The Rapture of the Church

WHAT IS IT, WHO IS IT FOR, WHERE IS IT IN THE BIBLE, WHAT IS IT FOR?


The Rapture what is it?

First of all we don’t see the word “rapture” in the Bible, well not the English version.

The Greek word for “caught up” (1 Thess 4:14-18) is “harpazo” but in the Latin Vulgate translation of the Greek text the word is “rapiemur” which comes from the verb “rapio”, to take away (by force). The past participle of rapio is raptus from which the English words “rapt” and “rapture” stem.

So the rapture is a catching, or taking, away, of someone or something. So let’s read 1 Thess 4 starting at verse 14. So who is going to be caught up?

  • Those who sleep in Jesus
  • We who are alive and remain

Now let us look at who these people are.

The Rapture who is it for?

Those who sleep in Jesus.

Sleep is an acronym for dead, believers are referred to as falling asleep (Acts 7:60, Acts 13:36, 1 Cor 11:30, 1 Cor 15:6 etc). So these are believers from all ages preceding the rapture, everyone who is in Christ Jesus.

We who are alive and remain.

This category has two prerequisites – you must be alive and you must be on the earth at the time of the rapture. So when the dead in Christ rise first those that remain will be caught up as long as they are alive.

Alive has two meanings.

One, we are living beings at the time of the rapture.

Two, From Romans 8:10 we see that if we are Christ’s then our body is dead but our spirit is alive.  In Eph 2:1 we see that we, who were dead in trespasses and sins, God has made alive. So those who are alive will be the saints whom God has made alive by the renewing of their spirit.

But also look at Rom 7:7 Paul only knew sin because of the Law. Gentiles likewise know sin through the laws of the country they live in. So if the law of the land says don’t steal we know that stealing is wrong. Now in verse 9 Paul says that he was once alive without the Law. So we can be alive if we don’t know the law or, if you like, the difference between right and wrong. So who would have no knowledge or understanding of the law or right and wrong? Children. So those that are alive would include those without the knowledge of sin and thus children, babies etc will be included in the rapture. See also Matthew and Luke chapters 18.

You will see from 1 Cor 15:50 that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom, only the spiritual can inherit the kingdom. So some are forbidden but in Luke 18 16 little children are not forbidden. See also Romans 8:16-23.

So it is for all saints who are asleep, all saints who are living, and all those that are ignorant of the law and therefore do not know right from wrong. I suppose we could say the innocent ones. In this category we would place those that do not have full capacity.

Word of warning

Finally only:-

  • the poor in spirit (we are helpless and must trust in God alone, not self sufficient or self exalting),
  • and those who are persecuted, will inherit the kingdom of God
  • and the meek (gentle, mild, of lowly position Phil 2, James 3:13-18, 1 Peter 3) will inherit the earth, Matt 5. See also Matt 23:12, 2 Tim 2:11-13, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:6, 2:11,12, 1:18,19, 3:4,7,9,

So we have to make sure our faith is certain, 2 Peter 1:10, otherwise we might suffer shipwreck, 1 Tim 1:19. Let’s remember that it is those that do the will of God that are His, not simply those who profess to be His, Matthew 7:21-27.

There are many warnings in scripture which are directed to believers, there are many if’s too:-

  • Rev 2 and 3 nb 3:1,19 (dead)
  • 1 Tim 4:1-5
  • 2 Tim 3:1-14
  • Matt 24:12-13
  • 2 Tim 2:11-13
  • Gal 5:13-15

There are also many encouragements for us to trust and obey the teachings of Jesus, and thus have a walk that is pleasing to God as we humbly, willingly and lovingly submit our lives to Him.

So let us deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus.

The Rapture where is it in the Bible?

Now in the OT there are many types and shadows of the rapture, and these would include:-

  • Enoch (Genesis 5)
  • Elijah (2 Kings 6)
  • Isaiah (chapter 6)
  • Moses (up to God at Mount Sinai, Exodus 19:3 ff)

And in the NT we have further example:-

  • Philip Acts 8
  • Paul 2 Cor 12
  • Two witnesses Rev 11
  • Male Child Rev 12

But we also have many specific scriptures some of which you will know others may be new to you:-

  • John 14:1-3
  • 1 Cor 1:7,8
  • 1 Cor 15:1-53
  • Phil 3:20,21
  • Col 3:4
  • 1 Thess 1:10, 2:19, 4:13-18, 5:9,23
  • 2 Thess 2:1
  • 1 Tim 6:14
  • 2 Tim 4:1
  • Titus 2:13
  • Heb 9:28
  • James 5:7-9
  • 1 Peter 1:7,13
  • I John 2:28-3:2
  • Jude 21
  • Rev 2:25, 3:10

The Rapture what is it for?

  • Redemption of our body Rom 8:23
  • Our salvation Heb 9:28
  • Body and soul to be “born again” so in line with our spirit Phil 3:21, 1 John 3:2
  • Put off corruption and mortality 1 Cor 15:53
  • End the war of flesh and spirit Rom 7:23
  • Rescued from the tribulation Rev 3:10, 1 Thess 1:10 5:9
  • To be judged for our rewards 2 Cor 5:10 (1Cor9:24, 1Thess 2:19, 2Tim4:8, 1Pet5:4, Rev2:10)
  • To receive our mansion John 14:1-3
  • To be trained as priests of God Rev 20:6
  • To be trained to rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years Rev 20:4
  • To be trained to judge righteously 1 Cor 5:12-6:2
  • To attend the marriage supper Rev 19:9
  • To be part of the army of heaven Rev 19:14
  • To return with Jesus for the Armageddon campaign Jude 14
  • To receive our new name Rev 3:12
  • To receive our crowns 1Cor9:24, 1Thess 2:19, 2Tim4:8, 1Pet5:4, Rev2:10
  • To glorify God Rom 8:18, 1 C05 15:43, 2 Cor 3:18, Phil 1:11 2:11, Col 1:27, 2 Tim 2:10, 4:18, Heb 13:21, Rev 4:11 5:12,13 19:7
  • To drink of the fruit of the vine with Jesus Matt 26:29














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