The Rapture of the Church

The Rapture: A Look at the Research

The rapture is a belief in some Christian denominations that believers will be caught up to meet Christ in the air, before a period of tribulation on Earth. There is no single, universally accepted view of the rapture, but here's a summary of the different perspectives and related scripture:

• Timing: There are two main views on the timing of the rapture:
  • Pretribulation: This view holds that the rapture will occur before a seven-year tribulation period.
    • "[16] 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: [17] 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)
  • Posttribulation: This view holds that the rapture will occur after the tribulation period.
    • "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
• Nature of the Event: The rapture is described as a sudden event where believers will be caught up to meet Christ in the air.
  • "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] 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 15:51-52)

Important to Note:

• The concept of the rapture is a relatively recent development in Christian theology, emerging in the early 19th century.
• Many Christian denominations do not subscribe to the belief in the rapture.