The Rapture
The following is an excerpt from the book, “Bible Prophecy, Bible Versions,
Spiritual Formation,” by author / speaker Jocelyn Andersen. Her radio
commentaries can be heard on Sharecropper Christian Radio
www.ShareCropperRadio.com Her latest book, Woman Submit! Christians
and Domestic Violence, is available where ever books are sold. She invites
you to Visit www.WomanSubmit.com for details. Her book, Bible Prophecy,
Bible Versions, Spiritual Formation, is available FREE for Download at
www.Lulu.com/JocelynAndersen Visit www.HungryHeartsMinistries.com
for information concerning all her books.
The Rapture
The resurrection and catching up of those who
belong to Christ is predicted in the Law of Moses
through the Feast of Trumpets. Remember, the law
was prophetic— symbolically foreshadowing our
redemption through Jesus Christ and the good
things to come (Galatians 3.24, Colossians 2.17, Hebrews 10.1,
Revelation 19.10).
Who Will Be Raised?
Also known as the Feast of Ingathering, the Feast of
Trumpets ends the harvest season with the sound of
a trumpet. The cycle of harvest for the dispensation
of Grace, the time of Christ In You, will be
completed at this feast.
This final harvest feast predicts the resurrection of
the just and the catching up of those living in Christ
at that time. This is when the real ingathering will
take place (Exodus 34.22, 1 Thessalonians 4.16-17).
The apostle Paul tells us that all living saints (a
saint is anyone who belongs to Christ) will be
changed at that time—not just the best. There is no
class system within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians
15.51-53, Galatians 3.26-28, 1 Corinthians 12.13-20).
When the dead are raised, they will be raised with
glorified bodies that will never die again. Those
who are living at that time will receive the same
type of glorified bodies as the resurrected ones—the
only difference is they will not have to die to get
them.
The Great Re-Union: It’s Not What We
Think
What exactly will be taking place when the dead are
raised?
When Christ descends from Heaven to meet us in
the air, the bodies of the dead (only those “in
Christ”) will be reunited with their souls and spirits
—which have been in Heaven with the Lord ever
since the death of their bodies (2 Corinthians 5:6-8).
In our resurrected and gloriously changed bodies,
we will accompany Christ back to Heaven to stand
before his judgment seat and receive rewards for the
things done while living on earth (John 14.2-3, 2 Corinthians
5.10, 1 Corinthians 3.11-15).
It is at the resurrection of the dead and the catching
up of the living (the rapture) that God’s redemption
plan for our bodies will be fulfilled (Romans 8.23).
When Will the Time of Grace End?
The catching up of the living saints, more
commonly known as the Rapture of the Church,
signals the end of the time when men can simply
call on the name of the Lord to be saved. From this
point on, men will no longer simply be able to call
on the name of the Lord to be saved. Jesus said they
must now endure to the end to be saved (2 Thessalonians
2.6-8, Romans 11.25, Ephesians 3:2, 1.10, Matthew 24.13).
Understanding this scriptural truth combats lethargy
in Bible believing Christians and incites them to
become aggressive soul winners—not the opposite.
Below is an example of erroneous statement found
in the doctrinal statement of Kim Clement,
criticizing Christians who believe the scriptures
reveal a pre-tribulational rapture - “Focusing on a
rapture has caused many to lose their burden for the lost. This
escapism mentality has caused lethargy in the church, because
they are waiting to be caught away from the claws of the Anti-
Christ.”
This reasoning has become quite prevalent among
Christians today—especially among those involved
in the Prophetic (apostle-prophet) Movement, but is
it at all scriptural?
I find that just the opposite occurs when we focus
on the scriptural teaching of a pre-tribulational
rapture. Hearts are ablaze to win souls in order to
prevent as many as possible from having to
experience the horrors that will be described in the
next few chapters.
Aside from that, an escapist mentality is very
scriptural in certain situations. Paul admonishes
Christians to flee from temptation, and Jesus told us
to pray that we would be counted worthy to
“escape” all the horrors that will be coming on the
earth (Luke 21.36).
Jesus commanded us to pray that prayer. I believe
his word is dependable, and if he advocates
escapism in regards to The Great Tribulation, then I
am certainly not going to argue with him.
The order of the Feasts of the Lord is just one
evidence of a pre-tribulational Rapture. There are
many more contained within the scriptures—some
of which will be covered in later chapters. Prior to
the feast of Trumpets (which foretold the
resurrection/rapture), each event predicted by each
feast, occurred in the exact order, and on the very
day, it was observed. This is strong evidence that
God is revealing the order of things as well as the
events themselves in the observation of these
prophetic feasts.
Summary of what we have covered so far
Passover - Christ’s Physical Death
Unleavened Bread - The Law is Fulfilled
First Fruits - The first Harvest Feast / Christ’s
Physical Resurrection (Souls Redeemed)
Pentecost - The second Harvest Feast / The Holy
Spirit is Given / The Dispensation of Grace / The
Time of Christ In You / The End-Time Harvest
begins
Trumpets - The third and Last Harvest Feast / The
Resurrection of the Dead in Christ and the catching
Up of the Living (Bodies Redeemed)
The order of the Feasts of the Lord, reveal that the
resurrection of the dead, and the catching up of the
living, in Christ, is a pre-tribulational event. The
first four feasts were fulfilled literally and in the
exact order the feasts were observed. There is no
scriptural evidence that the pattern will change with
the final three.
In the next few chapters, we will be looking at the
feast that foretold the Time of Jacob’s Trouble—
also called (by Jesus) The Great Tribulation (1
Thessalonians 5.9, Revelation 3.10, 2 Thessalonians 2.2-8).
If there is any lingering doubt that the feasts
contained in the Mosaic Law are prophetic in
nature, there are scriptures that clearly tell us the
law reveals things to come in general, and that those
things pertain to Christ in particular (Galatians 3.23-24,
Hebrews 10.1, Revelation 19.10).
Do You Belong To Christ? If there is any doubt at
all as to whether or not you belong to Him and
would like to have scriptural assurance that you will
be included in the Resurrection of Life, which
includes the rapture of the church, simply call on
God right now. Ask him to forgive you of your sins
and save you because you believe that Jesus Christ
is his risen son (John 5.29, Romans 10.9-10, 13).
Then follow these simple steps to learn how to
follow Christ and begin to grow in your
newfound faith
Prayerfully read your Bible every day (always
picking up today where you left off yesterday). The book
of John is a good place to start. A King James Bible with
no chapter headings or footnotes is recommended.
Talk to the Lord daily in prayer. It doesn’t matter if you
pray silently or out loud. He can hear you either way
(Philippians 4:6).
Meet regularly with other Bible believing Christians
(Hebrews 10:25).
Be baptized according to our Lord’s command (Matthew
28:19 & Acts 2:38).
Begin telling others (immediately) about what Jesus
has done for you. His Holy Spirit will help you and use
your testimony to draw others to Christ.
Also, it is important to realize that trials and
temptations will still come. The choice now is, will
you deal with them your way or God’s way? The only
way to know the difference between the two is to read
your Bible.
Begin adding to your faith. 2 Peter 1:4-11 gives us a
list of the things that must be added (deliberately and
systematically) if we are to follow Christ successfully.
That same passage is equally adamant in assuring us
that if we do not add these things we will constantly
suffer defeat in our Christian walk.
What if we sin after we are saved? 1 John 1:8-10,
tells us, we certainly will sin after we are saved and
2:1-2
how to deal with it when we do.
What if the good feeling goes away, and we don’t
feel saved anymore? From time to time, the good feeling
will go away. It is important to understand that we are not
saved simply because we feel like it or don’t feel like it.
We are saved because we chose to repent of our sins
and believe on the name of the resurrected Son of God.
On that basis, we called upon the Lord to save us and
now belong to him (1 Corinthians 6:19-29, 1 John 5:11-13,
Romans 10:9-10, 13).
Believe the word of God—not our feelings.
Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore, we are buried with him
by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we should walk in newness of life!”
Chapter Review
According to 1 Corinthians 15.51-53, will only some who
belong to Christ be changed or will all who belong
to Christ be changed?
According to Romans 8.23, when will our bodies be
redeemed?
In Matthew 24.13, how did Jesus say men could be saved
during the great tribulation?
What did Jesus say we should pray for in Luke 21.36?
What other scripture besides Hebrews 10.1 tells that the
Law of Moses was prophetic in general and all
about Christ in particular?
What passage of scripture contains a list of things to
add to our faith along with a promise that if we do
add these things we will always be successful as
Christians?
Are you reading your Bible daily, always picking up today
where you left off yesterday? If not, the book of John is a
good place to start. A King James Bible with no chapter
headings or footnotes is recommended.
Why Can’t I Find The Word
Rapture In The Bible?
Many are being led into serious error, even
apostasy, because of doctrinal difficulties having to
do with Biblical Prophecy.
One very serious issue among Christians concerns
the use of the word “rapture” and the doctrinal
claims made by those who oppose it.
Some theorists who oppose the use of the word
refer to the W.E. Vines Expository of New Testament
Words as an authority to claim the word “rapture”
has no rightful place in New Testament vocabulary.
Below are 2 reasons the Vines should not be used as
an authority in this case:
1. The Vines commentary is not
comprehensive. It does not contain all of the
words used in the New Testament.
2. The word “rapture” is found in Latin
translations—not Greek Translations. The
Vine’s Expository does not deal with Latin
Translations.
Therefore, using the Vines as an authority on the
subject is very misleading to those unfamiliar with
the limited scope of the work.
Some rightfully maintain the Greek Word, harpazo,
translated, caught up, in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 has a
very forceful connotation and can also be accurately
translated, caught, snatched or seized. The problem
presents itself when they go from there to attack the
use of the word “up” being used in connection with
the word caught (forming the phrase—caught up) as
an inaccurate translation of the word harpazo.
In scripture, we see the Greek word, harpazo, used
in other applications having nothing whatsoever to
do with being caught up or snatched up. But is that
proof it was translated erroneously in 1
Thessalonians 4.17? Is that reasoning logical
considering the end result, which finds those who
have been snatched or caught—up—in the air—
with Christ, after the event occurs?
The translators of the King James Bible were
responsibly looking at the entire context and were in
no way misleading anyone when the decision was
made to translate the Greek word, harpazo, as
“caught up.”
In looking at other passages in which the word
harpazo was used, the end location of those who
were seized or snatched was not necessarily up—
and the seizing or snatching was not necessarily a
good thing. So we know the word, harpazo, by
itself, has no connotation of good, evil, or of
direction (up, down, east, west etc.). The context of
the passage must determine both the purpose and
the direction of the catching, snatching or seizing
(Acts 8.39, 23.10, 1 Thessalonians 4.17).
***
CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE
RAPTURE AND THE 2ND COMING
Below is a list of contrasts between the time Christ
returns in the air for his saints and the time he
physically returns to the earth with his saints
1. Before the rapture, whoever calls on God
through the name of his resurrected son shall
be saved (Romans 10.9-10, 13). / After the rapture,
only he who endures to the end shall be
saved (Matthew 24.13).
2. Before the rapture, the criteria for salvation
is faith alone—not works (Ephesians 2.8). / After
the 2nd Coming of Christ, one of the criteria
of judgment for entering His Kingdom will
be works (Matthew 25.31-46).
3. Before the rapture, no one knows the day or
the hour the son of man will come (Matthew
24.36, 42). / After the rapture, the days can be
counted (Daniel 12.11).
4. At the rapture, Jesus will be coming out of
Heaven for his saints (1 Thessalonians 4.16-17). / At
the 2nd Coming, Jesus will be coming out of
Heaven with his saints (Zechariah 14.4, 1
Thessalonians 3.13).
5. Before the rapture, we are looking for a
sudden, imminent appearance (Hebrews 10.37). /
After the rapture, the days to Christ’s
appearance can be counted. Christ’s
appearance will end The Great Tribulation
(Daniel 12.11).
6. At the rapture, the Archangel will blow the
trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4.16). / At the 2nd
Coming, God (Jesus) himself will blow the
trumpet (Zechariah 9, Isaiah 27.13, Matthew 24.31).
7. At the rapture, the trumpet signals the
resurrection of the dead and changing of the
living. No angelic gathering is mentioned
(1Cor15.52). / At the 2nd Coming, the trumpet
precedes an angelic gathering—no
resurrection of the dead or changing of the
living is mentioned (Matthew 24.31, Mark 13.26-27).
8. At the rapture, those resurrected and caught
out will be changed and become as the
angels (Matthew 22.30). / At the 2nd Coming,
survivors of the Great Tribulation will first
be judged at the Judgment of the Nations.
They will then enter Christ’s Kingdom in
their mortal, physical, condition. During the
first 1000 years of Christ’s Kingdom, some
will marry and give birth. Some will even
die (Isaiah 65.20-23).
9. At the rapture, Christ is coming for all who
belong to him—those in Christ (1 Thessalonians
nd
4.16-17). / At the 2 Coming, Christ is coming
as deliverer only to those who are looking
for him (Matthew 24.44-51).
10. At his first coming, Christ came to
reconcile. The resurrection and catching up
are included in that reconciliation (Colossians
nd
1.20). / At his 2 Coming, Christ is coming
not to reconcile but to subdue (Philippians 3.21).
11. When Jesus comes in the air at the rapture,
there will be only raised and changed bodies
(1Thessalonians 4.16-17). / At His 2nd Coming, there
will be dead bodies (Luke 17.37, Revelation 19.21).
These contrasts present great doctrinal difficulties
for those who do not differentiate between Christ’s
coming in the air for his saints and his coming back
to earth with his saints. When it is understood that
these are two completely separate events,
contradictions disappear (1 Thessalonians 4.16-17, Jude. 14).
What Happens After We Die?
At the Judgment Seat of Christ, Only the saved will
be judged and rewarded (1 Corinthians 3.12-15, 2 Corinthians
5.10).
No one at this judgment will be concerned about
“making it.” The righteous, who will stand before
the Son of Man at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will
be standing before him, in Heaven, already
acquitted (1 John 5.11-13).
These will receive whatever rewards they earned
from the works they did while on earth. Eternal life
is not a reward for good works; it is a free gift for
believing on the risen Son of God (1 Corinthians 3.11-15,
Matthew 25.21-23, 34, 46, John 3.16, Ephesians 2.8-9).
According to Hebrews 6.1, one of the principles of
the doctrine of Christ, that all Christian leaders are
held responsible for teaching to all new believers, is
the doctrine of eternal judgment. So, in light of
that, how would most Christians answer the
question of, “What happens after we die?”
Very likely they would go the simplified route by
saying, “We either go to heaven, or we go to hell.”
That answer, according to the scriptures, is
essentially correct, but it leaves a great deal unsaid.
So, if that is the case, what does happen when we
die?
Let’s take the answer to that step-by-step.
The scriptures teach there are only two options
(destinations) available to any of us after the death
of our bodies. The scriptures further teach that
either destination is arrived at immediately upon the
death of the body and is permanent—no soul sleep,
no purgatory, no second chances (2 Corinthians 5.8, Luke
16.19-25, Hebrews 9.27).
But at some point in the future, after our bodies die,
after we arrive at our final destination, our bodies
will be raised, and we will all be forcibly hauled
into a courtroom—not a pleasant experience for
anyone—whether they are defendant or plaintiff—
guilty or innocent.
Forcibly means no one will be given a choice in the
matter.
This is a court hearing in which no one will have
the option of being held in contempt for not
showing up. Whether we like it or not—we will all
show up (2 Corinthians 5.10, Revelation 20.11-12).
Everyone, righteous and unrighteous alike, will
stand before the Judge of all the earth—though not
in the same courtroom (Philippians 2.10-11, 2 Corinthians 5.10,
Revelation 20.11-12).
Everyone, righteous and unrighteous alike, will
watch as written records are produced and evidence
concerning their cases is presented to the judge
(Malachi 3.16, Matthew 12.36-37, Revelation 20.12).
Everyone, righteous and unrighteous alike, will
have witnesses to attest to the truthfulness of the
evidence that is presented (1 John 5.7, Matthew 12.41-42).
The books will be opened for the righteous and
unrighteous alike, and each individual will
experience judgment being passed on their case
based on what is written in those books (Malachi 3.16,
Romans 2.16, 1 Corinthians15.1-4, 2 Corinthians 5.10, Revelation 20.11-12).
All similarities between the judgments of the
righteous and unrighteous will end there.
The righteous will stand before the Judgment Seat
of Christ already acquitted—already entered into
life. The unrighteous will stand before The Judge of
All the Earth already condemned (1 John 5.11-13, John
3.18).
The righteous will have an advocate (defense
attorney) provided for them (1 John 2.1).
The unrighteous will have only a prosecutor,
because in the courtroom of The Great White
Throne Judgment, all defendants will have
previously waived their right to an advocate.
However, the records will be diligently searched,
and witnesses will be sought, and found. But the
one witness that can produce the evidence needed to
free the defendants will not be found (Matthew 12.36-37,
41-42 Revelation 1.5).
At The Judgment Seat of Christ, the saved will
receive whatever rewards (in addition to eternal
life) they may have earned (1 Corinthians 3.11-15, Matthew
25.21-23, 34, 46).
At The Great White Throne Judgment, the unsaved
will receive eternal damnation (Matthew 25.41, 46).
The Judge of all the earth was put on trial once. But
his courtroom will not be a kangaroo court like the
one he chose to endure for our sakes (Mark 14.55-65).
Just like the unrighteous—who will all stand before
him, he was given no advocate for his day in court
either. This was his pre-determined choice. He
made such a choice in order to give all mankind the
opportunity to have an advocate present when their
day came.
Unlike earthly courts, in the heavenly courtroom,
the mere presence of the advocate guarantees
acquittal (Mark 15.4, Romans 3.10, 23).
At his trial, The Judge of All the Earth had no
witnesses testifying on his behalf—only accusers—
liars—bearing false witness against him (Mark 14.56).
But all of the witnesses and all of the evidence that
will be brought forth in his courtroom will be
absolutely trustworthy (Matthew 12.36-37, 41-42, Revelation
20.12).
Jesus’ earthly judge did not judge righteously, but
rather, with full knowledge of what he was doing,
condemned an innocent man (Mark 15.14-15).
The Judge of All the Earth, however, will judge
righteously. All who have their condemnation re-
affirmed at the Great White Throne Judgment will
know they have been judged righteously (John 3.18,
Romans 2.1-16).
Jesus said by our words, we will be justified, or by
our words, we will be condemned. That is a
frightening thought for most of us. During the
course of a lifetime we speak many words, and we
do not always choose our words wisely (Matthew 12.36-
37).
The wisest choice of words we can ever make is to
confess with our mouth that the Lord Jesus Christ is
the risen Son of God. If we come to God on those
terms, with a truly repentant heart, we are promised
eternal life. A broken and contrite heart, he will not
despise (Romans 10.9-10, 13, Psalm 51.17).
Here is what it all boils down to. Our God is
merciful and loving. He doesn’t unnecessarily
complicate things. Romans 10.9-10, 13 says that if we
confess with our mouth (words) the Lord Jesus, and
believe in our hearts that God raised him from the
dead...
We…
Will…
Be…
Saved.
This has been an excerpt from the book, “Bible Prophecy, Bible Versions,
Spiritual Formation,” by author / speaker Jocelyn Andersen. Her radio
commentaries can be heard on Sharecropper Christian Radio
www.ShareCropperRadio.com Her latest book, Woman Submit! Christians
and Domestic Violence, is available where ever books are sold. She invites
you to Visit www.WomanSubmit.com for details. Her book, Bible Prophecy,
Bible Versions, Spiritual Formation, is available FREE for Download at
www.Lulu.com/JocelynAndersen Visit www.HungryHeartsMinistries.com
for information concerning all her books.
