78 – Did Jesus Believe in the Rapture? | D. Thomas Lancaster

Jul 22, 2025

D. Thomas Lancaster, a Messianic Jewish scholar, dives into the intriguing world of biblical prophecy and eschatology. He discusses the concept of the rapture, emphasizing its root in Jewish tradition, particularly the ingathering of the exiles. Lancaster highlights how the rapture is tied to the Messiah's coming and explores who gets resurrected and where they go, specifically to Jerusalem. He also offers insights into how Paul included Gentiles in this prophetic narrative, reshaping our understanding of God's people in the end times.

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INSIGHT

Rapture Occurs At Messiah's Coming

Paul ties the rapture to the resurrection at the coming of Messiah, not a secret mid-tribulation escape.
The trumpet, archangel voice, and dead rising mark the public redemption event.

INSIGHT

Destination Is Jerusalem, Not Heaven

Isaiah predicts a great trumpet that summons exiles from Assyria and Egypt to worship on Jerusalem's holy mountain.
The resurrected are brought to Jerusalem, not airlifted to heaven.

ANECDOTE

Lubavitcher Rebbe Story Sparked Insight

Lancaster recalls a Lubavitch story urging Jews not to rush to buy Israel tickets and instead wait for Isaiah's prophecy of people 'flying like clouds' home.
That image connected for him with the Christian idea of a sudden rapture.

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From 88 Reasons for 1988 to the Thief in the Night films and the Left Behind franchise, the sudden disappearance of the church immediately before a seven-year tribulation has been a popular belief among Evangelicals. But is this idea truly biblical? Will the church be raptured? If so, will it happen pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib? Who exactly will be left behind? On this episode of Messiah Podcast, the third in our multi-part series on the End of Days with D. Thomas Lancaster, we delve into the prophets of Israel to discover the true source for the Rapture, the blast of the shofar, and the ingathering of the exiles. Join us as we uncover how it all fits together in a Jewish reading of biblical prophecy.

👉 Takeaways

► The Rapture Is a Biblical idea: Jewish eschatology very firmly believes in a rapture that will take place at the end of days in conjunction with the resurrection of the dead. However, the identity of who is being raptured and to where is their destination is quite different from the modern Christian versions.

► The Most Frequently Repeated Prophecy: It may come as a surprise that the most oft-repeated prophecy of the Hebrew Bible is not the coming of the Messiah but the rapture of the scattered souls of Israel. In Jewish eschatology this is known as the ingathering of the exiles. Paul understands the prophets to include Gentiles from the nations among those who are brought to Jerusalem.

► The Rapture Is a Primary Job of the Messiah: In Jewish eschatology, the ingathering of the exiles is one of the most important jobs of the Messiah.

👉 Resources

Torah Club
https://torahclub.org

End of Days: Torah Club Study Track
https://endofdays.org

✡️ What is Messiah Podcast? ✝️

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God’s prophetic promises to Israel. https://ffoz.org

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. https://ffoz.org/friends

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.