This is the blog version of my PDF ‘The Rapture Survival Guide (TRSG)’.
Download the PDF Version Here
The Term ‘Rapture’
Many will say that the word “Rapture” isn’t in the English bible, and they would be right. The word “Jesus” or “Trinity” isn’t in the original Hebrew and Greek texts either but does that mean it’s unbiblical? There have been a lot of translations since the original scripts of Hebrew and Greek were written down by the prophets all those years ago which is why some of the words had to be changed to make sense in our modern languages. Even though the words are different, the meaning has still been the same throughout all of history.
Since the New Testament was written in Greek, this is the language where we will find the origins of the word “Rapture”. It was originally “ἁρπάζω” which, when transliterated [to write or print using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet or language] means “Harpazo”. Strong’s Greek Concordance translates Harpazo to mean: 1. to seize, carry off by force, 2. to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly, 3. to snatch out or away.
Therefore the rapture is a seizing or forcefully snatching away of His church to Him. That is the meaning of the word but we still have to connect our word “Rapture” with the meaning of being snatched away forcefully, that is where the Latin word “raptus” comes in. It means “a carrying off” and is a root of the Medieval Latin word “raptura” which also means “seizure” or “kidnapping”. The interpreters translated the Greek “ἁρπάζω” to the Latin “raptus” and over time it became “raptura” and finally in modern English “Rapture”.
Pre-Rapture
As written in 2 Peter 3:1-9, there will be mockers and scoffers in the last days who will perpetually criticize christians for their beliefs, saying: “When is He coming? It’s been thousands of years with no sign of His return.” They will mock the belief in the rapture, mock those who pray and mock Christians just because of their belief in God. This mocking will become greater and more consistent in the days leading up to the rapture. People will also seek to do away with the biblical traditions such as marriage between a man and woman and avoid God completely as per Psalm 2:3. “Let us break Their bonds in pieces, And cast away their cords from us.”
At the time of writing, the nations of the world are continually, and increasingly casting away biblical commandments and traditions while replacing them with: abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, hedonism, evolution, murder, lying, rape, witchcraft, fornication and many more.
2 Peter 3:3-9
“3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they wilfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Rapture Verses
These are some bible verses mentioning the rapture and where you can find them. The interpretation is to the right of each one, however you should only ever trust the word of God and not man therefore I recommend you look them up yourself and come to your own understanding of them.
1 Corinthians 15:52
“In 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.”
This verse says the rapture will take place in the twinkling of an eye, which, according to Chuck Missler is a reference to the time it takes for light to enter and bounce back out of the iris – approximately 10^-42 seconds. (0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 of a second) This is the smallest amount of time possible in our digital universe. At the time of the rapture those who believe in Him who currently have sinful, corruptible and have mortal bodies will be transformed to an incorruptible state and will be given a glorified body.
Luke 21:29-31
“Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.”
The fig tree stands for the nation of Israel. When you see it begin to bloom (become prosperous) economically and militarily, and dwelling securely in their land you know that the kingdom of God is near, in other words the rapture is close. Israel today is not only blooming but it’s a world superpower in many areas.
Luke 21:34-35
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.”
This verse is a reference to the rapture coming at a time when people will be taken up with the cares of their life. The day it occurs will be an ordinary day like any other in the world and nobody will be expecting it. People will be working, getting married and living as if there is a tomorrow.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
This verse assures the church that those who have died will not miss out on His coming in the clouds. The dead will rise first and then the living will be raptured to meet him in the clouds.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
“1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
The Lord will come as a thief in the night at a time nobody will expect Him. Be watchful and sober so that when the rapture happens you aren’t found in sin. God did not appoint us to His wrath (the tribulation), so comfort each other with these words.
Revelation 3:10
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
Because you, the followers of Christ have kept His word, He will keep you from the hour of temptation known as the tribulation. The tribulation is to test those who remain on earth who weren’t taken, to separate the sheep (the followers and believers in Christ) from the goats – those who choose to go their own way and worship false idols. You get a second (and final) chance to turn to Him if you missed the rapture. However if it hasn’t occurred yet you should commit your life to Him now because you aren’t guaranteed tomorrow and there will be chaos and destruction worldwide when it happens. (What if you’re in a plane piloted by two raptured Christians?)
Luke 17:34-37
“I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”
Another verse about how the rapture will take place. Born again believers will be snatched away instantly from whatever they are doing at the time. The rapture will occur instantly all over the globe, hence the people asleep in bed and those out working. Note that all humanity is called the “Son of Man” by God, including females, so the verse is not referring to homosexuals in the bed.
John 14:3
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven and soon will come again and take us back to the place He prepared.
Daniel 12:1-2
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Michael the angel will relinquish his guardianship position over Israel and the events of the tribulation, the wrath of God and the antichrist will befall it, affecting it and every other nation on earth. The people of Israel, in particular the sealed 144,000 of Jesus will be delivered through this tribulation.
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Jump To
◄ Previous – Part 1 – Introduction | Next – Part 3 – Rapture Timing ►
Part 1 – Introduction
Part 7 – Left Behind?
Part 10 – Post Rapture Steps
Part 13 – The Tribulation (First Half)
Part 30 – Mid Tribulation
Part 38 – Armageddon
For a full list of the parts, see the bottom of Part 1.
