The rapture of the church refers to the belief that at some point in the future, Jesus Christ will return to gather His followers both living and dead to meet Him in the air. This event is believed to occur prior to a period of tribulation on the earth. The word “rapture” comes from the Latin word “rapio” meaning “to catch up or take away.” Though the actual word “rapture” is not found in scripture, the concept is derived from several key passages in the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
This is one of the clearest descriptions of the rapture event:
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV)
Paul is writing to comfort believers who are concerned about loved ones who have died before the return of Christ. He explains that when Christ returns, the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive will be “caught up” to meet them and the Lord in the air. The Greek word used for “caught up” is harpazo, meaning to seize suddenly or snatch away. This passage forms the basis for the idea of the rapture.
1 Corinthians 15:50-54
“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54 ESV)
Here Paul explains the mystery that believers both living and dead will be transformed with new imperishable bodies at the “last trumpet.” This correlates with the rapture passage in 1 Thessalonians that mentions a trumpet call and the dead in Christ being raised. The emphasis is on the instantaneous change believers will undergo at this event.
John 14:1-4
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4 ESV)
In this passage, Jesus speaks comforts His disciples and alludes to returning to gather them to Himself. He promises that He is going to prepare a place for them and will come back to take them there. This demonstrates the idea of Christ returning to take believers to be with Him.
When Will the Rapture Take Place?
There are differing views on the timing of the rapture in relation to other end times events:
- Pre-tribulation – The rapture will occur before the tribulation period preceding Christ’s second coming. This allows believers to escape the time of trouble.
- Mid-tribulation – The rapture will occur halfway through the seven-year tribulation period.
- Post-tribulation – The rapture will occur after the tribulation and will coincide with Jesus’ second coming.
The pre-tribulation position is the most widely held, especially among evangelical Protestants. However, each perspective uses various scriptures and interpretations to support its view.
What Happens at the Rapture?
According to the most common pre-tribulation view, at the appointed time, Jesus will descend from heaven, accompanied by an archangel who will blow a trumpet. At that moment, both dead and living believers will be transformed with imperishable, glorified bodies and will rise to meet Christ in the air. Meanwhile, unbelievers on earth will remain to endure the tribulation period. Elements of this scenario are referenced in 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Corinthians 15, and other passages.
Some key events associated with the rapture include:
- Jesus descending from heaven
- A shout of command from Christ
- The archangel’s trumpet sounding
- Believers rising to meet Christ in the air
- The bodily transformation of living and dead saints
- Believers receiving glorified bodies
- A gathering in the clouds with Jesus
This supernatural event will lift believers out of the world instantaneously and unite them together to welcome their long-awaited Messiah. For those left behind, it will confirm that the end times have begun.
Why is the Rapture Significant?
The doctrine of the rapture is significant for several reasons:
- It provides hope – Believers have the assurance that they will be resurrected to new life and reunited with loved ones who have died in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
- It encourages holy living – The knowledge that Christ may return at any time motivates believers to keep watch and live in readiness (Matthew 24:42-44).
- It highlights Christ’s love and faithfulness – Jesus keeps His promise to come back for His followers just as He said (John 14:1-4).
- It points to a future inheritance – Believers will dwell with Christ for eternity in the place He has prepared for them (John 14:2-3).
- It reveals God’s mercy – The righteous are spared from divine wrath against those who have rejected Christ (Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
- It showcases Jesus’ power and glory – Christ’s mighty voice raises the dead and transforms mortal bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:52).
This widely-anticipated event promises to demonstrate God’s great love for His people and bring them into their eternal destiny with their Savior.
Will the Rapture Be Secret or Visible?
Views differ on whether the rapture will be a visible, supernatural event or an instantaneous, secret occurrence. Supporters of a visible rapture point to scriptures they believe indicate global sightings of Jesus and public miracles:
- “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30 ESV)
- “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7 ESV)
However, those who favor a secret rapture cite verses noting the unexpected, instantaneous nature of the event:
- “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2 ESV)
- “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52 ESV)
Adherents of the secret rapture view believe it will be unknown and unseen by the world, missed even by unbelievers in the same room. Different eschatological perspectives interpret the relevant passages differently on the visibility of the rapture.
What About False Teachings on the Rapture?
Some false teachings have circulated about the rapture event:
- Selectivity – Only certain believers will be raptured.
- Partial rapture – Only faithful Christians will escape tribulation.
- Post-tribulation purgatory – Believers endure tribulation then get purified.
- Coherence with reincarnation – The rapture involves coming back in a new body.
- Universalism – In the end unbelievers will also be saved.
- Secret – Date-setting for the rapture based on speculative calculations.
These errant views twist Scripture. The Bible depicts the rapture as applying to the entire church of true believers in Christ, not any selective group. It will happen before the tribulation, not requiring purification after. Reincarnation and universalism contradict biblical principles on salvation and eternal destiny. While the timing remains debated, date-setting goes beyond sound doctrine.
Believers should beware of false teachings on the rapture that stray from biblical truth.
How Should the Rapture Impact Our Lives Today?
Belief in the rapture can profoundly impact how believers live in the present, including:
- Hope – Comfort that departed loved ones who died in Christ are not lost and that we will see them again should strengthen and encourage us (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
- Motivation – Expecting and desiring Christ’s return motivates us to live holy lives (Titus 2:11-13).
- Readiness – Not knowing when Christ will return pushes us to keep short accounts with God and serve faithfully (Matthew 24:36-51).
- Perspective – Recognition that this world is temporary directs us to store up eternal treasures (2 Peter 3:11-13).
- Urgency – Anticipation of the imminent rapture compels us to share the gospel while there is time (2 Corinthians 5:20).
- Watchfulness – Belief in a sudden, unexpected rapture causes us to stay spiritually awake and self-controlled (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8).
This blessed hope of Christ’s coming for the church encourages and challenges us to live differently, with eternal perspective and eager readiness to meet our Lord face to face.
Key Passages on the Rapture
Here is a summary of key Bible passages related to the rapture of the church:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – Dead and living believers gathered to Christ
- 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 – Instant bodily transformation
- John 14:1-4 – Christ preparing to take believers to Himself
- Matthew 24:30-31 – Jesus coming on clouds for His elect
- Matthew 24:36-44 – Unknown timing; be watchful
- Luke 17:34-36 – Some taken, some left
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – Cannot come until the rebellion and man of lawlessness
- 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 – Eagerly waiting for Jesus to be revealed
- Titus 2:11-13 – Looking for the blessed hope of Christ’s appearing
- Romans 8:19-23 – Creation waiting for the revealing of the sons of God
- 1 John 3:2-3 – We shall see Jesus as He is
Study these and other passages for a complete picture of the biblical doctrine of the rapture.
Conclusion
The rapture of the church is the thrilling truth that Christ will return to resurrect dead believers and transform living ones to meet Him in the air. Although debated, many believe this will occur unexpectedly before the tribulation, separating God’s people from divine wrath poured out on an unbelieving world. This blessed hope brings comfort, motivates righteousness, and makes eternity feel nearer. The doctrine derives from key verses on Christ gathering His followers, instant bodily change, and the unknown timing. Believers eagerly await Jesus’ promise to receive us to Himself, knowing we will be with our Lord forever.