What does the idea of the rapture mean according to John Derby, who adopted it in the early nineteenth century?

To understand this idea promulgated by John Derby , we need to ask the following questions:

• a. Why do none of the Church’s writings of the Fathers or her liturgies mention it as a dogma of the Church before the end of the eighteenth century?

• b. Why does the apostle Paul use this term in his account of the resurrection from the dead in the first letter to the Thessalonians (4:17) but not in his first letter to the Corinthians in chapter 15?

• c. Why is this term not found in the Old or New Testament prophecies concerning the second coming of Christ?

• d. Why do some Evangelical denominations reject it?

• e. Does his doctrine of the rapture agree with the divine economy that knows no confusion but rather takes great care that all things are done properly and in good order?

• f. Will the faithful be caught up to the clouds before the Great Tribulation and escape it when we know that the apostles considering tribulations a gift wherein we suffer and are crucified with Christ so we may also rise with Him?

• g. Does the Holy Bible speak of a coming of the Word of God for our salvation, then a second coming to take up His Church to sequester it from the Great Tribulation, and then yet a third coming for the final judgment?

1241 Translators’ Note: Perseus Latin Dictionary, online at: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/resolveform?type=begin&lookup=&lang=la .

We will return to answer these questions and show that the apostle Paul did not by any means intend the words of 1 Thess. 4:17 to be understood the way John Derby interpreted them.