What is the Rapture?

The Rapture is the event that will bring the “Church Age” to a close. The Church Age began on the day of Pentecost after Jesus ascended to Heaven. At the time, God sent His Holy Spirit just as Jesus had promised. The Holy Spirit was sent to empower Christians to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world. (Acts 1-2)

The Church Age will end with the Rapture. This will usher in the next period of time known as "The Tribulation". The Tribulation is a seven-year period (see chart above for complete timeline) set aside for the national redemption of Israel and for God’s judgment on a Christ rejecting Gentile world. God’s wrath will be unleashed over all the earth as the Anti-Christ rules and reigns during this period. (Revelation 6-18)

Many refuse to believe in these approaching events for various reasons. One mentioned often is that the word “Rapture” is not in the Bible. Nothing could be further from the truth. The word “Rapture” has been translated into other terms for an easier understanding throughout the Bible’s history. (link: Origin of the Bible)That being said, the Bible makes it clear that God will remove His Church (all true Christians) prior to the onset of The Tribulation.

The dictionary defines Rapture as “The transporting of a person from one place to another, especially to heaven.” This is what the Bible says will happen. To prove this point, included below is a key verse of Scripture in both the New International Version (1985 AD) and the Latin Vulgate (380 AD).

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV- 1985 AD)

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 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. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 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. 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. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (LV- 380 AD)

Nolumus autem vos ignorare fratres de dormientibus ut non contristemini sicut et ceteri qui spem non habent. Si enim credimus quod Iesus mortuus est et resurrexit ita et Deus eos qui dormierunt per Iesum adducet cum eo. Hoc enim vobis dicimus in verbo Domini quia nos qui vivimus qui residui sumus in adventum Domini non praeveniemus eos qui dormierunt. Quoniam ipse Dominus in iussu et in voce archangeli et in tuba Dei descendet de caelo et mortui qui in Christo sunt resurgent primi. Deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul rapiemur cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus. Itaque consolamini invicem in verbis istis.

Note “caught up” in the NIV and “rapiemur” in the LV. Rapiemur is translated to mean “snatch” or “carry off”. When all the other Latin words are translated into English, the term “caught up” is indeed an accurate synonym for the word “rapiemur” or “rapture”. Thus the word Rapture is indeed in the Bible. It’s just restated in more descriptive words that portray the true meaning.

God has described the event in His Word and He has also told us when it will happen. Below are two verses that prove the Rapture will occur just prior to The Tribulation. Included are both the New International Version (1985 AD) and the Latin Vulgate (380 AD).

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NIV- 1985 AD)
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (LV- 380 AD)
Quoniam non posuit nos Deus in iram sed in adquisitionem salutis per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum.

Revelation 3:10 (NIV- 1985 AD)
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

Revelation 3:10 (LV- 380 AD)
Qquoniam servasti verbum patientiae meae et ego te servabo ab hora temptationis quae ventura est in orbem universum temptare habitantes in terra.

In Thessalonians 5:9, the Bible says that God did not appoint Christians to suffer through the “wrath”. The word in Latin is “iram” which means anger, rage, or wrath. (Note: nothing has been lost in the translation) In Revelation 3:10, the Bible says that God will keep Christians from the “hour of trial” (The Tribulation) that is coming. The Latin word “temptationis” translates into trial or temptation.

Praise God !!! He has promised that Christians will not have to suffer through The Tribulation. The Tribulation will bring about suffering, pain, torment and agony like the world has never seen before. Why suffer through all that is coming? Call on Jesus Christ today for your salvation and be prepared for that moment when He calls all Christians home.

When the headlines read - “Millions Missing” – that will be a false statement. The Christians (those raptured) will not be missing at all. In fact the headlines should read -

“Millions Evacuated to Heaven Just in Time to Miss Seven Years of Hell On Earth”.

ARE YOU RAPTURE READY ???