The rapture is a biblical event which marks the beginning of the end and the end of the beginning of God's work on earth through Jesus Christ in history. Here are 5 things about this future event that may come as a surprise.
1. The term
“rapture” is a biblical term not found in the English Bible. Rapture comes from the Latin Vulgate which
was the church’s Bible for nearly 1000 years.
The word is a translation of the Greek text of 1 Thessalonians 4:17
which we read in English as “caught up”.
The Rapture of the church refers to the day Christians are caught up to
heaven by the Lord.
2. The rapture of the Church is not about escaping from
the “4 horsemen of the Apocalypse” but a full-realization of our
salvation. “For God has not destined us
for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for
us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him.” God’s wrath for our sin was poured out upon
Jesus at the cross. He already suffered
on behalf of those who have trusted Him as savior. God’s wrath is for those who have rejected
Christ.
3. The rapture is a fulfillment of Christ’s promise to
his followers: “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were
not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to
myself, that where I am you may be also (Jn.14:2-3).” The call of the Church out of the world will
be to join Christ Jesus where he first ascended to enjoy his fellowship and
serve him forever.
4. The rapture of the church may happen at any
moment: “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need
to have anything written to you. For
you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief
in the night (1 Thess.5:1-2).” This
final event comes at any time and the church of every generation must be ready
for it by living for the Lord expectantly and vibrantly. The first coming of Christ happened in a
season deemed appropriate by the Father (Rom. 5:6) and in like manner, the
second coming will happen at a time chosen and known only by the Father (Mt.
24:6).
5. This event is to be understood as a future hope that is to
nourish our life day to day (1Thess. 4:18,5:11.) “Encourage one another ” appears twice. Why so?
Because in our daily lives we encounter temptation, but that can be
called up short if we remember the Lord may come back today. Because in our daily lives we encounter
heartbreak and discouragement, but that can be lightened if we remember today
the Lord may return for us. Because in
our experience we get sick and die or our nearest and dearest do. Remembering the Lord’s return for the living
and the dead mitigates the loss we feel knowing that it is only temporary. The rapture of the church is to comfort us in
that we are certain to outlive the struggles we experience today.
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