The Rapture: A Biblical Perspective

Many Christians believe that the rapture is a future event when Jesus Christ will return to earth and take away his faithful followers to heaven, while the rest of the world will face God’s wrath and judgment.

But is the rapture something that will happen suddenly and unexpectedly, or are there signs and warnings that precede it?

What does the Bible say about the rapture and how should we prepare for it?

The word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible, but it is derived from the Latin word “rapio”, which means to snatch or seize.

The concept of the rapture is based on several passages in the New Testament, such as 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where Paul writes:

“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.”

This passage describes a glorious and joyful event, when the Lord will come to gather his people and take them to his heavenly kingdom.

However, this event will not happen without prior notice or warning. The Bible also tells us that before the rapture, there will be a time of great tribulation and distress on the earth, when the Antichrist will rise to power and deceive many people with his false signs and wonders. Jesus warned his disciples about this in Matthew 24:21-22, where he said:

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”

Jesus also gave his disciples some signs to watch for, that would indicate the nearness of his coming and the end of the age.

These signs include wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, persecutions, false prophets, lawlessness, and the gospel being preached to all nations. Jesus said in Matthew 24:33-34:

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”

Therefore, the rapture is not something that will happen without any warning or preparation.

God has given us his word and his spirit to guide us and alert us to the signs of the times. God has also shown us his mercy and grace by sparing his people from the worst of his wrath. As the apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:9:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

God has also given us examples in the Bible of how he rescued his faithful servants from the midst of destruction, such as Noah and Lot.

Noah was a righteous man who walked with God and obeyed his command to build an ark and save his family and the animals from the great flood.

Lot was a righteous man who lived in the wicked city of Sodom and Gomorrah, and was grieved by the sinfulness that surrounded him.

God sent angels to deliver Lot and his family from the fire and brimstone that rained down on the cities.

These examples show us that God knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust for the day of judgment. As Peter wrote in 2 Peter 2:5-9:

“And did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.”

What does this mean for us today? It means that we should not be ignorant or indifferent to the signs of the times, but rather be watchful and ready for the Lord’s return.

It means that we should not be conformed to the world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

It means that we should not love the things of this world, but rather love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It means that we should not be ashamed of the gospel, but rather be bold and faithful witnesses of Christ.

It means that we should not be fearful or anxious, but rather be hopeful and joyful in the Lord. As Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11:

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day.

We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

The rapture is not something that will happen without any warning or preparation. It is something that we should look forward to with eager expectation and anticipation.

It is something that we should prepare for with repentance and faith. It is something that we should pray for with thanksgiving and praise.

It is something that we should share with others with love and compassion. It is something that we should hope for with confidence and assurance.

It is something that we should live for with obedience and devotion. It is something that we should long for with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

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. Amen.