were Paul and the apostles wrong because they expected the rapture real soon?

So, if I expect something that can happen in the relative quick time, does that make me wrong or disappointed?

 

I wouldn't say he was wrong so much as human. That is, from a human perspective of a few decades of life, soon means "within my lifetime" or a few years thereafter. But sub specie aeternitatis "a thousand years are but as a day". Paul and, for that matter, the early church had their human limitations. But it is still true, after two thousand years, that "He is coming soon" -- in a universe incalculable millions of years old, "soon" is not necessarily before I pack it in! (And then, it might be!).

Even typing the phrase, "He is coming soon" sends chills up my spine. I am mentally hearing a concert by the St. Olaf College choir, singing F. Melius Christiansen's piece of that name, chanting over and over, with increasing volume, "He is coming soon". Listening to that I felt as though I would not get out of the chapel before the parousia!!

 

I don't recall such a verse but I would assume Paul is speaking more toward the posture of waiting with expectancy that we must all have lest we become sloathful. This was the teaching of Jesus who taught each generation to watch the signs and be ready because, (Mt 24:36) "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

 

The early disciples also expected Jesus, the Messiah, to establish a physical kingdom, and He would defeat these earthly tyrants. How many times did Jesus have to explain the nature of His kingdom, a spiritual domain, and not earthly.

Their bubble was burst when Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. Perhaps this explains the change in meaning of kingdom after the book of Acts.

The so-called rapture makes for exciting drama, but it has no basis in scripture, only in the imaginations of men.

Cheers,

Jim

I remember some PB's who wouldn't have a telly in their house. Then some bright light determined that the telly is how "every eye will see Him in the 'rapture'..." Then even the PB's bought a telly.

 

Hogwash. Try 1 and 2 Thessalonians for starters.

 

Well no such text as "partaker of the rapture" but try reading Phil 3.

 

In 1 Thessalonians Paul said "then WE who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord..." So he was expecting it...
The Biblical concept is imminence: Jesus can come at any time. So he expected Jesus to return in his time just like we do.

 

That much is true.

 

Though the word rapture is not in the bible the definition certianly is, "[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."