The Rapture Explained
69The Rapture of The Church
The Word of God
Revelations
Almost everyone has heard at some time or another something pertaining to or about the Rapture. Some believe it, others do not. Some understand it, as well others do not. This post is not for argument purposes. It is for information only. Whether you choose to believe or not, that's entirely up to you. With that said, lets try to shed some light on the subject.
The rapture according to the bible in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says... "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord". You will notice that this verse does not contain the word rapture. The word rapture is an English translation for caught up or the catching away. The translation does not negate the verse. In other words, the verse is still true and when we say Rapture, it does in fact pertain to this verse. There are literally hundreds of English translations that are not in the bible. This does not mean the bible didn't say it.
What is the Rapture?
The rapture or the catching away is the final event to take place just prior to the tribulation period. (Notice how the word rapture more clearly defines the event, that's why the English language used it as a substitute) This is when Christ Himself will descend from heaven with the shout (also known as a trumpet blast) of the Arch Angel, to take all those who believe in Him. (Also known as the church or the body of Christ). Those believers who have died are raised from the grave first, Those who are alive, are then caught up to meet Christ in the air. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 "Behold I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trump shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality". What this verse means is that we will not all die or taste death. Some of us will be changed as we yet are alive. In the twinkling of an eye... approximately 1/100 of a second! Our bodies must be changed into glorified bodies and therefore incorruptible. We will be given perfect no blemishes, no scars, no imperfections, no overweight and sorry, no tattooed or pierced bodies, We will be clothed in fine white linen and be made ready for The Bridegroom. This is not to be confused with the second coming of Christ. That will happen at the end of the tribulation, seven years later. Also take note, The bible is clear that the rapture must take place before the tribulation! There is no such thing as mid-tribulation or post-tribulation. Those who believe either of these are sadly mistaken and are very easily dismissed. The bible states that all Christians living during the tribulation are in fact beheaded or forced to accept the mark of the beast. If they accept the mark of the beast, they loose their salvation forever. If they refuse the mark of the beast, they are beheaded! They must die as martyrs in order to get to heaven. That in itself smashes both theories! Here is the biblical proof: Christians will not know who the Antichrist is. 2 Thes 2:7 ONLY "HE" WHO NOW LETTETH (or is restraining) WILL LET (or will continue to do so), UNTIL "HE" BE TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY. To paraphrase this verse, "he" (the church) is holding back or restraining the Antichrist from being revealed (or from being let loose to come forth) until "he" (the church) is taken out of the way or is removed. God’s Word Shows us the Rapture of the saints must occur FIRST, and then and only then, the Antichrist can be let loose (or come forth) and be revealed. The Antichrist is the first one on the scene at the beginning of the tribulation. It is he that creates the 7 year peace contract with Israel. Therefore he is revealed at the beginning of the tribulation, hence the church or the body of Christ has been removed!
There are two main reasons for the Rapture.
First is Gods mercy. As mentioned earlier, the rapture ushers in the tribulation period. During this seven year period, Gods wrath is poured out on all mankind. Revelation 6:16-17 "And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand"? Nations will be divided, wars will increase, disease and famines will plague the earth. The Antichrist will rise to power and eventually Armageddon. God promised all those who have accepted Christ as their savior, would be spared from His wrath. Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Second is the marriage super of the Lamb. Revelations 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he said to me, Write, Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are true words of God." The bride, being all corporate and collected members throughout the church age, who have accepted Christ as their savior, after His Crucifixion and resurrection. The old testament saints and other believers that died prior to Christs resurrection have already been released into heaven when Christ went into hell and took the keys to death and hades. The marriage super is almost the exact same thing God did with the Jewish people. He told Moses to bring His people up mount. Sinai for a feast. There God established His covenant with them. The Jewish people are the bride of God The Father. Now Christ Jesus will do the same, except this time He will call up all those who have accepted Him as savior including the gentiles, they will be His bride. At the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ, we will be rewarded; and at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, we will be Given the special place God has for us. The Bema Seat is described in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." Your gold, silver, and costly stones are works done for the glory of God, with the right motive, and in dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit".
Who will go in the Rapture?
This is where the bible is much more clear. Not all those who proclaim to be Christian will be taken during the rapture. Luke 21:34-36 So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man." Mathew 24:31 He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." These passages clearly point out not all Christians will go.
I think the best scripture that proves this is the parable of the ten virgins, Matthew 25:1-13 At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him! Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out. No, they replied, there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves. But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. Sir! Sir! they said. Open the door for us!' "But he replied, I tell you the truth, I don't know you. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. In this parable the ten virgins would represent ten Christians, the lamps represent God the Father and the oil represents the word of God or the Holy Spirit. What the parable implies is, even though you are a Christian, you must remain filled with the word of God and renewed by the Holy Spirit until Christ Jesus comes for you.
When will the Rapture take place?
The bible says no-one knows the day or the hour. But God said He would let the body of Christ know the season or when it was close. In my research, if you combine all prophetic teachings, biblical and non biblical alike, I can comfortably say it can happen anytime between now and December 2012. All good research indicates 2012 as the end. I believe the end meaning the beginning of the tribulation. The church will be removed and satin will have free reign over the earth. The bible tells us this is the beginning of sorrows The Mayans foretold the end would be December 2012 as well as Nostradamus and the Jewish calendar puts it at October 2012. There are several other indicators that say the same thing. As far as bible prophecy, all events leading up to the rapture have taken place. It could happen at any day.
The Rapture may come sooner than you think!
The Rapture
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Thank you aka-dj. I am glad you liked it.
VERY NICE! YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH ARE APPRECIATED.
Thank you very much sneakorocksolid!
It's a difficult subject. Thanks for the article.
I like the hub Titan559 I like the layout and the content well done Amen
Thank you to both cces and Justcallmeleroy.
100 years ago there was no such thing as a "Rapture".....but now because men have replaced true Biblical words with different invented words, a division has been created. You stated also the word Rapture is not in the bible. So why not use the words the bible uses like "Second Death" or "Resurrection" doing this will eradicate there are two things happening.
Here they are anyway "Second death"
Re:2:11: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.Re:20:6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.Re:20:14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.Re:21:8: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Resurrection
M't:22:23: The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,M't:22:28: Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.M't:22:30: For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.M't:22:31: But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,M't:27:53: And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.M'r:12:18: Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,M'r:12:23: In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.Lu:14:14: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.Lu:20:27: Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,Lu:20:33: Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.Lu:20:35: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:Lu:20:36: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.Joh:5:29: And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.Joh:11:24: Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.Joh:11:25: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:Ac:1:22: Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.Ac:2:31: He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.Ac:4:2: Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.Ac:4:33: And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.Ac:17:18: Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.Ac:17:32: And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.Ac:23:6: But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.Ac:23:8: For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.Ac:24:15: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.Ac:24:21: Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.Ro:1:4: And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:Ro:6:5: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:1Co:15:12: Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?1Co:15:13: But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:1Co:15:21: For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.1Co:15:42: So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:Ph'p:3:10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;Ph'p:3:11: If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.2Tm:2:18: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.Heb:6:2: Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.Heb:11:35: Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:1Pe:1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,1Pe:3:21: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:Re:20:5: But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.Re:20:6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Resurrection IS USED IN CONJUCTION WITH, SECOND DEATH but because of disagreeing with the "resurrection" and supporting the "rapture" in itself is causing division so, this is how a false belief was created, because of adding to the word.
Rapture started with an incorrect expression of the scriptures and it came down to this "Saying"... "To be absent in body is to be present with the lord."....The bible doesn't even say this
2Corinth:5:8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
They are talking about waiting for a resurrection and not a place one goes before the resurrection.
Seems dumb that we go to heaven before the resurrection and come back and fetch our bodies etc... all this because a new false belief was created by the devil in the church.
You are in Christ no doubt so preach the good news instead
GBS
Marcus, Thank you for your comments. The devil does like to deceive and he may in fact be in some of the churches. But this time my friend, it is you that has been deceived. If you are going to quote the scriptures, make sure you know what they mean. First of all this is the meaning of the first and second death...
Although members of the church would experience martyrdom (the first death), they would be assured of avoiding the dreaded second death—the Lake of Fire. It is by way of the second birth, being “born again,” that a person moves from the category of the second resurrection to the first resurrection. Over those, “the second death has no power” (Rev. 20:6+. The promise to the overcomer is given to all those who come to faith in Jesus Christ—they need not fear the second death, being cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14+). No believer ever finds his way to the second death. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8+). These are in fact two different things happening. A Christian does not experiece two deaths!
This is the expaination of the first and second resurresction....
Revelation 20:4-6 mentions a “first resurrection” and identifies those involved as “blessed and holy.” The second death (the lake of fire, Revelation 20:14) has no power over these individuals. The first resurrection, then, is the raising of all believers. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” (John 5:29).
The first resurrection takes place in various stages. Jesus Christ Himself (the “first fruits,” 1 Corinthians 15:20), paved the way for the resurrection of all who believe in Him. There was a resurrection of the Jerusalem saints (Matthew 27:52-53) which should be included in our consideration of the first resurrection. Still to come are the resurrection of “the dead in Christ” at the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and the resurrection of the martyrs at the end of the Tribulation (Revelation 20:4).
Revelation 20:12-13 identifies those comprising the second resurrection as the wicked judged by God at the great white throne judgment prior to being cast into the lake of fire. The second resurrection, then, is the raising of all unbelievers; the second resurrection is connected to the second death. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29).
The event which divides the first and second resurrections seems to be the millennial kingdom. The last of the righteous are raised to reign “with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4), but the “rest of the dead [that is, the wicked] lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5).
The rapture did not start out as an incorrect expression of being absent from the body is to be present from the lord. The rapture never did or ever will pertain to that scripture. I do not know where you came up with that? This is the scripture it comes from...
1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
It still amazes me the number of people who are always crying about the word "Rapture." People act as if they have this new revelation. It boggles my mind that anyone would have such a difficult time in accepting that "Rapture" is a synonym for the idea "to Catch way, to be Caught away, and the Catching away." A person should go back to becoming a student, until learning how to be a teacher, in order to develop a more open-minded position. Nobody knows it all, even those who believe that they do.
Titan559...It's a good thing that the understanding or lack of understanding of the Rapture is not a requirement for salvation. As believers we know we are secure when we've placed our trust in Him alone. Personally, I'm secure in my belief of the rapture as described though scripture. If I should be wrong it is of no concern to me as I know I will be with the Lord regardless of my view. Great hub Titan559 and well done. For those who might need more in depth understanding try reading, "Are We Living In The End Times?" by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. There's a chapter on the Rapture and Christ's Second coming that lists and separates the verses of both these awesome events.
I am on the side of non-believers here, but I enjoyed the descriptions and details in your hub. I personally do not believe the bible is accurate or even relevant. Still you did a great job explaining your point of view.
Born Again 05, Thank you. I too am secure in my beliefs. The Rapture of the church will be the next greatest event to happen in biblical history. It is such an important event the bible says we should be waiting and watching for it. We are told all those who are expecting and watching will receive a crown. This tells me that it is very important to Christ. Not to mention, we will be attending the marriage supper. So great is this event that Christ accually gives the time of day it will happen ... Midnight! I believe this would be Israel time.
Ivan the Terrible, Thank you for your comments and your honesty. I must admit, I am sorry you feel that way, but I will respect it. I will leave you with these two thoughts , If the bible is not relevant, then life is not relevant and two, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, (Hosea 4:6).
I believe that life can be relevant in and of itself. The kind of life you lead, either being selfish or being helpful, can make humanity a better thing. If one wishes to believe in God or some higher power, then sobeit. I tend to believe in myself and therefore I set a very high standard of trying to do right by others.
But I also respect your right to believe as you wish, even if I do not see the point of it. I made my decision and you have made yours, and that is what being accepting is all about.
I keep wondering about the "last trump" (1 Cor 15:52) as to the rapture of the church. This wouldn't have anything to do with the trumpets of the seals of Revelation, right?
I believe also we will "not see the hour of testing" as written in Revelation 3:10, and appreciate all the other scripture references you mentioned.
Also, the chuch is the bride of Christ and I was a little uneasy about the church being called a "he" in 2 Th 2:7. That's ok ~ just questions.
Your explanation of the resurrections and second death is RIGHT ON. I couldn't have explained it better myself (or not even as well). Awesome. You really have the gift of explaining these matters. God bless you!!
There is no Rapture.....only one Day of the Lord and he is the reason for the Ressurection, there is only one going to take place soon at his coming, and with the Rapture another has been invented.1st Ressurection soon to happen.
Seems to me there is a muddle happening here.
Second death only after a thousand years
Jesus said right after the Trib of those days, (Than) you will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great glory to gather the elect....No secert here, if you are going to read Matt. 24, please read the whole chap, don't leave out the truth.
I heard many people's dreams, visions and prophecies about warning, Jesus Christ is coming very soon!!! Rapture will come soon. I'm ready for.
Wow, a lot of information and different interpretations. I have studied the Endtime much and am happy to see others students of the word here. I suppose whenever the Rapture happens, we just need to make sure we are close to God and as obedient as possible. He will always care for his own.
On 16th November 2009 Jesus told me that as I'm persevering in the persecution that I am now going through I will not be going through the Great Tribulation that is soon coming upon the whole world when He quoted Revelation 3:10 to me in the New King James version where it is written:-
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."
So that dream I had just confirms your website, "Rapture Explained".
That was very well explained so thank you
aka-dj 3 years ago
Good Hub. Well explained and so concisely too. Thanks. :)