The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin translation of the word for “caught up” used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Study carefully to determine what the Bible says about the catching away of the saints..
1. How is Jesus coming back to earth?
a. Matthew 24:30 Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27 Describe events surrounding His coming?
b. Matthew 26:64 Mark 14:62 Where is Jesus now?
c. Acts 1:6, 11 How did Jesus go into heaven after His time of earth?
d. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Where will Jesus be when we first meet Him?
e. Titus 2:13 How is His coming described in this verse?
f. Revelation 1:7 Who will see Jesus when He comes? Who are those who “pierced him”?
2. Read John 14:1-3 (John 13:31–14:6).
a. What provoked the teaching of this event?
b. How will His disciples come to be with Him?
3. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
a. What provoked the teaching about this event?
b. Who will rise from where to meet Whom where?
c. What is the order of events? Although there may be others, Michael is the only angel called an archangel in the Bible (Jude 9). He is assigned to the nation of Israel (Daniel 10:21; 12:1). Notice that “the trumpet call” is “of God.” The same events and the “the last trumpet” are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:52. The last trumpet was sounded before the final victory in Joshua 6:12-20.
4. Since 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is a predominant passage on the rapture, examine it in the light of the context of 1 Thessalonians. Each chapter in 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the coming of the Lord. Is Jesus coming for the believer or are they already with Him when He comes?
a. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Note any relationship to the wrath of God.
b. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 What is the crown in which we glory in when Jesus comes?
c. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Who do you think are “his holy ones”?
d. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Who will be caught up with whom to meet the Lord where? How long will they be with the Lord? Exciting!
e. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 What should be our condition when we meet Jesus?
5. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
a. How will the day of the Lord come?
b. Why will Christians not be surprised? How are they supposed to be?
c. Some think that “wrath” in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 refers to the day of the Lord. Is this possible? Why or why not?
d. The day of the Lord and the rapture are mentioned together in this passage. What does it tell you about the timing of the rapture?
6. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:10. What two events are linked in verse 10?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 1:7-8. What two events are linked in this passage?
8. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.
a. What two events are linked in 2 Thessalonians 2:1? What is “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him?” Notice the similarity between this passage and 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
b. 2 Thessalonians was written shortly after 1 Thessalonians because those at Thessalonica received a message that the day of the Lord had already come. If the day of the Lord would precede the coming of the Lord, why did this disturb them?
c. According the 2 Thessalonians 2:3, what two events have to happen before the day of the Lord?
d. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 what has to happen before the man of lawlessness is revealed?
e. There is a difference of opinion as to the one who holds back the secret power of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). The three predominant views are:
(1 the Holy Spirit indwelling the church, which will be taken out of the way when the church is raptured. Is this possible considering when the Restrainer appears in the order of events in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7? Also consider the pronouns used to describe the restrainer.
(2 the Holy Spirit “Paul used the neuter to refer to the restraining power or activity of the Holy Spirit (v. 6), but the masculine to refer to the Spirit as a person (v. 7).” “The Restrainer” by Renald Showers; Israel My Glory; May/June 2004
(3 Michael, the archangel
(a In Daniel 10:12-21 Michael is called one of the chief princes and is seen restraining evil government powers.
(b In Daniel 12:1 Michael is called the prince of Daniel’s people (Jews) and will arise during the end times. Arise (stand up KJV)–Amad–stand still or fast
(c In Jude 9 Michael is called an archangel and is opposing evil.
(d In Revelation 12:7 Michael and his angels win in a contest over the devil and his angels who are cast to the earth in the end times.
f. What do the order of events in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7 tell us about the timing of the rapture?
9. Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.
a. Who is Paul talking to?
b. What is Paul talking about inheriting?
c. What does “sleep” mean in this passage? Who will be raised? What is swallowed up in victory. (Also see John 11:11-14)
d. What will "we" be changed from? be changed to?
e. How quickly will we be changed?
f. What happens in this passage that lets us know at what event we will be changed?
10. What does Revelation 1:7 tell us about Christ’s coming?
a. Who will see Him when He comes in the clouds?
b. What will be the reaction of those who see Him in Zechariah 12:10? In Revelation 6:15-17?
c. How do those who see Him and their reactions fit in with what you see in John 14:3 1 Corinthians 15:51-5 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 2 Thessalonians 1:10 Titus 2:3?
11. Where are the people in Revelation 7:9-17? What are they doing? When did they arrive?
12. Read Revelation 17:14 and Revelation 19.
a. Where is the church in Revelation 19:1-10? How do you know it is the church?
b. Who are the “called, chosen and faithful followers” of Revelation 17:14? Who are the “armies of heaven” that follow Christ on white horses in Revelation 19:11-16? Why do you think so?
c. When does this event take place in relation to the event of 1 Thessalonians 3:13 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 and Jude 14-15?
13. Examine Daniel 12:1-2 and its context (the last few verses of Daniel 11 and Daniel 12). Compare with John 5:28-29. Does this tell you anything about the rapture?
14. Examine Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Observation worksheets are included in the appendix. Especially notice "when," “then” and “immediately after” because they will give you the sequence of events. Notice every reference to turning away from the faith, to abomination of desolation, to distress, to the Son of Man and to a thief coming in the night.
a. Who turns away from the faith? When do they turn away from the faith? What do they do because they have turned away from the faith? Who deceives many people?
b. Why does the love of most grow cold? Who will be saved? When does the end come?
c. In what city is the abomination of desolation set up? In Daniel 11:31 what happens before the abomination of desolation is set up?
d. How is the distress described? When does this distress occur in relation to the coming of the Son of Man? Do you think this distress the same event as the Day of the Lord or the Wrath of God? Why or why not?
e. Where do you place the rapture in Matthew and Mark? What events occur before and after the rapture? What does this tell you about the timing of the rapture? What portion of Scripture is included in Matthew’s gospel but not in Mark’s?
f. How does the reference to a thief in the night in Matthew 24:43 compare with 1 Thessalonians 5:2 2 Peter 3:10 and Revelation 16:15? Notice in these three passages the attitude of the people to whom Jesus comes as a thief in the night. What insight do we get about the time of the rapture in 2 Peter 3:10? How might this be fulfilled in Revelation 16:15?
15. Read Luke 17:20-37 21:5-36. This is not quite the same as similar passages in Matthew and Mark. What does this passage add to our understanding of the rapture?
16. Read Matthew 25:1-13. Why weren’t five of the virgins allowed into the wedding banquet? What does oil symbolize?
17. Read 1 Peter 1:7, 13, 4:13 and record what events surround the time the Son of Man is revealed?
18. Examine 1 Timothy 4:1 2 Timothy 3:1-9 2 Peter 3:3-14 and Jude 14-15. Although these passages do not speak directly about the rapture, note events that will help in your understanding of the time period.
19. What events surround the rapture? What is the relationship between the rapture and God’s wrath or the day of the Lord? When do raptured saints appear in heaven? When in the book of Revelation do you think the rapture takes place? If you do not reach a conclusion about the timing of the rapture, continue studying. God will reveal truth when it is needed.