“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. 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 Thessalonians 4:16-17, cf. Matthew 24:29-31).
Christians the world over are looking forward to a time when,
interrupting their ordinary lives, they will be suddenly raptured into heaven
with Jesus Christ. This sudden event won’t just take them away from their daily
lives, it will also take them away from the coming of the Great Tribulation and
massive trouble and destruction for earth.
Everyone left behind will go through this trauma, wondering what
happened to the others who were raptured.
It’s a popular idea—one that’s been turned into movies and best-selling
books picturing suddenly driverless cars crashing into one another and pilotless
airplanes falling from the sky. The images are striking and the lesson strong: Be a good
Christian, and you will be raptured and saved from the Great Tribulation.
But is it true?
Regrettably, we live in a time when most are content to get their
knowledge of religion secondhand, preferably through dramatic presentations—
including stage, screen, movies and novels.
But you can’t afford to neglect your responsibility to prove the truth!
Those willing to take a careful look at the Bible will see that the
popular rapture theory doesn’t stand up to the scrutiny of God’s Word.
The rapture teaching was popularized in the 1970s by Hal Lindsey’s
writings (The Late Great Planet Earth,
etc.) and more recently by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins in their Left Behind fictional books and films.
But where did this concept of the rapture originate?
Credit for the idea generally goes to John Darby, a 19th-century
theologian who labored to correct common false teaching related to the second
coming of Christ.
Darby correctly believed that Jesus Christ would return to the earth to
establish the Kingdom of God and literally rule the world for 1,000 years. In
his zeal for countering error, Darby promoted the idea that Christ would come
to catch away (or rapture) believers
prior to the period of end-time calamities leading up to His final coming.
Rapture is not a
biblical term, therefore it is important that people clearly understand what is
meant by it.
A study of the topic needs to begin in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Paul
writes in verse 16 that when Christ returns, those believers who’ve already
died will be resurrected. He goes on to say: “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”.
The original Greek phrase “shall be caught up”, “combines the ideas of
force and suddenness seen in the irresistible power of God” (Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries,
1984, p. 94). It’s from the Latin translations that we derive the English words
“rapt”, “raptor”, “rapture” and “enraptured.” To be raptured in English
literally means to be suddenly caught up.
Technically speaking, there is a “rapture” of sorts, in the sense of a sudden
catching up of Christ’s followers at His return. The Bible calls it the
resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:51-56). The debate is over the nature of this
event and when it occurs. The common
rapture teaching places it years before the world will witness Christ’s
triumphant coming, which is definitely not
biblical.
It seems that one of the most frequently asked questions concerning End-Times
is, “When does the Rapture occur?” The following Scriptures
show that the rapture occurs when Christ comes (see also 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1
Thessalonians 5:23; James 5:7-9; and 1 John 2:28).
[Emphasis added to the following passages.]
“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. 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.
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 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
“Now, brethren, concerning the
coming of our Lord Christ Christ and our gathering together to Him...” (2
Thessalonians 2:1).
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the
tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will
see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the
four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:30-31).
“…and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Christ is revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on
those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Christ Christ” (2 Thessalonians
1:7-8).
“In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).
This coming of the Lord is His
promised return (John 14:3). Since the promise was given after His first coming
to earth as a child born in Bethlehem, this coming of Christ will be His second
time. Therefore, some people refer to this as the Second Coming of Christ. However, other people call the start of
Christ’s millennial reign His second
coming. (The Millennium occurs at least seven months after Christ
comes). Some theories about the End Times incorrectly teach that the gathering
of Christians (i.e., the Rapture) will occur sometime before (typically 3½ or 7
years before) the second coming of Christ. However, as shown in the Scriptures
quoted above, the Rapture takes place at the coming of Christ (which is technically His second coming). The
Bible does not use the term second coming.
For more information see The Coming of the Lord.
Matthew 24:23-31 says that the coming of Christ and the gathering of His
people (the elect) will take place
immediately after the Great
Tribulation. (See The elect of
Matthew 24 for information about them.) It is extremely important to
understand the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God
before attempting to understand the correct timing for the Rapture (see Tribulation
or Wrath?). Much of the confusion about whether the Rapture occurs
before, after, or in the middle of the Great Tribulation stems from confusion
about which events occur as part of the Great Tribulation. It is also important
to understand that the Rapture takes place when Christ comes to judge the
earth.
The Rapture is described in several passages in the Bible. Probably the
most familiar to Christians is that in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (quoted above).
This passage explains that when Christ comes, those Christians who have died
(those who are asleep in Christ) will be resurrected and rise first to meet the
Lord. Then those Christians who are still alive will rise up to join the others
and Christ in the clouds. (According to Acts 1:9-11, these are literal clouds.)
This passage also shows that the coming of Christ will be a very dramatic event
with a shout, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. Matthew 24
also describes the Rapture of the Church as follows.
This passage clearly explains that the Rapture will occur immediately after the Great Tribulation (compare
verse 21 with 29). The Rapture also occurs after certain signs in the sun,
moon, and stars (vs. 29). Christ will come on the clouds of heaven and send His
angels to gather His people from all the earth (vv. 30-31). Christians will
rise into the air (i.e., the heaven) and then be gathered.
Another description of the signs in the sun, moon, and stars is provided
in Revelation 6:12-14. Soon after these signs occur, a very large number of
people appear before the throne of God (Revelation 7:9-10). These people went
through the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14). This passage in Revelation
shows that the Rapture occurs after the Great Tribulation, but before the Wrath
of God (see Revelation 6:17, chapter 8 and following passages). Christians will
be in Heaven (before the throne of God) during the plagues of the Wrath of God.
(Some people teach that Christians do not go to Heaven at the Rapture. Instead,
when they meet the Lord in the air, the Lord and the Christians return to reign
on earth. This passage in Revelation 7:9-14 shows that this teaching is
incorrect since people are in Heaven after the Rapture.) Following is another
passage that describes the Rapture or gathering of the Church.
“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like
the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp
sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to
Him who sat on the cloud, Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come
for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe. So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His
sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped” (Revelation 14:14-16).
This passage describes Christ (“one like the Son of Man”) sitting on a cloud
wearing a golden crown and carrying a sharp sickle. The harvest is ripe
indicating that it is time to gather the people of God from the earth. This
reaping or gathering (the Rapture) is described using the illustration of a harvester (Christ) who uses a sickle to
gather the grain (the people who belong to God).
Evidence that this passage is describing the Rapture rather than some
other event is provided by comparing the surrounding verses with parallel
descriptions provided in Revelation 6:12 through 11:19. First, this gathering
of the harvest occurs after the Great Tribulation (Revelation 14:9-13).
Immediately after this harvest, those who remain on the earth (the grapes) are
gathered and thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God (Revelation
14:17-20; 15:1). Next, a great multitude of people who obtained victory over
the Beast are shown worshipping God before the throne in Heaven (Revelation
15:2-4). This is describing the same scene shown in Revelation 7:9-17 where a
great multitude is shown who came out of the Great Tribulation. Finally, events
of the Wrath of God are described following this great multitude’s appearance
before the throne (Revelation 15:1, 5-8, 16:1-21).
As mentioned earlier, it is extremely important to understand the
difference between the events of the Great Tribulation and those of the Wrath
of God. Failure to understand the differences can lead to three of the more
common erroneous theories about when the Rapture occurs. These three theories
are sometimes called the pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib rapture theories.
These three rapture theories appear to have their roots in a failure to
correctly distinguish the difference between the Great Tribulation and the
Wrath of God. While the following explanations are over-simplified, they can
help show how each theory can be derived by mistakenly mixing the events of the
Great Tribulation and Wrath of God.
Pre-Trib Rapture. This theory teaches that Christians will be raptured before the Great
Tribulation. The following two Scriptures are sometimes used to support this
popular theory.
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our
Lord Christ Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even
Christ, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
The problem is a failure to distinguish the difference between the Great
Tribulation and the Wrath of God. Those who hold this theory typically include
the seven plagues (of the Wrath of God) in with the Great Tribulation. Then
they reason that since we are not destined for wrath, we must not be here
during the Great Tribulation. It is true that Christians will not suffer the
Wrath of God. However, the plagues of the Wrath of God are not part of the
Great Tribulation (see Tribulation
or Wrath?).
Mid-Trib Rapture. This theory teaches that Christians will go through the first half of
the Great Tribulation. They will be raptured to avoid what is taught as the
more severe second half of the Great Tribulation. Often, the total length of
the Great Tribulation is given as seven years with the Christians going through
three and one-half years of it. Some people call the first 3½ years the
Tribulation and the last 3½ years the Great Tribulation.
The problem in this theory is also caused by a failure to distinguish
the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God. In this
case, the plagues of the Wrath of God are included as the last half of the
Great Tribulation. This rapture theory teaches that Christians will be taken
out of the earth before the plagues, but they will suffer some under the Beast.
This theory is correct in its teaching that Christians will suffer under the
Beast. It is also correct in teaching that Christians will not suffer during
the seven plagues. However, it is incorrect in claiming that the Great
Tribulation is seven years long and that the seven plagues are part of the
Great Tribulation.
Post-Trib Rapture. This theory teaches that Christians will be raptured after all of the
so-called Great Tribulation is completed. The events of the Great Tribulation
and Wrath of God are incorrectly lumped together and called the Great
Tribulation. This theory is incorrect when it teaches that Christians will go
through the seven plagues of the Wrath of God. (Note: Many who consider
themselves post-trib also correctly believe in a pre-wrath Rapture. This can be
confusing at times.)
Each of these three incorrect theories about the rapture can be logically
traced to a failure to distinguish the difference between the Great Tribulation
and Wrath of God. (Even though there are probably other factors that contribute
to the confusion.) Therefore, it is vitally important that a clear distinction
is made between the Great Tribulation and Wrath of God.
So when does the Rapture occur? The Rapture takes place after the Great Tribulation but before the Wrath of God. This teaching
is sometimes called the Pre-Wrath Rapture to prevent confusion between it and
the Post-Trib Rapture theory. As established in the early part of this chapter,
the Rapture takes place at the coming of Christ. The coming of Christ takes
place immediately after the Great
Tribulation and before the Wrath of
God (see The
Coming of the Lord and Chronological
Relationships). Therefore, the Rapture must take place after the Great Tribulation and before the Wrath of God.
Christ will come to gather (rapture) God’s people and to bring judgment
(i.e., wrath) on the other people like what occurred in the days of Noah
(Matthew 24:36-39). Noah and his family in the ark rose above the waters of
judgment. When the judgment was completed, Noah and his family returned to the
earth’s surface. In a similar manner, Christians will rise above God’s wrath in
the Rapture. They will return to the earth’s surface after the judgment is
completed—at the beginning of the Millennium.
When Christ comes, it will also be like the days of Lot (Luke 17:26-29).
As soon as Lot was safely outside the city, God’s judgment rained down from
heaven destroying Sodom and Gomorrah with all their inhabitants (Luke 17:29;
Genesis 19:12-29). In a similar manner, as soon as Christians are removed from
the earth, God’s wrath will fall on all the earth’s inhabitants (Revelation
14:14-20; Revelation 15:1-8; Revelation 16:1-21).
SUMMARY
Term Definition:
The Rapture is a non-biblical, but commonly used term that refers to the
gathering of Christians from the earth when Christ comes.
Significance of the Rapture:
The Rapture is very significant in that it marks the end of suffering
for Christians during the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians
1:6-10). It also marks the end of mortal life for Christians (1 Corinthians
15:50-52). For the Beast and non-Christians, the Rapture marks the beginning of
the judgment poured out on them during the Wrath of God (Revelation 14:14-20).
Source of the Rapture:
Christ is the one who sends His angels to gather the Christians (Matthew
24:30-31).
Length of the Rapture:
The exact length of the Rapture is not given in Scripture. However, it
appears to occur in a very short time, possibly less than a second (1
Corinthians 15:51-52). However, its effects will last through eternity (1
Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Events Prior to the Rapture:
The Rapture occurs at the coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2
Thessalonians 2:1; 1:7-8; Matthew 24:30-31; John 14:2-3). The Rapture will not
occur until after there is a major falling away of believers (see Matthew
24:12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). The Beast is also revealed before the Rapture (2
Thessalonians 2:1-4). The Beast is exposed for who he is when he establishes
the Abomination of Desolation (see page 7). Therefore, the Rapture will not
occur until after the Abomination of Desolation. Scriptures demonstrate that
the Rapture occurs between the Great Tribulation and Wrath of God (see beginning
of this chapter and The
Coming of the Lord and Chronological
Relationships).
Events of the Rapture:
Dead Christians will be resurrected, and living Christians will be given
new bodies at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:50-52). Both groups will rise up to
meet Christ in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
God During the Rapture:
Christ will be very active as He returns to gather His Church (Matthew
24:29-31; Revelation 14:14-16).
Christians During the Rapture:
Christians are removed from the earth and taken to Heaven (i.e., before
the throne, Revelation 7:9-17; Matthew 24:29-31). There will be 144,000 people
sealed to protect them from the plagues of God‘s Wrath (Revelation 7:1-8).
Apparently, these 144,000 people will participate in the outpouring of the
Wrath of God (Revelation 14:1,4,7; 19:13-15).
Satan During the Rapture:
Scripture does not indicate what Satan is doing during the Rapture.
Beast During the Rapture:
Scripture does not indicate what the Beast is doing during the Rapture.
Non-Christians During the Rapture:
When Christ comes back to gather the Christians, His return will be as
visible as the lightning that lights up the entire sky (Matthew 24:27). The
non-Christians will see Christ and great fear will come upon them. They will
seek to hide from the anger of the Lord (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 6:15-17).
Events Following the Rapture:
Following the removal of God’s people from the earth, they show up in
Heaven (Revelation 7:9-17). Also, 144,000 people from the twelve tribes of
Israel are sealed to protect them from the plagues of the Wrath of God
(Revelation 7:1-8). After these events, the seven plagues of the Wrath of God
are poured out on the Beast and those people who were not removed from the
earth (i.e., the non-Christians, see in The Wrath of God).
Scripture references for Rapture:
Matthew 24:23-31; Matthew 13:36-43; Matthew 13:47-50; Matthew 24:42-51;
Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:21-27; Mark 13:32-33; Luke 17:22-24; Luke 21:25-28; Luke
21:34-35; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:11, 23; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1
Corinthians 15:50-56; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1
Thessalonians 5:1-9, 23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 8; James
5:7-9; 2 Peter 3:4, 7, 10-13; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 3:3;
Revelation 6:12-17; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 14:14-20; Revelation 15:1-4;
Revelation 16:15; Isaiah 27:12-13; Daniel 12:1-3; Joel 3:13-16; Zechariah
14:4-5.
