The_End

The Experience

Okay, so if you're new to church or theology, this whole Rapture event sounds kind of weird and crazy, right? I mean, it's like a SciFi movie: all of a sudden, millions of people just disappear, and everyone is wondering where they went. But, as crazy as it may seem, it's what Scripture portrays will actually happen. Can I explain all of it? Absolutely not. I can only tell you what Scripture teaches about it. So, let's talk about the actual event itself.

There have been volumes upon volumes written about the theology around the Rapture, but not much has actually been written about the event itself. Now, do know that there's not much we can elaborate on for quantity's sake, because the event will happen in the “twinkling” or blinking of an eye. But, for clarity's sake, this is what is actually going on. As Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4, the deceased Christians will rise from their graves. We can get into some crazy discussions about those who've been buried or killed in diverse ways, which would make it nearly impossible for their bodies to reunite, but we'll just let it go at what the Bible says about it – their bodies will rise from the graves. This will happen first. Then, those Christians who are still alive will vanish and be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air. Now, Jesus doesn't come all the way back down to the earth for this event. He literally stands in the clouds and snatches us up to “meet him in the air.” He doesn't physically return to the earth until the Second Coming, when He will reign for one thousand years. I'll discuss this further in the third chapter.

So, while the dead Christians and those still alive are rising, our bodies are being glorified – they're becoming like Jesus' body after His resurrection. This is our resurrection, and we get new bodies too, just like His. Cool, right? Paul talks about our bodies changing in 1 Corinthians 15, and he says that the reason our bodies need to change is because our new bodies cannot die, and will be eternal. So, this new body is necessary for the eternal nature of Heaven. And all of this happening in the blink of an eye, making it unwitnessed and unexplainable by a non-believing world.

So why are we being raptured? Thanks for asking; I'd love to tell you. We're being raptured so that we don't have to go through the Tribulation. We are also being raptured because we will be attending a marriage supper – a seven-year marriage supper! Now that's my kind of party! David Griffis, a prominent Church of God executive leader, explains:

According to Revelation 19:6-9, a marriage celebration will take place in heaven. This will be a celebration of the eternal union of Christ and those who have joined Him in the first resurrection as redeemed and glorified saints of God. While this is taking place, there will be great and horrible tribulation on earth as the wrath of God is poured out without measure, according to Jesus in Matthew 24:21.i

The Application

What good is any part of Scripture, even about the end times, if it's not applicable? Fortunately, the Bible is relevant and applicable to our daily lives, so let's talk about what to do with what we know about the Rapture. The Rapture is imminent, and it should affect how we live our daily lives. Many of you are thinking: Yep, Christ is coming, so we should be careful what we do, because we don't want Jesus to come back catching us doing something we ought not be doing. That's actually not what I mean – at all! Follow me here. The fact that we could be raptured at any moment should not actually put guilt or fear in us; rather, it should empower us, encourage us, give us confidence, hope, peace, and exhilaration. Why? Because I don't have to put up with this garbage-life of restraint anymore. I get to live worry and stress-free for eternity in the loving presence of God. I know He could come back at any moment, so I am going to live my life to the fullest, with no regrets, taking deep breaths and enjoying all of the surprise, laughter, and adventure that life on earth has to offer. Why? Because life on earth is not going to last forever, so why not enjoy what God gave you to enjoy while it does last? Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to give us life – life to the fullest! When we really see the Rapture as imminent in its purest sense, we can take advantage of this verse and live life to the fullest.

Also, knowing that the Rapture is imminent should help us push a little harder in life, going the extra mile. It's like a race or a challenge. When I see the end in sight, I run a little faster. When time is running out, I strive a little harder. When we see the Rapture biblically, we get a little encouragement to strive a little harder and go a little faster. We begin to actually conquer those fears and invite our neighbors and friends to church. And we begin to have a real burden for helping folks find the hope, peace, and joy that only Jesus offers.

Make a commitment today to live your life to the fullest, because the Rapture is imminent.

i. Griffis, David M. In Such An Hour. (Cleveland, TN: Pathway Press, 1998.) 140.