The Rapture

The Rapture
by R. L. Morrison
Many religious people today are anxiously awaiting the rapture. There are many various doctrines concerning the event and what will happen at that time as well as who will be involved in it. These doctrines vary so greatly, it is impossible for them to be reconciled. Many teach that Christians will just disappear and others will be affected in other ways at that time. Some say that three and a half years later (some say seven years) Christ will return to earth and set up his kingdom after a great battle has been fought, the forces of evil defeated, and then he will begin a thousand years reign.
Some today might be surprised to learn that the word "rapture" is not found in the scriptures. The word means "a catching up"; or "to be caught up". This idea is found in the scripture. "For the Lord imself 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." (1 Thess.4:16-17). This is what Paul wrote about a "catching up". Let's examine it more closely.
First, he says, The Lord (Jesus Christ) will descend from heaven, not quietly, but with much noise; a shout, the voice of the arch angel and with the trump of God. Undoubtedly, all mankind will be made aware of his coming. Then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Some say this is the first of two or three resurrections; but consider: the dead in Christ shall rise first--before what? Paul answers: before the righteous living shall be caught up! Then after this resurrection, the righteous, those who raised and those who were living will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air and so shall they ever be with the Lord.
An examination of some additional scriptures will help one to understand this. Regarding the resurrection, Jesus said: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29). Please notice, Jesus said ALL would come forth from the grave when they hear his voice. He said there would be but ONE resurrection, and time for it is set... "the hour cometh." All will be raised. Every grave that has ever billowed the face of the earth will be emptied at the sound of his voice.
Paul gives some additional information about this resurrection. Speaking of the body, he says: "It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body" (1 Cor. 15:44). This refers to the fleshly body which dies and is buried, but which will be raised a spiritual body. He then adds: "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.15:52).
The brethren in Thessalonica had been taught error, that the righteous dead would lose their reward. Paul denied this, and assures them that the righteous dead would be raised in an incorruptible body. The righteous living would also be changed; that is, exchange the physical body for an incorruptible, spiritual body. Then both groups would or will be caught up. He makes no reference to the wicked in writing to these brethren. But Jesus said ALL, both righteous and unrighteous will be raised at the same time. One group, the righteous, to immortality; the other, the unrighteous, to eternal damnation. The majority of people living today reject this, but it is what the Lord said about people and the day of resurrection.
When these things occur, when that day comes, time will be no more. Peter, speaking of this same day, calling it the day of the Lord, wrote," The heavens shall pass away, the elements shall melt, the earth and its works shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10). Some say this just means the earth will be cleansed and made man's new dwelling place, but it is difficult for a person who so believes to explain how "burned up" means just cleansing.
Now, in this life, all men have opportunity to make preparation for the hour of the Lord's return,the exchanging of bodies, and the final destination. When life has passed, so will all opportunity to make that preparation. Are you prepared for that day? Will you be prepared? You will be there!