Surely the God of the Bible has what we might call His calendar of events for the future. He has outlined for us in the Bible many things which have not yet come to pass. So we reverently ask, What is the next great event that will affect all mankind in varied ways? Students of Scripture have called this event the Rapture of church saints. Christ will descend from heaven and all–dead and living–who have accepted His payment for their sins since the church was born on the Day of Pentecost will be caught up to meet Christ in the air.
The two major passages of Scripture dealing with the Rapture of the church are John 14:1-6 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
In the John 14:1-6 passage Christ told His disciples He would leave them and go to prepare a place for them and return later to take them to be with Him forever. That promise must have been very good news, especially when they were so shocked to learn that He would leave them. It is important to note that in this passage He comes from heaven for them and takes them with Him to heaven.
In the 1 Thessalonian passage 4:13-18 the people addressed were concerned about their believing friends and family members who had died. Had they missed the rapture? No, they too would be resurrected and caught up to meet the Lord along with the living saints. When? you ask. It could be at any moment. Be ready!
The two major passages of Scripture dealing with the Rapture of the church are John 14:1-6 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
In the John 14:1-6 passage Christ told His disciples He would leave them and go to prepare a place for them and return later to take them to be with Him forever. That promise must have been very good news, especially when they were so shocked to learn that He would leave them. It is important to note that in this passage He comes from heaven for them and takes them with Him to heaven.
In the 1 Thessalonian passage 4:13-18 the people addressed were concerned about their believing friends and family members who had died. Had they missed the rapture? No, they too would be resurrected and caught up to meet the Lord along with the living saints. When? you ask. It could be at any moment. Be ready!
