I recently saw a Christian movie about the Rapture. It was where a man who was unsaved, but was starting to think about who Jesus is and what it means to him. The Rapture occurs in the movie and all chaos occurs. I looked up in the Bible the verses that speak of the Rapture. Here they are:
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:28-29 (ESV)
The explanation for John 10:28-29 is from "The MacArthur Study Bible", John 10:28-29, page, 1562: "10:28-29 The security of Jesus' sheep rests with him as the good shepherd, who has the power to keep them safe. Neither thieves and robbers (w. 1, 8) nor the wolf (v. 12) can harm them. Verse 29 makes clear that the Father ultimately stands behind the sheep's security, for no one is able to steal from God, who is soverign control of all things (Col. 3:3) See notes on Romans 8:31-39. No stronger passage in the OT or NT exists for the absolute, eternal security of every true Christian."
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to spearate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)
"And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:39 (ESV)
Explanation for Acts 8:39 from "The MacArthur Study Bible" page 1606, "8:39 carried Philip away. Elijah (1Kings 18:12; 2Kings 2:16) and Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:12, 14; 8:3) were also snatched away in a miraculous fashion. This was a powerful confirmation to the caravan that Philip was God's representative."
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." John 14:1-3 (ESV)
"Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (ESV)
Explanation for 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 from "The MacArthur Study Bible" page 1711. "15:51 mystery. This term refers to truth hidden in the past and revealed in the NT. See notes on 2:7 and Eph. 3:4-5. In this case, the rapture of the church was never revealed in the OT. It was first mentioned in John 14:1-3, when it is specifically explained and is detailed in. 1 Thess. 4:13-18 (see notes there). Sleep. See not on 1 Cor 15:18."
"15:52 twinkling of an eye. This was Paul's way of showing how brief the "moment" will be. The Greek work for "twinkling" refers to any rapid movement. Since the eye can move more rapidly than any other part of our visible bodies, it seems to well illustrate the sudden transformation of raptured believers. trumpet will sound. To herald the end of the church era, when all believers will be removed from the earth at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:16) dead. . .raised. According to 1 Thess. 4:16, they are first and the living saints follow (1 Thess. 4:17)."
It is comforting to know that those who truly believe in Jesus Christ and are saved through Him, when the time comes, will be raptured up to heaven and will not have to endure the Tribulation.
Let's pray: Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for saving us. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You for Your provision and blessings. I pray for those who are unsaved that they would come to know You, Jesus as their Lord and savior. I pray for these Bible verses to touch the hearts and minds of those enveloped in darkness. I pray that You will show the truth those who wish to know. I say these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
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