CATECHESIS: Is the "rapture" preached by heretics approved Catholic Doctrine?

There is an absolute difference between these different Eschatological theologies. I have noticed some of my friends believe in the Rapture, and quote the Scriptures for proof. I will try to debunk this belief and give the proper Catholic perspective on the End Times.

FIRST- An understanding of the Rapture..

The Rapture is the time that the Lord will supposedly lift into heaven those who love and believe him, sparing them from pain, and then leaving the sinful people behind who will go down with the destruction of the world.

SECOND- A Catholic Understanding

The Church ineffably declares the Rapture as plain foolishness by Protestant sects who wish to go with multiplying their believers.

Christ's mission on Earth is to make people aware of the realities of the Kingdom of God, he also stresses out readiness for the end of days, and leads people to the path of sanctification. He does all this by his life, death and Resurrection and makes himself visibly supreme by the Parousia.

The Church, in response, stresses individual salvation and individual judgement (heaven, hell and purgatory), looking at the signs of the times in the light of the Holy Spirit and Scripture, with their Magisterium (teaching authority).

Thus, Rapturists lose sight of their individual salvation due to figuring out when this will happen.

THIRD- Debuking myths

The rapture is NOT approved by the Catholic Church.

These are some Scriptural bases provided by heretical movements for their flock.

1. 1 Thess 4:16-17

-does not have any distinction between the end and the 'rapture'

- believed to be secret, silent and sudden, but in reality a shout and a trumpet sounded by the archangel.

2. 1 Cor 15:51-52

-no distinction between the end and the rapture

-still speaks of a trumpet

3. Mt 24: 37-42

-he will come again in glory (Apostle's Creed)

-loud noise of a trumpet

-content; taken away in judgement, in deference to Noah's case in Genesis.

FOURTH- Theological debunking

1. The rapture promises instant salvation, while true Christianity says: "If you wish to follow me, take up your Cross."

2. The rapture promises pain-free living, while true Christianity says: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.

3. As mentioned, Christ gave more attention or spoke only of the Parousia, instead of speaking of another "Coming". It also destroys the article of the Creed: "He will come again in GLORY to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom shall have no end."

Ergo, the Catholic Church still holds the keys to Heaven, and that they even made and hold the authentic teaching of the Scriptures by authority of past and present Councils.

Thus you are given the question: Will you belong or go home to the fold of the Church or get away from it and go to the place of damnation.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us