Will There Be A Rapture or Not?

Today we will discuss another topic that is often debated amongst believers. There are schools of thought that teach there is a rapture and others that teach there isn’t. But what is the truth? Let’s see what the scriptures say about a “rapture” and where does this term come from?

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.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV

* Caught up – Rapture *

In the Latin Vulgate the word used for caught up in this scripture is “rapiemur”. The Latin Vulgate is a 4th century translation of the Bible from Hebrew. The Greek word in the Septuagint version is “harpazo”. The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Old Testament. The two words are only different in language but not in their meaning. But I have discovered that our English word is adopted from the Medieval French word “raptor”. So what does rapture mean? This word means exactly what it states in the scripture. It means when someone is caught up or taken up. In this scripture it is referring to someone being caught up in the air and taken to heaven. There are several scriptures that use this word and a few examples of people being taken up to heaven in the Old Testament. These two people were Enoch and Elijah. 

We must remember the events the Lord has prophesied in the Bible has either already come to pass or will come to pass. This is a promise. If people agree there will be an event where people are taken up or caught up, then there are those who disagree when it will actually happen. It is tough to get the church to agree on truths of the Bible. This is one of the main reasons the enemy is able to advance in the end times. The church cannot get its act together!

* Revelation 11 * 

After studying the book of Revelation and seeing the way it is written, I believe the Lord has given us a clue as to when this event will happen. If we look at Revelation 11 we will read the two witnesses (which are believed to be Moses and Elijah) will prophesy for 42 months. Once they are killed and resurrect to heaven the seventh trumpet is blown. God is often intentional in the way He states certain things. It is not coincidental that the trumpets are being blown and then there is a pause to tell us about the witnesses in Jerusalem. Once they are summoned to heaven, then the last trumpet is blown. Take a look at the scriptures below after the witness are killed.

And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:11-12 KJV

Does this sound a little familiar? The book of Acts shows us Jesus ascended into heaven and His disciples were gazing at him as he rose up in to the clouds. In this case, the enemies of the two witnesses will be gazing up in to the clouds as the witnesses rise up. 

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13 KJV

Right after the witnesses ascend to heaven there will be an earthquake, Jerusalem will fall and seven thousand people will die. It sounds like one last supernatural moment to get people to know it was God who took the witnesses. The scripture gives the impression that the people who survived the earthquake will likely be saved. They started to give glory to God. Then notice a couple verses later in verse 15 the seventh trumpet blows. The final people remaining who believe these two witnesses came from God appear to believe Jesus sent them. The trumpet blows and people all over the world are transformed into incorruptible bodies like it is stated in 1 Corinthians 15.

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. 1 Corinthians 15:52 KJV

We see in this scripture the last trumpet sounds, the dead are raised to life and the ones who are alive are transformed into a glorious, incorruptible body. Hallelujah! The rapture is not a secret event for the church. If that were so it would be written. The rapture will happen! Doesn’t that just make you smile! Mediate on these scriptures and ponder these truths in your heart. Then come back again to find out more nuggets. Blessings to you!