Rescue Rapture
The main theme of a recent conversation sighted on social media revolves around the belief that Christians will be rescued (raptured) from Earth before the occurrence of tribulations, as prophesied in the Bible. This belief has led to a disengagement of Christians from actively participating in various societal roles, including politics, education, and community service.
The protagonist expresses concerns that this theology has made many Christians adopt a passive approach to life, believing that since the world is destined for destruction, there is little need to contribute positively to it or strive for change. This mindset is seen as detrimental to Christian duty and societal progress. The belief in an imminent rapture has also led to a lack of involvement in issues like governance, education, and cultural development, under the assumption that these efforts are futile in the face of impending doom.
The document criticizes this approach as a misinterpretation of Biblical teachings, arguing that it leads to a defeatist attitude and neglects the Christian responsibility of being 'salt and light' in the world. It emphasizes that Christians are called to engage actively in society, to bring about positive change, and to uphold Biblical values in all areas of life. The document also touches on the need for a balanced understanding of eschatology (the study of end times) that encourages active engagement rather than passive waiting.
The guest discusses a shift in their understanding of end-times theology, moving from a focus on the 'rescue' aspect to a realization of the importance of Christian engagement in worldly affairs. The author argues that Christians should not only prepare for the end times but also actively work to influence society positively, aligning with Biblical principles.
In summary, "Rescue Rapture" challenges the prevalent eschatological view of passive waiting for the rapture, advocating for a more active, engaged Christian presence in the world. It emphasizes the need for Christians to participate in societal and political spheres, inspired by a Biblical worldview that encourages positive influence and change.
One should acknowledge the concept of spiritual warfare, with the recognition that believers are at war with Satan, who seeks to harm those belonging to God. This emphasizes the ongoing struggle between good and evil in a spiritual context.
One should acknowledge how evil works within society, suggesting that dark forces might not work in isolation but could connect people with similar selfish interests. This could imply an indirect influence on societal and church attitudes.
One should acknowledge the importance of Christian involvement in societal affairs, which counters the idea of being passive or uninvolved in current events due to external influences.
One should acknowledge the challenges faced by churches, including societal issues such as racism, sexism, and nationalism, which could be seen as manifestations of 'dark forces' in a broader sense, affecting church involvement in societal matters.
Christians 100 years ago did not think of handling current events like we do today. Although current events must have looked much different, they still took them head on. They were working for God's kingdom today, not waiting for it to happen. The Lord's Prayer, stating 'Thine will be done on earth as it is in Heaven' was real to them. They did not expect an escape 'rapture' to appear. That concept had appeared nearly 100 years earlier, but very few had heard it. John Nelson Darby of the Plymouth Brethren, a small sect of Christian brotherhood had developed the theory in the 1830s.
There were links to Darby's development of dispensationalism or the pre-tribulation rapture theory to a specific period of convalescence following an injury. He had developed a concussion and was bed ridden for a considerable time. Much of his rapture theology was achieved during this time. This was little known outside of the Plymouth Brethren constituency. That is until Cyrus I. Scofield, an American theologian, discovered it in the early 1900s, a mere 100 years ago.
John Nelson Darby's ideas, particularly those related to dispensationalism and the pre-tribulation rapture, gained widespread attention and influence, especially in the United States beginning in 1909.
1. Initial Reception of Darby's Ideas: While Darby was a prominent figure within the Plymouth Brethren and his ideas were influential in those circles, his theological concepts, including dispensationalism and the pre-tribulation rapture, were not immediately or universally accepted in the broader Christian community. His teachings were somewhat radical for the time and diverged from mainstream Christian eschatology.
2. Cyrus Scofield and the Reference Bible: The broader dissemination and acceptance of Darby's ideas owe much to Cyrus I. Scofield, an American theologian. Scofield, who became a proponent of Darby's dispensationalist theology, played a crucial role in popularizing these ideas through his work on the Scofield Reference Bible.
3. The Scofield Reference Bible: First published in 1909, the Scofield Reference Bible included annotations and commentary that incorporated dispensationalist theology. This Bible became hugely popular in the United States and was instrumental in spreading Darby's ideas to a wider audience, particularly among evangelical and fundamentalist Christians.
4. Impact on American Evangelicalism: The influence of the Scofield Reference Bible in early 20th-century America cannot be overstated. It introduced a large number of American Christians to dispensationalism and the pre-tribulation rapture theory. This had a lasting impact on American evangelical theology and eschatology, shaping the beliefs and teachings of many churches and denominations.
5. Continued Influence: The ideas popularized by Scofield's work continue to be significant in many evangelical and fundamentalist circles even today. They have shaped much of the conversation around biblical prophecy, end-times theology, and the interpretation of events in the Middle East in light of biblical prophecy.
In conclusion, while John Nelson Darby was a key figure in developing the theological framework of dispensationalism and the pre-tribulation rapture, it was Cyrus Scofield's Scofield Reference Bible that played a pivotal role in popularizing these ideas, particularly in the United States. The impact of Scofield's work in spreading Darby's ideas has been profound and enduring, particularly within American evangelicalism.
The idea of the rapture is a relatively recent theological concept that was not present in early Christianity. The early church fathers in the first centuries after Jesus' death did not write about or promote anything resembling the rapture. Furthermore, renowned Biblical thinkers and theologians throughout history never put forth this idea. Even the translators of the renowned King James Bible in the 17th century did not include the notion of the rapture. It was not until the 19th century that John Nelson Darby introduced and championed the idea of the rapture, representing a theological innovation rather than a teaching with historical continuity back to early Christianity. Overall, while a popular concept among some Christians today, the rapture lacks grounding in the early church and arose much later in history.