Let me say this, don't let anyone try to convince you that there is no rapture. The catching away or taking up of the church is a sound Biblical doctrine. As believers it is up to us as to delve into the word of God to find out what it says about this very important event that will soon take place.
Some say the word Rapture does not appear in the Bible. Well the word in Greek is Harpazo which means to be seized or extracted by force. We are going to go from having a physical body to a spiritual glorified body in a moment.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal body must put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written. Death is swallowed up in victory.
In Titus 2:13 it is called the blessed hope. It says we are to be looking for the glorious appearing of our God and saviour Jesus Christ. As believers we should be looking and anticipating his return.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus Christ, which delivers us from the wrath to come.
The rapture truly is our blessed hope. When the rapture happens the Christian will be delivered from the wrath of God, through faith in the son of God. This is mentioned in both the old and new testament.
Isaiah 26:20-21
Come my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself, as it were, for a moment, until the indignation is past. For behold the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will also disclose her blood, And no more cover her slain.
This verse can be referenced to Daniel 12:1-2 At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people, And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation. Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered. Everyone who is found in the book.
It is clear that Isaiah seems to be talking about the church, while Daniel is making reference to the Jewish nation. The church will be rescued before a time of terrible trouble. But God also promises that during the tribulation the Jewish nation will be also be delivered.
Zephaniah 2:1-3 Gather yourselves together, yes gather together, O undesirable nation, before the decree is issued, or that day passes like the chaff, before the Lord's fierce anger comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld his justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger.
The rapture is not just a new testament idea, it is refenced throughout the whole bible. It is an imminent event that can occur at any time. The apostles themselves awaited his return during their lifetime. The early church taught the imminent or sudden appearance of Jesus Christ himself to receive his church.
You may wonder why will there be a rapture. Well it is a direct promise from Jesus Christ John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. 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 a I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
After Revelation chapter 4 the church is no longer mentioned
The rapture is a gentile event. It is the church age that will experience it. The tribulation is for the purpose of the Jewish nation so that they also may be redeemed. Unfortunately because of their refusal to believe Jesus is the Messiah, they will experience a time which the Bible calls Jacob's trouble.
What does it mean when we say the second coming of Jesus? There are two appointments regarding his return. His appearing is described as being atmospheric or in the sky, while his return is geographically limited with a bodily or physical arrival in Jerusalem (Israel).
Some say that the church has to go through the tribulation to be perfected and purified, I don't see that in the Bible. Jesus Christ has paid for our purification. If you have placed your faith in him you will not experience his wrath. Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 tells us that the antichrist will not be revealed until after the rapture has happened. These and many other bible references conclude that the church does experience wrath. The church will have tribulation on the earth, as we have seen through the last two thousand years. but God's wrath is a whole new ball game.
We are told not to be angry but to comfort one another with the blessed hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
2 Timothy 4:8 Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Amen
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