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The Rapture
The Blessed Hope for All Christians
1st Thessalonians 4:16-17
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.
What is the Rapture
The term "Rapture" is taken from the Latin translation of the Greek
word "Harpazo". The New Testament was written in Greek then later
translated into Latin. The word Harpzo means to be "caught up" and
it is this phrase "caught up together" which appears in 1st
Thessalonians 4:17, that we get the word Raputre.
The Rapture is one of the most anticipated events in the history
of Christianity. This is the moment in history when Jesus Himself
will return from Heaven in an instant, in a twinkling of an eye,
taking those who have put their faith in Him home, to be with him
forever. This event occurs sometime around the Tribulation period,
a period of great trials on earth has God Himself makes one last
attempt to get the attention of those who have not put their faith
in Jesus, the Tribulation occurs before God's final judgment.
The "Rapture of the Church" has it is often referred to is described by
Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians. The text can be found in
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, "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; then we that
are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in
the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord." Paul also referred to the Rapture as the
"Blessed Hope" for all those who believe and have accepted Jesus has
their God and Savior, "...looking for the blessed hope and glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
During this moment in time those to whom Jesus calls will be changed
in an instant, changed from a mortal corruptible body to an immortal,
incorruptible body. Paul tells us himself in 1 Corinthians 15:53-54
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall
come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory."
No one knows when the Rapture will occur, in Matthew 24:36 Jesus tells
us, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of
heaven, but My Father only." And again Jesus Himself reminds
us, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in
which the Son of Man is coming." in Matthew 25:13. While the Bible is
clear that the rapture will occur, there is some dicussion as to when. God
told us we would not know the day or the hour; however the Bible is equally
clear that we could know the "times and the seasons", of when Jesus could
return. A great verse that gives us an indication of when this could occur
is Psalm 102:16 "For the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in
His glory." The return of Israel to the Family of Nations is one of the
greatest signs that the Ratpure is near, never before in the history of the
world has a nation destroyed and dispersed into the pass, been reborn again
into the present, keeping in take its own nationality and customs. (see
Ezekiel chapter 37 for direct prophecy of Israels return to as a nation.)
Bible Verses Relating to the Rapture and 2nd Coming of Jesus
2nd Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night...
1st Thessalonians 5:1-3
But of the times and the seasons brethren you have no need that I write unto you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Matthew 24:44
Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man
cometh.
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ;
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep
that you sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
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. 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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another
with these words.
1st Corinthians 15:51-54
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. For this corruptible
must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. 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.
Philippians 3:20-4:1
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord
Jesus Christ: 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. Therefore my brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and crown so stand
fast in the Lord my dearly beloved.
John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God believe also in me. In my Fathers
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 you may be also.
Psalm 102:16
When the LORD shall build up Zion he shall appear in his glory.
Matthew 24:30-33
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of
the earth mourn and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and
great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather
together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a
parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves ye know that
summer is nigh: So likewise ye when ye shall see all these things know that it is near
even at the doors.
Daniel 9:27
"...(The beginning of the Tribulation period) Then he (the anti-christ) shall confirm
a covenant with many for one week (seven years); But in the middle of the week He shall
bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes
desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."
Events of the Rapture
- The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven where He is preparing a place for us
in His Father's house. (John 14:1-3, 1st Thessalonians 4:16)
- His descent will be announced by a shout and a trumpet blast.
(1st Thessalonians 4:16)
- Jesus will first resurrect those who have fallen asleep in Christ (believers who
have died) followed by those still alive. (1st Thessalonians 4:14-15)
- We will meet Jesus in the air. (1st Thessalonians 4:17)
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