Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 2/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: Where in The Bible does it tell or talk about the Rapture

ANSWER: Hi Deborah,

Thank you for this great question.  Here is the best passage referring to what we call the rapture:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So the word Rapture is not there am I right? So where did we get the Coming Of The Lord as The Rapture? Oh I know it's so I just would like to know where it started being called The Rapture? Thank you very Much, Sister In Christ,Deb

Answer
Hi Again Deb,

The phrase in verse 17 is unique in the Greek and is translated "caught up".  This is literally a snatching away.  The word rapture means to be snatched away, caught up.  In order to convey this event as different from Christ's return and establsihment of the Kingdom, Theologons used the term rapture to refer to this event.  It means the same as the Bible term "caught up".  I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don