How NT Wright Is Wrong About The Rapture

NT Wright Is Wrong About The Rapture:
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Paul encouraged his fellow believers to check the scriptures when he taught.
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You will see evidence of it in this video.

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00:00 Introduction to NT Wright
00:41 Where NT Wright is Wrong
02:00 What he said about the Rapture
04:49 Where the not-so-early Chruch went wrong
09:28 What the Earliest church believed

[WholeBibleWithGeorgeCrabb]

You can disagree and stay in fellowship together as believers. When it comes to the secondary issues, it is actually healthy to debate and disagree respectfully. In this video, you will see how I disagree with NT Wright.

[davidperry]

I think NT Wright is right because he does take Revelation literally because John writes that these things are about to take place and to pretend that most of Revelation is in the future is not to take Revelation literally. To take Revelation as future is to alorgorise Revelation as futureists do when it suits them. God has not rejected Israel because He will graft them back into the one olive tree which is the church.

[timlauder]

Excellent and helpful between the premillennial stance and the amillenial approach. Yes. Brother, our amillenialist friends miss out on so much amazing prophetic sections of the Old Testament which speaks of that glorious reign of the Lord Jesus from a literal Jerusalem. And that a restored Israel will be a channel of blessing throughout the entire earth. Praise God.

[larriveeman]

there will be a catching up, the debate usually is timing, I used to be pre-trib, but upon further studying the scriptures, I came to believe the scripture teaches pre-wrath, which really is close to pre-trib. The difference is when God's wrath begins, see below thoughts?

Phillipians 1:6:
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

So the work in us is to be completed when the day of Christ happens, which has to be the rapture. If its talking about the second coming then the rapture hasn’t happened yet because when the rapture happens we receive our resurrection bodies and the work will be completed.

Compare 2 thes 2:
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

The day of Christ ( rapture) won’t happen UNTIL falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition

If the falling away is the rapture how does the sentencesmake sense.

The rapture won’t happen until the rapture happens first?




The word for tribulation which is different from wrath is:

rom G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively): - afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

θλίβω
thlibō
thlee'-bo
Akin to the base of G5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively): - afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.

Wrath is:


or-gay'
From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.

oregomai
or-eg'-om-ahee
Middle voice of apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary (compare G3735); to stretch oneself, that is, reach out after (long for): - covet after, desire.

it really depends on when the wrath of God starts, if its the first seal ( assuming the first seal is at the beginning of the 70th week, which may or may not be true), the rapture happens then. If Gods wrath starts at the sixth seal then the rapture happens there...we know the the fifth trumpet judgement lasts 5 months ( rev 9:5), and we know the beast is given 3.5 years ( rev 13:5-7), the witnesses are given 3.5 years ( rev 11:3) and Israel is protected for 3.5 years ( Rev 12:6, 14) and the gentiles are given 3.5 years ( rev 11:2) see below, thoughts???

Also IF revelation is sequential we know the fifth trumpet judgement lasts 5 months and between the sixth and seventh trumpet there is 3.5 years, as the 2 witnesses are between the sixth and seventh trumpet

if there is not a pre-trib rapture, Christians are going to be shocked, it all depends when God's wrath happens..

In 2 thes 2, if the phrase” our gathering together to him” is the rapture then the apostasy and man of sin must occur first. This would seem to indicate the rapture won’t happen at the beginning of the 70 week of Daniel.

Phil 1: 6: being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; so in the above verse the day of Christ must be the rapture because that’s when his working in us is complete

Acts 3 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 2 4 "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ' The LORD said to my Lord, " Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." '

Joel 2:31 say the celestial signs will occur BEFORE the day of the Lord ( which is the day of wrath), this doesn;t happen until the sixth seal Rev 6:12....I would like a pre-trib rapture, but just don't see it in you look at the first five seals they match Matt 24 birth pangs


Rev 11
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."both Joel


Additionally Joel says BEFORE the day of the Lord ( which is God’s wrath)

Joel 2:
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

This doesn’t happen until the sixth seal:


Rev 6:

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Also the sky rolling up like a scroll happens during the Day of the Lord, this doesn’t happen until the 6th seal

Isaiah 34: Judgment on the Nations
1 Come near, you nations, to hear; And heed, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, The world and all things that come forth from it.
2 For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations, And His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter.
3 Also their slain shall be thrown out; Their stench shall rise from their corpses, And the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
4 All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree.


Rev 6:

14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

Hebrews 9
28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Acts 3:
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.






Matt 13:
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
29 But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "

[dynamicloveministries]

I appreciate the passion with which you’ve approached this topic, but I must respectfully point out a few areas where N.T. Wright’s position is being misrepresented, especially regarding the rapture. You’ve suggested that Wright is “spiritualizing” 1 Thessalonians 4, particularly the part about believers being caught up to meet the Lord. However, Wright isn’t simply allegorizing or dismissing the text without careful consideration. His approach is deeply rooted in the Jewish apocalyptic context in which Paul was writing, and his interpretation emphasizes Christ’s vindication and the renewal of creation, not a literal escape from earth.

Wright is not rejecting the physical second coming of Jesus or denying the future hope of resurrection. What he does, and does well, is highlight the biblical theme of new creation, where heaven and earth are joined rather than separated. When he discusses the rapture, Wright explains that the imagery of meeting the Lord “in the clouds” draws on ancient practices where people would go out to meet a visiting dignitary, not to stay away but to return with him. This, he argues, aligns with God’s plan to renew and restore creation, not abandon it.

I’ve noticed that in your critique, you reference early church figures like Origen and suggest that Wright is falling into similar errors of spiritualizing the text. However, Wright’s method is not simply about metaphorical readings. He provides careful exegesis, grounded in historical context and scriptural integrity. To imply that his approach aligns with Gnostic thought or early heresies is inaccurate and doesn’t reflect the depth of his work.

I would also encourage you to consider how N.T. Wright engages directly with scripture. In your critique, there’s a tendency to quote others without fully unpacking the text yourself. As fellow pastors, we both know the importance of doing the hard work of exegesis and engaging with the text thoroughly before offering critiques. Wright’s approach, far from being dismissive of scripture, brings out its richness and power in a way that resonates deeply with modern believers, especially younger generations.

It’s also important to recognize that Wright’s appeal isn’t due to superficial factors like his accent or eloquence. The reason so many, particularly young people, are drawn to his message is that it offers a compelling and biblically grounded vision of the Kingdom of God on Earth—one that emphasizes love, grace, and justice. His message is life-changing, not because it’s a departure from scripture, but because it calls us to be active participants in God’s renewal of all things.

I encourage you to take six months to study Wright’s works, such as Surprised by Hope and The Resurrection of the Son of God. Doing so could profoundly impact your understanding of scripture and help you see how Wright’s emphasis on new creation theology can transform your church into one that is active, powerful, and filled with grace. It’s not about spiritualizing or reducing the biblical message—it’s about reclaiming the full vision of God’s kingdom here on earth, which is indeed glorious.

[dewaldtdirksenvanschalkwyk]

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:24 (KJV)

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
John 12:48 (KJV)

[bfloydo]

With all due respect its all wasted breath, time and energy. Our end could come tomorrow or whatever time God chooses. We should stay focused on the day we live in as Jesus instructed. Let us leave the tomorrows to the owner(God) and spread the Love as God's servants Much love and With God @ Point RLTW!

[TDL-xgnn]

No he isn't. The rapture is a 19th century invention and was never taught by Jesus, the apostles, or the church fathers.

[kctechie]

John MacArthur is one of my favorite teachers and i disagree with his stance of dispensationalism. It doesn't make me respect him less.

[wingchun]

Where do you draw on the on biblical reading, exegesis? How do you know if it's spiritual or literal read?
That's why there wasn't a rapture cult till Darby and Scofield came around 19th century.

It's a man made tradition.
Those who prescribe to it are listening to American preachers telling them what their itching ears want to hear.

[jcmemerizing]

Taking the sincerity of your retort as well-intended, literal interpretation means we take the Bible in its proper genre, context, and with respect to its own testimony. We don’t overly allegorize it, nor should we overtly literalize it to the point of eisegeting the scriptures. NT certainly has something wrong in his theology, as we all do. But you are stating pure dispensational apocrypha in asserting the early church fathers were pre-trib rapture proponents. And the sleight of hand you are using to conflate a belief in an earthly millennial reign of Christ (in the brief instances the subject is at all mentioned by various fathers) as being proof of your rebuke of NT is almost sinful. What’s more silly is the idea that NT, who is arguably one of the most accomplished church historians of our time, would be lost on such evidence. The Didache is one of the best summary statements on the theology of the early church fathers and its commentary on the return of Christ does not even hint at your argument. As stated:

“Watch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord comes. But often shall you come together, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you be not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world-deceiver as the Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven; then the sign of the sound of the trumpet; and the third, the resurrection of the dead; yet not of all, but as it is said: The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him. Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.”

The fact is that the pre-trip rapture, whether true or not, was completely unknown as a developed theology before its spread post Darby.

[dandeliontea]

Hi there, this just popped up in my recommendations. It was a semi decent rebuttal of Amillenialism, but you didn't make a positive Scriptural case for the Rapture - which wasn't present at all in any of the Chiliast/Pre-mill Church Fathers you mentioned.

You also never responded to Wright's explanation of 1 Thess 4 which he discusses with respect to the original cultural context of a city welcoming a Royal figure or Emperor, by going out to meet him and immediately escorting him back into the city.

[buukkreider]

The Rapture of The Church

Where in The Holy Bible does is say, 'rapture'? It doesn't say the word, 'rapture', but in the Latin Vulgate. What does 'rapture' mean? It means
'caught away' or 'pull away' or 'pull up' or 'rapture'.

The rapture is not only for The Church as a whole, but an individual could be raptured. The first time in the New Testament a person was raptured was Philip the Evangelist in chapter 8 of Acts...


Acts 8:34-40

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.


So Philip was with the Ethiopian Eunuch, then he disappeared and was found in Azotus in an instant.

The next place someone was raptured was mentioned in 2Corinthians 12...


2Corinthians 12:1-5 Rapture and Caught Up Into Paradise

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen 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 to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

The Apostle Paul was most likely speaking of himself 'caught up' into Paradise. These are the Apostle Paul's words.


Also The Church. The Apostle Paul mentions this in 1Thessalonians 4...


1Thessalonians 4:14-18 The Church Caught Up in The Air

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

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.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.


In verse 17 Paul states it clearly, "We which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds..." The living believers at the time of the resurrection of the just will follow those that have passed away. The Apostle Paul also mentions that it will be in the twinkling of an eye in 1Corinthians 15...


1Corinthians 15:51-57 In a Twinkling of an Eye

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage is quite clear too. Also in 1Thessalonians 1:10


1Thessalonians 1:10 Delivered from The Wrath to Come

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

And 1Thessalonians 5:9


1Thessalonians 5:9, 10 Not Appointed to Wrath

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

[PH]

Your fellow American Dr Michael Heiser shied away from eschatology because (if I recall correctly), 'They didn't get it right first time round'. I think there is wisdom in that.

[markhauserbible]

You are right about one thing. Paul would NOT be surprised how people today interpret his (Or Jesus) teachings. 2Tm4:3-4. Also, the falling away. 2Thes2:3. However, N.T. Wright was right about NO literal 1000 years in our future. You mentioned the 1000 years is mentioned 6 times in Rev20. So, therefore it must be literal. Even though revelation is written with signs and symbols. But when Jesus said he would raise (Resurrect) believers on the LAST DAY 4 times in Jn6:39-40, 44, 54. Mary agreed with Jesus in Jn11:24. Then Jesus said the unbelievers would be JUDGED in the LAST DAY. Jn12:48. Thats a total of 6 times in ONE chapter. But pre-tribers, will say the last day is NOT LITERALLY the last day. So, how is it possible to understand revelation, written with signs and symbols, but NOT understand JESUS who spoke PLAINLY. As far as understanding prophecy. NO one will understand the end times until they understand what JESUS taught FIRST. It is LITERALLY impossible. So, this is what Jesus taught. Mt13:30, 37-43. Mt25:32-33. Jn5:28-29. Lu17:28-30, ect. This is why pre-trib teachers NEVER quote what he taught. Because he NEVER taught anyone left behind to populate a literal 1000 years.

[petruciucur]

You have not presented biblical arguments.

[WholeBibleWithGeorgeCrabb]

One of the greatest geniuses in history is Isaac Newton.
Did you know that he was also a believer in Jesus Christ and he steadied the book of Daniel carefully?
He wrote that Israel would have to be established again as a nation before the return of Christ.
His friends thought that he was crazy.
He also said that there would be some kind of vehicle that would take people to-and-fro at 55 miles per hour.
Again his friends thought he was crazy.
Nasa still uses isaac newton's formula to this day to get stuff to places like mars.
I agree with Isaac Newton. I believe that the nation of israel would have to be established first before the return of christ and it has.

[dalecoggin]

How many times did Jesus say He would return during that generation He was talking to? My Bible quotes at least 5 different times! Matt 24:34 being the most prominent! I believe Jesus over theologians any day. The apostles in thier writings used imminent "coming" language in thier writings. The more they saw the signs of His prophecy in the Olivet Discourse being fulfilled, the more imminent the laguage. I believe it was Peter (maybe John) said He stands at the door! Because they believed His prophecies and they were led of the Holy Spirit that confirmed what they were seeing.

His return was spiritual, His Kingdom is spiritual! His Kingdom is here and now, and it will never end!

The rapture doctrine is a defeatest doctrine that says God can not do what He says! His word says that we will transform and rule this world with Him! Not that the world gets so bad that He has to wisk us away! There is nothing victorious in that eschatology.

Where the rapture is taught in western culture, the church is in decline and has become irrelevant. Look at the US, churches everywhere, but the culture isnt transformed.

In asia, africa and the middle east, Christianity or rather, His Kingdom, is growing and thriving with signs and wonders even though they are persecuted!

Spread the Gospel and His Kingdom with love and compassion! Not with judgment and self righteousness. That is pharasiacal!

Western culture churches unfortunately preach a mixture of covenants. Including the law in messages. It is Jesus plus NOTHING! Only Jesus is what is needed, His love and sacrifice, and how He sees us! Dont get me started on the the Kingdom. Most preachers dont even understand the Kingdom, which is spiritual and here right now! "Seek ye first the Kingdom" ring a bell?