Known to faithful Christians as the “Blessed Hope.”
This holy event will happen on an unknown day, and at an unknown hour. Only Father God Himself knows. When He chooses, He will tell His Son, Christ Jesus, that it’s time to gather faithful Christians from every location on earth. It’s thrilling to know that as every second, minute, hour, and day passes – we are that much closer to being with our Lord and Savior!
It is true that the word “rapture” is not found in the Holy Bible. Because the word itself is not in scriptures, those who deny Christ Jesus use this as a point of contention. They ridicule Christians who know the truth and have faith in this prophecy. Ungodly men and women attempt to use this insignificant point to raise doubt among the weak in their faith.
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
The rapture is “not” the second coming of Christ Jesus because He does not set foot on earth as He will do at the end of the Tribulation (read Revelation 19:11-16). 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes how He will come back for the church.
It’s very important to know when the “Church Age” began because that is the exact time when the Holy Spirit arrived on earth (read Acts 2:1-21). When the rapture takes place, the Holy Spirit will be removed from earth – also referred to as the “Restraining Spirit.” When this happens, the lawless one will be revealed (read 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8). “You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:40).
The Rapture must take place before the Tribulation can begin – we know this because of the following promises:
Almighty God did not appoint us to be a part of the wrath that will come upon the earth, but to obtain salvation through His Son, Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
Did you realize that “Christians” are mentioned frequently in Revelation 1-3, but not a single mention of them again until Revelation 22:16? That’s because we are not here during that period of time when uncontrolled evil will cover the earth.
Christ Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). After the rapture, we will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (read 2 Corinthians 5:10).
“…while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:13-14).
We are closer to the rapture now than in past history. How can this be? Simply refer to what Christ Jesus tells us in Luke 21:25-36.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
We have the great promise of Christ Jesus’ return for the church (faithful Christians). We have hope and faith that when the very last sinner is converted in this church age, the body of Christ will be complete, and the ministry of the baptism by the Holy Spirit will end at the rapture.
Praise Almighty God the Father! Praise Christ Jesus! Praise the Holy Spirit! Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Amen!