WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?
Unchanging Faith ❧ Part 20
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ❧ July 27, 2025
This morning we’re going to tackle what I’m calling “The Porcupine Prophecy.” Namely: What is the Rapture? The Rapture is one of those doctrines that has a lot of fine points, but no one wants to get very close! Let me say a couple of things up front. Christians across the board believe the rapture will take place; that’s what makes it an important doctrine. But where believers differ is not IF the rapture is going to take place but rather WHEN it is going to take place.
Over the past number of years biblical teaching of the rapture has come under increasing attack. A number of years ago after I spoke on this subject a man handed me a note informing me that if I was going to teach prophecy I should not use worldly terms like “rapture.” I’m not sure where he got the idea the word “rapture” is worldly unless he was thinking, as many do, since we don’t see the word “rapture” in the Bible it must therefore be worldly. The truth is you won’t find this word in our English Bible. But if you had a Latin Bible, you would. The word rapture comes from the Latin word raptio used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 where Paul says the believers will one day be “caught up” (ἁρπάζω) with Jesus. But the real debate about the rapture centers more around whether the Church will go through the coming Tribulation or not. Some can’t believe God is going to give the Church a “get-out-of-jail” free card. They say Christians have long endured tribulation in the world (John 16:33). What makes us think we’re any different? Many have gone so far as to say belief in the rapture is a false doctrine, a deception. Is it? Let’s find out.
This week we’re going to unpack one of the clearest teachings of the rapture in the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Before we get started, I want to briefly look at three clarifying questions about the rapture. The first question is: What is the Rapture? The Bible says the rapture will be a sudden event in which all who’ve placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ will be suddenly caught up from earth to be with Him. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says it will happen in the twinkling of an eye. In less than a milli second millions of believers around the world will instantly disappear. The rapture is a sudden event. Second: Why the Rapture? The rapture is a saving event. God has promised He will rescue believers from His coming wrath. Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come(1 Thessalonians 1:9). But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him (Rom. 5:9). Third: When is the Rapture? It is a sign-less event. From the earliest days of the Church believers have been… looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus(Titus 2:13). Paul writing to encourage believers in Corinth wrote they were awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ(1 Corinthians 1:7). It is sign less because no other prophecy needs to be fulfilled in order for the rapture to take place. According to the Bible, the rapture is a sudden, saving, and sign-less event.
Whether you are a believer in Jesus Christ or not, when you first read about this in the Bible it is nothing short of staggering to the imagination. The late Bible scholar Chuck Missler helps us wrap our minds around this overwhelming truth quoting Dr. Richard Feynman, professor at Cal Tech speaking of quantum physics: I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics (That is: The fundamental physical theory that describes the behavior of matter and of light). Dr. Feynman notes: In fact it is often stated, of all the theories proposed in this century; the silliest is quantum theory. Some say that the only thing quantum theory has going for it, in fact, is that it is unquestionably correct. Missler adds, By comparison, the only thing going for this Biblical idea of a Rapture is that it is unquestionably correct. The more we take our Bible seriously, and the more we study the Bible as a whole, the clearer it becomes that the Rapture of the Church worldwide is an essential ingredient in God’s plan (Missler, The Rapture).
(Before we begin, I want to point out that I’m gratefully indebted to prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock’s research that helped me consolidate several of the teaching ideas that follow and numerous others such as John Walvoord, Tim LaHaye, J Dwight Pentecost, Ed Hindson, and others. But I’m primarily grateful to the Lord Jesus Who has graciously shown us all these great and future truths in His Word).
There are three key passages in the NT that teach about the rapture: John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15; and 1 Thess. 4. We’re going to focus mostly on 1 Thess 4 and some in 1 Cor. 15. (Read 1 Thess. 4:13-18) I want to unpack this prophecy in what has been referred to as the five phases of the rapture. FIVE PHASES OF THE RAPTURE This morning we’re going to look at just the first phase. Trust me, by the time we’re finished, you’ll be thankful we only tackled one of them!
- Phase #1: The Lord will unexpectedly reappear in the sky. The Bible teaches that one day, when many of us won’t expect it, Jesus will suddenly return in the sky for His Church. Just as quickly, in a millisecond, millions of believers around the world will disappear. Massive worldwide pandemonium, fear, confusion, sorrow, loss, and panic will suddenly explode. People will be eating lunch with a friend or talking on the phone and suddenly their friend will vanish before their eyes. The phone will instantly become silent on the other end. Missing Person reports will overwhelm police stations. Every level of society will be impacted to some degree, teachers, medical doctors, nurses, police officers, fire fighters, businesspeople, military personnel. In the words of one author, “This will be the most publicized event in all human history. . .The rapture will result in global, political, social, and economic chaos.” It will be the greatest shock the world has ever experienced up to this point in history. Some have joked there will undoubtedly be large numbers of politicians and lawyers left behind. Here’s what Paul says, For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God(1 Thess. 4:16a,b).
Some believe the rapture and Jesus’ second coming are the same event. But a closer look reveals they are not the same. Let me give you a couple of differences: First: Jesus’ second coming is a separate event in which the Bible says Jesus’ feet will stand on the Mount of Olives(Zech. 14:4). He will come to judge and make war(Rev. 19:11). In the rapture, Jesus doesn’t come to wage war but to save His Church. Paul is careful to say Jesus does not touch the earth but only comes in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17). He is also careful to note the only warning we’re going to have, which is really no warning at all, is a loud command, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God. In other words, there is no warning, there are no signs preceding the rapture, it is imminent. Jesus’ second coming, however, is filled with numerous preceding signs (Matt. 24:4-29). Second: In the rapture Jesus comes FOR His saints, but in the 2nd Coming, He comes WITH His saints (1 Thess. 4:16-17; 3:13; Jude 14). Let’s look closer at 1Thess. 4:16….
First, there will be a loud command from Jesus. This is the same kind of command He gave to Lazarus to raise him from the dead (Jn. 11:43-44). It says there Jesus shouted, ‘Lazarus come out! Augustine said that if Jesus hadn’t called Lazarus’ name all the dead in Christ would have risen. The next time, though, He’ll call all of us. Jesus’ spoke of this shout in John 5:28 Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out…
Second, there will be the voice of the archangel – probably Michael (Jude 9). His call will either signal all the other angels to witness this great event, or it might be a cry of great victory and rejoicing. Either way, the voice of the archangel will sound. For the first time you’ll be able to see your guardian angel. But what’s more important is you’ll see Christ.
Third, Paul says there will be a trumpet call of God. Well known prophecy expert J. Dwight Pentecost wrote, The phrase ‘‘the trump of God’’ is significant, for in the Old Testament the trumpet was used for two things—to summon to battle and to summon to worship (J. Dwight Pentecost, Prophecy for Today, p. 30). Which of the two meanings is involved at the rapture? Dr. Pentecost suggests that both meanings are in mind, one directed toward angels and the other to believers.
It’s here where things get a little sticky. The Bible teaches that all believers will be raptured. The question is not if but when? Where it becomes confusing is there are four different views as to when the rapture will happen. Four views: 1) Pre-tribulation Rapture (Jesus returns for the Church before the Tribulation), 2) Partial Rapture (faithful Christians will be raptured and carnal ones will be left behind). The problem with this view is it is not taught anywhere in Scripture. Instead the Bible says all believers will be raptured …We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed(1 Corinthians 15:51 & 52). All means all. The only acid test to be raptured is that we are genuine believers. 3) Mid-tribulation Rapture (Jesus returns 3 ½ years into the tribulation (Rev. 11), and 4) Post-tribulation Rapture (Jesus returns at the very end of the Tribulation). This has been called the “yo-yo” view of the rapture because it says the Church will be caught up to be with Jesus and then immediately return. One of the chief problems with this view is that the Bible says the rapture is a sign-less event, but Jesus second coming will be chalked full of a lot of signs. There is a fifth view, as well, called the Pre-Wrath Rapture. This view places the rapture about five and a half years into the seven-year Tribulation (the seventh seal, Revelation 8:1) when God will pour out His wrath with such fierce intensity that the last portion of the Tribulation is called The Great Tribulation. The Pre-wrath view says all of the wrath leading up to the last portion of the Tribulation is the wrath of man and Satan, not God. But they miss that the point that the Tribulation begins with Jesus (Rev. 6:1) and the entire seven years filled with seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls are all divine judgements.
Four of these views (excluding the Pre-wrath view) refer to a trumpet being sounded. The problem is all four views can’t agree which trumpet call is meant. Which is right? They can’t all be right. So, which one is it? For me, the view that handles all of what the Bible says about Jesus appearing in the sky for the Church is the pre-trib view. Here’s why.
According to a key passage on the rapture, 1 Cor. 15:52, Paul says the trumpet that is blown will be what is described as the “last trumpet.” This description has caused a great deal of misunderstanding. If you’re a “mid-tribber,” you believe Jesus will return for the Church mid-way through the Tribulation, you see this as the same trumpet mentioned in Rev. 11:15-17 the last trumpetwhich is right smack in the middle of the Tribulation. So, you can count on Jesus return 3 ½ years into the Tribulation. Problem – Jesus says, …be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him (Lk. 12:40). Jesus never told us to keep watch for the Tribulation or the Anti-Christ, or the final judgement, but to keep watch for the Son of Man.
If you’re a “post-tribber,” you believe the rapture will happen at the end of the Tribulation. The trumpet Paul refers to is the one Jesus mentions in Matthew 24:31 And He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect… The problem is the same as the last – you’d know exactly when Jesus was going to return for His Church. As well, God tells us very specifically those who trust in Christ will be spared from the Tribulation. Paul writes in Romans 5, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him (Rom. 5:9). (1 Thess. 5:9 for God did not appoint us to suffer wrath. This is the Tribulation with a capital “T” seen in Matt. 24-25 and in Rev. 6-19. Here are four other reasons that I hope will help:
1. The Church is mentioned some 17 times in Rev. 1-3 but is totally absent in chapters 4-18. On the other hand, Israel is mentioned some 26 times in Rev. 4-18. The next time the Church is mentioned is when she returns with Christ to earth having already been in Heaven with Him (Rev. 19:7,14). Add to this, Revelation 19:11-21 is the key text on the second coming of Jesus, yet there is no mention about the rapture. Dr. John Walvoord writes: If details like the casting of the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire are mentioned and the specific resurrection of the saint is described, how much more the Rapture and the translation of the Church as a whole should have been included if, as a matter of fact, it is part of this great event. Revelation 19-20 constitutes the major problem for a posttribulational. They have no scriptural proof for the posttribulational Rapture in the very passages that ough to include it(Walvoord, The Rapture Question, p. 268).
2. Why does God tell us to constantly be on watch for Christ’s return if we already know when He is going to return? (See: Matt. 24:50 the Master will return unannounced and unexpected; Lk. 21:35). In other words, if the rapture took place in the middle the Tribulation we would know when – 3 ½ years into the Tribulation. We would look for the Anti-Christ and his signing a peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27). We would look for the rebuilding of the Temple – then the Lord could appear. Instead, God says: Be ready at any moment for My Son’s return for His Church.
3. If the Church is raptured at the end of the Tribulation, there will be no one left to repopulate the earth during the millennium. All unbelievers at the end of the millennium will be cast into the lake of fire and believers that are left will be ushered into the millennium. If all believers are raptured into heaven, who will be left to on earth?
4. Paul says the teaching of the rapture was meant comfort believers. Paul says what he shares came directly from the Lord (1Thess. 4:15). What comfort would it be if you knew you’d have to endure the Tribulation before Jesus came to rescue you?
So, phase one: The Lord will unexpectedly reappear in the sky. The only warning we’re going to have is Jesus loud command calling us to Him, the voice of the archangel calling the angels to witness this great event and/or to battle, and a trumpet. This should motivate us to live a life that honors God, that tells others about Him, that is invested in doing God’s will.