Is the ‘rapture’ taught in 1 Thessalonians 4?

The lectionary epistle for the Third Sunday before Advent in Year A is 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18. This is notorious for being used to teach the idea of the ‘secret rapture’ of believers before Jesus’ return, so that those who are alive are snatched up to heaven.

The Greek term harpazo is translated in the Vulgate by the Latin verb rapio (from which we get ‘rapture’). But Paul is using the analogy of the emperor coming to visit a city—something the Thessalonians will know well—and the direction of travel is consistently downwards. There is no change in direction for King Jesus arriving into City Earth. Indeed, the language he uses is found elsewhere in the New Testament for people going out to greet a visiting dignitary, and then accompanying them into the city—not going away from it with them!

The phrase ‘Prince of Power of the Air’ is in Ephesians 2.2; Ian was right about the letter but wrong about the chapter.

The article about the meaning of clouds in scripture is here.

The gospel reading this week is Matthew 25.1-13, the parable of the wise and foolish virgins awaiting the bridegroom—which includes an example of people going out to meet the visitor and then accompanying him in. The written commentary on that reading is here

and the video discussion is here.