THE RAPTURE
The Rapture is the term used to describe when the LORD Jesus comes to take all believers home to heaven, the time when we receive our incorruptible, immortal bodies. The following scriptures describe this event.
John 14:1–3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
1 Corinthians 15:51–53 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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.”
Observations from these verses:
Jesus will come again and receive us to Himself. Specifically implied is that the LORD is going to take us to the Father’s home to the place He has prepared for us.
Not everyone will die; the Greek for “sleep” makes reference to death.
Those who are alive when Jesus comes for us will immediately be changed from a corruptible mortal body to an incorruptible immortal body.
This change will happen in the twinkling of an eye. Research does not provide a concrete answer for how fast that is; it is the time it takes light to go from the front to the back of the eye.
The LORD will descend, the dead in Christ will rise, and we who are alive will then be caught up together with them to meet the LORD in the air in the clouds. From that point on, we will be with the LORD.
This event is very different from the return of Jesus to set up His earthly kingdom for the millennial reign. Scripture clearly describes this event as the time when Jesus defeats the forces of Satan and binds him for 1000 years in the bottomless pit. During that time Jesus will rebuild His temple and take the throne of David in Jerusalem from which He will rule the whole world. That return is described in Revelation 19.
Revelation 19:11–16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:19–20:3 “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled….”
The contrast to the rapture is obvious. The return of Jesus as King will be obvious to everyone on planet earth. He will be on a white horse and wearing a garment that is drenched in blood. Though He comes with all the armies of heaven (all riding white horses and dressed in clean white linen), He alone will defeat the nations with the sword that comes out of His mouth. Scripture elsewhere tells us that this sword is His word.
Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
It is quite obvious that Jesus is coming to earth to establish His kingdom in contrast to meeting believers in the air to take them to the Father’s home in heaven. The rapture will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The second coming will be a process that will be quite visible to all on earth.
Many debate when the rapture will happen. I think scripture is clear in telling us that this event can happen at any moment—a point in time that only the Father knows. In contrast, His return as King will occur exactly 7 years after the Antichrist signs the covenant that establishes peace between Israel and the nations as described by the prophet Daniel and affirmed in the book of Revelation. (Detailed studies about these scriptures are found in my verse-by-verse journals.)
The majority of evangelical Christendom believes in a pre-tribulation rapture. The tribulation being the general term for the last seven years before Jesus returns as King, the beginning of which is marked by the signing of the covenant referred to in Daniel 9.
Daniel 9:26–27 “…and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary….And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week….”
Those who posit a mid-tribulation rapture believe that it will occur at the end of the first 3.5 years of the tribulation. Post-rapture followers believe that the rapture will happen at the end of the tribulation. There is another view called pre-wrath, and my research revealed two different viewpoints in connection with this label.
Though I am not a scholar, my studies lead me to a bit of a combined expectation. I personally believe that the first five seals described in Revelation 6 have already been opened. Their connection to the “sorrows,” or birth pains described by Jesus in Matthew 24 are too strong to be coincidental in my opinion. I believe the rapture could happen at any moment prior to the opening of the sixth seal, specifically identified as the coming of the wrath of the Lamb, the LORD Jesus.
Revelation 6:16–17 “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Something else to think about. I believe that the wrath of God and the 70th week of Daniel (aka the tribulation) are distinct from one another although they run basically concurrent with one another. The wrath of God is directed at God’s enemies, those who are wicked and don’t believe in the Son. The 70th week of Daniel is directed toward the Jews for the purpose of producing a refined remnant of believers who will accept Jesus as the Messiah and through whom God will fulfill all His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.
My belief is strengthened by the fact that chapter 7 describes the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses that will spread the gospel and the truth of God’s words during the first half of the tribulation along with the two special witnesses that will testify from Jerusalem. Just as the church picked up the mantle of witness from the people of Israel, these tribulation witnesses will pick up the mantle of witness from the church as God’s focus turns back to Israel.
Paul is also clear that the church will be raptured before the Antichrist is revealed when he signs the covenant.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–8 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God….And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming….”
“our gathering together unto him” = the rapture
“withholdeth” = holds fast, restrains
“letteth” = same Greek word as “withholdeth”
These verses tell us that some force is holding back the Antichrist, the man of sin, the son of perdition, from being able to reveal himself. The Antichrist receives his power from Satan, so the power holding him back must be more powerful than Satan. When that power is “taken out of the way,” Antichrist will then be allowed to reveal himself. I believe that power is the Holy Spirit that indwells every true believer. When the body of believers is raptured, the Holy Spirit is essentially taken away with them.
I believe that the chaos that ensues from the rapture of the body of believers paves the way for the Antichrist to come on the scene as the long-awaited Messiah (to the Jews), the great world leader that those deceived by Satan have long desired to establish their new world order here on earth.
I could certainly be wrong. Only the future will reveal the truth. I will say, however, that this last year and a half (March 2020-July 2021), have opened my eyes to how quickly change can occur, how quickly people can become sheeple through fear and deception.
The preceding establishes my basic beliefs concerning the rapture. Following, I will present some other interesting thoughts to consider in connection with the rapture. First, are some interesting insights from Jewish wedding customs. This information is from an article by William Risk, with added notes from Mayim Hayim and a few additions/revisions of my own.
Shiddukhin = The Match
Initiated by the father of the groom
Agent may be used
Consent of the bride
Parallel to Church
The Father chooses the bride,
John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.”
Holy Spirit acts as agent of Father in the world today,
1Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
We respond to Christ's love and accept Him,
1John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”
Mohar = The Bride Price
Required by law
Paid by the father of the groom
Reflects the value of the bride
Parallel to Church
Our mohar was the life of the Son,
2Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
The price was required by the Law,
Romans 8:3-4 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
The mohar was paid, as required,
lCorinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
The value placed on the bride was high.
Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
Ketubah = The Marriage Contract
Written document stating the mohar, the Rights of the bride, the promises of the groom.
Parallel to Church
Our written contract stating the mohar, the rights of the Bride, and the promises of the Groom is the New Testament.
Kiddushin = The Betrothal
Sealed with the 'cup of acceptance'
Groom: Preparation of huppah (According to many authorities the huppah was the groom's house, or at any rate an actual room or building other than the bride's parental home.)
Bride: Purification (Mikveh – a ritual bath of immersion used for purification)
Undistracted devotion
Anticipation
Parallel to Church
Cup of the New Covenant
Matthew 26:27-29 “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Christ goes to prepare a place for us.
John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
We are 'set apart.’
2Corinthians 11:2 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
Purified by 'washing’
lCorinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
We are not to be distracted by…
False Teachers
2John 7-11 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Worldly Things
lJohn 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
We anticipate Christ's return.
Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”
2Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Nissuin = The Nuptials
Groom's father decides when he may return for the bride.
Time of Arrival surprise to the bride
Abduction of the bride.
Finely dressed and crowned.
Marriage Feast
Bride and Groom dwell together in happiness
Parallel to Church
Only the Father knows when the Son will return.
Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Mark 13:32 “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”
We will be ‘abducted.'
1Thessalonians 4:16-18 “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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
We will be crowned.
1Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
He will be crowned.
Revelation 19:12 “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns.”
Note: The huppah is the wedding room, the place of the honeymoon, which lasted for 7 days. The marriage feast takes place after this. The seven years of tribulation on earth would appear to correspond as the honeymoon time for the church in heaven.
We will take part in the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:7-9 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
We will dwell forever with the Groom in happiness.
1Thessalonians 4 :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.”
Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
Next are some interesting facts regarding the “last trump” and the “trump of God.”
1Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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.”
1Thessalonians 4:16-17 “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: 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.”
As I started researching the use of trumpets, these are some of the things I found.
The sound of the trumpet has a specific purpose.
1Corinthians 14:8 “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”
The trumpet was used to call the people to assembly.
Jeremiah 4:5 “Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.”
Joel 2:15 “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.”
The sound of the trumpet is associated with the voice of the Lord.
Revelation 1:10-11 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last….”
It is an alarm of war.
Jeremiah 4:19 “My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.”
Ezekiel 33:3 “If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people….”
It is a call to get ready.
Ezekiel 7:14 “They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.”
It is to be used as an alarm that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Joel 2:1 “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand….”
In Revelation the trumpets are a signal that the wrath of God is being poured out. (Wiersbe)
Jon Courson had some interesting thoughts. In Numbers 10 we are told of two silver trumpets. “Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.”
Silver is associated with redemption in the scripture. In Exodus 19 we are told that Moses was to sanctify the people two days, and on the third day the Lord would come down on Mt. Sinai in the sight of the people. Verse 13 brings in the trumpet.
Exodus 19:13 “…when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.”
He associates the first trump with the “law, Israel and the Father.” The second, and the last trump with “grace, the church and the Son.”
Renald Showers gave some other insights in the area of trumpets:
“1Corinthians 14 talks about the trumpet from a military perspective, so it would appear that thought would be continued in chapter 15. In Bible times, ‘when they went to war, they had a ‘last trump’ that would be blown that would tell the fighting men, ‘Your time of fighting is over. It is time for you to go home and rest.’ A ‘last trump’ ended their time in the warfare.’ Obviously, Christians are participating in spiritual warfare. ‘When the rapture takes place and the trumpet is blown at that time, that will be a signal to them that their part in the warfare is over…It is time for them to go home to be with the Lord and rest together with Him in heaven.’”
“There were also two trumpets related to guard duty. ‘They had a first trump that signaled when a man was to start his watch…then they had a ‘last trump’ which signaled that his time on guard duty was over and it was time for him to go home.’” The comparison to the Christian is obvious.
“The fact that Paul, when he mentions the last trump, doesn’t explain to the Corinthians what he meant by that indicates that they understood what he meant by ‘the last trump.’ They were very familiar…with that terminology of ‘the last trump’ signals used for Roman soldiers, whether their fighting is done or their tour of duty on the watch is over for that day.”
And another interesting thought from Hosea: Hosea 6:1-2 “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.”
Using the formula one day = 1000 years, this seems to indicate that Christ will heal His people Israel after 2000 years of spiritual sickness. This leaves a lot of leeway regarding the timeframe, but we are definitely in the third day.