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What is Your Grace’s opinion concerning the two articles “Rapture of the Church" and "The Rapture of the Saints" posted on the Internet?

I would like to begin by defining the term "Rapture." Rapture can be defined as: The gathering of all generations from all nations in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in His second coming to judge them.

I prefer to address the Biblical references in both articles I have been asked to review. I will interpret the references according to Orthodox theology rather than compare the beliefs of a particular author.

The Holy Book of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 is a scripture often given in reference to questions concerning the "Rapture." Actually, Chapter 4 addresses "Reminders Concerning Holiness."  In verses 13-17, St. Paul is offering assurance of the resurrection of the body. These verses are some of the clearest New Testament passages on the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a first century document, the Didache, which lists three signs that will mark the return of the Lord:

1) The sign spread out in the Heavens (this is the Lord Jesus Christ and His Hosts).
2) "The sign of the trumpet,"
3) The resurrection of the dead.

Although these signs will mark the Second Coming, it should be clearly discerned that the righteous will see the return of the Lord Jesus Christ as a comfort not an alarm. This chapter is intended to comfort those who have lived a Christian life.


The last and final chapter of the Holy Book of 1 Thessalonians, which is often ignored in the context of the subject of "Rapture", addresses speculation on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is exactly the thing we are very plainly warned AGAINST doing. St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they have no need (verse 1) for this kind of information nor is it available to them. He gives an example of the thief who when coming in the night, does not give any warning. The Lord Christ Himself gave His followers the same response to their questions about the Second Coming. This chapter very simply and plainly entreats us to be ready, sober, and watchful at all times.

Please read and study the Holy Book of 1Thessalonians 5: 1-11 concerning "How to Await His Coming."

In the Holy Book of 1 Corinthians, St. Paul addresses the manner of the Resurrection. It is important to remember that St. Paul had had direct experience with our RISEN Lord; he had interacted with the original apostles and the whole church at the time. When St. Paul wrote of the resurrection, he compared the earthly body as only a seed (15:38) of the heavenly body to come. The heavenly or spiritual body is the fulfillment of what God intends for our present body. It is the material fulfilled not dematerialized. In other words, the material is put into effect and converted into reality, it does not dematerialize i.e. it does not lose its materiality to become immaterial. Rather, it assumes a bodily form to cause it to appear in the heavenly form.

In the second article “Rapture of the Church”, there is a reference to the Holy Book of Ecclesiastes 12:13,"Let us hear the end of the matter. Fear God, and keep His Commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

Here, I would like to emphasize that it is important not to take scripture out of context. In Ecclesiastes 12, King Solomon alludes to the inevitable end man’s life has to come to through old age, and the subsequent futility and vanity of this temporal life. Henceforth he offers a better, more fruitful path of preparing for the permanent and glorious eternal life by fearing God and keeping His commandments.

”How will our human body be changed?” is a question frequently asked in relation to the Rapture topic. Certainly, our human nature will be changed when we rise from the dead. We are told in the Holy Book of Philippians "We shall be like His glorious body" (3:21). We are further told in Holy Book of 1 Corinthians 13:12, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, THEN we shall see face to face."

In summary, I want to strongly encourage you to read all the Holy Scriptures in the context in which they are written. This is how it is intended to be interpreted. Our concern as Orthodox lies with the Final Judgment. The Final Judgment will come between the resurrection and eternity, when all human beings will stand before the Lord to give an account of what they have done during their earthly life, whether good or bad. The righteous go to eternal paradise while evildoers go to continuous anguish. Resurrection is gladness to the righteous and fearful to those who practice evil.

God gives everyone a new standing according to a person’s purity of heart, amount of love to God and obedience to His commandments, degree of love to others, and perseverance in doing good works.

There are many Coptic Orthodox books written on the subject of Resurrection and Salvation. Fr. Tadros Malaty has commentaries written on the Holy Books of the Old and New Testament. It is my recommendation to interpret articles on the light of the Holy Scripture. Use the Holy Bible as your guide, then reinforce your learning and understanding through your church documentation and literature. In this way, you will never go astray from the teachings of the church. We have so much church related documentation. I cannot imagine anyone needing to read from outside sources. In researching our literature, one does not accumulate a myriad of questions but tends to gather more comprehension and understanding of the subject being studied, particularly beliefs that we hold to be true and right.

A final thought frequently written by His Holiness Pope Shenouda, "Man has to believe and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. He has to live, behave, and act according to what that faith and salvation commands, so that he may benefit from its blessings in this life and eternity."