QUESTION 33:
What does this rapture business mean? Where is that in the Bible?
ANSWER:
The word "rapture" is not in our English Bible, but the doctrine is there. It is a time in the immediate future when the Lord will come and "catch away" His people, before a terrible time of trouble comes on the rest of the world.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
The words "caught up" means four things:
- (1) to seize, carry off by force
- (2) to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly
- (3) to snatch out or away
- (4) to rescue from danger
There is a terrible time of trouble coming on this earth. Surely the clouds are handing low over the earth with all the problems with few or no solutions. Before this storm actually breaks the "Lord Himself," is coming down near the earth and every blood bought child of God will be "caught up" to meet Him in the air. Language could not be plainer than the verses above.
Now the question I would like to ask the reader is this, "what if that should happen now, would you go?" Let me answer it for you, you would only go if you have come as a repenting sinner to the cross where He died for your sins and trusted Him 100% for salvation. If this is the case you would go, if not, you would be lost forever. Serious business. Why not settle that matter right now?
All comments and questions to:Harold Smith
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Updated January 2008, by Shelly Allen