The Future, The Rapture

The word “rapture” isn’t specifically found in the text, so where did this term come from? The English word rapture currently means “to be swept away with joyous emotion,” but it comes from a Latin word, rapere, that simply means “to be seized or snatched up.” And this very word is used for that meaning in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 in the Latin Bible. So both the original and the current meaning of “rapture” accurately describe the scene of the church being blissfully “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air.

B. The Purpose of Paul’s writing about the topic.

As we look in v.13 we see Paul’s purpose in writing about the rapture. It is not merely for the express purpose of giving a sneak preview of the future. It is to give courage to keep on living in midst of a hostile world (see 1:6; 2:14; 3:2-5, 3:13). So we gather from v.13 at least 2 things about how to carry on in time of deep mourning and grief:

1. They need to be informed about what happens after death.

2. They would grieve with hope in order to be encouraged (v.18). I like that. Permission is given to grieve, but with a difference, with hope! Calls to face future with hope and courage with the help of faith. Grieve that draws them closer to Christ! Hear a lot about closure, with faith in Christ, there is great closure, draw close to God and case is closed because of the resurrection hope, (see v.14).

Remember the historical situation - because the Christians then believed Christ will come in their life time and when their numbers are dying off through persecution, their grief is deepened. They wondered if their loved ones would see the glorious coming of the Lord, and miss out on the event. Perhaps wondering if they will see their loved ones once again. They’re wondering if their hope is baseless and their faith is useless. They’re, like us, perhaps in the aftermath of seeing many deaths, wondering what’s up. What’s the delay with Christ’s promised coming? Will He really come back? Based on Paul’s explanation there is no need to worry, because the hope is firmly based on the resurrection power of Christ (read v.14).

C. The Popular View Today

However, there is cause for reservation about the popular conception of the rapture nowadays, especially in regard to the time element and manner in which it is commonly believed it will take place. Warren Wiersbe, a widely published, influential, and often insightful Bible teacher explains his view of the rapture:

"Jesus Christ will return in the air, and this is where we shall meet him. Suddenly, millions of people will vanish!….Just think of what effect this event will have on a lost world!….When Jesus Christ returns in the air, He will call to Himself only those who are saved through faith in Him. This is called ‘the first resurrection’ or ‘the resurrection of life.’ At the end of time, just before God ushers in the new heaven and earth, there will be another resurrection. This is called ‘the second resurrection’ or ‘the resurrection of judgment.’ Between these two events, I believe that the Tribulation on earth and the 1000-year kingdom will occur." (This is from his Bible Exposition Commentary set, commenting on this passage.)