End of Time
The word “Rapture” is no where to be found in the bible but is translated from the Latin word Rapere, which means grab, snatch or carry away. In present time English, the word Rapture means a feeling of intense pleasure or joy. For the purposes of this question, we will explore the Biblical meaning as believers, what we can expect during this event.
During the end times, which refers to the coming back of Jesus, where he will judge the world for their sins, there is a timeline of events that will take place. One of these being what we call today, the Rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 it reads: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
The time when Jesus descends from Heaven on clouds for all the world to see, will be during the end times of the Earth and will start the timeline for judgment. The believers who are still living during this time will be raised into Heaven leaving behind our earthly bodies. This is what we refer to as the Rapture.
When Will the Rapture Happen?
No one knows the day or the hour. No angel in Heaven or even the Son knows when it will happen, only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36). Since we do not know the time, we must ensure that we are ready at all times for his return. This means making sure your salvation in Jesus is secure. It’s not enough just to believe in God’s son, but we must make sure we are living a life without sin.