Article by: Kenneth J. Ester
Is the Rapture Biblical?
There are a lot of Christians who have heard of the rapture, but do not know if it is actually biblical. It is a hard subject for Christians to look up in the Bible because the word “Rapture” is actually not in the Bible. Yet even though the name we have given it is not in the Word of God, it does not mean the event itself is not.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (NASB)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Paul also has this to say…
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (NASB)
50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
From just these two scriptures we know this is what happens when we are raptured. Jesus will descend from heaven with a great shout, every dead Christian will be following behind Him. First the bodies of the dead will rise as imperishable bodies. Then as their souls are reunited with their now imperishable bodies, those who are still alive will be changed from perishable to imperishable. This way we will all receive our imperishable bodies at the same exact time. Then all of us will be caught up together to be with Jesus in the clouds.
So from these two scriptures alone, we know the rapture is absolutely scriptural. We know that scripture is absolutely the true Word of God, so we know the rapture will happen. There is no doubt about that. The biggest debate is not whether it is real, but when it happens.
There are several different theories on when it happens that are believed by many. Most argue that the rapture will happen after the 7 years of tribulation, at the same time as when Jesus returns in the second coming. This is a false doctrine that comes from people not looking close enough at scripture. They see some similarities in verses and assume they must be the same events. They also read 1 Corinthians 15:52 where it says that it happens at the last trumpet and assume it is the 7th Trumpet. Which is understandable since the 7th Trumpet foresees the Reign of Christ. The problem is when it comes to scripture, we should never just assume anything, and this entire belief is built on assumptions. Assumptions that ended up wrong!
First off, just because two events have some similarities, it does not mean they must be the same event. They could be two different events with similarities. However, if two events should have even one real contradiction, it means they cannot be the same event without accepting that the Word of God has a contradiction. That is not acceptable. Since there are multiple contradictions between the Rapture and the Second Coming, we can be certain they are two separate events.
As you read in the previously mentioned scriptures, the following happens in the rapture.
On the other hand, take a look at this scripture on the Second Coming.
Mark 13:24-27 (NASB)
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
Now we know for certain that this verse is the Second Coming because it clearly says that it happens after the tribulation.
When you read this scripture on the Second Coming, you find these stark differences…
Another stark difference in the two events you learn when studying them, by reading the context around the verses is that in the rapture, Jesus is never once mentioned to step foot on earth. In Second Coming scriptures, Jesus is descending to come to earth and fight in Armageddon.
The second problem with their assumptions, is that it is wrong to assume the last trumpet when the rapture happens is the 7th trumpet. There is nothing in scripture that says the last trumpet is even one of the 7 Trumpets. In fact it is not. The last Trumpet is referring to this type of trumpet…
1 Corinthians 14:8 (KJV)
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Throughout history, it has always been the sounding of a trumpet, bugle or other horn that calls for an army to assemble or prepare itself for battle. What happens when we are raptured? We are assembled together to be one great army. In fact, scripture even refers to us as the army that follows Jesus back in the Second Coming. In Revelation 19 we are the bride that is married to the Lamb. It describes us as being clothed in white linen, clean and bright to represent our righteous deeds. Then a few verses later it describes the army that follows Jesus back as the army which is in heaven and clothed in white linen bright and clean.
You see? The last trumpet is not one of the 7 Trumpets of Revelation. It is the last time a trumpet is sounded to gather an army together for God. It is literally the last trumpet!
In case you didn’t notice it. If we are the army which follows Jesus back from heaven, how can we possibly be raptured on His way down? That fact alone makes the post-tribulation rapture impossible to be true.
Another problem with the Post-Tribulation view is the Tribulation Saints coming back to life after Armageddon is over. If you read chapters 19, 20 & 21 of Revelation, you will notice that it runs through a whole bunch of different events and all of them are in chronological order. After Armageddon, the antichrist and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. The devil is bound and cast into the abyss. Then “they” (the Bride) are given thrones and they sit in them. What happens next? Those who are killed for keeping their faith and not worshiping the antichrist and didn’t take his mark come back to life and join the rest of us.
Now if we are all raptured on His descent from heaven, then why weren’t these raptured as well? Why are they just now coming to life? The fact that those who are persecuted by the antichrist and killed, come back to life after Armageddon is over, which is well after Jesus descends in the Second Coming, means the rapture must happen well in advance of the Second Coming. After the rapture happens, there will need to be enough of a time lapse for people to turn to Christ and for Christianity to once again grow to a number that is significant enough for the antichrist to persecute them. Since Jesus says that this persecution will be worse than any the world has ever seen, it means it will be worse than the Jewish Holocaust. That will take a whole lot of Christians.
There is a smaller rapture theory that seems to be picking up steam, called the “Pre-Wrath” Rapture. This belief is based on several scriptures that claim that Jesus will save us from God’s Wrath.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (NASB)
9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
Romans 5:9 (NASB)
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Revelation 3:10 (NASB)
10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Technically, this belief would be correct if not for one major flaw. They believe the Wrath of God is the 7 Bowls of God’s Wrath in Revelation. Once again, it is a belief that is born of making a quick assumption and not really digging into it. If you ask someone to go to the Seven Trumpets in Revelation, they will take you to chapter 16. However, the seven angels who receive the Bowls of God’s Wrath are introduced in chapter 15.
Revelation 15:1 (NASB)
15 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.
As you see, it is in these angels the Wrath of God is finished. Not started. So since the rapture must be before the wrath of God in order to spare us God’s Wrath, we must find where God’s Wrath begins. We find that in the 6th Seal.
Revelation 6:12-17 (NASB)
12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
“For the great day of their wrath has come!” In the 6th Seal. And this is the key to the truth of when the rapture will happen!
Nearly every eschatologist today will teach that the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets and the Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath will all happen inside the Seven years of Tribulation. They are all wrong!
If you will read my article on the Seven Seals, you will find that the Seals must happen before the Tribulation starts. So if they happen before the tribulation begins, and the rapture happens in the 6th Seal, then there is no longer any doubt that the Rapture must happen before the Tribulation begins!
There are a lot of false doctrines being taught, but God’s word is actually quite clear when you study it from an unbiased perspective. The Rapture is absolutely Biblical and yes, it is absolutely Pre-Tribulation!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (NASB)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Paul also has this to say…
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (NASB)
50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
From just these two scriptures we know this is what happens when we are raptured. Jesus will descend from heaven with a great shout, every dead Christian will be following behind Him. First the bodies of the dead will rise as imperishable bodies. Then as their souls are reunited with their now imperishable bodies, those who are still alive will be changed from perishable to imperishable. This way we will all receive our imperishable bodies at the same exact time. Then all of us will be caught up together to be with Jesus in the clouds.
So from these two scriptures alone, we know the rapture is absolutely scriptural. We know that scripture is absolutely the true Word of God, so we know the rapture will happen. There is no doubt about that. The biggest debate is not whether it is real, but when it happens.
There are several different theories on when it happens that are believed by many. Most argue that the rapture will happen after the 7 years of tribulation, at the same time as when Jesus returns in the second coming. This is a false doctrine that comes from people not looking close enough at scripture. They see some similarities in verses and assume they must be the same events. They also read 1 Corinthians 15:52 where it says that it happens at the last trumpet and assume it is the 7th Trumpet. Which is understandable since the 7th Trumpet foresees the Reign of Christ. The problem is when it comes to scripture, we should never just assume anything, and this entire belief is built on assumptions. Assumptions that ended up wrong!
First off, just because two events have some similarities, it does not mean they must be the same event. They could be two different events with similarities. However, if two events should have even one real contradiction, it means they cannot be the same event without accepting that the Word of God has a contradiction. That is not acceptable. Since there are multiple contradictions between the Rapture and the Second Coming, we can be certain they are two separate events.
As you read in the previously mentioned scriptures, the following happens in the rapture.
- It is Jesus Himself who calls us up to Him in the clouds.
- It happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.
- It has everyone being changed to imperishable bodies.
- Nobody is mentioned to see Jesus descending.
On the other hand, take a look at this scripture on the Second Coming.
Mark 13:24-27 (NASB)
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
Now we know for certain that this verse is the Second Coming because it clearly says that it happens after the tribulation.
When you read this scripture on the Second Coming, you find these stark differences…
- Jesus doesn’t call us up to Him, but instead He sends forth His angels to gather us.
- It doesn’t happen in the twinkling of an eye, but there are great signs that will accompany it. The Sun and moon darkening, the lightning.
- No mention of anyone being changed.
- Every eye sees Him coming!
Another stark difference in the two events you learn when studying them, by reading the context around the verses is that in the rapture, Jesus is never once mentioned to step foot on earth. In Second Coming scriptures, Jesus is descending to come to earth and fight in Armageddon.
The second problem with their assumptions, is that it is wrong to assume the last trumpet when the rapture happens is the 7th trumpet. There is nothing in scripture that says the last trumpet is even one of the 7 Trumpets. In fact it is not. The last Trumpet is referring to this type of trumpet…
1 Corinthians 14:8 (KJV)
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Throughout history, it has always been the sounding of a trumpet, bugle or other horn that calls for an army to assemble or prepare itself for battle. What happens when we are raptured? We are assembled together to be one great army. In fact, scripture even refers to us as the army that follows Jesus back in the Second Coming. In Revelation 19 we are the bride that is married to the Lamb. It describes us as being clothed in white linen, clean and bright to represent our righteous deeds. Then a few verses later it describes the army that follows Jesus back as the army which is in heaven and clothed in white linen bright and clean.
You see? The last trumpet is not one of the 7 Trumpets of Revelation. It is the last time a trumpet is sounded to gather an army together for God. It is literally the last trumpet!
In case you didn’t notice it. If we are the army which follows Jesus back from heaven, how can we possibly be raptured on His way down? That fact alone makes the post-tribulation rapture impossible to be true.
Another problem with the Post-Tribulation view is the Tribulation Saints coming back to life after Armageddon is over. If you read chapters 19, 20 & 21 of Revelation, you will notice that it runs through a whole bunch of different events and all of them are in chronological order. After Armageddon, the antichrist and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. The devil is bound and cast into the abyss. Then “they” (the Bride) are given thrones and they sit in them. What happens next? Those who are killed for keeping their faith and not worshiping the antichrist and didn’t take his mark come back to life and join the rest of us.
Now if we are all raptured on His descent from heaven, then why weren’t these raptured as well? Why are they just now coming to life? The fact that those who are persecuted by the antichrist and killed, come back to life after Armageddon is over, which is well after Jesus descends in the Second Coming, means the rapture must happen well in advance of the Second Coming. After the rapture happens, there will need to be enough of a time lapse for people to turn to Christ and for Christianity to once again grow to a number that is significant enough for the antichrist to persecute them. Since Jesus says that this persecution will be worse than any the world has ever seen, it means it will be worse than the Jewish Holocaust. That will take a whole lot of Christians.
There is a smaller rapture theory that seems to be picking up steam, called the “Pre-Wrath” Rapture. This belief is based on several scriptures that claim that Jesus will save us from God’s Wrath.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (NASB)
9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
Romans 5:9 (NASB)
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Revelation 3:10 (NASB)
10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Technically, this belief would be correct if not for one major flaw. They believe the Wrath of God is the 7 Bowls of God’s Wrath in Revelation. Once again, it is a belief that is born of making a quick assumption and not really digging into it. If you ask someone to go to the Seven Trumpets in Revelation, they will take you to chapter 16. However, the seven angels who receive the Bowls of God’s Wrath are introduced in chapter 15.
Revelation 15:1 (NASB)
15 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.
As you see, it is in these angels the Wrath of God is finished. Not started. So since the rapture must be before the wrath of God in order to spare us God’s Wrath, we must find where God’s Wrath begins. We find that in the 6th Seal.
Revelation 6:12-17 (NASB)
12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
“For the great day of their wrath has come!” In the 6th Seal. And this is the key to the truth of when the rapture will happen!
Nearly every eschatologist today will teach that the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets and the Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath will all happen inside the Seven years of Tribulation. They are all wrong!
If you will read my article on the Seven Seals, you will find that the Seals must happen before the Tribulation starts. So if they happen before the tribulation begins, and the rapture happens in the 6th Seal, then there is no longer any doubt that the Rapture must happen before the Tribulation begins!
There are a lot of false doctrines being taught, but God’s word is actually quite clear when you study it from an unbiased perspective. The Rapture is absolutely Biblical and yes, it is absolutely Pre-Tribulation!
