Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 3/10/2009

Question
Do you believe the bible teaches a pre trib rapture?
Do youbelieve the bible teaches that it is Gods will to heal our bodies- one verse says "those who have believed" will lay on hands on the  sickand they will will recover?

Answer
Hi Barbara,

Thank you for these great questions.  I will answer each seperately:

1.  Yes I believe in the pre-trib rapture.  We can read about the rapture event in this passage:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 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.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Now let us consider the timing of the rapture:

The Bible is clear that there will be a period of 7 years when God's judgment will pour upon the earth.  It will begin with the revelation of the Anti Christ when he brings a false peace treaty with Jerusalem.

Daniel 9:27
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.    

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Week here means group of sevens, and in the context it is a group of seven years.  Revelation tells us of the events that will occur duing this Daniel's 70th week.  In a summary passage, this time period is called the Day of the Lord's wrath.

Revelation 6:12-17
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens 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 that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

So, we know that this is a special time of GOd's wrath.  THe Bible tells us that the church is not appointed to that wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

With that in mind, I believe that the rapture will occur before Daniel's 70th week, or before what is commonly refered to as the tribulation.

2.  I believe that God can heal folks through prayer, but I do not believe that He has to... sometimes he chooses not to heal us, but rather to give us grace to endure the trial.

James 5:14-15
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

John 9:1-3

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don