Christian-Newswire.com ~ The Rapture

The Rapture of Christ's Church

Jesus Christ coming back to take up His Church is mentioned throughout Bible in different parts of scripture. However, the word 'Rapture' is not the term used in the Bible.

Following, is the dictionary's definition of the word RAPTURE:

    - The carrying of a person to another place or sphere of existence.

     - The Rapture, Theology. the experience, anticipated by some fundamentalist Christians,
       of meeting Christ midway in the air upon his return to earth.

     - Archaic. The act of carrying off

The Bible warns us that Jesus will return like a Thief in the Night [1 Thessalonian 5:1-3 NIV]:
1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

It is written that no one knows the day or the time that our Lord Jesus will come back to take up his Church; so therefore you cannot 'plan' when it is time to give up your worldly desires and surrender your soul to God. Many people who do not live a true Christian lifestyle, live with the thoughts that 'God will always be there' and 'I will get to Him when the time is right'... But what happens if you die tomorrow? Do you know where you are going? Do you think Jesus will take you with him when he returns? Did you surrender your life to him so that he would know to take you too? These are very serious questions you will need to ask yourself - and soon, because time is running out for those who do not know the Lord. Here are other places in scripture that the Rapture is referenced:

Matthew 24:26-27 (New International Version)
26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

Matthew 24:39-42 (New International Version)
39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (New International Version)
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Second Coming of Christ

The 'Second Coming of Christ' has been talked about, preached about, movies made about it, broadcast on YouTube.com, GodTube.com, etc... However, it seems that in spite of all of the media and frenzy, not a whole lot of people know what the Rapture is and exactly what it means. Check out this awesome video that will give you a glimpse of what might actually happen when Jesus returns to the Earth to take up his church (his chosen ones), and take them to dwell with Him forever in Heaven. As much as Christians want to believe in the "pre-tribulation rapture theory", scripture leads us to believe otherwise; that the Rapture will take place sometime near the end of the Great Tribulation, not before.