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The Resurrection
Christians use the word rapture in regards to The
Resurrection, however, rapture is not a technical term in the New Testament. For instance, if it was, then the "rapture" debate would be closed based on Jude 1:23. It states, "save others by snatching [rapturing] (harpazo ἁρπάζοντες) them out of the fire..."
Matthew 22:23 NASBIn verse 23, no other description on what type of "anastasis" is mentioned. But, since it is a technical term no additional description was required. All readers knew Matthew was speaking of the resurrection of the dead on the last day. Also with verse 23 there was no Greek article used with anastasis. The reason for this is because the topic is called back in verse 28, 30 and 31. This is common in Greek for the first occurrence to not have an article, followed by subsequent references having an article, to call back to the reader that they are still talking about the same thing. All uses of anastasis in the New Testament is a reference to either the resurrection of the just, the resurrection of the unjust, or the resurrection of Jesus. The only exception is Hebrews 11:35, where raising from the dead generally is compared to the "better" resurrection, to contrast the two. Colossians 1:18 NASB Revelation 1:5 NASB Acts 26:23 ESVActs 26:23 is a key verse that is commonly overlooked, and generally not well translated. The NET and ESV both similarly translate it and most accurately. Obviously others have risen from the dead, such as the widow of Zarephath's son (1 Kings 17:17-24); The Shunammite woman's son (2 Kings 4:18-37); The man raised from grave by touching Elisha (2 Kings 13:21); The widow of Nain's son (Luke 7:11-15), Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:52-55); Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:1-46); Tabitha (Acts 9:36-41); and Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12). Therefore, Luke is not talking about people rising from the dead generally. Instead he is speaking of being resurrected, which is a theme throughout the New Testament. This theme is also echoed in Revelation 1:5 and Colossians 1:18 which both say that Jesus was the "firstborn from the dead." The phrase πρῶτος ἐξ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν in Acts 26:23, πρῶτος is nominative and ἀναστάσεως is genitive. Therefore, the proper translation is "the first to be resurrected from the dead." For this reason, the event described in Matthew 27:51-53 was also not considered a resurrection. This also means that Elijah and Enoch were not resurrected. 2 Timothy 2:18 ESVNotice, Paul doesn't not specify which resurrection he is referring to. Obviously, Jesus had already been resurrected, which proves that anastasis without qualifiers, references the resurrection of the dead. Also why wasn't the debate, "that the rapture already took place?" The answer, because rapture is not a technical term that was used by the early Church, resurrection was. Acts 24:21 NASB Acts 23:6 NASB Acts 24:15 NASBIn verse 15 here, "the righteous and the wicked" δικαίων τε καὶ ἀδίκων is an enumeration, since δικαίων and ἀδίκων are in the same case and separated by καὶ. As with all enumerations, each list item is equal to the subject of the enumeration, which here is ἀνάστασιν. Also ἀνάστασιν is singular, not plural. Therefore, this could be translated as "there will be one resurrection of the just and one resurrection of the wicked." In verse 15 Paul said his hope was the resurrection, not the harpazo. Why would this be so if the harpazo is imminent and could happen at any time? Shouldn't this mean that the harpazo was his hope? The logical explanation is that all believers are resurrected, the living, and the dead. This was the mystery Paul reveals. In the New Testament ἀνάστασις (anastasis) is never plural in its Greek form, ever! This is significant! Pre-trib teaches that there will be multiple resurrections of the righteous. In Acts 24:15 Paul uses ἀνάστασιν, which is the accusative singular form of anastasis. If there is more than one resurrection of the just or unjust, Paul is using terrible Greek grammar, and instead should have used ἀναστάσεις, which is accusative plural. Therefore, if it is translated literally it would say "that there shall certainly be one resurrection of the righteous and one resurrection of the wicked." Revelation 20:5-6 NASBThe Greek phrase ἡ ἀνάστασις ἡ πρώτη translated as "the First Resurrection" has been downplayed by pretribulationists as having no significance. However, the phrase is very significant. The Greek word here πρώτη (protos), is equivalent to our word "first." BDAG, the most respected lexicon used for understanding the Greek words found in the Bible, defines πρῶτος (protos) as:
For πρώτη (protos) in Revelation 20:5, BDAG assigns it to the second meaning. Being first in order. If we assigned protos to the second category, it wouldn't make any logical sense. This would mean that the resurrection in Revelation 20:5 was considered by Jesus as the best or most important resurrection. But if there is a pre-trib resurrection, what makes this post-trib resurrection better than the pre-trib one? This would then also be saying that this post-trib resurrection was better than the Resurrection of Jesus, but to say that would be heresy! As 1 Corinthians 15:14 points out, "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." How could any event ever be better than Christ being resurrected from the dead? For without that, we have no hope! Therefore, the only valid translation is the first of two or more events. This fits both what is taught in scripture and the grammar. Since the Greek word for resurrection ἀνάστασις, is never plural in the New Testament, this cannot be a reference to multiple resurrections each referred to as the first. The concept of only two resurrections is confirmed by Luke. Here are the references in the New Testament where anastasis refers to the resurrection of the dead. Matthew 22:28 NASB Matthew 22:30 NASB Matthew 22:31 NASB Mark 12:18 NASB Mark 12:23 NASB Luke 2:34 NASB Luke 14:14 NASB Luke 20:27 NASB Luke 20:33 NASB Luke 20:35 NASB Luke 20:36 NASB John 5:28-29 NASB John 11:24 NASBNotice that in verse 24, anastasis has the article. Martha was referring back to what Jesus said earlier in John 6:39-54. John 11:25-26 NASB Acts 4:2 NASB Acts 17:18 NASB Acts 17:32 NASBThis is a theme throughout the early Church, that they continually taught the resurection from the dead on the last day. But why would they be teaching the resurection and not the rapture? Acts 23:8 NASB Romans 1:4 NASB Romans 6:4-5 NASB 1 Corinthians 15:12-13 NASB 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 NASB 1 Corinthians 15:42 NASBThe second most popular passage in the Bible used to prove a pre-trib rapture is 1 Corinthians 15. But did Paul call this event the rapture or the harpazo? Nope, he never once uses the word. On the other hand he does use anastasis (resurrection), over and over again. Hebrews 6:1-2 NASBThe resurrection included one of the most disputed doctrines of their day, but look what is missing, the rapture. Hebrews 11:35 NIVVerse 35a is a reference to those who had been raised from the dead, but only to die again. Above I listed those who had risen from the dead. Verse 35b contrasts this temporal resurrection with the permanent resurrection, in which when you are raised you live forever and can't die again. This is why they call this "The better resurrection." Note, neither instances of anastasis in this passage have an article. That is because the writer is expressing that these are two completely different things. Verse 35a is the only verse in the New Testament where anastasis does not refer to Jesus or the final resurrection of the dead on the last day. Additional references solely to the resurrection of Jesus that have not yet been covered; Acts 1:22 τῆς ἀναστάσεως, Acts 2:31 τῆς ἀναστάσεως, Acts 4:33 τῆς ἀναστάσεως, Philippians 3:10 τῆς ἀναστάσεως, 1 Peter 1:3 ἀναστάσεως, and 1 Peter 3:21 ἀναστάσεως. HOME | ABOUT | ARTICLES: The Timing of the Rapture The Testimony and Parables of Jesus Does apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 refer to the rapture? The Church Not Found In Revelation The Resurrection 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, New Doctrine or Just a Clarification? Who Escapes What in Revelation 3:10? Imminence Refuted John 14 - In My Fathers House Harpazo the Greek Word for Rapture Behold! I tell you what mystery means The Dead in Christ & Tribulation Saints Andy Woods Revelation is NOT Chronological Is the Holy Spirit the Restrainer? What I believe - Day of the Lord Timeline Understanding Zechariah 14 Blasted Hope or Blessed Hope? Understanding Greek Pronouns and Their Importance The Comfort Given by Paul The Rapture in Revelation 7, Part 1 The Rapture in Revelation 7, Part 2 | ||||||
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