What is the rapture?

Question

And when is it expected to happen?

Answer 1

The rapture is an event that will take place and can occur at anytime. It is spoken of in the Bible in different instances but does not come under the name rapture. The Greek word for rapture means to snatch up or take away. In the Bible it says it will occur in the moment in the twinkling of an eye. It gives 3 different situations indicating it occurs all over the world at the same time. Some will be working and some sleeping. It says the dead in Christ rise first then those that are alive will follow this will happen in an instance. It is referring only to the believers the non believers remain on earth and those that died as non believers will remain in the grave till the Great White Throne Judgement which occurs at the end of the Millennium. The rapture is when Christ the groom comes to receive "the church" His bride. He will appear in the air but not set foot on earth at this time. For the next seven years after the rapture occurs the tribulation period takes place on earth where devastation, famines,disease and all forms of disaster occur like never seen before. As many as 1/4 of the earths pop. will die in one situation and 1/3 after that. The salt or the church(body of believers) has been removed . The true second coming of Christ occurs at the end of the Trib. period. Christ comes to earth and sets up His Millennial reign for the 1000 year period then comes the judgement for the unsaved.

Answer 2

the rapture is when christians are "caught up into heaven". there are many theories going around, none of which are true, it will not be a secret gathering,there will not be a time of tribulation etc......the first theory started around the 1830s by a scottish pastor. the rapture, will not happen, we will all be judged however on the last day,when this world ends he will come to judge the living and the dead,no one will know the day or the hour. scripturecatholic.com has an interesting section and refutes the rapture with sound scripture and reasoning. even if you are not catholic it may be of interest and beneficial to answering your question more effectively. it shows the 3 main theories regarding rapture events.

Answer 3

1 Corinthians 15:51-52:

51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed

These scriptures show that believers will recieve their glorified bodies at the last trump.

There are 3 different thoughts as to when actually the rapture will take place.
Some hold that it will be before the tribulation, others believe it will be in the middle of the 7 year tribulation, and others believe it will be towards the end of tribulation when the 7th angel blows the last trumpet in the book of Revelation.

During the ressurection of Christ many of the saints that slept came out of their graves and were seen in Jerusalem by many.

Answer 4

The rapture is the time when Christ will take up the church into heaven (by the church I mean people who have believed on the name of Jesus Christ and confessed their sins unto him) After that their will be the Tribulation. The Tribulation is when there will be extreme violance and hate toward all. People who have heard but rejected Christ will believe the lie of the Anti-Christ. And those who have never heard will have a chance to believe and after seven years go to heaven. Christ came to earth to die for everybodys sins. Christ died on the cross and 3 days later, he conquered death and rose from the dead. People just have to confess their sins and acknowledge their need for a Savior. Then believe that Jesus came to earth to die and rose again the third day. I hope you make the right decision.

Answer 5

All of the Christians will be instantly caught up in the air to meet Christ. Their bodies will change from these perishable bodies we now have to incorruptible bodies in the twinkling of an eye. After this will begin the 7 years of tribulation where God will pour out His wrath on the earth. This will be followed by 1000 years of peace.

Answer 6

The Rapture is the gathering together of those who love and serve God through the Lord Jesus Christ, according to 1st Corinthians Chapter 15: 51-57 also...

"1 Thessalonians 4:17 - 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. "

Mark 13:27 - And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
...
So for those who are Born Again, have become new creatures i n Christ by confessing and forsaking their sins, accepting the Lord as their personal savior to walk in righteousness and servanthood by the grace of God, we will not have to suffer the wrath of God on the earth, we are "Saved" from the destruction to come upon this sinful world and will be rescued like an eagle who taketh her young ones under her wings to sweep them away far from harms way.

In addition to what "Sirius" posted you...here is this scripture reference as to "when" it should happen

"Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

I personally believe an see in scripture that the Lord is still giving man a chance to repent even in the tribulation period so the rapture can only take place when all who's names are written in the Book of Life have repented and accepted Christ. There are only 2 resurrections, (one for the righteous and the other for the wicked) and no mention of separate mi~nute catchings away of saints who finally decide to follow Jesus in the Great Tribulation, There is only ONE RAPTURE, all who will ever be saved will only be in that ONE, If you miss that ONE, the door will be shut and it will be too late.
ye even the dead in Christ wait now for that ONE, though their spirits be in heaven with Christ making intercession for the rest of the saints on earth..
MATTHEW Chapter 24 gives us the events that shall lead up to the coming of the end, scriptures like these are our only indication such as in Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation ch 8-10, etc of any signs that precede the rapture,

ALWAYS BE READY for you not what hour your Lord doth come for you.

Answer 7

The Rapture is when all Gods people are caught up in the air with Him and are essentially gone leaving unbeilevers here .

Answer 8

According to a few Christian clients I talk with, it is when God takes all his chosen people in the blinking of an eye just before Armageddon starts?

Answer 9

God will spare Christians before the Hell on earth in end days.

Answer 10

I think it's a song by Blondie.