Although the word "rapture" is nowhere to be found in the Bible, it has come to mean the time when the church is taken off the earth to "meet the Lord in the air." It will include the "dead in Christ" and those who "are alive and remain." All those who believe in Christ; and are obedient to Him will be "caught up together" and will be lifted up at that time (see I Thess. 4:16-17).
There are three basic beliefs about when the rapture will happen. They all relate to a period of seven last years, usually called the "tribulation," that will take place in the time of the end. They're called the Pre-, Mid-, and Post-tribulation beliefs. The Pre-tribulation belief is that the rapture will take place before the tribulation; that the church will be with the Lord for the seven last years, and will return with Him when it's over. The Mid-tribulation belief is that the rapture will take place in the middle of the tribulation; that the church will be with the Lord for the last 3 1/2 years, and then return with Him. The Post-tribulation belief is that the rapture will take place at the end of the tribulation; that the church will be caught up to meet Jesus as He descends from heaven. They believe there is only one coming of the Lord: that the rapture and the return are one event. Therefore, the church will be on earth through the tribulation; and God will protect them as He pours out His wrath on the unbelievers.
A close reading of the Bible shows that the rapture takes place at the end of the tribulation; and that the church will be on earth through it.
Paul says it will be at the sound of the "last trump" (I Cor. 15:52). The Book of Revelation makes it clear the last trump sounds at the end: at the return of Christ (Rev. 11:15). Jesus refers to the lifting up as the "resurrection" that will happen at the "last day" (John 6:39-40,44,54). Many say the church will not go through the time of tribulation because Paul says we're not appointed to God's wrath (I Thess. 5:9). But the terms "tribulation" and "wrath" are not interchangeable. You can have one without the other. Tribulation refers to a time period; wrath refers to God's judgment on the wicked. We can live in - and through - a time of tribulation; and never be subject to, or appointed to, God's wrath. Paul also says the church will be on earth when the Antichrist is revealed (II Thess. 2:1-3); which takes place in the midst of the seven last years. In addition, both Daniel and John the Revelator make it clear that the Antichrist will "make war" with the church for the remainder of the seven years that lead up to the return of the Lord (Dan. 7:25, Rev. 13:5-7).
The early church believed in a Post-tribulation rapture; and held that belief for about 1800 years. For example, Irenaeus and Hippolytus, second and third generation disciples of John the Revelator, wrote of the rise of the Antichrist and the coming of the Lord in Post-tribulation terms. It's only been in the last 200 years or so that anyone has suggested anything else. For those truly interested in the truth, thorough research and study will show that there is no mention of a Pre-tribulation rapture in any church teaching, writing, or commentary until around 1812. The theory of a Pre-tribulation rapture, a so-called "new revelation," has, for many reasons, become very popular. In less than 200 years, most Christian churches, and most professing Christians have accepted it as the truth. They have wrongly placed their hope in the rapture to save them; and apparently consider some 1800 years of teaching as being in error.
Jesus, Paul, and the early church leaders all taught the truth. They taught that only those filled with the Spirit of God will be lifted to Jesus on the "last day" at the sound of the "last trump." Through much tribulation, the true church, the Overcomers, will "wash their robes and make them white" (Rev. 7:15). They will "endure unto the end" (Matt. 24:13). The bride of Jesus will have made herself ready (Rev. 21:2, 9-10); and Jesus will "present to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but it (shall) be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:27).
{You will find more information, and detail, about the Rapture of the Church in our book, "The Time of the End," which is available through this website. Click on "Books" to the left to preview it; then on "To Order" for information about how to order it.}
