The doctrine of the rapture

Paul calls the ‘doctrine of the rapture’, a “mystery” now revealed because it was not taught in the Old Testament: “Listen, 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, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52) MEV. 

End Times Rapture

The Rapture means the ‘snatching away’ of the Church into heaven before the tribulation, “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 so shall we be forever with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) MEV.

This rapture is the next prophecy event according to the prophetic calendar. It is when Christ returns and ‘snatches away’ every Christian that is still on this earth and resurrects all of those who have died to meet him in the air and carries them to heaven with Him.

Paul states that the Lord’s return will be like a thief in the night, “For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and safety!” then suddenly destruction will come upon them as labor upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4) MEV,

No one knows the exact date or time. Many events such as earthquakes, wars and disputes among nations, diseases, and Christians being persecuted are all signs leading to the Rapture. These are signs of the End Times that we should be watching for.

God’s righteous judgment

During the tribulation, God will pour His righteous judgment upon the earth. The Rapture of the church is the event preceding the tribulation in which God “snatches away” all believers from the world to make way for His judgment.

The term rapture comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” The word rapture does not occur in the Bible however the concept of the “carrying off” or the rapture of the church is clearly taught in Scripture.

Glorified Bodies

All believers God resurrects who have died, along with all living believers will be given glorified bodies at that time. The rapture is described primarily in (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) MEV and (1 Corinthians 15:50–54) MEV.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in
Christ will rise first. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them I the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we be forever with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17) MEV.

 An instantaneous transformation

There will be an instantaneous transformation of our bodies to fit us for eternity. “Beloved, now are we children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

The rapture and the second coming are not the same event. At the rapture, the Lord comes “in the clouds” to meet us “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, the Lord returns all the way to the earth to stand on the Mount of Olives, resulting in a great earthquake followed by a defeat of God’s enemies (Zechariah 14:3–4).

In Conclusion

What a glorious event the rapture of the church will be and the day we should all be longing for. Finally, we will be free from sin, sickness, and death. We will be in God’s presence forever. The rapture should be a comforting doctrine full of hope; God wants us to “encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Decision Time

Only those who know and have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord will be amongst taken up to be with Jesus and God. Are you one of them.

If you have never asked Jesus to come into your life now is the time to make your life right with God and accept Jesus into your life.

Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised His from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved”.

If you are ready to accept Jesus into your life speak the following prayer out loud.

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I repent and want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name amen.”

If you have said this prayer with your heart, you are now an adopted child of God and heir with Jesus Christ and entitled to eternal life with Him. His Holy Spirit has come to live inside you. The Holy Spirit will comfort, guide, lead and convict you of sins so you may ask forgiveness.

Congratulations, your name has now been written in the Lords’ book of life which means you will have eternal life with Him. Now go and find yourself a bible believing loving Baptist Church so you may grow in your new life.

In the meantime, here is a good Christian site to learn more about being a Christian, let them know that you have accepted Jesus into your life. Leading the Way with Pastor Michael Youseff. – Contact