Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson 9
The Rapture of the Church

Introduction
The Bible clearly teaches that there is an event which precedes the return of Christ to this earth. Bible students and teachers have for many years referred to this remarkable event as THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH. The purpose of this lesson is to define the words CHURCH and RAPTURE and to show that God’s unique and major purpose for this present age is the formation and translation (rapture) of that church, prior to the rise of the Antichrist, the great tribulation, and the coming of Christ in power and glory to reign over this world.

Importance of this Lesson

• The importance of this lesson cannot be over-estimated. 2 Timothy 2:15 says that we are to rightly DIVIDE the Word of Truth. To fail to see the Church as something completely unknown to Old Testament prophets (Ephesians 3:5; 1 Peter 1:10-12); as something entirely apart from Israel and God’s plan for her (Romans 11:25-27); or as something unique to this age of grace (Ephesians 3:2-6), is to fail to understand God’s prophetic program and His plan for the ages.
  
• Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the Gospel, the Church, made up of believing, born-again Jews and Gentiles, is being formed today. When that “body” is complete, it will be caught up (raptured) out of the earth to be forever with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). THIS is the HOPE of the Church. This hope is imminent, meaning that it could occur at any moment. Any contrary teaching of the return of Christ robs the Church of imminence and is essentially in error.

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The Lesson

I. WHAT IS THE CHURCH, AND WHAT IS GOD DOING IN THE WORLD TODAY?

1. The Greek word for church is “ekklesia”, which means “to call out.” It was originally used for the calling together of any general assembly like the town council. As used regarding the Church, it means “the called out ones” – all believers of this age among Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:16; 3:6), who are called out of this world to form the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4; Romans 8:28).
2. The CHURCH is called “the body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:16; 3:6).
3. The CHURCH is also recognized and revealed to be “the Bride of Christ” (Ephesians 5:23, 30-32).
4. Now, what is God doing today? (Read Acts 15:14-17, a key prophetic passage.)
   1. Notice, God visits the Gentiles (nations) and takes out of them “a people for His Name.” This is the Church, the body and bride of Christ.
   2. When this is completed and the last soul to be added to that body is saved, what happens? “AFTER THIS I will return and will build again the Tabernacle of David.” Christ returns to re-establish Israel and set up His throne as “David’s Righteous Branch” (Jeremiah 23:3-6) AFTER the church has been formed.
      • Read carefully Romans 11:25-27. Here the “fullness of the Gentiles” refers to the completion of God’s work among the Gentile nations. AFTER THAT, Israel’s Deliverer returns.

II THE COMING OF CHRIST MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

1. To the Jews the coming of CHRIST (their Messiah) means RESTORATION to the land of Palestine in peace (Deuteronomy 30:2-9).
2. To the nations of the earth the coming of Christ means the rise of a superman who will bring order, justice, and peace to the world (Zechariah 14:9).
3. To the Church the coming of Christ has always been a heavenly hope, a hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The Church is not anticipating a RESTORATION to the land of Palestine, nor the RULE or REIGN of Christ on this earth but a glorious rapture when we rise to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

III. THE MEANING OF THE WORD RAPTURE

1. When the New Testament was translated into Latin, the words “caught up” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) were translated “rapere,” which means “snatched away.”
2. From this Latin word “rapere,” we get our English word “rapture.” So, for many years, Bible teachers have referred to this event of being “caught up” or “snatched away” to be with the Lord as “THE RAPTURE.”

IV. SOME CLEAR SCRIPTURES REVEALING THE RAPTURE

1. John 14:1-3
   1. Here, the armies of heaven are not with Him. Christ comes alone for His Bride, the Church.
   2. No Battle of Armageddon in progress here. Christ comes simply to “receive you unto Himself.”
   3. Note the startling contrasts between this picture and the event revealed in Revelation 19:11-15.
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
   1. Here, Christ does not come to earth, but to the clouds.
   2. Here, Christ comes “for” us, not “with” us.
   3. Here, we rise to heaven and do not come to earth.
3. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8
   1. This entire passage concerns our “gathering together unto Him” (verse 1).
   2. Here, the rapture clearly precedes the coming of THE MAN OF SIN, that WICKED ONE, THE ANTICHRIST.

V. WHEN DOES THIS EVENT OCCUR?

1. Before the BEMA or Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
   1. This judgment takes place in heaven prior to the Second Coming of Christ.
   2. This judgment is never mentioned as occurring after or in relation to the Second Coming of Christ.
   3. This judgment is for Christians only, just as the Judgment of the Great White Throne is for sinners only (Revelation 20:11-15).
   4. So, this event occurs AFTER the rapture and BEFORE the return of Christ to this earth.
2. Before the Day of the Lord.
   1. 2 Thessalonians was written to assure these suffering Christians that they had not missed the rapture and were not in the horrors of THE DAY OF THE LORD. (Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8.)
   2. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 “The Day of Christ” in the King James Version should read “The Day of the Lord.”
   3. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 teaches that two things must occur BEFORE the Day of the Lord.
      1. “The falling away” or “the departure” which, in this case, refers to the rapture.
      2. “That MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED.”
         • The RAPTURE takes place BEFORE the Anti-Christ appears on the scene.
   4. Joel 1:15 says, “The Day of the Lord” is “as a destruction from the Almighty.” It is the time when God begins to personally and directly interfere in the affairs of men and the nations after the rapture.
   5. Careful Bible students differentiate between THE DAY OF CHRIST (1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6,10), and Philippians 2:16 which refers to the RAPTURE or the BEAMA and THE DAY OF THE LORD.
3. Before the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit. (Read 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.)
   1. The Holy Spirit dwells today in the believer (1 Corinthians 6:19). When the believer is gone or raptured, the Holy Spirit is also removed.
   2. There is similarity or repetition in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 compared to verses 7-8. In verse 3, when the RAPTURE occurs, “that man of sin be revealed.” In verses 7-8, when the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, then “that wicked one is revealed.”
      • It is quite evident that the Antichrist does not come on the scene until after the rapture.
4. Before the day of wrath and the tribulation.
   1. The Bible speaks of a coming worldwide great tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22; Jeremiah 30:7;
      Daniel 12:1).
   2. This is identical with the day of God’s wrath (Revelation 6:17; 15:1; 16:1).
   3. The tribulation, then, is a time of God’s wrath and judgment to which the believer has not been appointed (1 Thessalonians 5:9), from which the believer will be saved (Romans 5:9) and from which the believer has been delivered (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
      • The “saints” of the tribulation (Revelation 7:9-15) are not the CHURCH. They are from among the millions who have never heard the Gospel of Christ and will be saved through the preaching of the 144,000 Spirit-filled preachers (Revelation 7:1-4). Those who have opportunity to be saved prior to the RAPTURE and reject it will be blinded and lost forever (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

VI. REMARKABLE CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

	At the Rapture, Christ:	At the Second Coming, Christ:
1	Comes in the air	Comes to earth
2	Comes FOR us	Comes WITH us
3	Comes to bless	Comes to judge and make war
4	Comes as far as the clouds	Comes to the Mount of Olives
5	Does not judge the world	Judges the world
6	Takes the saints to heaven	Brings the saints to earth
7	Comes imminently, at any moment	Comes amid many signs
8	Comes secretly	Comes openly – every eye sees Him
9	Does not bind Satan	Binds Satan in the bottomless pit
10	Comes for the Church alone	Comes to bless the whole world
11	Comes without armies	Comes with the armies of heaven
12	Comes to complete our salvation	Comes to fulfill God’s promise to David
	• While it would be simple and perhaps helpful to add the appropriate scriptures by each statement, I have deliberately omitted them so that you might search them out and learn them yourself.

VII. WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THIS EVENT?

1. We are exhorted to LOOK for Christ (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 9:28; Titus 2:13). It is a look that goes on, looking longingly with joyful anticipation.
2. We are to WAIT for Him (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The actual idea here is that of “waiting up” for Him, knowing He could come at any time.
3. We are to WATCH and be SOBER (1 Thessalonians 5:6). Like watchmen on the wall, Christians watch for the break of day. They remain sober, serious, dead in earnest, while calmly watching for His coming.
4. We are to LOVE His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). A crown of righteousness is promised to them who love the very thought of His coming and can hardly wait to see Him.
   • Is it any wonder John cried, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)?

VIII. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT THE RAPTURE?

1. Christ, by His almighty power:
   1. Conquers the grave (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
   2. Reverses the laws of decomposition (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).
   3. Removes the law of gravity (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
2. Our bodies will instantly be changed from weak, mortal, natural, corrupt bodies, to bodies that are incorruptible, spiritual, powerful and immortal (Read 1 Corinthians 15:42-54; Philippians 3:21).
3. We shall actually see Christ and be changed instantly into His likeness (1 John 3:2; Jude 24; Philippians 3:21).
4. We shall be “caught up” in clouds out of the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
5. We shall inherit the glory of heaven and Christ (Romans 8:17-18; 1 Peter 4:13; 5:4).

IX. FINAL EXHORTATIONS

1. What does this great event say to the believer?
   1. Be comforted (1 Thessalonians 4:18). One of our songs states, “It will be worth it all when we see Christ. The toils of the road will seem nothing when we get to the end of the way.”
   2. Be steadfast (Hebrews 6:19; 1 Corinthians 15:57). Don’t faint, don’t quit, don’t waiver! Let this hope be your anchor when the storms of life are raging.
   3. Be watchful (Matthew 25:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). Be alert to all that is going on.
   4. Look for opportunities to serve. “Occupy ‘till I come” (Luke 19:13).
   5. Live separated, clean and holy lives (Titus 2:11-13; 1 John 3:3). Lay aside unclean habits.
   6. Break with unholy relationships. Come out from the world. Do nothing, say nothing, go nowhere you would not wish to be found doing, saying or going when Jesus comes.
2. Finally, what does this message say to unbelievers?
   1. Prepare to meet God (Amos 4:12).
   2. Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3). “…turn ye…for why will ye die…?” (Ezekiel 33:11).
   3. Seek the Lord NOW (Isaiah 55:6).
      Harden not your heart (Hebrews 3:13). Time is running out. Prepare for the inevitable. Remember the flood (Genesis 7). Remember the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Don’t be guilty of neglect. The ship of this world is sinking. Get into Christ, the lifeboat.

Examination

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