The Rapture

Is a very imminent event during which all those who died in Christ Jesus and those who are alive in Him at the time will be taken up to heaven?

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50–54 describe it as instantaneous, happening in the “twinkling of an eye.” That means in a split second, we’ll be whisked away from this world!

Here are some interesting facts about RAPTURE.
1. The words, “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 come from the Latin translation “raptura,” which in English is “rapture,” meaning “caught up” or “snatched away.”

The Greek word is “harpazo,” which means to seize and take away. We’re not “ascending” to heaven as Jesus did; we’re going to be “taken away” or “caught up” to heaven.

2. Three raptures have happened already as revealed in Scripture: Enoch’s translation into heaven without dying (Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5), Elijah taken up alive in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:10-11), and the Old Testament saints whom the Lord Jesus brought out from their graves at His resurrection (Matthew 27:50-53, Acts 1:9).

3. Fourth will be the Rapture of the Church. This is the “catching up alive” of all who died in Christ (1 Thess.4:16) and those who are alive and remain (1 Thess. 4:17).

It will take place shortly from now just before the time of the antichrist and the tribulation. It’s also aptly referred to as “the first flight.” Make sure you’re ready for it!

4. Fifth is the rapture of the 144,000 Jewish men (Revelation 7:1-9); sixth is the rapture of the two witnesses (Revelation 11:3-12); and the seventh and final one is the rapture of the great multitude of tribulation saints (Revelation 20:1-4). We call this “The Second Flight.”

5. At the Rapture, two trumpets will sound, not just one, as many think. The first trumpet signals the descent of the Lord from Heaven, and at its sound, the dead in Christ are raised incorruptible.

At the sound of the second (and last) trumpet, God’s saints who are alive and remain are instantly transformed and caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Read again 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.

6. The reason for the seeming “delay” of the Rapture of the Church is because God is long-suffering towards us (2 Peter 3:9,15), and there’s a definite number that must believe in Jesus Christ all around the world.

That’s what God is waiting for (Romans 11: 25). Once that number is attained, the rapture will happen.

7. The Rapture isn’t going to be a long or gradual process like the Second Coming of the Lord, where He’ll be in the air long enough for all the nations to see Him. No, it’ll happen in an instant!

Watch out for The Second Coming in next month’s feature. It promises to be exciting and enlightening, so don’t miss it!