The Rapture in the Bible
Do you believe in the rapture? This question has been asked of me quite a few times. Those that ask usually believe Jesus will return to earth two times. The first return will be for the secret rapture when believers are suddenly taken out of this world and go to heaven with Jesus. The unbelievers don’t see Jesus; they are left behind totally puzzled by the disappearance of so many people. My standard response to this question has become: I believe in the Biblical rapture. Then I receive back a puzzled look.
This month in our worship services we worked through a series on Jesus’ return to earth. In the second message the rapture was referenced, but was not thoroughly explained. So I’d like to expand on what I mean by the Biblical rapture. The reference is 1 Thessalonians 4:17 “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
The word rapture comes from the Greek word meaning “snatch up.” That’s why certain dinosaurs are called raptors: they snatch up their prey. The NIV translation uses “caught up.” When Jesus returns, all believers who have died will be raised from the dead as their souls are united with their new bodies. The living believers will instantly receive their new bodies. Then we will probably have a sensation similar to taking off in a jet or rocket as we are caught up or raptured into the air to be with Jesus.
The Greek word “meet” in this verse means: going outside the city to meet the victorious king to accompany him back into the city. In this passage “meet the Lord in the air” means that the believers are caught up (raptured) to meet Jesus in the air, to accompany him on his way to earth in victory. Jesus does not take believers out of this world into heaven at the rapture; instead, he brings them back to the earth. It is there that “we will be with the Lord forever.”
Those holding to the secret rapture often connect that event to Matthew 24:40-41: “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” Their understanding is that at the secret rapture, the believers will suddenly be taken away out of this world, while the unbelievers are left behind.
It is helpful to read the context to these verses with this question in mind: Exactly who is left behind? If you read Matthew 24:36-39, the second coming of Jesus is compared to the days of Noah. In Noah’s time, the unbelievers perished in the flood, which “took them all away” (:39). This is then compared to what will happen when Jesus comes: the unbelievers will all be taken away, down to each individual in their daily activity (:40-41). The Biblical concept is that the believers inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5, Romans 4:13). The unbelievers are removed from the earth, while the believers are left behind to enjoy the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21).
The teaching of the secret rapture was popularized in books written by Tim La Haye. I enjoyed reading all the books in this series, which are interesting and thought provoking. And I watched the first movie based on the first book. But, as the authors themselves continually remind people, this “Left Behind” series is fictional.
What would this mean for us?
- First, no need to worry about missing the rapture. It will be a very public and open event. Look at 1 Thessalonians 4:16 to see what happens just before the rapture.
- Second, we need to get ready now by embracing Jesus Christ now as our Lord and Savior. Then we will have the privilege to join Jesus on his triumphal return to earth. See also Colossians 3:4).
- Let’s live as those destined for this glorious event. By Christ’s Spirit we can begin that beautiful eternal life now.
John Gorter
Interim Pastor
