Learning God

The Rapture

What Is It?

The word “rapture” in English, derives from the Latin word “rapturo”.  When you translate Latin to Greek, that word is “harpazo”.  It is the Greek word “harpazo” that shows up 13 times in the New Testament.  When certain people say, “The word ‘rapture’ doesn’t show up in the Bible”, they are technically correct, because the Bible was not originally written in English or Latin.  It was written in Greek, at least the New Testament. 

The Greek word “harpazo” was interpreted primarily as “catch up” in the English translations.  This varies slightly between the different translations, but the definition means to be “to seize, carry off by force” or “to snatch out or away.”  In the King James Version it is referenced as such, “catch up (4x), take by force (3x), catch away (2x), pluck (2x), catch (1x), pull (1x).”

This lesson covers the following:

Debate About When the Rapture Will Occur

There is much discussion and differences of opinion on this topic.  There are 6 major categories of belief, based on two main ideological viewpoints.  The first deals with when Jesus Christ will return, if He literally returns.  This is addressed in the lesson on the Millennial Kingdom.  The second deals with when the Rapture will take place, which is affected by the answer to the first question. 

Amillennialism

Those who believe Christ’s return is purely spiritual and only figurative do not believe there will be a rapture of believers.  Their belief is that Christ’s returns is into our hearts and we do not receive our heavenly bodies until we die.

Post-Millennialism

Those who believe Christ’s Millennial Kingdom is already happening and He is reigning from Heaven, also do not believe there will be an actual rapture.  Christ will physically return to Earth at the end of the Millennium and those alive will be converted at that time on earth. 

Pre-Millennialism

Those who believe Christ returns at the end of the Great Tribulation and the end of the Time of Jacob’s Troubles then breakdown into 3 groups.  There are those that believe the Rapture happens as part of the return of Christ, or Post-Trib.  Then there are those who argue it happens at the mid-point of the time of Jacob’s trouble when the antichrist defiles the temple.  Finally, there are those who believe the Rapture is a precursor to the Time of Jacob’s Trouble and are referred to as Pre-Trib.

Here are a few tables to help identify the differences.

Question of... Amellinneal Post-Mellinneal Pre-Mellinneal
Return of Christ
Figurative
After Millennium
End of Tribulation
Rapture Timing
No Rapture
After Millennium
See Table Below
For Pre-Millenneal Pre-Tribulation Mid-Tribulation Post-Tribulation
Rapture Timing
Before Tribulation
Mid-Point of Tribulation
After Tribulation
Interpreation
Literal
Literal & Allegorical
Allegorical

This lesson focuses on understanding what the scripture says about this topic.  When we put together everything the entire council of God has to say, we can then draw some fairly logical conclusions about what God wants us to understand.  This is hotly debated among many Christians, so the purpose of this is to arm you with the Word of God.  

Learning God.org Position

Based on the scriptural references below, we fall into the category of the Pre-Millennial and Pre-Trib.  Below is a diagram of a timeline that better explains the order of things.  This reflects the scriptures that follow. See the sections below on the Differences Between the Rapture and the Second Coming, and the Arguments for a Pre-Trib Rapture for more information on this topic.

Scriptural References

There are 21 scriptural references that relate to the Rapture documented in this lesson.  7 of these references are inferences made in the Old Testament, while 14 are found in the New Testament.  Keep in mind these are not all using the Greek word “harpazo”, as most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, not Greek.  These references refer to the situation of being protected from the “wrath to come” or being in “refuge”.  Some discuss the process of being changed into glorified bodies.  Others talk about the marriage of Christ and the Church.

Refuge – Rapture Not Wrath

There are a number of verses that discuss being protected from God’s wrath.  Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians had a number of references to the “harpazo” or rapture that help us understand the concept. 

The Day of the Lord

[1Th 5:1-11 NKJV] 1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 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. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

In this passage Paul explains that those who are not paying attention will be caught off guard.  We, as Christians should be watching for Christs return and can be aware of the general timeframe.  The “Day of the Lord” refers to Christs return to earth, or His 2nd coming, not specifically the rapture.  Paul also points out that “God did not appoint us to wrath”.  The word wrath is used throughout the scripture to refer to period of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (including the Great Tribulation). To put this in context, the Thessalonians thought they just missed the rapture and the tribulation was starting.  Paul sends them a letter and lets them know that they did not.  Paul tells them that they are not intended to go through the “wrath” they were worried about.  He says to “comfort each other”.  Is it comforting to know we have to go through the Tribulation?  Or is it comforting to know we do not?

The Way, the Truth and the Life

[Jhn 14:1-3 KJV] 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 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. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven.  See the lesson on the Jewish Wedding and the section below on the Marriage Supper.  Here, we see that Jesus is getting a place ready for us.  This ties into the next verse, which is in Isaiah.

 Take Refuge From the Coming Judgement

[Isa 26:20-21 KJV] 20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Isaiah starts off with the Old Testament equivalent of the Greek word “haprazo” by saying “Come, my people”.  Next, he is telling us to “enter into thy chambers”.  Whose chambers?  Yours.  He tells us to go into the chambers and stay safe until the “indignation” is past.  Another word for indignation is wrath.  God is going to punish the world (read great tribulation) and we are safe from it by being in our chambers, that Jesus has built for us in Heaven.

Jesus’ Epistle to the Faithful Church

[Rev 3:10-13 KJV] 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Jesus has John write His epistle to the Church of Philadelphia, which was one of the two churches that Jesus had nothing bad to say about it. In this passage Jesus tells us He will keep us from the time of great tribulation.  This is the period that will “try them that dwell upon the earth.”  The term “dwell upon the earth” is used throughout scripture to represent those who are of the earth, or focused on the world and not those who are spiritual and of God. 

Worthy to Escape

[Luk 21:34-36 KJV] 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (See also Mark 13:32-37 and Matthew 24:36-44)

In verse 35 Jesus talks again about those “that dwell on the face of the whole earth” will be caught off guard.  In verse 36 we are told to be watchful, but more importantly, we “may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.  Jesus is referring to the great tribulation.  No one knows the day or the hour, but if we are watching, we can be aware of the season!

A Call to Repentance

[Zep 2:1-3 KJV] 1 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; 2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. 3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.

Zephaniah tells us to prepare ourselves and seek righteousness and meekness so that we can be “hid” from the day of the Lord’s anger.  The day of wrath, or Lord’s anger is referring to the great tribulation and second coming.  We see that by what follows in verses 4-8.

[Zep 2:4-8 KJV] 4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. 5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. 6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. 7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity. 8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.

Psalms About Protection

[Psa 2:11-12 KJV] 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

In Psalm 2 we see reference to the wrath of God and how we who serve with fear are blessed and those who do not perish from the way.

[Psa 5:10-12 KJV] 10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. 11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

In Psalm 5 we see a prayer for guidance.  Those who trust in God can be happy be cause He will defend them and protect them with a shield while the sinners are destroyed by God’s wrath.

[Psa 27:4-5 KJV] 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

In Psalm 27 we have a declaration of faith.  We will live in the House of God in our chambers prepared by Jesus.  In the time of trouble, meaning the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, we are protected in His house. We will not have to deal with all that trouble.

[Psa 83:2-3 KJV] 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

In Psalm 83, God provides a shelter for His people.  He hides us away from the “tumult”.

Life and Judgement are Through the Son

[Jhn 5:24-29 KJV] 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Jesus tells us we will not be subject to the “condemnation”.  He follows this up saying the dead will be resurrected.  This is a two-stage process.  The dead in Christ rise first and the living are translated.  Later, the wicked dead are raised to face judgement. 

The Great Apostacy

[2Th 2:3-7 KJV] 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Back to Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.  Here he is telling them that the antichrist, referred to here as the “son of perdition”, can’t be revealed until the “restrainer” is taken out of the way.  Most biblical scholars agree that the “restrainer” is the Holy Spirit, acting through the believers.  We, the Church”, must be removed, or “taken out of the way” before the antichrist can be revealed.  It is a likely conjecture that by being removed, the world will go into a state of chaos that requires a powerful world leader to step up and take control. Keep in mind, verse 3 is referring to the 2nd coming of Christ and the antichrist must be revealed, along with the great apostasy before His return.  However, the Holy Spirit must be removed before he is revealed.  That should put to bed any debate on when the rapture takes place.

The Transformation

When the rapture happens, we will be transformed in an instant from our earthly bodies into our glorified heavenly bodies.  There are a number of scriptures that speak of this.

Those Who Died in Christ

[1Th 4:13-18 KJV] 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Paul tells us the order of things in this passage.  The Thessalonians were worried that those who had died believers would get left out of being with the Lord in Heaven at the marriage suppers of Christ (see the next major section for more on this).  Paul tells them that those who died as believers will be raised first and given glorified bodies (“so shall we ever be with the Lord”).  Those who are still alive will then be “caught up together with them in the clouds”.  Here is that Greek word “harpazo”.  We will be taken up to Meet Jesus with the dead in Christ in the air.

This shows us that Jesus’ return for His believers is only in the air and not on earth.  He comes back to the earth but stops in the clouds and calls us up to Him.  We will go on to Heaven from their and enjoy the marriage supper with Him before returning with Him at His 2nd coming.  Read on for more on this.

Our Citizenship In Heaven

[Phl 3:17-21 KJV] 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

In Paul’s epistle to the Philippians, he tells us we have passports from Heaven, so to speak.  There are many who dwell on the earth and focus on earthly things, and they are doomed.  We are blessed who look for Jesus.  He will transform our earthly bodies, doomed to death, into glorious, heavenly bodies.  We will be like Him at that time. 

[1Co 15:42-44 KJV] 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

This passage speaks to what Paul was telling the Philippians.  He follows on in his letter to the Corinthians with this.

[1Co 15:50-57 KJV] 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us this process is a “mystery”, which means it was hidden from the Old Testament people, or the Jews.  Paul is now able to reveal that mystery and explain the rapture.  The reason it was a mystery to the Jews of old is that it is reserved for the Church, not the Jews.  They were invited to join the Church and believe in Christ and receive this gift, if they would only choose to do so.  He tells us we will be changed in the “twinkling of an eye”, which means instantly.  We will be changed at the “last trump”.  There are many conjectures about what that means.  Many people try to predict when the rapture will take place, but instead of date settings, we will focus on what the scriptures tell us.  We will know what this means when it happens.

Deliverance From Bondage

[Rom 8:14-19 KJV] 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he is speaking of how we, as Christians, are freed from the bondage of sin and death.  We are adopted into God’s family and become heirs with Christ.  We will “be also glorified together.” That glory will be revealed in us.  We are waiting for that time when we will experience the “manifestation of the sons of God.” The term “sons of God” speaks of a direct creation of God and only applies to Adam and Eve and Jesus Christ in the history of Humanity.  All other humans were created by God through other people.  When we receive our new, glorified bodies, we become direct creations of God, thereby being called “sons of God”.

The Blessed Hope

[Tit 2:11-15 KJV] 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Here, Paul tells us in his letter to Titus that we are to always be on the lookout for Christ’s return.  He refers to this as the “blessed hope”.  He also says it is the “glorious appearing”.  The rapture is called an “appearing” and the 2nd coming is a “return”.  In the rapture He appears in the clouds and calls us up to Him.  In the 2nd coming He returns to earth and stands on solid ground and defeats the armies of Armageddon. 

Rapture Foretold

[Luk 17:34-36 KJV] 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Luke explains how sudden the rapture will be.  In the King James, this passage is titled “2nd Coming Foretold”.  A detailed study of this topic reveals that His 2nd coming is a multi-stepped process.  As described in Blessed Hope above, the rapture happens first and is without warning.  His return is at the end of the Great Tribulation and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.  In this passage, we can see that suddenness with which people vanish.  This tells us we are talking about the rapture.

Scene in Heaven

[Rev 4:1-4 KJV] 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

In Revelation, John is shown what it will be like at the time of the rapture.  In fact, he even gets to be called up to Heaven, “come up hither”.  When he gets there, he saw the 24 elders sitting, wearing their white robes with crowns on their heads.  This is in Revelation chapter 4, which is followed by the opening of the seven seals by Jesus.  The point here is that the elders represent the Church, and the Church is in Heaven with Jesus when the seals are opened.  There is some debate as to who the 24 elders are, but all indications from scriptural studies indicates this is indeed the Church.  Many top scholars see Chapter 4 of Revelation as the time of the Rapture.  The 24 elders are the leaders of the Church.

The Marriage of Christ and the Church

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus uses the “marriage” parable many times.  See the lesson on the Jewish Wedding for a more detailed look at the symbolism behind it.  One of the key things, for the purpose of this lesson, is how the bride is carried away by the bridegroom at an unexpected time.  The bride is actually picked up and carried to the wedding feast, which is at the father’s house. The bridegroom has already spent time building on an addition to the house for them to live in together.  There is an excellent video on YouTube (The Rapture of the Church – Galilean Wedding Custom) that discusses the details of a traditional Galilean wedding, which is what Jesus was referring to in His parables, such as the parable of the 10 Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13), or the parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14).  We must be ready at any time, for we do not know when He will return.  Many are called, but few are chosen.

In addition to the parables Jesus used during His ministry, there are some Old Testament references to the wedding or bride.

The Beloved’s Request

[Sng 2:9-10 KJV] 9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Solomon wrote a lot about relationships, especially in the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs).  In this passage he is talking as the king to his beloved bride, representing Jesus and the Church.  In verse 10 he tells the beloved (Church) to “rise up” and to “come away”, which is the same terminology used in the New Testament passages.  This is an Old Testament illusion to the Rapture.

A Song Celebrating the King’s Marriage

[Psa 45:11-17 KJV] 11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. 12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. 13 The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. 14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. 15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace. 16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. 17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore, shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

The Psalmist is telling us about the wedding to the King (the Church to Christ).  The church is brough to the King (Jesus) with gladness and rejoicing.  The Church is brought “into the King’s palace”, meaning into His home with the Father in Heaven, where He has prepared a room for us (John 14:3).

Differences Between the Rapture and the Second Coming

There are a number of distinct differences between the rapture and the second coming.  For purposes of clarity, the “rapture” is defined here as Christ returning to gather the dead in Christ and the translated saints in the sky.  The Second Coming is defined here as Christ’s return to earth on the Mount of Olives with His saints to establish His Millennial Kingdom.

Below is a list of significant differences.

  1. Saints are “caught up” to meet Christ in the air. Those that are dead in Christ rise first, followed by the living Christians, who are translated (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).  At the Second Coming, Christ stands on the ground at the Mount of Olives and causes it to split into (Zechariah 14:4).
  2. At the time of the Rapture, the living believers are translated into glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-57). There is no scriptural reference indicating a translation of the living at the time of the Second Coming.
  3. The Rapture is what takes the believers, both dead and living to Heaven to participate in the Marriage Supper with Christ. This is before the Second Coming.  We have to be in Heaven before His return, as we return to earth WITH Him (Revelation 19:7-14).
  4. None of the references to “harpazo” or the Rapture refer to judgement taking place at that time. The references to the Second Coming always include judgement of the world for its sin.
  5. The Rapture of the church is pictured as a deliverance before the “day of wrath”, while the Second Coming is followed by the deliverance of those who have believed in Christ during the Tribulation and did not take the “mark of the beast”.
  6. The Rapture of living believers is a truth revealed only in the New Testament, while the Second Coming with its corresponding events is a major doctrine of both Testaments.
  7. The rapture deals with only the saved, while the Second Coming deals with both saved and unsaved.
  8. At the Rapture Satan is not bound, while at the Second Coming Satan is bound for 1000 years.
  9. The Rapture is described as imminent, while the Second Coming is preceded by definite signs.
  10. At the Rapture all saints go to heaven, while at the Second Coming the saints remain on the earth without translation.
  11. No unfulfilled prophecy stands between the church and the Rapture, while many signs must be fulfilled before the Second Coming.  
  12. There are no scriptures that deal with the resurrection of saints at the Second Coming that ever mentions translation of living saints at the same time. The “blessed hope” of the return of the Lord for His church is a precious aspect of faith and expectation.

Arguments for a Pre-Trib Rapture

  1. Tribulation saints are not translated at the second coming of Christ but carry-on normal lives, have occupations such as farming and building houses, and they will bear children (Isa. 65:20-25). This would be impossible if all saints were translated at the Second Coming to the earth, as post-tribulationists teach.
  2. The Gentiles are judged following the Second Coming (Matthew 25:31-46). This indicates that both saved and unsaved are still in their natural bodies. This would be impossible if the translation had taken place at the Second Coming. 
  3. If the translation took place in connection with the Second Coming, there would be no need to separate the sheep from the goats at a subsequent judgment, but the separation would have taken place in the very act of the translation of the believers before Christ actually sets up His throne on earth (Matthew 25:31).
  4. If the Rapture was post-trib, when would the Judgement Seat described in 2 Corinthians 5:10 take place? It is described as taking place in Heaven, not on earth.
  5. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 calls for the removal of the “restrainer”, which is generally agreed to be the Holy Spirit, before the anitchrist can be revealed. The Church, which has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, must be removed prior to the “revealing” of the antichrist.  He confirms a 7 year peace deal with Israel (Daniel 9:27), so that can’t be at the end or mid-point of the tribulation.
  6. The Pre-Trib viewpoint is the only one that allows for the Doctrine of Immenency. We are told repeatedly to be watchful for His return at any time.  Luke 21:36 (KJV) tells us, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
  7. God has shown us on more than 1 occasion how He saves the righteous from the judgement of the sinners. He saved Noah from the Flood.  He saved Lot from the judgement of Sodom and He saved Rahab from the fall of Jericho (2 Peter 2:5-9).
  8. The Church of Philadelphia was promised to be spared 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). That cannot happen unless the Rapture is before the tribulation.
  9. The church is not appointed to wrath (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians. 1:9-10; 5:9). The church therefore cannot enter “the great day of their wrath” (Revelation 6:17).
  10. None of the New Testament passages on the Tribulation mention the Church (Matthew 13:30, 39-42, 48-50; 24:15-31; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 5:4-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11; Revelation 4-18).
  11. The unity of Daniel’s seventieth week is maintained by the pre-trib position. By contrast, post-trib and mid-trib positions destroy the unity of Daniel’s seventieth week and confuse Israel’s program with that of the church.   
  12. The Pre-trib position distinguishes clearly between Israel and the church and their respective programs
  13. The Pre-trib position is the only view that allows literal interpretation of all Old and New Testament passages on the Great Tribulation and the Rapture.
  14. Paul dispelled the Post-trib argument in his second letter to the Thessalonians, telling them that tribulation can’t start until the restrainer is out of the way.

Summary

The topic of the Rapture is difficult for many to fully grasp or agree to how or when it will happen.  It doesn’t have to be.  Whether you are pre-trib, mid-trib or post-trib boils down to how you interpret the scriptures.  Those who interpret the prophecies more literally, generally fall toward pre-trib.  Those who allegorize and take a looser interpretation tend to fall more post-trib.  There is also a group of people that fall in between and are more mid-trib. 

For the Word of God to have the desired impact on your life, we at LearningGod.org support and teach a more literal interpretation we refer to as “serious”.  This means we don’t take every word literally.  It means we take the Word as it is written.  If it says “like” or “as”, then it is to be taken allegorically.  If it does not have such qualifiers, it should be taken literally. 

There are a number of Old Testament references to what we call the rapture. There are even more New Testament references.  These can be grouped into 3 major categories.  The first are those that explain how the Church is not destined to go through the Tribulation but will be “caught up” to meet Jesus in the clouds.  The second are those that describe the transformation from our sinful bodies, doomed to decay into glorified, eternal bodies.  The third grouping of scriptures have to do with the marriage of the Church to Jesus and how the wedding parables outline the model of the rapture.

At any time, we can be raptured, or instantly translated into our glorified bodies.  Do we have oil in our lamps (are you filled with the Holy Spirit)? Are you ready at any hour to be gathered together to be with the bridegroom (Jesus)?  He will save us from the wrath to follow and bring us into our chambers.  Are you ready?

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