When Bible prophecy is taught the Rapture of the Church comes up.  But what is the Rapture?  Critics will say that the word Rapture is not used in the Bible.  Many Christians debate over the timing of the Rapture.  Let’s take a closer look at this amazing event that could take place at any moment and in the twinkle of an eye.

What is the Rapture?

1 Thessalonians 4:17 says

“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.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 says

“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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

The Rapture is described of an event where all followers of Christ both living and dead will be changed and caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the air.  Our bodies will be changed into glorified bodies fitting for heaven.  Those that have died in Christ before will have their bodies reunited with their souls which departed to be with Jesus in Heaven when they died.

But where is the word “Rapture”?

It is correct to say that the word “Rapture” is not used in the Bible so where do we get it?  Rapture is a from of the Latin word raptura which means to catch away.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 the Greek word used for “caught up” is harpazó which means to seize, catch up, snatch away.  So you see since we don’t use the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible, we have the English translation “caught up”.

Now the big question that everyone debates is When will the Rapture take place?

In Matthew 24:36 Jesus says, speaking of His return in the Rapture “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”  This statement let’s us know that even while Jesus was on the earth, He did not know when the Father would send Him to retrieve His bride (the Church).  Jesus taught the rapture to His followers, many of whom were Galilean.  He taught it in terms of a Galilean wedding.  The bride and groom would be engaged and then the groom would go back to his father’s house and prepare a room for him and his bride.  At some point in time unknown to the groom, the father would tell his son to go get his bride.  The groom would go get his bride and they would place her on a chair that they would carry her (or “fly” her) away on.  The Bride would be brought to the groom and they would start the wedding ceremony.  This is exactly what is going to happen with the church.  The Father will tell His Son to go get His bride and we will be caught up to meet Him in the air and then taken to Heaven where we will enjoy the marriage feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).  If you want to know more about this a great resource is a documentary called “Before the Wrath.” Before the Wrath (Official Film).

As to when the rapture will take place, scripture teaches that it can take place at any time but no one knows when however a lot of people get the rapture confused with the second coming of Christ which takes place at the end of the seven year tribulation period. (Daniel 12)  This return is where Christ will stand on the mount of Olives and bring His church back with Him to rule and reign during the one thousand year millennial kingdom. (Revelation 19)

Because we don’t know when the Rapture will happen or even our own death, it is imperative that each person makes a decision to follow Christ or rebel against Him.  Once we die there is no second chance.  God will judge you in your sins but if you have decided to follow Jesus and accept His free gift of Salvation, then you will have everlasting life with Jesus in Heaven.  For more information on the free gift that Jesus is offering read our Good News page.