The expectation that believers will be raptured away from earth before the apocalypse has inspired imagination, lots of fiction, and some strange readings of the Bible. Matt and Nick investigate a key rapture passage within its original context, trying to understand how 1st century cultural practices illuminate this passage. Why does this provide comfort regarding those who’ve died? Why would anyone travel out to meet an arriving official? Does anyone know where Matt can get a veloci-rapture shirt? Try not to get left behind during this dive into 1 Thessalonians 4.
Resources Referenced: A New Heaven and a New Earthby J. Richard Middleton, The Ballot and the Bibleby Kaitlyn Schiess, TheLate Great Planet Earthby Hal Lindsay, The Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.
Interlude Music: Dreamdayby Autohacker, Angels and Stardustby Squiid
Theme Song:Believe by Posthumorous