I'm no Greek expert, but I seem to remember that 'meet' as in Thessalonians is the word used when the city leaders went out of the town to meet an emissary from Rome, and escorted back into the city. It's interesting that the word only appears three times in Strong's, the other two being Matthew 25, when the wise virgins meet and return with the bridegroom, and Acts 28:15 where the Rome church comes out to meet Paul on his way into the city. I'd be interested in any corrections to this!!
I agree with your interpretation here. Occasionally however I hear someone, even theologians, say "there is no rapture". I know what they mean (that there is no *secret* rapture, yeah with cars crashing etc.) but according to this passage there *is* a "rapture", i.e. "caught up" in Latin (translated from the Greek) transliterated gives the created English word "rapture". So sometimes the statement above can sort of denigrate the true prophetic picture of the second coming, or at least confuse it. I think there is a lot happening at Jesus' second coming, and the catching up (rapture if you will) is part of that.
Well said!! Till 20 years ago I believed in the rapture but was haunted by the clear teaching of a singular Second Coming event!! My Scripture exploration confirmed my departure from the rapture camp. I have been blessed to help others on their journey away from dispensational premillennialism.
I'm no Greek expert, but I seem to remember that 'meet' as in Thessalonians is the word used when the city leaders went out of the town to meet an emissary from Rome, and escorted back into the city. It's interesting that the word only appears three times in Strong's, the other two being Matthew 25, when the wise virgins meet and return with the bridegroom, and Acts 28:15 where the Rome church comes out to meet Paul on his way into the city. I'd be interested in any corrections to this!!
I agree with your interpretation here. Occasionally however I hear someone, even theologians, say "there is no rapture". I know what they mean (that there is no *secret* rapture, yeah with cars crashing etc.) but according to this passage there *is* a "rapture", i.e. "caught up" in Latin (translated from the Greek) transliterated gives the created English word "rapture". So sometimes the statement above can sort of denigrate the true prophetic picture of the second coming, or at least confuse it. I think there is a lot happening at Jesus' second coming, and the catching up (rapture if you will) is part of that.
Well said!! Till 20 years ago I believed in the rapture but was haunted by the clear teaching of a singular Second Coming event!! My Scripture exploration confirmed my departure from the rapture camp. I have been blessed to help others on their journey away from dispensational premillennialism.