The Rapture

23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.Col. 1:23-28

The Apostle Paul received revelation concerning knowledge in the mystery of Christ that was not previously revealed to the Prophets of old (see Heb. 1:1-2 & Eph. 3:1-11). The mystery was kept hidden in God until the church age dispensation began which includes the body of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

THE MYSTERY was specifically for the church of which St. Paul was made a minister. THE MYSTERY is called "the present truth" by St. Peter and is also spoken of by St. John as the "mystery of God" in  the book of Revelation. (2 Pet. 1:12; Rev. 10:7).

KNOWLEDGE IN THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST: WHAT IT INCLUDES

• The Ekklesia, is a distinct Greek word for the assembly or church. The Christian believers of the church itself is included as the mystery of Christ.

• The Gospel to the Gentiles The mystery is "that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel."  Eph. 3:6

• The Body of Christ We are members of his body. The mystery is that the church is the body of Christ.

• In Christ The mystery is "Christ in you the hope of glory." The truth that we the church are "in Christ." 

• Heirs of God St. Paul said that we (the church) are Sons of God and are made partakers of his divine nature, joint heirs with Christ, and seated with him in heavenly places. St. Peter said of the church that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthod,  a holy nation, and a peculiar people.

• The Holy Spirit Indwells Us (as sent by Christ) indwells believers of the Ekklesia of the New Testament church in Christ ... we are temples of the Holy Spirit ... a special dispensation which began at Pentacost, when many were added to the church.

• The Rapture of the Church. refers to the greek word Harpazo, meaning to be "caught up." In the Latin Vulgate it is Rapiemur which translates to the english as "we will be raptured." 
St. Paul also uses the greek word Parousia, which means "a personal appearing"... which refers to Christ's personal appearing to receive his Church. The phrase "we shall not all sleep" refers to those who are alive unto Christ's appearing. While the "dead in Christ" shall be raised (and changed). we also which are alive and remain shall be "caught up" together with them. 

Behold, I show 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.
1 Cor. 15:51-52

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.
1 Thes. 4:17

• The Bride of Christ This mystery includes the church becoming the bride of Christ when Jesus presents it to himself.

• The Blindness of Israel Until the Fulness of the Gentiles Come In That Israel was to be blinded during the church age "until the fullness of the Gentiles come in". Jerusalem was broken off due to unbelief. This allowed for the mystery to be revealed in the church. The gospel to the Gentiles will make Israel jealous for the gospel. After the mystery of God is finished, Christ will lift the blindness from Israel, restore them, and Jerusalem and all Israel will be saved as they will say, "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD." (Psalm 118:26: Rom. 11:25-32, Matt. 23:39).

THE RAPTURE DESCRIBED

"Rapture" is a term describing the catching away of the church ... the Saints in Light, who are alive at the appearing of Jesus Christ and are to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

The Rapture does not pertain to the nation of Israel, it is for the church. The Rapture is not the same as the resurrection of the dead but specifically of those who are alive and remain. It does not correspond to the parable of the separation of the wheat and tares. It is also not to be confused with the second coming of Christ also called the day of the Lord, neither of which make up the rapture. 

The truth about the rapture is found only in the New Testament and specifically in the epistles written to the churches by the Apostles of Jesus Christ as we have shown by understanding that it was hidden and kept in a mystery ... for the church ... and revealed to the church ... since it has to do with only the church, the Ekklesia, those who are "in Christ" by way of the New Covenant in his blood.

The Rapture was taught by St. Paul to the church at Thessalonica when Paul visited there and was with them in person. Afterward, in Paul's epistle I Thessalonians, written to them, Paul clarifies their concern for those who have died in Christ:

The church at Thessalonica understands Paul's teaching concerning "we which are alive and remain" but are puzzled as to their brethren who have already fallen asleep (died). They are asking ... what about those in the church who have already died? Perhaps they have died due to natural cause or from martyrdom. What will happen to them unto the appearing of Christ for his church? 

St. Paul's Answer:

But I would not have you to be ignorant, Brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
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.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Thes. 4:13-18

THE RAPTURE IS THE APPEARING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR THE CHURCH

This appearing of Christ Jesus is specifically for those who "believe that Jesus died and rose again" as the Apostle stated.

At the rapture, Christ does not come all the way back to earth, he returns and appears in the air to gather his church ... the body of Christ (those who believe in the gospel). There, the church will meet Christ and will ever be with the Lord "in glory"  (not in Jerusalem or on the Mount of Olives, or any other place on earth).

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.Col. 3:4

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.II Thes. 1:10

St. Paul also reveals that there is a reward for those who love his appearing.

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.
II Tim. 4:2

In I Thessalonians, Chapter 4 and II Thessalonians, Chapter 1, St. Paul reiterates the mystery of the rapture and clarifies with further detail concerning the dead in Christ.

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

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.
Matt. 13:45, 46

In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus expounds on what is called "The Mysteries of the Kingdom". We are told in verses 34-35 that here in this chapter, Jesus spoke purposely in parables to introduce new truths that until that time were not made known. Jesus would begin to describe the make-up of God's kingdom and who would be in it and who would not. 

All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spoke he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Matt. 13:34-35

The Gospel of the Lord prophetically speaks here in parables under the gospel but these pertain to literal things to come to pass from then unto the end of the age. These parables are prophetical. In this chapter Jesus speaks of the sower of the good seed and the bad seed from an enemy. He also speaks of a treasure hidden in a field (the nation of Israel), one pearl of great price (the church), and a dragnet that is cast into the sea to gather up "every kind" at the end of the age.

The old covenant given to Israel involves a land based covenant (a promised land) and is earth bound in its scope, we see that the treasure is hidden in a field ... and the field itself is the world (the nation of Israel is the treasure hidden in the field of this world). Also, earthen treasures are the gem stones of the earth. Each tribe of Israel was designated by an earth gem stone ... one of the precious stones that are mined from the field of the ground. The twelve tribes of Israel are represented by the twelve earth stones of: carnelian, chrysolite, emerald, turquoise, sapphire, amethyst, jacinth, agate, crystal, beryl, lapis lazuli, and jasper. These stones were worn on the breastplate of the preist ... "the Breastplate of Aaron". Meanwhile, Jesus would be the stone which the builders rejected. 

Never was, or is, the pearl, a representation of Israel or any of the Jewish twelve tribes. 

Unlike a treasure hid in a field, the pearl is the only gem that comes from the sea. The "seas" in prophecy always represent the whole of humaniy of every nation, kindred, and tongue, such as those standing on a sea of glass in the book of Revelation. The "seas" represents the Gentile nations.

Out of this "sea" comes the pearl. The gospel in the New Testament was given to "other nations bringing forth fruit" as Israel was broken off due to unbelief and as a result their house was left unto them desolate. Afterward, the gospel was to go to every creature and to make disciples of all nations. The church is the pearl of great price in this gospel age. Because the church has no investment in things of this world, much less an earthly territorial land. St. Paul said of the church "we are foreigners and strangers passing through and that our citizenship is in heaven". Likewise, Jesus exclaimed to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, "my kingdom is not of this world." Consider what St. Paul says to the church in his epistle to the Colossians:

2 Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.
Col. 3:2-4

The pearl comes from the sea but not from the floor of the sea, it is only hidden there, in the mirky darkness. We are in the world but not of it. We in the church are of those who have been translated out of darkness and into his marvelous light.The pearl is within the oyster itself and not the sea bed itself. It starts out a small pearl and layer after layer becomes a pearl of value as it grows into a volumous pearl. The oyster develops the pearl by an irritating grain of sand upon the muscle of the oyster. Secretion causes layers to build up around the grain of sand into a pearl. As Christians, God perfects us through our sufferings and persecutions in this world and these light afflictions are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory as our beloved Apostle Paul tells us (2 Corinthians 4:17). Unlike the treasure hidden in the field, which is a treasure of fixed amount, the pearl can continue to grow into one pearl of great price. This is the gospel to every creature, to "whosoever will' to "whosoever believes on him". The church is to grow layer by layer to fullness when "the fullness of the Gentiles come in". It is "one pearl of great price" because the church is one body ... the body of Christ.

How does the pearl come out of darkness? It must be translated from the depth and be "caught up" from the sea by "the fisherman" and collected up into the air ... and eventually received into the hand of the merchant man. Likewise, it is true that spiritually we are born again and translated out of darkness and into Christ's kingdom by faith in Christ ... our salvation being due to the work of the fisherman, our Lord, Jesus Christ, yet his kingdom is "not of this world". Also physically, our bodies will be changed and translated as the pearl of great price, as the church, where it is caught up to be delivered by its departure to the merchant man, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the air. This is the rapture. Jesus is the merchant man who sold every thing he had to buy that one pearl. We, the church, are redeemed, we have been bought with a price. But, Jesus patiently waits for the church to grow to it's collective fulness to become one pearl of great price ... then he will come for his pearl.

THE RAPTURE IS A LITERAL RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST FOR HIS CHURCH: THOSE WHO LOOK FOR IT ... PURIFY THEMSELVES

St. Paul said "The Lord himself shall descend with a shout" The return of Jesus Christ for his church will be a literal appearing. It will not be a phantom, an illusion, a hologram, or a mere appearance only. It is not a metaphor, a parable, a moral lesson, or a spiritual principal. It is not a dominion theology, a Messianic Age, a city of God, or a vague supposed story of victory of the church over the world of sin and Satan.

The Apostles of the Gospel of the Lord believed and proclaimed an actual and literal return of Christ for the church. The early church Christians believed this also, as did the Ante-Nicene Fathers such as St. Polycarp, St. Clement, St. Ignatius, St. Justin, St. Irenaeus, St. Hippolytus, St.Tertullian, etc.

Our beloved St. John the Apostle made a firm confession that Christ had come in the flesh at his first advent into the world as Saviour. Likewise, corresponding with St. Paul ... St. John said that it would be this same Jesus Christ that would appear for the church who would see him "as he is."

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 
3 And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
I John 3:2-3

Our hope is to be "in him", Jesus Christ "himself". This provides incentive to walk in the light, even as he is in the light, and in the fellowship of Christ daily ... when we daily are looking for his appearing. Knowing and believing that Christ could return at any time and hopefuly looking for his return builds us up upon our holy faith. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, purifies us.

THE RAPTURE IS "THAT BLESSED HOPE" OF THE CHURCH

What do we look forward to once we have received the gospel? What is the hope of the gospel? It is the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ for his church.

If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.
Col. 1:28

The rapture is called "that blessed hope" of the church. It's what the church is to await for with earnest expectation. It is a blessed hope because it means so many wonderful things for the church. It means the redemption of our corruptible bodies to immortality. 

It means that what we have ln our temporal weakness will be changed into everlasting power. It means that the church will see the final fulfillment of our redemption in Christ in which we will then be glorified.. "them he justified he also did glorify." It also means being with Christ, "so shall we ever be with the Lord." Looking unto the the appearing of Jesus Christ is a blessed hope.

Looking for that blessed hope , and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:13

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom. 8:30

THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT: The Imminent Return of Jesus Christ 

Be you also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh.
James 5:8

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Phil. 4:5

Have you ever wondered how the early church could be looking for the appearing of Christ as does the church today? It is because the rapture has always been and is to be an imminent event.

The Rapture can happen at any time ... "The Lord is at hand." This was true for the early church and is just as true today. There are no exceptions and no prerequisites. In the meantime, God is working his will in the church to the proclamation of the gospel in this age to every creature "until the fulness of the Gentiles be fullfilled," which only God knows when that will be. No signs, prophesies, or preliminary events are required to come to pass first. The rapture is imminent.

THE DAY OF THE LORD

After receiving teaching about the rapture of the church, the church became confused when later ... some post-tribulation false teachers gave the church a false teaching. The false teachers were ignorant concerning the mystery of the rapture and misconstrued the day of the Lord as coming upon the church ... as if the day of the Lord was at hand, to take place.

To refute this error and clarify a correct understanding concerning the day of the Lord ... which the Thessalonians were put into confusion, St. Paul teaches about the day of the Lord in his second epistle to this church in II Thesselonians, starting in chapter two. Here, Paul at first calls their attetion to the rapture ... "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him," ... as this was the discussion that he had with them in his first letter, I Thessalonians. But then, he points to their confusion ... "do not be shaken in mind"  as if by way of deception; and distinguishes that unlike the rapture ... the day of the Lord is not an imminent event but is to be preceded by a series of prophetic fulfillments including the appointed arrival of the Antichrist. Paul reminded the brethren that he had previously told them of these things concerning the day of the Lord when he was among them in person. Did they forget?

We have already said that the rapture is not the same as the second coming of Christ or day of the Lord. Let us now briefly discuss this distinction. 

First, lets compare synonymous terms: The second coming of Christ is also called the second advent of Christ, or simply ... "the second advent." And likewise, this event is also often referred to as the "day of the Lord" by the apostles. These statements are all the same event.

At the second coming of Christ (day of the Lord), Christ does not merely "appear" in the clouds but rather actually comes to the earth. Not for the church, but for the nations of the world:

Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 
And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Zech. 14:3-5

At this second advent, our Lord will accomplish many things unrelated to the church but very much having to do with the nations of the earth at the end of the age and disposing of the kingdoms of this present evil world (Daniel 2:34-35). Jesus Christ will establish his kingdom here on earth and reestablish "the throne of David" and will rule the nations and reign as king for a thousand years (also called the millennial reign of Christ). Beyond the forementioned millennium ... which will serve a specific purpose, the kingdom of our Lord will be an everlasting kingdom that will be forever. For, after the one thousand year reign of Christ to bring all in subjection, he will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father.  A new heaven and a new earth will be manifested by Christ who will make all things new as his kingdom will have no end.

The day of the Lord is the most glorious and phenomenal worldwide event to ever happen in the history of the world; when the Lord as King of Kings and Lord of Lords shall be revealed to the world ... every eye will see him, every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The day of the Lord is not part of the mystery of the church that was kept hidden in God. On the contrary, the day of the Lord is the same as the glorious coming of the Messiah to the earth to bring judgement, to save the nation of Israel, and save the people on earth of every nation, kindred, and tongue, that call on him for salvation ... as foretold throughout the prophets in the Old Testament, the psalms of David, the gospels, the epistles, and the book of Revelation. There is nothing mysterious about the day of the Lord ... it is well documented in the Prophets and has been proclaimed from the beginning of time. Behold, even the rocks shall cry out if it be necessary.

To hear more about this glorius day, please go to our article, The Day of the Lord

Why the rapture of the church cannot be at the day of the Lord, Pretribulation Rapture

The New Testament Apostles revealed the rapture of the church to the church, while also proclaiming the day of the Lord as foretold by the law and Prophets. The rapture is to be for the church who are called the "children of the day" because the gospel age is when we must work while it is day as Ambassador's of the gospel. "The night time cometh" (the tribulation) which will befall the "children of the night". Afterward, will then come "The day of the Lord" as a day dawn to usher in a new day, the 1,000 year reign of Christ, called the millennial sabbath ... the Day of the Lord. 

The law and Prophets knew nothing of a rapture, nor of the new testament church. This mystery was hidden from them. They do not teach any group, Jews or otherwise, that is to be living and caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They teach only a resurrection of the dead and a coming of the Messiah to the earth to execute judgement on the world where the righteous (the wheat) will be saved and the wicked (the chaff) will be destroyed and taken away at the day of the Lord (as David also taught). 

THANK YOU for taking time to read about the blessed hope of the church when the saints are to be translated and ever be with the Lord. If you believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, that he died and that God raised him from the dead ... then you are blessed.

We here at Endtime Insights are confident that with continued diligent study, you will understand what God's word has to say about prophetic events. Review and re-read this page. As you do, you will glean more and more insight and will get a better gist of what the word of God has to say about the rapture of the church.

For questions about this webpage or other Bible prophecy topics ... please contact us.

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