| Rapture - Taking of Believers |
Created Date: 9-May-2017 |
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Last updated: 22-May-2024 |
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In the Old Testament scriptures there are scriptures that speak about a future time of deliverance before the most evil and horrible time that the Earth will ever experience. The scriptures identify this time as the Tribulation Period. One example is Daniel 12:1-4 where the key part of verse 1, "a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then", is one of many identifications that this period is the Tribulation Period. The comforting and wonderful details from God is that everyone marked by God as having their name written in God's Book will be delivered from the time of distress that is the Tribulation Period.
In this scriptural passage of Daniel:12:1-4, many Biblical Scholars have stated the meaning of verse 4 is the revealing that the knowledge of the Word of God would increase with greater understanding, which certainly consists of world-wide travel and the Internet as part of the delivery of increased knowledge of the God of the Bible with Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Verse 4 is also comforting for all of us concerning people we love, and the entire world that do not recognize Jesus Christ as their Savior as the knowledge of God is increasing and will increase more and more. We do not know the exact date of the Rapture and the Tribulation Period where it appears many other prophecies that are required as part of the Tribulation Period, which is after the Rapture, are being set up for fulfillment on the Earth. See the Gog and Magog topic.
Note that some Biblical Scholars have stated that verse 4 also means increased knowledge in all areas of science and general areas of living, which can also be true.
If you haven't recognized Jesus Christ as your personal savior, then ask Jesus Christ now.
| Daniel 12:1-4 | 1 At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge. |
The word Rapture came from the Latin word "rapio", which means to be seized or snatched. The term Rapture has come to be used in several languages, besides English, to describe an event where Christians all over the world will be simultaneously taken to meet Jesus Christ in the air. This is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, shown below in the section "Is the Rapture Biblical?".
Biblical Scholars describe the Rapture Event as the taking away of all the people on the Earth, who have Salvation, to escape the period of time called the 70th Week of Daniel. The 70th Week of Daniel is a seven year period of time, which contains the Tribulation Period, is described in the Book of Daniel chapter 9. The last three years of the 70th Week of Daniel is the Tribulation Period
There are two primary views by Biblical Scholars on when the Rapture Event occurs:
Harpazo is a Greek word that is sometimes used in place of the Rapture in Biblical Commentaries, as they are equivalent. The Greek meaning of Harpazo is:
| An analogy when comparing a rocket or airplane launch: In all languages, there are words that are used to describe and summarize events and processes, where an example word that has similar meaning to Rapture, which makes it an excellent analogy is the word "Takeoff". The word "Takeoff" is taking the two words "take" and "off" into a concatenated into a new word "takeoff" which means to leave the earth's ground into the sky. Everyone accepts the word and the meaning of Takeoff in the English language. |
There are to primary references to the Rapture in the New Testament but they are not the only ones as there are other rapture scriptural references and least five inferences in the scriptures that are discussed throughout this topic.
which describe the Rapture Event.
| 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 | 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words. |
| 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 | 50 Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: Death has been swallowed up in victory. |
Beside other scriptural inferences of the rapture discussed later in this topic, there are seven primary Rapture events in the Scriptures:
There are also other references that are inferences for the Rapture, which are discussed later in the "Scriptural Inferences for the Future Raptures" section of this topic on the Rapture.
The two Rapture events in the Old Testament are very well-known:
Note that both men, according so a few Biblical Scholars which with author agrees with, state the two men were taken into the air to meet either Angels or a Theophany where they next went to the good compartment of Sheol to await the future triumphal payment for sins at the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Prior to the Crucifixion, people could be taken to view the entrance to Heaven but could not "ascend into heaven" as read in John 3:13. After the Crucifixion, the entrance into Heaven was opened.
| John 3:13 | No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. |
There are five future events of the New Testament are often read and not noticed as also dealing with the Rapture. The scriptural verses are inadvertently not correlated with the Rapture because we are reading about other information that is primarily dealing in the context that happened at the event, but the verses also have additional correlation to the Rapture. Note that the Two Witnesses of Revelation are not in the list because they are taken up with everyone watching on the Earth that put horror into the minds of those without Salvation.
| Mark 16:19 |
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. |
| Acts 1:9-11 |
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. |
| Revelation 12:5 |
And she was
delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with
a rod of iron: and her child
was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. The word used for "caught up" is harpazo in the Greek. The interesting point of "caught up" according to some Biblical Scholars is this is a reference to the those of us who are Believers and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This verse is a double reference. |
| Acts 8:39 | And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. |
| 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 | 1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:17 | Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. |
| Revelation 4:1 | After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter. |
Many Biblical Scholars have pointed out:
where always warned and removed before a judgment event. The scriptures show the pattern of God that has and is always removing His chosen people from harm when: a Penalty Judgment is occurring that requires the Righteous to be removed and protected.
These are just a few examples of protection in the Scriptures:
| Lot | Removed forcibly, with his wife and two daughters, from Sodom and Gomorra in order to allow the destruction to occur to the two cities. If the two Angels did not remove Lot and his family then the judgment against Sodom and Gomorra could not happen. |
| Moses | Moses body buried by God personally, as a form of protection, to not allow Lucifer to desecrate it. Moses' spirit body and soul was taken up by God, and then the burial by God. Many Biblical Scholars, including this author, believe that Moses has a future mission as one of the Two Witnesses in the Tribulation Period. |
| Israel | The Syrians are pursuing the army of Israel, where the Prophet
Elisha warns Israel in advance by knowing the thoughts the thoughts of
the King of the Syrians spoken in private, but given by God to Elisha. See 2 Kings 6:8-23: "11 And the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? 12 And one of his servants said, Nay, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber." |
| Luke 19:43-44 Jesus warns to leave Jerusalem before a specific event, which was the desolation of Jerusalem of 70 AD. |
This is discussed further in the 69
Weeks of Daniel topic.
Additionally, according to ancient writing from Eusebius (263 - 339 AD)
the Christians fled Jerusalem to Pella. Josephus spoke about an
exodus out of Judea after 60 AD as written about in War of the Jews,
book 2 and chapter 14. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, when thine enemies shall cast up a bank about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 and shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. |
|
Abomination of Desolation (This is the future event) |
Jesus Christ warns the Israel to flee at once when they see the
Abomination of
Desolation, which occurs at the half-way point of the seven years of
the 70th Week of Daniel. This is the start of the three and one
half years of the Tribulation Period. A remnant of Israel will flee to Petra, modern day part of Jordan, where they will remain protected during the entire time of the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation Period. They are instructed by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:15 when they see the Abomination of Desolation occur, to flee into the mountains in Judea. |
The Rapture Event is before the most horrible, perilous, deadly period of destruction on the Earth that has ever happened and will ever happen, which is the 70th Week of Daniel that contains the Tribulation Period. WWII, as an example, is a minor foreshadowing of the evil, death and destruction that will be occurring during those 3.5 years period.
There are at least five scriptural inferences that have double meaning, and also are located in specific groups of passages that deal with the 70th Week of Daniel so that are additional proof of the future Rapture.
| 1 | Psalm 27:5 | For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion: In the covert of his tabernacle will he hide me; He will lift me up upon a rock. |
| 2 | Zephaniah 2:3 | Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah s anger. |
| 3 | Isaiah 26:20-21 | 20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. |
| 4 | John 14:1-4 | This passage is primarily dealing with the Christian's future home,
but it also reflects the care of God that He will come to receive us,
which can also mean that is for some by the Rapture. This
author recalls a few Biblical Scholars state that God in a corporate
sense will protect His righteously living people to take them out before
a Godly Judgment that is targeted against the unrighteous. 1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go, ye know the way. |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 | 1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; |
There are other inferences that have double occurrences and meanings to an event that was occurring and one in the future. A prime example of this type of usage in the scriptures is the example of Ezekiel 28:11-19, where Ezekiel is writing a lament against the King of Tyre that quickly changes to Lucifer.
The book of Micah has an amazing scriptural passage that points to the Rapture which has eluded many Christians. There is only one possibility of what the scriptural passage is eluding and that is the moment after the Rapture.
In Micah 7:1-2, the first interpretation is the injustice occurring at the time of the Prophet Micah, but just the terminology of verse 2 has led some Biblical Scholars, that this author agrees, to state there is a parallel double occurrence prophecy contained in this passage. Note that there is only going to be one point in the entire earth's history that there is not one upright person (meaning has God Salvation at that moment) among mankind, and that is right after the Rapture event, as all of those who have Salvation will be removed from the judgments that will be coming.
Yes, there is those that are covered under the Age of Accountability protection, but they do not have the mark of Salvation. During the Tribulation Period, there will be millions and millions of people receiving Salvation. There are a few Biblical Commentaries, which this author agrees, that state that during the Tribulation Period, unlike other times in history where people can live their whole lives without making a Salvation decision, everyone will be forced or coerced to make a decision for or against receiving Salvation.
| Micah 7:1-2 | 1 Woe to me! For I am Like harvests of summer fruit, like gleanings of grapes. There is not a cluster of grapes left to eat, Nor an early fig, which I crave. 2 The godly person has perished from the land, And there is no upright person among mankind. All of them lie in wait for bloodshed; Each of them hunts the other with a net. |
In Psalm 12:1, there is a similar feel and double meaning as Micah 7:1-2.
| Psalm 12:1 | Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to an end, For the faithful have disappeared from the sons of mankind. |
Understanding that there is only one time in the history of the Earth that there will not be any righteous people, is key to understanding:
As stated earlier in this topic, the example of the two Angels visiting Lot to remove Lot's family was required before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra. After the removal of Lot and Lot's family there was not one person above the Age of Accountability that was righteous left in the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorra.
| Genesis 19:20-22 Lot is speaking to the two Angels. |
20 Look, here is a town near enough to run to,
and it is small. Let me (Lot) flee to it it
is very small, isn t it? Then my life will be spared. 21
He (one of the Angels)
said to him, Very well, I will grant this request
too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22
But flee there quickly, because
I cannot do anything until you
reach it. (That is why the town was called Zoar.) (The key part is the Angels are not allowed to have Sodom and Gomorra destroyed until the Angels removed Lot and his family. The two cities of Sodom and Gomorra had surrounding villages where Zoar is one of them ruled over by Sodom and Gomorra.) |
The next section of this topic details the reasons why the three points are different events.
Is the Rapture and Second Coming of Jesus Christ the same event? The answer is no they are not the same. There are two Second Coming of Jesus Christ events:
| 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 | 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words. |
In the Book of Matthew, chapter 24, the information Jesus Christ is giving the Disciples is the Rapture Event is at the end of the "birth pains". Jesus Christ states that there are signs and warnings that are called "beginnings of birth pains" in Matthew 24:8, which will happen before everyone who has Salvation is Raptured.
| Matthew 24:8 | All these are the beginning of birth pains. |
The beginnings of birth pains include:
All of these events are given with an analogy of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24:32, to recognize upcoming:
| Matthew 24:32-35 | 32 Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. |
The key to recognizing there are two dates, is one is concerning the "taking away" that Noah and his family along with Enoch, experienced as Jesus Christ speaks about in Matthew 24:37:41. Noah, Noah's family and Enoch were removed from the judgment of the Great Flood that killed all of human-kind, animals and specific reptiles on the Earth. The two references of "one will be taken and the other left", indicates the removal and those who remain to face judgment.
| Matthew 24:37-41 | 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. |
Jesus Christ further elaborates more in Matthew 24:42-44 the importance of being ready for the Rapture Event with the analogy of the owner of a house being watchful against a thief coming, as a thief does not announce the day or time when to break into a house to steal.
| Matthew 24:42-44 | 42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. |
Important points that show there is a return of Jesus Christ in the sky and then one to stay on the Earth to rule in the Millennial Kingdom:
| 1 Thessalonians 4:17 | Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. |
Some Biblical Scholars, which this author agrees, have stated the Rapture cannot be the Event where Jesus Christ comes at the end of the Tribulation Period. There are three reasons for the Rapture occurring before the 70th Week of Daniel begins:
As discussed earlier in this topic, there are Two Second Coming Events, where the first is when Jesus Christ meets Believers in the sky, Earth's Atmosphere, at the Rapture, and the second is at the first Armageddon Event that is at the end of Tribulation Period.
Most Biblical Commentaries point out that before Jesus' Crucifixion, Jesus Christ did not know the future dates for the Rapture and Second Coming as spoken by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:36.
| Matthew 24:36 | But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. |
Many Biblical Commentaries state that after Jesus Christ's death on the Cross and then Ascension, then most likely the Father let Jesus Christ know the two dates. This is a theory but there is no scriptural passages to prove the theory.
A wonderful comment heard in some scriptural commentaries is God the Father is waiting on a specific number of people to accept His Son Jesus Christ as their Savior, and then the Rapture will happen. Lucifer has been living in a state of panic not knowing when the number will be fulfilled to allow the Rapture to happen, and then Lucifer knows he has just a short time left to try to stop the purpose of the Tribulation Period.
| Revelation 12:12 | Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time. |
When the Rapture Event happens, both 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1st Corinthians 15:50-54 indicate that:
will receive new glorified bodies. In 1st Corinthians 15:52-53, the scripture informs us that we will receive a new body that is not perishable. This new body, according to many Biblical Scholars is the Glorified body that is mentioned in 2nd Corinthians 5:1-2.
| 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 (habitation is a new body) |
1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2 For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven. |
This author has not seen any scriptural commentaries give additional information that there appears to more enhancements and changes that will occur to the Glorified Bodies after the Rapture Event. Some Biblical Scholars state that the Judgment Seat of Christ will be occurring right before the end of the Tribulation Period as there will be a selected group of Christians that will come back to rule with Jesus Christ during the 1,000 Millennial Kingdom Period. During the Judgment Seat of Christ event, all Christians will be judged for eternal Rewards in Heaven that will also include visible signs in the Glorified bodies.
There is no scriptural reference given to what the Antichrist is going to provide for an explain to the disappearance of many, many people in the world that were taken during the Rapture Event.
This author believes the Rapture Event will occur moments before the Gog and Magog Event, for these reasons and events that will happen:
God always uses methods, that includes miracles, where the
intervention by God can be seen two ways:
This is why the theory above, on a possible explaining the disappearance of the true Christians to the world at the Rapture event, will have God using all the of the Gog and Magog events to let the unsaved world to be deceived. There is also the explanations that "The Great Lie" will contain as spoken by the Antichrist. At the Great White Thrown of Judgment, those who refused to see God in history will be further condemned. The opinion of this author is even those in the Lake of Fire will worship God because they will at that point recognize they rejected the love of God. Read the twelve areas of suffering in the Lake of Fire for detailed information.
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| An excerpt from the
Age of Accountability
(AA) topic: It is fascinating to realize that because AA is a principle of God's Salvation then is there a possibility that God will also include all people under AA in the future Rapture, before the 70th Week of Daniel that contains the Great Tribulation Period? Some Biblical Scholars state it is a strong possibility with God's Grace and Mercy. The scriptures do not detail how and what will be said concerning the disappearance of people all over the world, where the addition of those under AA can have these two affects:
While It is not written in any commentaries, that this author has read, I believe that there are many parables such as the Foolish Virgins, which teach us that there will be people who know about the Rapture and the Tribulation Period from a intellectual aspect, but are not Believers. They will recognize many events and the disappearances across the Earth at that time, that can include those under AA, which will be the catalyst to recognize and ask Jesus Christ to be their Savior. |
The Rapture events prior to the Two Witnesses, in the New Testament, are identified and identified with an event with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God also with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. At this event, there is a voice that comes from Heaven, which is not identified, as commanding the Two Witnesses to come up to Heaven after the Two Witnesses were resurrected from being dead for three and one half days.
Note that this author has the theory that Jesus Christ was dead on Earth, where three days were in the Earth and the other part was after the death on the Cross before burial into the Tomb. See the topic on Day Crucified for more details on the whole magnificent event, that was predicted in the Book of Daniel to the exact day, that gave us the ability for Salvation!
| Revelation 11:8-11 | 8 And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 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. 13 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. |
What to read next?
What is Salvation? Is it possible to lose Salvation? We have eternal life. Evolution is not real. When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it. Rewards in heaven. Do we Tithe? What does the 3rd Commandment tell us? What is Grace and Mercy? Is there an Age of Accountability? Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?