There are those who say that the “Rapture” does not show up in the Bible. However, we must remember that depends upon what translation of the Bible we are reading. If we were to read from a Medieval Latin version, we would find the word “raptura” which would be “caught up” or “snatched away” in English.

            The best explanation of the Rapture is found in the following Scripture. This explains the subject better than any explanation I can come up with. That text is as follows:

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

An examination of the individual details of the text:

• ¹³ “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death…” (To understand this statement, we must realize that some had been saying that Jesus had already come and they had been left behind. Therefore, by the wording “we do not want you to be uninformed”, Paul was clearing up any misunderstanding.)

 

• ¹⁵ “According to the Lord’s word…” Paul’s wording states that this teaching is did not originate with him, but from God.

 

• “…we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep” is an assurance that the promise is for those who believe and are still alive at the return of Jesus will be included in joining with Jesus, but following those who have died.

 

• ⁶ “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” Paul explains the order of the actual event of the Rapture (meaning being “caught up”) to meet Jesus in the clouds and that the dead in Christ will rise and meet him first and “then”, we who are alive at this time shall also meet Him.

 

• ¹⁷” After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Paul makes it clear that believers will meet him and be with Jesus forever. (Note, we shall meet Him in the air.)

 

• ¹⁸ “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Paul emphasizes that the knowledge of these promised events should be an “encouragement”.

 

            Paul had been in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (see Acts 17:1-15) and had apparently told them about the anticipated return of Jesus. There was such an uproar from the Jews there that the brethren sent Paul on to Berea by night. From Paul’s language, it appears that some in Thesslaonica had witnessed the deaths of some believers and were concerned about their eternal salvation. Paul, in this Scripture gives them assurance that those who had died have the same assurance as those living at the time of the Lord’s return.

 

 

The Rapture vs The Second Coming

 

            The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. The second coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His millennial kingdom. The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.

The important differences between the rapture and second coming are as follows:

            1) At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming,                                   believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).

            2) The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The                                 rapture occurs before the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

            3) The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians                                    4:13-17, 5:9). The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment                                (Matthew 24:40-41).

            4) The rapture will be secret and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The second coming will be visible                                to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

            5) The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place (2                                Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6–18). The rapture is imminent; it                               could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

Why is it important to keep the rapture and the second coming distinct?

            1) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the                          tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

            2) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent (could come at             any time)—there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).

            3) In describing the tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6–19 nowhere mentions the church. During                             the tribulation—also called “the time of trouble for Jacob” (Jeremiah 30:7)—God will again turn His                         primary attention to Israel (Romans 11:17-31).

            The rapture and second coming appear similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end-times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences. In summary, the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God’s wrath. The second coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the tribulation to an end and to defeat the Antichrist and his evil world empire.

 

            A “casual” reading of the Bible may lead us to see only the “Second Coming of Jesus” without any knowledge of 1 Thessalonians 4. However, when we examine 1 Thessalonians 4, we see Jesus returning “in the air” and not actually touching the earth. Other Scriptures tell us that he will actually return to the earth. (Acts 1: implies that He will return to the Mount of Olives to the actual place from where He ascended into heaven. Zechariah 14 gives an extensive description of His return to the Mount of Olives. An examination of both of these Scriptures is highly recommended. …J.W. Rowe