There’s a lot of talk about rapture/end of the world/wrath & judgment going around. It’s because of a confluence of at least 4 human experiences. Here’s some thoughts on the origin, before we ask, “So what?” (skip to the last paragraph if you can’t wait……) Ancientinfo+biblicalprophecy+scientificrevolution+naturaldisasters=?
Or put another way:
*Mayan calendar
*Judeo-Christian scripture and traditions
*learning to measure & calculate
*recent earthquakes, floods, and other natural phenomenon
A sophisticated ancient Mayan civilization extended throughout what is now Central America. It is much admired for developing literacy and technology. Their calendar, which only goes as far as 2012, has drawn considerable speculation. Why end there? Did they know something we don’t know? Or perhaps, that’s just the point at which they stopped writing.
Biblical passages in the Jewish and Christian traditions talk about “last days” and the messiah’s return. The term “rapture” appears only once, and in a recent translation by Eugene Petersen: One day I went strolling through the orchard, looking for signs of spring, Looking for buds about to burst into flower, anticipating readiness, ripeness. Before I knew it my heart was raptured, carried away by lofty thoughts! (“The Message,” Song of Solomon 6:11). In the Bible, “Last Days,” refers to a turning point in human history, usually in terms of faithfulness to God, but accompanied by human social change. And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: (Genesis 49:1-3, King James Version) Or This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. . (Isaiah 2:1-2, New International Version) Prophetic writing adds an element of judgment. The change is happening because God was not pleased with things as they were. For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. (Hosea 3:4-5, New International Version) And finally, with apocalyptic literature, like Daniel and Revelation comes drama & practically psychedelic imagery. Jump ahead a millennium and a half or so, to the Scientific Revolution, when more recent ancestors began measuring with great exactness: distance, time. We began to want to know precisely when, what and where to expect something to happen. Instead of a “ruler” being the length of the current kings foot, it was a standard 12 inches. (When’s the last time we used the president’s forearm to measure-which is what Noah’s cubit would be). Imprecise biblical images became anticipated events. A biblical “day” (period in which something happened) became 24 hours. A year became 365 days (with adjustments via lead year since our measurements still don’t quite fit reality). The precision applied to natural phenomenon was now brought to bear on biblical narratives and conversations written long before frame of reference came to be. Now, put all that in a situation where people are asking “what the heck is going on with the weather/ earthquakes/floods these days?” Mix in a generation that enjoys more than a little living-on-the edge excitement and we’re looking for front row seats at the anticipated event, the Rapture. For how the idea of rapture developed in visit: http://www.askthepriest.org/askthepriest/2005/08/the_rapture.html
SO WHAT? Here’s what I think matters: Our response.
Five Responses to Rapture: (I’m sure you can come up with more!)
a) The sooner the better.
b) What, another deadline! I don’t have time for this…
c) a little edgy, a little energized, I’ll play along for a while.
d) Better safe than sorry.
e) How dumb do you have to be to believe this stuff?
“The sooner the better” doesn’t see any possibility that God will redeem the world “as is.” Do-overs and escapes clauses offer a clean restart.
“I don’t have time for this” brushes off other’s people worry. And it ignores the huge impact that apocalyptic theories have on our foreign policy and own society.
“Play along” enjoys the imaginative suspense, like a horror movie, it suspends disbelief.
“Better safe than sorry” is an old philosophical strategy. If its not true, I have nothing to lose. If it is true, I better be on the safe side.
And “those dummies, ” like “I don’t have time for this” takes the easy way out. It’s easier to belittle than to engage what’s actually a logically intricate and brilliantly developed system of thought with a tremendous influence on American culture and foreign policy.
The passage rapture theory rests on is 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (King James Version): 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.
Paul wrote this letter to people who were worried about what would happen to those who died before Jesus’ expected return. Who they see them again? When, where? Paul’s answer is that those who have died will not return to life on earth, as they know it. Rather, all will be swept up in God’s life by Christ’s presence. It is about hope and trust in God. It is not a “proof” of a physical event much less a prediction as to when that will happen. It’s a descriptive phrase trying to convey the joyful reunion believers anticipate with those who have already died.
SO WHAT?????
Singer Bruce Cockburn asks, If this were the last day of the world, what would I do that was different? Would you change anything if you knew there was no tomorrow? If the answer is yes, why wouldn’t you make that change whether there’s a tomorrow or not? I guess as someone who lost a parent at a very young age, this has always seemed very real to me. Each day is an opportunity to live fully and faithfully.
Why wait to something wonderful?
Why wait to tell someone you love him or her?
Why wait to reconcile with someone, or with God?
Why wait to say thank you?
Why wait to make the world a better place?
