The Rapture is perhaps the most important piece of prophecy for us to understand since it could very well impact us personally. This Bible study will help you examine what the Rapture is, defend it biblically, and explain its personal and practical importance.
In summary, the Rapture is an event where all who have put their trust in Christ, living and deceased, will suddenly be caught up from earth, be joined with Christ in the air, and taken to heaven. Paul describes the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
“I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Topic to consider:
The Meaning of “Rapture”
Rapture is derived from the Latin translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which translates the Greek harpazo (to catch up or carry away) as rapiemur from the Latin rapio.
The Greek harpazo occurs fourteen times in the New Testament with four variations of meaning, each of which contributes to our understanding of what Paul is describing in verse 17: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with [the dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE LORD RETURNS?
This coming event is the first part of Christ’s two-part return to earth.
In summary, the Rapture is an event where all who have put their trust in Christ, living and deceased, will suddenly be caught up from earth, be joined with Christ in the air, and taken to heaven. Paul describes the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
“I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Topic to consider:
- The Meaning of “Rapture”
- The Rapture Is Different from the Second Coming
- Three Reasons the Rapture Could Happen Today
- The Rapture Only Involves Christians (What about children, will they be raptured?)
- Three Ways the Rapture Can Impact Our Life Today
The Meaning of “Rapture”
Rapture is derived from the Latin translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which translates the Greek harpazo (to catch up or carry away) as rapiemur from the Latin rapio.
The Greek harpazo occurs fourteen times in the New Testament with four variations of meaning, each of which contributes to our understanding of what Paul is describing in verse 17: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with [the dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
- First, harpazo can mean “to carry off by force.” Christ will use His power to remove living and deceased believers from the last enemy, death.
- It is the power of God who raised Christ from the dead, it will be the power of God that will catch away the saint above and below.
- The same One who is called the Alpha and the Omega will speak those words that He spoke at the grave sight of ole Lazarus. “Lazarus come forth…” (John 11:43).
- On that glorious day, the dead in Christ shall rise first, then those who are alive and remain will ascend into the clouds where we will meet Jesus who will take us to heaven.
- John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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.”
- Second, harpazo can mean “to claim for oneself eagerly.” Christ purchased us with His blood, and He will return to claim those who are His.
- Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (1 Corinthians 7:23)
- Christ purchased me with his own blood – (Acts 20:28)
- I have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19)
- Third, harpazo can mean “to snatch away speedily.” The Rapture will occur “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).
- “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
- Which answers this question - Can a believer die again after they have been raptured? NO!
- Fourth, harpazo can mean “to rescue from the danger of destruction.” This meaning supports the idea that the Rapture will save the Church from experiencing the terrors of the seven-year Tribulation.
- 1 Thess 1:10 “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
- 1 Thess 5:9-10 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 1Thess 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE LORD RETURNS?
This coming event is the first part of Christ’s two-part return to earth.
- First, He’ll remove the Church from the world.
- Second, seven years later, He’ll establish His Kingdom on earth.
- For every prophecy in Scripture about Christ’s first advent, there are eight about His second.
- The 260 chapters of the New Testament contain 318 references to the Second Coming of Christ.
- If you are in Christ? You should be living a pre-raptured Christ-centered lifestyle.
- If you have family members who are not in Christ, you should do everything you can to share Jesus Christ with them.
- If you have friends, then really be their friend by sharing the good news, Jesus saves.
- If you are not in Christ, you will be left behind when the rapture takes place to face the full force of the wrath of God.