going to be cut off? It's going to be the wicked. The righteous are still going to be here. Now, I want you to understand that God does indeed remove the wicked from the land in time and in history by what you and I would call temporary judgments.
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Look in Psalm 55 and verse 23. Psalm 55 Verse 23. Look what he says. Psalm 55, verse 23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in thee. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. What's that mean? It means God will cut them off quickly. Look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs 10, verse 27. Proverbs 10, verse 27. Look at what he says. Proverbs 10, verse 27. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days, but the years of the wicked shall be what? Shortened. They'll be cut off. Look in Proverbs 10 and verse 30.
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The righteous shall never be removed. But the wicked shall not what? Inhabit the earth. Now if the righteous are not going to be removed, who is going to be removed? The wicked. Look in Proverbs 11 and verse 31. He says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed or rewarded in the earth much more the wicked and the sinner. Now, if God gives the righteous rewards in time and history, and He does so, He says, How much more am I going to give the wicked their reward in time and history? Now, it will not be a full and final reward, but if God blesses us and rewards us in time and history, He says, I'll cut off the wicked in time and history. And that's why you see from time to time wicked men being cut off, cut down in the prime of their youth. Look in your Bibles to Job chapter 19.
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Let me ask you a question. Have you ever wondered why God sends these temporary judgments? Think of the hurricanes, think of the tornadoes, think of the wars. But look what God says in Job 19 and verse 29. Very important verse, Job 19 verse 29. God says, be afraid of the sword. Why? For wrath bringeth the punishment of the sword that you may know that there is a judgment. Do you realize all of the temporary judgments in time and history just point to the full and final judgment at the end of the world? So God says, whenever you see the sword, whenever you see judgment in history, it's that you may know there is a full and final judgment.
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Now, I want us to go back to Luke 17. And I want you to note with me that these verses, the very same verses that are normally used to teach the rapture of the saints, teach exactly the opposite. They teach the rapture of the wicked. I'm going to show it to you. Look in Luke chapter 17, and let's begin reading there in verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.
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Could I ask you to do something before I really get started right here? Go ahead and find 2 Peter in your Bible, 2 Peter chapter 2, because we're going to turn back there and corroborate exactly what I'm reading here. Okay, and exactly what I'm going to say. Go ahead and find 2 Peter chapter 2 and just hold that. Now go back to Luke 17 and look in verse 26. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Now what is the context of Luke 17, 26 and 27? It is the context of judgment. He said they ate and they drank until the flood came and destroyed them all. By the way, the word flood here is the word cataclysmos. It's where we get our English word cataclysm from. Literally he says, They did eat, they drank, they married wives, were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the cataclysm came and destroyed them all.
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Now, if you doubt my interpretation of that, look in 2 Peter 2, and let's begin reading in verse 3. 2 Peter 2, verse 3, he's talking about wicked men, and he says, And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into the chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment, and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, here it is, bringing the flood or the cataclysm upon the world of the ungodly.
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So what is the context then of Luke 17, 26 and 27? It is that of judgment. Now, go back to Luke 17. Hold 2 Peter 2. He says in verse 28, Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. I know you know that's judgment, but go back to 2 Peter 2, and look if you would please, beginning there with verse 6. He says it like this, And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that should after live ungodly. Now, go back to Luke 17. We see the context in the days of Noah. The context is that of judgment.
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By the way, answer this question for me. In the days of Noah, who was it that was taken away? The wicked. Alright? We've looked at Lot. The context is that of judgment. In the days of Lot, who was it that was taken away? Wicked. Would you look at verse 30? In verse 26 and 27, he talks about Noah. Verse 28 and 29, he talks about Lot. Then he says in verse 30, Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. What will it be in the day that the Son of man is revealed? Well, it's going to be a day of judgment, but who did he take away first? The wicked, even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Now, I want you to understand that the warnings that are given in verses 31 through 36 of Luke 17 are given therefore in the context of judgment. Now let me tell you what verses 31 through 33 are. Verses 31 through 33 are a warning against an unsound or an unreal profession of faith.
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Look at it. In verse 31, In that day he which shall be upon the housetop and his stuff in the house, let him not come down and take it away. He that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Why? There'd be no reason to. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
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Now, how can this be a warning against an unreal profession of faith? Let me tell you something, folks. Just because an individual professes faith in Jesus Christ does not mean that that individual is a real Christian. Hypocrites do that often. Pharisees do that regularly. Was Lot's wife saved by her association with Lot? No. Are unsaved church members saved by their association with the church? No. There are plenty of people that have been baptized, that have joined churches, that have never, ever been saved by the grace of God.
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And in the day of judgment, they will not be spared. What does 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19 say? If you can't quote it, you ought to learn it. I'll quote it for you. 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
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I got news for you folks. You might can fool me, but you can't fool God. No one can fool Him. The Lord knows who is genuinely converted and who is not. He says you just need to remember Lot's wife. Now, look at what our Lord says in verse 34. He says, I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in bed. The one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding together. The one shall be taken the other left. Two men shall be in the field. The one shall be taken the other left.
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Now, all my life I've heard that preached. That was a rapture of the saints. You just wake up and find your mate gone. Or the airplane's gone without a pilot. Or the car's going down the road without a driver. Well, now, what was the context of Luke 17? Help me out. The context was judgment. So, now what does our Lord say in verse 34? Two men in bed, one taken, one left. Two women grinding, one taken, one left. Two in the field, one taken, one left. Well, wouldn't you like to know where those people were taken? Well, the disciples wanted to know, so in verse 37, they asked Him. And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord? Where are these folks taken?
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And our Lord said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Now, isn't that amazing? They said, Lord, where are these people going to be taken? He said, wherever the body is, that's where the eagles are going to be gathered together.
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Now, let me tell you, the whole context is judgment. Where are these people going to be taken? To death and to judgment. I'm going to show it to you from the Bible. Hold Luke 17. Turn in your Bibles, first of all, to Job 39. Job 39. And look, if you would please, beginning with verse 27. Job 39, verse 27. Job 39, verse 27.
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Now, where were those bodies carried? Whithersoever the eagles were gathered together. Job 39 verse 27. Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, or make her nest on high? Here's what he says about the eagles. She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up the blood, and where the slain are, there is she. Look in Proverbs 30 and verse 17. Proverbs 30 and verse 17. Are you watching? Proverbs 30 verse 17. The eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young eagles shall eat it.
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Now they said, Lord, You said two are going to be in bed, one's taken, one left. Two are going to be grinding at the mill, one taken, one left. Two in the field, one taken, one left. Where are they taken? Wheresoever the body is, that's where the eagles are going to be gathered together.
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Now, to confirm everything that I've told you, look in your Bibles to Matthew 24. Here is the parallel passage of Luke 17. Matthew 24, and look at verse 28. In fact, we'll look at several other verses while we're here. Matthew 24 and verse 28. Our Lord says, for wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Would someone like to elaborate and tell me what a carcass is?
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It's a dead body, isn't that right? In fact, that's exactly the word used here in the Greek. It's a carcass. It's a dead body. That's where the eagles are gathered together. Where were these people taken? They were snatched out. They were raptured. They were taken by force. They were taken to death and to judgment.
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Now, if you think I'm making this up, let's stay in Matthew 24 and let's skip down to verse 37. Matthew 24, verse 37. Okay. Look at it if you would, please. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark and knew not until the flood came and took them all away. Now watch. So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
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There shall be two in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, the other left. Watch therefore, you know not what hour your Lord doth come. May I remind you of this fact? When the Bible speaks of the coming of the Lord, it does not always speak of His visible, physical, bodily return.
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You say, how can you say that? Because He comes in several ways, and one of the ways that He comes is in judgment. Okay?
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Now, it is true He's going to come in judgment at the final time as well. But many times in the Bible, the coming of the Lord refers to a time of judgment. But here, these two that are going to be taken, it's the same thing as in Luke chapter 17. They're taken to judgment and death.
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Now, let's go to Matthew 13 and see if there are any other passages in the Bible that say what I've been trying to enunciate. Let's look at Matthew 13 and let's begin there with verse 24. Our Lord is teaching. Our Lord is teaching and all what He teaches is an eye-opener. Matthew 13, verse 24. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man which sowed good seed in his field. And while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? For whence then hath it tares? He says unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servant said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? And he said, Nay, lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them.
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Let both go together unto the harvest. And in the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.
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Now, let's go back to verse 24. Our Lord is teaching and He says, here's what the Kingdom of Heaven is really like. It's like a man who sowed good seed in a field. But while he slept, the enemy came along, who's the devil, and sowed some tares.
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Now the interesting thing is the tare and the wheat look exactly alike. And just looking at them, you really can't tell any difference until verse 26, But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Tares do not produce fruit. So since some had fruit and some did not have fruit, they came to our Lord and said, now Lord, someone has sowed some tares in your field.
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Let's go out and root them up. Let's take care of my whole nose in the Lord. Don't do that. Let them both stay together until the harvest. He said then at the harvest, you will gather first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then we'll get the wheat. You say, now, Brother Weaver, are you trying to tell me that what our Lord is saying, that when he comes back, he's going to first get the tares? Yep. You say, well, that's a big supposition on your part. Oh, no, I cheated.
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I read the rest of the chapter. If you look in verse 38, our Lord gives this interpretation Himself. I don't see how it can be any plainer. Matthew 13, verse 38. Look what He says. In fact, let's read verse 36. Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house, and His disciples came to Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
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He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man. That's understandable. The field is the world. That's understandable. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. That's understandable. But the tares are the children of the wicked one. That's understandable. The enemy that sowed them is the devil. That's understandable. The harvest is the end of the world. We got that.
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The reapers are the angels. We got that. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all of his elect from the four corners of the earth. Is that what that verse says? No. They shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Watch, then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Who is left? Who is taken? The wicked. Our Lord says this is exactly the way it's going to be at the end of the world. The wicked are going to be taken out. They are going to be destroyed. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
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Now, the only thing I'm trying to show you folks is this. If you're going to talk about a rapture, let's talk about the rapture of the wicked. Because they're going to be seized and taken away by force unto judgment. Well, let's skip down to verse 47. Let's just make sure our Lord really knew what He was talking about, okay? I believe we don't have any problem with that, but let's see if He says the same thing again, for emphasis sake. Matthew 13, verse 47. He says, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast in the sea, and gathered of every kind. Which when it was full, they drew it to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good in the vessels, but cast the bad away. Then our Lord says, So shall it be at the end of the world, the angels shall come forth, and help me out, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them, the wicked, into the furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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Jesus saith unto them, Have you understood all these things? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. What did our Lord just get out of His mouth? The wicked are going to be taken out first.
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Now, someone says, well, Brother Weaver, those are parables. Well, what is a parable? It's a way to understand truth. It's a way to convey truth and make it clear and understandable. But do you know something? It's not just Matthew 13, Matthew 24, Luke 17 and other passages that teach it, a multitude of others do as well. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. Look at Paul's eschatology and look at what he says. 2 Thessalonians 1 verse 7. Here's what he teaches. 2 Thessalonians 1 and verse 7.
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And to you who are troubled, rest with us. Oh, I like that. And to you who are in trouble, rest with us. When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, when He's going to be revealed, what is He going to do? In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. Look at verse 10.
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when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired of all them that believe. What's our Lord going to do? He's going to destroy the wicked first, and then he's going to be glorified and admired by all of his saints. Isn't that simple?
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Now, if you look in your Bibles to Psalm 58, here's the last passage I want to show you. There are a multitude. This one is sufficient, or at least it should be. Because it doesn't matter if it's the testimony of the Old Testament or the testimony of the New Testament. Psalm 58. And let's begin reading. Psalm 58. Begin there with verse 1. Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?
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Do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men? Now look how our Lord describes the wicked. And look what he says about them. Yea, in heart you work wickedness. You weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb. They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent. They're like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. So the wicked are.
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are totally depraved, cannot change in and of themselves. And so now we begin this imprecatory prayer. And look what David says. Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. Here's God's judgment against them. Let them melt away as waters which run continually. When He bendeth His bow to shoot His arrows, let them be as cut in pieces, as a snail which melteth. Let every one of them pass away like the untimely birth of a woman.
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that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away with a whirlwind, both living and in his wrath.
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Now watch, what's God going to do? He's going to judge and destroy the wicked. Verse 10, the righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that a man shall say, verily, there is a reward for the righteous. Verily, he is a God that judges the earth. May I ask you a question? Who is left? Who is standing around watching the destruction of the wicked? The righteous. That's what he says. Verse 10, The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily, there is a reward for the righteous. Verily, he is a God that judges the earth.
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Now, do you realize so many people think, well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I will put off seeking the Lord. I will put off salvation and I will wait. And when the saints are quote unquote raptured out, then I'll believe and I'll repent. But dear friend, if it's not the saints who are raptured, if it's the wicked who are taken by force and seized and carried away to judgment, what are you going to do then? Many who plan to repent at 12 p.m. died at 11:59. How wicked men are by failing to seek the Lord. And I'm going to tell you what, if all of these verses I read this morning are true, and they are true, when the Lord returns, the first thing on His agenda is to destroy the wicked.
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In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them who know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, when He shall come to be admired of all of His saints. You know what this ought to do? This ought to encourage every true child of God to holy living. It ought to excite us because we know the wicked will not get away with their wickedness.
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You say, Brother Weaver, how can you say that? I can say that because of Revelation chapter 19. Do you remember when the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever? Please tell me what the saints say. Hallelujah. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. When our Lord returns, whenever he returns, whether or not it's a historic premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism, whenever he returns, the first thing on his agenda is to destroy the wicked.
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Then the righteous shall shine as the stars. Let's pray.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T23:37:47Z

The Rapture Of The Wicked

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver challenges the popular dispensational pre-tribulation rapture theory, arguing from Scripture that the 'rapture' (harpazo) passages in Luke 17 and Matthew 24 actually describe the taking away of the wicked in judgment, not the secret removal of saints. He traces the rapture theory's origins to the 1830s, surveys four eschatological views, and emphasizes that all orthodox positions affirm Christ's literal, visible, bodily return. The message urges holy living and warns against false assurance, concluding that at Christ's coming the wicked will be seized first for destruction while the righteous remain to inherit the earth.

Opening

Introduction: The Problem of Wanting to Be Right

Scripture Reading — Luke 17:26-37

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Confusion Over Eschatology and the Need for Exegesis

The Four Main Eschatological Positions

The Historical Origin of the Rapture Theory

The Biblical Meaning of Harpazo (Caught Up)

So once again it means to be caught up. Then if you look in Jude 23, Jude 23, in Jude 23, you find this verse.

Old Testament Evidence: The Wicked Are Removed, the Righteous Remain

Luke 17 and Matthew 24: The Rapture of the Wicked

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares: The Wicked Gathered First

In Matthew 13, Jesus explains that at the end of the age, the tares (wicked) are gathered first and burned, then the righteous shine. The parable of the net reinforces this order.

Jesus saith unto them, Have you understood all these things? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. What did our Lord just get out of His mouth? The wicked are going to be taken out first.

New Testament Confirmation and Final Application

Then the righteous shall shine as the stars. Let's pray.

The Rapture Of The Wicked

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	CsezhfW7sI0
Subject	Eschatology
Course	Kingdom, Judgment, and Victory
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-09-27
Dictation Name
Book	Book 069: Kingdom, Judgment, and Victory — Chapter 6
Source Timed Segments	83

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Problem of Wanting to Be Right: Weaver shares a personal story about resisting a teacher's correction because it would mean he and his friends were wrong, illustrating how people reject unfamiliar teachings to protect their existing beliefs.
Confusion Over Eschatology and the Need for Exegesis: Most Christians hold eschatological views based on tradition rather than personal Bible study. Weaver defines eisegesis (reading into the text) versus exegesis (drawing out the text's meaning) and stresses the importance of letting Scripture speak for itself.
The Four Main Eschatological Positions: Weaver outlines historic premillennialism, dispensational premillennialism (with pre/mid/post-trib variations), amillennialism, and postmillennialism, noting all agree on Christ's literal, visible, bodily return but differ on timing and manner.
The Historical Origin of the Rapture Theory: The pre-trib rapture theory began in the 1830s with Margaret MacDonald, spread through a Roman Catholic priest to John Nelson Darby, and then to C.I. Scofield, whose study Bible popularized it. The word 'rapture' is not in the Bible.
The Biblical Meaning of Harpazo (Caught Up): Weaver examines all 13 New Testament occurrences of harpazo, showing it means to seize or take by force. He notes that 1 Thessalonians 4:17 uses this word for the saints being caught up, but the context of judgment in other passages points to the wicked being taken.
Old Testament Evidence: The Wicked Are Removed, the Righteous Remain: Psalm 37, Proverbs 10, and other passages teach that the wicked will be cut off and removed from the earth, while the righteous will inherit it. Temporary judgments in history foreshadow the final judgment.
Luke 17 and Matthew 24: The Rapture of the Wicked: In the days of Noah and Lot, the wicked were taken away in judgment. Jesus' words about one taken and one left occur in a judgment context. The disciples' question 'Where, Lord?' is answered with a reference to eagles gathering at a carcass, signifying death and judgment.
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares: The Wicked Gathered First: In Matthew 13, Jesus explains that at the end of the age, the tares (wicked) are gathered first and burned, then the righteous shine. The parable of the net reinforces this order.
New Testament Confirmation and Final Application: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 describes Christ returning in flaming fire to destroy the wicked, then being glorified in His saints. Psalm 58 pictures the righteous rejoicing at the destruction of the wicked. The message calls for holy living and urgent repentance.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

The context of Luke 17:26-37 is judgment, not rescue of saints.

Jesus compares the days of Noah and Lot, where the wicked were destroyed. The question 'Where, Lord?' is answered with a reference to eagles gathering at a carcass, indicating the taken ones are taken to death.

Weaver points out that in Noah's day the flood 'destroyed them all' (Luke 17:27) and in Lot's day fire 'destroyed them all' (v.29). The disciples ask where the taken ones go, and Jesus says, 'Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together' (v.37), which Job 39:30 and Proverbs 30:17 connect to death and judgment.

Matthew 24:37-41 parallels Luke 17 and confirms the wicked are taken.

In Matthew's account, the flood 'took them all away' (the wicked), and the one taken is compared to those swept away in judgment.

Weaver reads Matthew 24:39: 'the flood came, and took them all away' and then vv.40-41: 'Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken...' He argues the 'taken' are the wicked, consistent with the flood analogy.

The parable of the wheat and tares explicitly states the tares are gathered first.

Jesus interprets the parable in Matthew 13:36-43, saying the tares (children of the wicked one) are gathered first and burned, then the righteous shine.

Weaver reads Matthew 13:30: 'Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them' and vv.40-43: 'As therefore the tares are gathered and burned... so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend... and shall cast them into a furnace of fire... Then shall the righteous shine forth.'

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 describes Christ destroying the wicked at His coming, then being admired by saints.

Paul's eschatology places vengeance on the wicked first, followed by glorification in the saints, matching the pattern of the wicked being taken first.

Weaver reads 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10: 'the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven... in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God... who shall be punished with everlasting destruction... when he shall come to be glorified in his saints.'

Old Testament wisdom literature consistently says the wicked are removed, the righteous remain.

Psalm 37, Proverbs 10, and other passages promise that the wicked will be cut off and the righteous will inherit the land, contradicting the idea of a secret rapture of saints.

Weaver cites Psalm 37:2, 11, 34; Proverbs 10:27, 30; Proverbs 11:31, all indicating the wicked are cut off and the righteous remain.

The word harpazo means to seize by force and is used of both saints and wicked being taken.

While 1 Thessalonians 4:17 uses harpazo for saints being caught up, the word itself does not imply a secret rapture; it is used for forceful seizure in various contexts, including judgment.

Weaver lists all 13 NT uses of harpazo, including Satan catching away the word (Matt. 13:19), a wolf catching sheep (John 10:12), and Paul being taken by force (Acts 23:10). He argues the word's meaning must be determined by context.

The pre-trib rapture theory is a recent innovation, not historic Christian doctrine.

The secret rapture idea began in the 1830s with Margaret MacDonald and spread through Darby and Scofield. Historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture.

Weaver states, 'Did not begin until the 1800s, specifically in the 1830s... by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald' and 'historic premillennialism did not teach a rapture, did not believe in a rapture' (1076.6-1139.6s; 840.5-904.9s).

Scripture References

Luke 17:26-37: Primary text for the message; Jesus compares the days of Noah and Lot, warns about Lot's wife, and speaks of one taken and one left. Weaver argues the context is judgment and the taken are the wicked.
1 Corinthians 10:11: Used to show that 'the ends of the world' is plural, indicating multiple 'last days' periods.
Acts 2:16-17: Peter says the day of Pentecost fulfills Joel's prophecy of the 'last days,' showing the last days began with the New Covenant era.
1 Peter 1:20: Christ was manifest in 'these last times,' referring to the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
1 Peter 4:7: Peter says 'the end of all things is at hand,' indicating multiple endings in the New Testament era.
Hebrews 1:1-2: God has spoken in 'these last days' by His Son, showing the last days began at Christ's first coming.
Matthew 11:12: First occurrence of harpazo in the NT; 'the violent take it by force.'
Matthew 13:19: Satan 'catcheth away' (harpazo) the word sown in the heart.
John 6:15: The crowd intended to 'take him by force' (harpazo) to make Jesus king.
John 10:12, 28: The wolf 'catcheth' (harpazo) the sheep; no one can 'pluck' (harpazo) them out of Jesus' hand.
Acts 8:39: The Spirit 'caught away' (harpazo) Philip.
Acts 23:10: The chief captain commanded soldiers to 'take him by force' (harpazo) from the crowd.
2 Corinthians 12:2, 4: Paul was 'caught up' (harpazo) to the third heaven and paradise.
1 Thessalonians 4:17: The saints will be 'caught up' (harpazo) to meet the Lord; Weaver acknowledges this but argues it does not necessitate a secret rapture.
Jude 23: Others save with fear, 'pulling them out of the fire' (harpazo).
Revelation 12:5: The man-child was 'caught up' (harpazo) to God.
Psalm 37:1-2, 11, 34: The wicked will be cut down like grass; the meek shall inherit the earth; the wicked are cut off.
Psalm 55:23: Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; God brings them down to destruction.
Proverbs 10:27, 30: The years of the wicked are shortened; the righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Proverbs 11:31: The righteous are rewarded in the earth; much more the wicked and sinner.

Historical References

Margaret MacDonald (1830s): A tongue-speaking prophetess who, during a trance, originated the dispensational pre-trib rapture theory.
John Nelson Darby (Plymouth Brethren): Learned the pre-trib rapture theory from a Roman Catholic priest who got it from MacDonald; Darby then taught it widely.
C.I. Scofield (Scofield Reference Bible): A student of Darby who incorporated the pre-trib rapture theory into his study Bible notes, popularizing it in America.
Augustine (4th century): Started amillennialism at the fall of the Roman Empire, spiritualizing the millennium.
J. Vernon McGee: Quoted as saying, 'You don't polish brass on a sinking ship,' reflecting a defeatist eschatology Weaver critiques.

Important Quotes

Most people believe what they believe eschatologically, not because they have studied it out from Scripture and are convinced that that's what the Scripture teaches. Most people believe what they believe eschatologically because that's what they've heard all their life.

Highlights the central problem of tradition over biblical exegesis in eschatology.

All four positions teach that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, visibly, and bodily. They just disagree as to when and how.

Emphasizes the common ground that should prevent division over eschatological details.

Did not begin until the 1800s, specifically in the 1830s, and actually it came to light by a woman by the name of Margaret MacDonald who was a tongue-speaking prophetess and during one of her trances when she was speaking in tongues she discovered this dispensational pre-trib rapture theory.

Traces the historical origin of the pre-trib rapture theory to a non-biblical source.

Scripture teaches that if anyone is going to be snatched away or taken away by force, it's going to be the wicked, not the righteous.

The central thesis of the message, directly challenging popular rapture teaching.

Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Jesus' answer to the disciples' question about where the taken ones go, interpreted by Weaver as a reference to death and judgment.

Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.

Explicit biblical statement that the wicked are gathered first at the end of the age.

Many who plan to repent at 12 p.m. died at 11:59.

A sobering warning against presuming upon a future opportunity to repent after a supposed rapture.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does the context of judgment in Luke 17:26-37 challenge the common interpretation of 'one taken, one left' as a secret rapture of saints?

[Context]

Weaver argues that the comparisons to Noah and Lot, where the wicked were destroyed, set the context for the 'taken' ones being the wicked.

[Question]

Why is it significant that the disciples asked 'Where, Lord?' and Jesus answered with a reference to eagles and a carcass?

[Context]

Weaver connects this to Job 39:30 and Proverbs 30:17, indicating the taken ones are taken to death and judgment.

[Question]

How does the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) explicitly teach that the wicked are gathered first?

[Context]

Jesus interprets the parable, saying the tares are gathered first and burned, then the righteous shine.

[Question]

What does 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 reveal about the order of events at Christ's return?

[Context]

Paul describes vengeance on the wicked first, then Christ being glorified in His saints.

[Question]

How do Old Testament passages like Psalm 37 and Proverbs 10 shape our expectation of who will be removed and who will remain?

[Context]

These passages consistently say the wicked are cut off and the righteous inherit the land.

[Question]

Why does Weaver emphasize that all four eschatological views agree on Christ's literal, visible, bodily return, and how should that affect our fellowship?

[Context]

He argues this common ground should prevent division over the timing and manner of Christ's return.

[Question]

What are the dangers of holding an eschatological view based on tradition rather than personal Bible study?

[Context]

Weaver warns that most people believe what they've always heard, not what Scripture actually teaches.

[Question]

How does the warning about Lot's wife (Luke 17:32) apply to those who have a false assurance of salvation?

[Context]

Weaver uses Lot's wife as an example of someone associated with the righteous but not truly saved.

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