𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗔 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆-𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗔 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆-𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 and 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 (𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯, 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯, 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯)?



What is the Rapture?

The word rapture is not found in the KJV Bible. It comes from the Latin word rapturo, meaning “caught up.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV – “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.”

The Rapture = the event when the body of Christ (believers saved by the gospel of grace) will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.



Prophecy or Mystery?

Prophecy = Truth spoken since the world began (Acts 3:21 KJV).

Mystery = Truth hidden since the world began, revealed to Paul (Romans 16:25 KJV).

1 Corinthians 15:51 KJV – “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.”

The Rapture is a mystery truth revealed to Paul, not prophesied in the Old Testament.



Where Did It Come From?

Jesus spoke about His return for Israel in prophecy (e.g., Matthew 24 KJV).

But the Rapture of the church, the body of Christ, was revealed to Paul alone.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 KJV – “…this we say unto you by the word of the Lord…”
Colossians 1:26 KJV – “…the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.”



Is It Biblical or Not?

YES, the Rapture is biblical.
Even if the term "rapture" is not in the Bible, the truth of being "caught up" clearly is.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV
1 Corinthians 15:51–52 KJV

So while the word is not in the Bible, the doctrine is.



Who is the Rapture For?

Not for Israel (that’s prophecy, the Second Coming).

It is for the Body of Christ (those saved by believing the gospel of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection).

1 Corinthians 12:27 KJV – “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”



How to Be in the Rapture?

It is not by works, religion, or endurance.
Only by faith alone in the gospel of Christ alone revealed to Paul:

The Gospel that saves today (1 Corinthians 15:1–4 KJV):

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
He was buried.
He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

How to be saved:
1. Trust in Christ’s finished work (not your works, not religion).
2. By faith, you receive forgiveness, eternal life, and the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13 KJV).

How to be in the Rapture:

Only those who are in Christ (the Body of Christ, the Church) will be caught up (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 KJV).
If you are saved today, you are already sealed by the Spirit unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30 KJV).
No works, no rituals, no church membership—only faith in Christ.

Believing this gospel = salvation and guarantee of being part of the Rapture.



Is there an exact time, day and date when the rapture will occur?

The Bible gives no date or exact time.

It is imminent — can happen anytime.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV – “…the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
Titus 2:13 – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Believers are told to watch, hope, and be ready — not to set dates.



SUMMARY (Quick Glance)

What is it? The catching away of the Body of Christ.
Prophecy or Mystery? Mystery revealed to Paul.
Where from? The Lord revealed it to Paul for the church.
Is it biblical? Yes, found in (comment section below )
Who for? The Body of Christ (believers in the gospel of grace).
How? By faith in Christ’s finished crosswork.
When? Any moment – no date given.


In short:
The Rapture is the Blessed Hope of the Church, revealed to Paul, not prophesied in Israel’s program. Paid at the Cross, Received by Faith. Ready or not, it can happen anytime!

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When Will the Rapture Happen?

The Options People Teach:

— Pre-Tribulation → Rapture happens before the 7-year tribulation.

— Mid-Tribulation → Rapture happens in the middle (after 3 ½ years).

— Post-Tribulation → Rapture happens after the 7 years, together with Christ’s Second Coming.

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What the Bible Says (Rightly Divided)

1 Thessalonians 1:10 KJV – “…Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV – “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The tribulation = God’s wrath poured out on the world and on unbelieving Israel.
The Church = believers today, the Body of Christ is not appointed to wrath, so we must be caught up before it begins.

Christ cannot appoint His own Body to wrath.
If you are in the Body of Christ, you will be caught up in the clouds to meet the lord in the air.
He cannot leave His Body (us) to suffer in the tribulation.

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2 Thessalonians 2:6–8 KJV – The “man of sin” (Antichrist) cannot be revealed until the restrainer is taken out of the way.

The restrainer = the Holy Spirit working in/through the Body of Christ.

Once the body of Christ is raptured, the Antichrist will be revealed, and the 7-year tribulation begins.

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Titus 2:13 KJV – “Looking for that blessed hope…”
If we were waiting for the tribulation, our hope would be judgment, not blessed.

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Why It Can’t Be Mid- or Post-Trib

If Rapture was mid-trib, then we could calculate the timing the exactly when (3 ½ years in). But Paul said it is a mystery, can happen anytime (1 Cor. 15:51–52 KJV).

If Rapture was post-trib, then the Body of Christ would go through wrath — contradicting 1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV.

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Conclusion

According to Paul’s epistles:
The Rapture will be Pre-Tribulation.
The Body of Christ will be caught up before the Antichrist is revealed and before the 7 years begin.
This is consistent with our hope of comfort, not wrath.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 KJV – “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

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In short:

• The Bible (rightly divided) teaches a Pre-Trib Rapture.
• The church (the body of Christ ) will not go through the 7-year tribulation, because that time is God’s program with Israel (Daniel’s 70th week), not the church the Body of Christ.
• Christ will not leave His Body to face wrath.

Grace and Peace