What the Bible Says About the Rapture

First, it must be pointed out that the Bible says nothing about the rapture!  The word “rapture” is not found in all of God’s Word.  Neither is the idea of the rapture in the Bible.  False teachers, commonly called “Premillennialists” or “Dispensationalists,” have invented the doctrine of the rapture.  It is a doctrine of man, not of God.  “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”  “But He answered and said, ‘Every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted, will be uprooted’”  (Matthew 15:9; Matthew 15:13).

Second, concerning the second coming of our Lord, the Bible teaching is very plain and simple.  The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again.  Jesus Himself  promised He would return (John 14:1-3).  When Jesus ascended back to Heaven, the angels promised He would come again (Acts 1:9-11).  The apostle Peter promised that our Lord would return (2 Peter 3:10-11).  Many other passages could also be added which teach that Jesus is coming again.

Third, the Bible teaches that the coming of the Lord will be sudden and unexpected.  The Bible says: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. . . .  Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:42; Matthew 24:44).  Please read also  I Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Fourth, the Bible plainly teaches that no man knows the time when the Lord will return.  Jesus said:  “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36).  If no man knows the hour, it is not possible that anyone can predict the time or give any signs of the time (Mark 13:32).

Fifth, the Bible teaches that Christ is coming back to receive His kingdom (church).  Please note the words of the apostle Paul:  “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24).

Sixth, the Bible clearly teaches that when Christ comes again, this earth and everything in it will be destroyed:  “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up”  (2 Peter 3:10).

Seventh, the Bible teaches that when Christ comes again, the dead will be  raised and judgment will take place.  Jesus said: “Do not marvel  at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth-- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation”  (John 5:28-29).  Please read also Matthew 25:31-46.

Eighth, following the second coming of Christ, the judgment of the world, and the destruction of the earth, the saved ones will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  The Bible teaching on the second coming is simple, plain, and easily understood.  There is nothing in the Bible, however, about the rapture!  Our purpose on earth is not to try to guess the time when the Lord will come, but to be ready so that when He does come, we will be prepared.

Are you prepared to meet the Lord when He comes again? 

• Have you believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?   “Therefore I said to you that you will  die in your sins, for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in  your   sins”    (John 8:24).  Please read also Mark 16:16. 

• Have you repented of all your sins?  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).  “Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy  Spirit” (Acts 2:38). 

• Have you confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?  “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess  before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven”  (Matthew 10:32-33).  “Then Phillip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’  And  he  answered  and  said,  ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’” (Acts 8:37). 

• Have you been baptized (buried in water and raised up) into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).  “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).  Please read Acts 2:38 and Galatians 3:26-27 also.
   

Why not obey Jesus Christ today so that you will be prepared to meet Him when He comes, whenever that may be?  It is not important to know the time of His coming.  It is important to be prepared for His coming!

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