First Fruits Rapture?

Q

I love your messages and I want to know the truth of the Rapture. Recently I’ve come across a teaching about there being two raptures, one that is pre-trib and another one in the middle of the tribulation period. Have you heard of this?

A

There are some who believe the Bible teaches both the pre-trib and mid-trib rapture positions. They claim only those Christians found worthy will participate in the pre-trib rapture, which they call a “first fruits” rapture. According to them, Christians who are not found worthy will have to endure the first half of Daniel’s 70th Week before being taken in a second, mid-trib, rapture.

This variation on the “grace plus works” position is a false teaching because while it holds that the Lord’s death on our behalf was sufficient to save us, it does not guarantee our inclusion in the pre-trib rapture. Verses are either taken out of context or re-interpreted to imply that participation in the pre-trib rapture has to be earned.

But passages like Romans 3:21-24, 2 Cor. 5:17,21, Titus 3:4-7, Hebrews 10:12-14, etc. state that our righteousness has been imputed to us because of our faith in Jesus Christ, and can neither be attained nor preserved by our religious works. Therefore, all who are born again will be taken in the one and only rapture, which will take place before Daniel’s 70th Week begins.