The rapture, or “catching away of believers,” is a secretive, split-second, and supernatural event where Jesus resurrects and glorifies all born-again believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
At the appointed time, Jesus will secretly descend from heaven to the clouds, bringing all Christians from heaven with Him who died previously. He will instantaneously resurrect their bodies from the grave and transform them into glorified ones equipped for eternity, reuniting their bodies and spirits.
Immediately afterward, Jesus will retrieve all believers living on the earth and usher them to the clouds while instantly transforming their natural bodies into glorified ones. Their new bodies will be spiritual, imperishable, and immortal—just like those resurrected a moment earlier—never to experience sin, sickness, pain, or death.
The entire rapture transpires in a moment and concludes when Jesus returns to heaven with both groups of glorified believers until His second coming. (At the second coming, Jesus returns with all believers from heaven to the earth, setting His foot on the Mount of Olives [Zechariah 14:1-5]).
The Bible does not give a date for the rapture. Consequently, Christians have differing views on its timing. The three primary views held are the Pretribulational Rapture, Midtribulational Rapture, and Posttribulational Rapture, all with biblical merit: The first viewpoint occurs before the Tribulation begins, the second one halfway through it, and the third at its conclusion. A fourth, less common view is the Pre-Wrath Rapture, similar to the Midtribulational Rapture view with slight variances.
It is easy to confuse the rapture with Jesus’ second coming, given the numerous Scriptures referring to Jesus coming back. Therefore, the following summary helps distinguish one supernatural event from the other:
The Rapture:
Jesus comes from heaven to the clouds, bringing all believers from heaven with Him.
Jesus’ appearance is only visible to believers.
Believers alive on the earth meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever.
Jesus immediately returns to heaven and does not render any judgment on the earth.
The Second Coming:
Jesus comes from heaven to the earth, bringing all believers from heaven with Him.
Jesus’ return will be visible to everyone on the earth.
Jesus judges the Antichrist and the false prophet and throws them into the Lake of Fire.
Jesus casts unbelievers into hell to await His final judgment at the end of all things.
Jesus remains on the earth for 1,000 years, ruling and reigning with all the glorified believers.
I hope this information has been helpful and gives you a better grasp of this exciting topic. For detailed Scripture references, click here for the rapture and here for the second coming.
