Dr. Couch, is James 5:7-9 a rapture passage?
ANSWER: Yes, it is, for a number of reasons that I will explain below. Some have said it could not be a rapture passage because the word "rapture" is not in the verses. This is true but that is not a good argument. In fact the word we translate as "rapture" is only used one time in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and there it is translated as "to be caught up." The Greek word is harpazo that means to "snatch away," or "to jerk away." But the doctrine is actually taught in about 13 or more other passages of Scripture.
The same is true about the phrase "the second coming" in regard to Christ's return, His coming down to reign in Israel as the Davidic King. That expression "the second coming" is used only one time in Hebrews 9:28 where it says that the Lord will "appear a second time" for deliverance. But hundreds of other passages tell us of His second coming to reign on earth.
James 5:7 speaks of the "coming of the Lord." James then goes on and speaks about the farmer who waits for the produce of the soil. The believers are to be patient and strengthen the heart "for the coming of the Lord is 'certain, guaranteed and in the hand, sure'" (eggus) (v. 8). Believers then are not to complain against each other because "the Judge (the Lord) is standing right at the door" (v. 9), and we could be judged for speaking against our fellow believer when He arrives.
The outstanding teacher on the rapture, Dr. John F. Walvoord, holds that this James passage is a rapture teaching. Since James was one of the earliest NT books, this is probably the first teaching on the subject.
Why is this a rapture passage?
Because believers in the church dispensation are warned that Christ is the Judge who presently standing right now at the door. If He came today, and I was mistreating a fellow believer, they "I will be judged when He walks in!" If I judge myself then I will not be judged. The Bema Judgment is for rewards whether we have done good or bad works. Paul writes: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one will be recompensed for his deeds in the body according to what he has done whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10).
Could this James 5:7-9 be a second coming passage? No, because those of us who are now in the church dispensation could see this take place, that is, His coming as Judge. There are two events that must take place before Christ's coming to rule in Jerusalem. (1) the rapture itself, and (2) the seven year tribulation, or the wrath of God on the earth after the church has gone to glory. Coming as Judge here in James has to do with the church and not His judgment upon the world.
This coming here in James is imminent for us, the present believers of the church dispensation. In that sense, we are not waiting for the second coming. We are waiting for the rapture "coming."
Dr. Paul Benware writes on the James passage and the rapture: "As the New Testament passages on the rapture were written; no signs were given that must be fulfilled. A normal reading of a number of Scripture passages leads to the conclusion that the writers of the New Testament believed in imminency. From James 5:7-9 Christ could return at any moment. … Therefore, in verse 8 James is declaring that the Lord Jesus 'has drawn near,' indicating that He may well appear at any moment. The verb "standing" in verse 9 is better translated 'has taken a stand.' The picture James paints is that of the Lord Jesus standing right a the door with His hand on the knob, ready to fling the door open at any moment and appear to us. The opening of this door may not be soon, but it is certainly seen as an imminent event. And because the Judge could appear at any moment, these believers are to live correctly."
—Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)
