Is the Rapture In The Bible?
Today’s topic is about the rapture. There is often much debate if this is an event that will happen because the word “rapture” is not found in the bible. Even though that particular word is not found in the English translation this does not mean it is a made up event. Let us review some examples in the Bible that show us similar events. God confirms His word with 2 – 3 witnesses. What does that mean? This means He will also provide 2 or 3 instances of scripture in the Bible that coincide with a particular doctrine or concept to support it. This way people will not say a particular theology does not apply.
* Two or Three Witnesses *
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV
He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Hebrews 10:28 KJV
When the apostle Paul ministered to the Corinthians he stated there will be two or three witnesses who will establish every word. In the Old Testament when someone broke the Law of Moses there needed to be two or three witnesses to confirm the law was broken. So when we are looking at the rapture concept let us see if there are two or three instances that would coincide or confirm this event. We will be looking if this is made up or if it ever happened in the Bible before. Let us begin.
* Enoch *
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24 KJV
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 KJV
In these scriptures we read Enoch was taken. Where was Enoch taken? He was taken to heaven directly. It says in Hebrews that he did not see death. He was translated. Translated is another word used to describe someone taken from one place to another.
* Elijah *
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2 Kings 2:9 KJV
The prophet Elisha made a special request to Elijah before he was taken to heaven. He asked for a double portion of the spirit of God that rested upon Elijah and his request was granted.
* Jesus *
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 KJV
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Acts 1:10 KJV
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11 KJV
After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for 40 days and taught His disciples many things about the Kingdom of God. When that time was up Jesus was taken up to heaven. This also means he was “raptured” in to heaven. There were two angels who spoke to the men of Galilee as they stared at Him as He was taken up.
* Two Witnesses *
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. Revelation 11:11 KJV
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 11:12 KJV
John prophesied in a future event, the two witnesses in Jerusalem mentioned in the Book of Revelation will also be taken up to heaven. This also means they will be “raptured” in to heaven. After reviewing these examples we can clearly see there will be an instance before Jesus returns that His followers will be taken up to heaven. This will occur before the Lord Jesus releases wrath upon the ones who did not accept Him as the Lord and Savior. Anyone who survives will be taken to the tribunal of Jesus Christ where He will judge the ones who have rejected Him. (Found in parable in Luke 19:27 KJV).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV
According to the word of God, there may not be any survivors after the Lord’s wrath but the Word of God does tell us the Father will judge the ones who are not written in the Lamb’s book of life. If there are any survivors after the Lord’s fire, they will be brought before the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. The earth will experience fire and various earthquakes upon His return.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 KJV
Fire will destroy those who remain on earth after the Lord’s followers will be taken away. After reviewing these scriptures, we can come to the conclusion, the rapture is indeed an event that will happen for the believers in Christ. As it was mentioned in other posts, the scriptures in Revelation point to a time right after the two witnesses are resurrected and then taken or “raptured” to heaven. Shortly after this, the wrath of the Lord will be unleashed on earth.
We pray this post will help explain things better concerning the rapture. Thanks for reading and please check back again for more!
