This is part 1 of a two-part series. The second part will outline in more detail Scripture which supports a Pre-Tribulation Dispensational view of the Rapture of the Church. 

Taking a step back from the Rapture, there are two broad views impacting End-Times theology.

Covenant Theology focuses on God’s covenants for mankind, the most significant being the unconditional covenant of grace offered by God through the sacrifice of His Son. Most adherents don’t believe in a physical, future thousand-year Millennial reign of Christ. Further, they typically believe that the Rapture, the Second Coming, and the Judgment of the Lost all happen at the same time, at the end of the age, when the earth is destroyed and a New Heaven will rest on a New Earth.

Dispensational Theology centers on dividing history into seven (some have different groupings) distinct periods identified by God, through a more literal interpretation of the Bible. It typically includes a belief in the future rapture of the Church prior to the Second Coming of Christ, as well as His thousand-year Millennial reign prior to the final judgment of both the lost and the saved. Dispensational theology is currently the most popular view among evangelicals.

This short article is not intended to be a definitive discussion on these complex and highly debated topics, but instead, to be an overview of one (of many) commonly accepted approaches to End-Times theology.

The Rapture of the Church

The term “rapture” comes from the Latin word to “carry off” or “snatch.” And, from a theological standpoint, that is exactly what many expect Jesus to do for all those, dead or alive, who have been saved. It will be a sudden event with no warning, at a time of God’s choosing. For many believers, the Rapture represents the next milestone on the prophetic calendar of End-Time events. 

Who will be Raptured

According to 1 Cor. 15:23, only those “who are Christ’s at His coming” will be raptured. Those who are not saved will eventually rise from the grave as well, but not until the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ.

Why a Rapture

A literal interpretation of the Bible suggests that in God’s grace, saved Christians will not have to experience the full impact of the seven years of Tribulation (Rev. 3:10) on the earth – a horrible time of hunger, pestilence, and cataclysmic destruction. Some believe the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation begins, others in the middle of the seven year period (at the beginning of the Great Tribulation), which would be before the worst devastation takes place. Or, rarer still, some believe the Rapture will happen at the end of the seven years, just prior to the Return of Christ and the battle of Armageddon. Regardless of when the Rapture occurs, the timetable of the seven year Tribulation begins at the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the now disclosed Anti-Christ (Daniel 9:27, 12:11-12).

What will Happen at the Rapture

According to Scripture, at the Rapture, Jesus will return, but not all the way to Earth as He did when born of Mary. Christ will hover above the earth and call two separate groups who will rise up to meet Him in the air (1 Thes. 4:17). Some theologians suggest that this is a “hidden encounter” such that only the saved will actually see Jesus at the Rapture since He remains in the clouds. Once both groups are with Christ, they will then be transported to Heaven, if one believes in a pre- or mid-tribulation Rapture. If one believes in a post-trib Rapture, they will all descend to Earth for the Second Coming of Christ and Armageddon. These two groups are…

First group (1 Thes. 4:16) – Christ will command the “bodies” which have “fallen asleep” (1 Thes. 4:13) of all saved Christians who have died, to come out of their graves and rise to meet Him. Obviously, these physical bodies have long since decayed, so it is hard to imagine what this will look like, but the Bible does provide some details (1 Cor. 15:35-44). Further, we know that “flesh and blood,” or our physical bodies, cannot enter Heaven; instead, we will have imperishable bodies (1 Cor. 15:54). We also know that since the ethereal component of our saved “bodies” (2 Cor. 5:8, Luke 23:43), which some refer to as our spirit, will already be in Heaven, there must be some form of ultimate matchup between our resurrected bodies and our spirit. Some theologians believe the Bible speaks to what will be our “glorious body” in reference to what Jesus looked like after His resurrection, where our “lowly bodies” will be transformed to be like His “glorious body” (Phi. 3:21).

Second group (1 Thes.4:17) – Christ will then command all born-again believers who are currently alive on earth to also rise and be drawn up to Him in the clouds. This is, of course, the vision in the Left Behind series and other apocalyptic materials, imagining people disappearing from planes, cars, homes, etc. “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52, Matt. 24:40-41). And, of course, there will be the shock of those who were not taken.

When will the Rapture Take Place

The timing of the Rapture is a hotly discussed topic within the sphere of End Times prophecy. Many believe in a “pre-trib” Rapture, which, if correct, would put it as the next major milestone in the Biblical prophetic calendar of events, to be immediately followed by the seven years of the Tribulation period (marked by the revealing of the Antichrist and subsequent increasingly harsh conditions on Earth). 

Others believe the Rapture will take place in the middle of the seven years of Tribulation when the Antichrist breaks his treaty with Israel and establishes his thrown in the yet-to-be rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem. 

Finally, there are those who believe the Rapture and the return of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon happen simultaneously. 

God has made it clear that we are not to know the exact day nor hour of the Rapture. In fact, Jesus, in His humanity while on earth, stated that only the Father in Heaven knew the exact timing of the conclusion of End-Times prophecy. 

Matthew 24:36 – But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

The most popular view is that the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation begins. This view is based primarily from the following two verses of Scripture. 

1 Thessalonians 5:9 – For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:10 – Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

A Biblical Christian Conclusion

As we wait for the Rapture, regardless of our eschatology, Biblical Christians should be engaged in the same service to the Lord as if there was no Rapture at all. We are to…

1 Peter 4:7-10 – The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Love God, love our neighbor, use the gifts the Lord has given us to serve as His ambassadors, and share the Good News which is the only eternal solution to our sin nature.