What Is the Rapture?
The gathering of believers to meet the Lord — what Scripture says.
The rapture refers to believers being caught up to meet the Lord at Christ's return, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17. Christians hold differing views on its timing, but agree on the core hope: Christ will return, and his people will be with him forever.
Caught up to meet the Lord
The word rapture comes from the Latin for 'caught up.' Paul describes the Lord descending with a shout, the dead in Christ rising, and living believers being caught up together to meet him — and so to be with the Lord forever.
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:
The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... 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.
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.
A hope to comfort
Paul's purpose in describing this was comfort, not speculation — 'comfort one another with these words.' Believers differ on the timing (before, during, or after a period of tribulation), but the certainty is that Christ will return and gather his people.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Quick answers
- Is the word 'rapture' in the Bible?
- The English word isn't, but the concept is — from the Latin translation of 'caught up' in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. It describes believers being gathered to meet the returning Lord.
- When will the rapture happen?
- Christians hold different views on the timing relative to the tribulation. Scripture is clear that it will happen but that no one knows the day or hour, so we are to watch and be ready.
- How should I respond to teaching about the rapture?
- Paul intended it as comfort and motivation to holiness, not fear or date-setting. Live ready, keep hope alive, and comfort one another with the promise of Christ's return.
