“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.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
You may never have come across the word “Rapture” in the Bible during your study times and of a truth, you will never come across it since the word itself is not used anywhere in the scriptures.
But that does not mean the message or doctrine of rapture is not scriptural since we can trace the message back to the Bible. In case you didn’t actually get what I just said, let me break it down.
The word “Rapture” was gotten from an ancient Latin word “raptus” which means “to snatch away, carry off or abduct.”
It is similar to the Greek word “Harpazo” which means “to seize, to carry off or snatch away by force.”
Now, although “raptus” from where “Rapture” is gotten, is not specifically used in the Bible. It’s Greek counterpart “harpazo” is found all over the New Testament translated as “Caught up” (1 Thessalonians 4:17, Rev.12:5, 2 Corinthians 12:2&4) and also as “caught away” in Acts 8:39.
Other places “harpazo” was used in the Bible includes: Matthew 13:19, John 6:15, John 10:28&29, Acts 23:10 etc. In all these places, it has to do with a forceful movement of something or someone by another.
So why is it important you know about this?
It is important because the Rapture has to do with the experience that awaits all who has put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour from sin and its penalty, which is death (both spiritual death and the second death).
At the second coming of Christ, He will appear in the clouds and we which are alive at that moment and other believers who had died prior to that time, shall be caught up together with Him in the sky, safe from the tribulation that is coming upon the world.
Now, Here’s Why I Had To Write About This Topic
This message of the Rapture and the second coming of Jesus Christ that was intended (like we saw in our opening scripture) to be used to build hope, comfort and encourage believers to endure persecutions, hardships and whatever it is the world throws at them, has today become the greatest message that is used to manipulate, threaten, enslave and put men in bondage to fear, doubt and unbelief in the finished works of Christ.
Tell the average Christian today, “Jesus is coming soon!” and you have given him a reason to wear a serious face, be moody, sad and overly conscious of what he eats, drinks or wears. You will see the joy of Salvation disappear from him at the speed of light and the fear of Salvation completely overpower him.
Throughout that day, he will be searching for “unconfessed" sins to confess or what and what he needs to do restitution for so he don’t miss the rapture.
In his dreams from that very moment, he will repeatedly see everybody around him going to heaven except him due to reasons that has no real support in the Bible.
The reason for all these fears and torments most Christians experience whenever the word “Rapture” is mentioned is mostly due to lack of accurate knowledge of what the Redemptive works of Christ and the Rapture is all about.
Somewhere along the line, they have been made to believe that unless you are 100% sinless, you will not be raptured.
But can I shock you? That is a lie from religion and the pit of Hell.
The Rapture will never meet ANY man 100% sinless. Regardless of who he is and his episcopal title.
As a matter of fact, the doctrine of sinless perfection is complete hogwash and has no backing from the scripture.
No man born of a woman on this earth will claim to have reached a level in his Spiritual life where he or she no longer sins. No man, I say.
Our only hope or ticket for rapture is our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Bible never minced words about this when it said “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
You may say “But Jesus is coming for a glorious church without spot or wrinkles?”
Yes it true. But do you also know that He (Jesus) is the one that cleanses and sanctifies the church in order to present it to Himself without spots or wrinkles?
The Bible is clear on this. See Ephesians 5:25-27
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
The apostle Jude in his writing also gave witness to this in Jude 1:24-25
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you fautless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
The one who has believed in Jesus to save him from sin can never miss the rapture. Why? Because his Saviour being Jesus, is the one that cleanses, sanctifies, keeps and will present him faultless at that day.
No man can do this by himself regardless of how many times he confesses and promises never to sin again.
Does this mean we can now go ahead and sin as much as we want as believers since we will surely not miss the Rapture? God forbid! How can we that are the Lights in the world start walking in darkness?
How can we that have been enabled by Grace and the Spirit of God to say “No” to sin, embrace it again. Like the apostle Paul, I say again “God forbid!”
This truth I just shared with you about the Rapture was what the early Christians knew that made them stand before emperors and to greatly rejoice in the face of lions, fire and death.
While they were being burnt at stakes, history recorded that most of them wore the most beautiful smiles you can ever find, sang at the top of their voices about God’s great love from which nothing (including sin and death) can snatch them from.
Some shouted at the top of their voices with immeasurable joy, proclaiming “Maranatha” which means “Jesus is coming soon!” or “come soon Lord Jesus.” They were SURE their Saviour is coming and will NEVER leave them behind (dead or alive)
Today I say, our Saviour in whom we have redemption through His blood is coming and He will take us who have believed in Him for Salvation along. Having washed us by His blood.
This is the truth of the Rapture and being “rapturable.” Do not let any man enslave you again to doubt, fear, condemnation or whatever, using high sounding religious jargon.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power; and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
The Rapture is not something to be afraid of, it is something to eagerly expect. Our Daddy is coming.
Glory to God!
Our redeemer is coming dear friends!
Jesus is coming. Rejoice and be glad!
Halleluyah!
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