Question:  What is this "Rapture" Christians talk about?

Answer:     The gathering of the Church to be with the Lord in Heaven.

Introduction to the Rapture

The "Rapture" will be an event sometime in the future when God will take the Christian Church like a bride back to His Father's house in Heaven.

The Rapture will be followed by seven years of tribulation on earth. During which time a remnant from the house of Israel will turn to Jesus as their Messiah. God will protect this remnant as He pours out terrible wrath upon a wicked world controlled by Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet.

At the end of these seven years the Lord will return to defeat Satan's forces and set up His Kingdom in Jerusalem for a thousand years.

The Kingdom of the Messiah is what the Jews were looking for 2,000 years ago. Thanks to God that through His mercy salvation was brought to a gentile world when the Jews rejected Jesus.

This study will focus on getting a general understanding of the Rapture.

The word Rapture comes from the Latin verb "rapto," which is a translation of the Greek word "harpazo" found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Strong's Definition:
harpazo - to sieze, catch (away, up) pluck, pull, take (by force)
from a derivative of
haireomai - to take for oneself, to prefer, choose

The Rapture will include the gathering together of both the Living and Dead in Christ. The Living Saints will be translated, instantly changed from their temporal body into a spiritual body without experiencing death.

The Dead in Christ will be resurrected first and then joined by the translated Saints in the air as the whole lot is caught up to be with the Lord in Heaven.

The early Church was aware of the promise of the Lord's return. However, they made the mistake of believing that the Lord said He would return before any of them saw death. They were not fully aware of God's plan to save the whole world during the time of the Gentiles.

So many started to lose hope as some Saints died before His coming. Therefore the Apostle Paul wanted to assure the Church that the dead in Christ would not miss out on the Rapture. The Lord will keep His promise:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

  13    But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
  14    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
  15    For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
  16    For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
  17    Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
  18    Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Now there is some promise of hope. Not only will we be reunited with friends and relatives and saints from every church age over the past two thousand years but the living will be spared from the wrath to follow.

Key Points About The Rapture

Some false Biblical teachers say the Rapture is not even in Scripture - but as you have seen Paul and other Apostles wrote about the Rapture before 60 AD, which means it was a doctrine taught to the first church. In fact prophecies about the Rapture can be found in both the Old and New Testaments.

Point One - The Rapture is backed up by Scripture

The first point to keep in mind when studying the Rapture is that the concept of God removing someone from this earth to be with Him in Heaven is nothing new. This is not a concept created in modern times. The Rapture is a scriptural and historical doctrine. There have been many raptures and resurrections documented in Scripture:

Enoch:  And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:24

Elijah:  Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.   II Kings 2:11

Jesus:  Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.   John 20:6-9

Saints:  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.   Matthew 27:51-53

There are also prophecies concerning other resurrections to come after the Rapture of the Church.

The Two Witnesses:  Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.   Revelation 11:11-12

Point 2 - The Rapture is part of God's Harvest Plan

The second point to keep in mind when studying the Rapture is that God has a soul harvest plan which includes the firstfruits, the main harvest, and the gleaning. The gathering the Church is just another part of God's great harvest plan. And like harvesting of any crop, it will be done in stages at the appointed times.

1 Corinthians 15:20-26

  20    But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  21    For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
  22    For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
  23    But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
  24    Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
  25    For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
  26    The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

At the end of the harvest the worthless chaff will be separated from the wheat and thrown into the Lake of Fire to burn for eternity.

Point 3 - God will save Israel after the Rapture

The third key point to remember is that the Rapture will signify the end of the time of the Gentiles, after which God will turn His attention to the Jews, the Nation of Israel, and God's city Jerusalem.

God is not through with the Nation of Israel. And let us not be confused as to where Israel is located. If it doesn't border the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, then it is not Israel. Sorry, Zion is not in Missouri as some say.

We should never forget that the Jews were blinded so that the gentile world could receive Jesus and obtain salvation. Now the age of the Gentiles is coming to an end and a remnant from the House of Israel will turn to Jesus their Messiah.

Romans 11:25-27

  25    For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
  26    And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
  27    For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins."

Hebrews 8:10-11

  10    "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
  11    "None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

Point 4 - The Rapture is a promise from God

The fourth key point to remember is that the Rapture is not wishful escapism on the part of some Christians. It is God's promise to those who trust in His Word.

I completely disagree with those teachers who say, "Christians will not escape the oppression of the Tribulation period." I wonder how these teachers will feel when they discover that they are personally responsible for leading many away from the promise of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

  9    For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
  10    who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Point 5 - Scoffers will abound in the last days before the Rapture

Both Christians and Jews are being persecuted all over the world. In the Sudan Christians are sold into slavery.

In recent attacks at schools the cold-blooded murders have singled out Christians.

The US Justice Department's handling of the Waco affair has been called into question.

After 6 years of denial it appears that incendiary devices were fired into the compound immediately after tons of flammable gases were pumped into all of the buildings.

Strategically placed holes were made in the corners of the buildings with tanks to allow the 30-mile per hour winds to fan the flames.

Recent IR photography shows automatic gunfire was poured into the compound from helicopters, tanks, and special forces which prevented the people inside from getting out of the fire.

While women and children burned to death the FBI refused to let the local Fire Department put out the flames - for their own safety of course.

This is what our own government, at the direction of the Attorney General, did to US citizens. What will be next?

Jesse Ventura, the pro-wrestler turned Governor, says he has no need for religion, it is for the weak. Excuse me, but how does someone go from being a Navy Seal to dressing up in tights pretending to wrestle other men made up in silly costumes? And how does that qualify someone for the top political job in the whole state? I don't get it.

Animosity against Christians is also growing in the printed media and Hollywood movies as well. Ted Turner says we should complete get rid of the ten commandments.

2 Peter 3:1-9

  1    Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),
  2    that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
  3    knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,
  4    and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."
  5    For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
  6    by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
  7    But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
  8    But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
  9    The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Point 6 - Not all professing Christian will be taken in the Rapture.

Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is actually a Christian. And there is a big difference between God's Church and the organized Christian churches.

God's Church is comprised of individual believers, irrespective of their denominational affiliation or whether they even go to a church, that have been born again into a personal relationship with the Lord.

Many people are simply playing church for political and social status. They don't have the Lord in their heart.

All throughout history Christians have been killing other people.

In Ireland, Protestants kill Catholics, who in return kill Protestants, all in the name of God.

At one time the Church of England enslaved much of the known world all in the name of the Empire.

The Catholic Church murdered millions during the inquisition.

Hitler professed to be a Catholic but he was a monster responsible for murdering millions. But yet the Roman Catholic Church never excommunicated him. In fact, the Vatican helped many Nazis flee to South America after the war in order to evade justice.

Many Biblical Scholars teaching in seminary and Pastors preaching from the pulpit openly speak of not believing in the Biblical God, Satan, Heaven or Hell. They only want to focus on "happy thoughts."

Many famous Evangelists and Fake Healers will be conducting their business on TV the Sunday after the Rapture. Most churches will still be open with their pastors in the pulpit. Church Board of Directors will be found counting the "love gifts." Most of the congregations will be in their seats.

I don't think the lights will be out in the Vatican either. Priests will still be preparing for their religious rituals.

God characterized the current church age in Revelation as "lukewarm." Notice Jesus is knocking to get in because He has been put outside of the church and the door closed!

Revelation 3:14-22

  14    "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
  15    "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
  16    "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
  17    "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
  18    "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
  19    "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
  20    "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
  21    "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
  22    "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' "

Point 7 - You need to "watch" to go in the Rapture

I do not believe the Lord will rapture Christian scoffers and false teachers who do not believe in the Rapture. Only those who are watching for the return of the Lord will go in the Rapture.

Matthew 24:48-51

  48    "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,'
  49    "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,
  50    "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
  51    "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

1Thessalonians 5:6-10

  6    Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
  7    For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
  8    But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
  9    For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
  10    who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Mark 13:35-37

  35    "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning--
  36    "lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
  37    "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

Summary

The Rapture of the Church is a mystery that came to light at Pentecost. There are many examples in the Old and New Testament of people being resurrected from the dead or translated out of the world of the living. However, there is only one great event known as the Rapture of the Church - that will take place before the start of the Seventieth Week of Daniel.

The Rapture is a promise from God. Believing in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture doesn't mean your are weak or in need of a crutch as some have said. According to the Lord it means you are wise because you understand and believe His prophecy.

You don't want to be left behind.

The Rapture has received a lot of attention lately due to the Left Behind series of novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. One of the many things they got right was the importance of getting people to think about the possibility of a mass exodus of believers from earth - and what it might be like if you missed out on the Rapture. These books are fantastic reading for those who would like to know more about end time events. I highly recommend them to everyone.

However, I would caution you on one thing. I have heard some say after reading these books that they want to stay behind to help others. That is a very noble thought but not one that God recommends. God has a plan for bringing the lost to Christ during this tribulation.

Do not get the misconception that the last days are going to be an adventurous time to live. God says that this will be the most troubling times the world will ever experience. That says a lot considering we know what devastation the great flood caused.

Well over 3 billion people will die during the seven years following the Rapture.

Satan will be thrown out of heaven. He will take personal charge of running the affairs of the last evil empire on planet earth. With time running short, Satan will use all of his power to persecute anyone with the testimony of Jesus, and those who keep his commandments.

Fortunately the Rapture is all about God's free ticket "off world" for those who are wise. This will be one trip you don't want to miss out on. The train is ready to pull out at any moment. If you are not on board you will be left behind.

And catching a ride off planet Earth in the Rapture will be like leaving a city right before a nuclear bomb hits.

This event will happen suddenly, taking the rest of the world by surprise. The timing could not be better for believers. This is going to be a terrible time for the living. Scoffers, who say, "religion is for the weak," will tremble with fear and wish for death according to scripture.

Once the Father says that all preparations have been made, the Groom will come for His Bride. This is a very important issue because the Rapture is next in line on God's prophetic timeline.

Only those who are "watching" and have oil in their lamps will be ready when the Bridegroom comes.

Those who miss out on the Rapture will suffer at the hands of the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and Satan - as they try to foil God's prophetic plan of salvation for mankind.

So take hope in the one promise which the Lord gave to those who trust in His word. He will take us away from this Earth before the Tribulation starts.