Understanding the Rapture: Meeting Our Lord in Glory

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Overview

The event of people’s rupture or the way they meet with their Lord is part of one very significant event. It is the second coming of Jesus Christ to planet earth.

The answers to the questions posed by this remarkable event will aid greatly. They will help in understanding the “rupture question.” Moreover, to clarify its timing, essence and relation to the rest of Scriptures.

At the end of the day, the “rupture event” demonstrates more nuances of the relationship between God and His people.

It is all designed and implemented by the love, wisdom and goodness of God. He and His people are to be glorified immensely through it.

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God’s people meeting their Lord
- We shall see Him as He is
- Others will flee from His presence
Defining the catching up (rupture) event
Commonly asked questions about rapture
In conclusion

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God’s people meeting their Lord

The way it will happen is God’s appointed way. People can’t contribute anything at that moment.

Christ will come as the King of kings and Lord of lords with full display of His Divine glory. (Revelation 19:16). Additionally, with the glory of the Father and the company of His holy angels and their glory. (Matthew 25:31).

His mission is different from the mission of His first advent. It involves the gathering of His elect. (Matthew 24:29-31).

It will be a supernatural event with two phases. The first phase is the resurrection of all those who have died in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Amazingly, which only God can do, they are resurrected with glorified immortal bodies. The same change of receiving their immortal bodies takes place about the living righteous. (1 Corinthians 15:52-53).

The second phase is the literal rupture from ground to the cloud in the air above. Thus the righteous living together with the resurrected righteous dead will meet with Lord.

We shall see Him as He is

Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him. For we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2.

The children of God are accustomed to His light. They had followed Him by faith wherever He went. (Revelation 14:4).

It was a light in every dwelling of the saints spiritually speaking. And they will catch the first light of His second appearance. The light of Christ will be admired by all who have served Him. They can stand:

His unveiled glory without fear, but love.
Saying, This is the Lord we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Isaiah 25:9.

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Others will flee from His presence

At the time of Christ’s coming the world is divided into two groups – righteous and unrighteous. There’s no middle ground. He judges the entire world in righteousness. (Psalm 9:8; Acts 17:31).

Unrighteous people can’t stand the glory of His appearance.

Years of probation were granted to them to form characters for heaven. The glory of God would be a consuming fire for them.

They would long to flee from His presence. They shall say to the mountains, Cover us. And to the hills, Fall on us. Hosea 10:8.

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Defining the rupture event

The term “rupture” is derived from the Latin word “rapto”, translating the Greek “harpazō” – “to catch up, seize, snatch”.

The word rupture is not found in the English translations of the Bible. The “catching up” or “rupture” is spoken of by the apostle Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians believers.

For example:

Then we who 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:17. (King James Bible).

Another old English translation, such as the Geneva Bible puts it the same way – “caught up“.

When you read this verse, it becomes clear. There are two groups to be caught up together in the clouds. The first group is the resurrected who slept in Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:14). The apostle Paul identifies with the second group – the living saints.

So, those two multitudes are caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. This is the gathering of the elect.

Moreover, it is another grandiose supernatural event performed by the Son of God. The first one is the resurrection of the righteous dead of all time.

Thus the rupture is completed in the air. And so they will be forever with the Lord.

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Commonly asked questions about rapture

What is the difference between the “Rapture” and the “Second Coming” of Christ?

The rapture of the righteous is a nested event in the second coming of their Lord. It is a spectacular event for the entire Universe of gathering the elect. The rupture establishes the beginning of their eternity in the literal presence of God. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Is the rapture taught clearly in the Bible?

The concept of the righteous being caught up in the air is taught plainly. It involves them being resurrected and alive to meet with the Lord. They are the fruits of His Gospel, who stand His judgment in righteousness. (Psalm 96:13).

When will the rapture happen relative to the tribulation?

The sign of the Son of man in heaven appears after the tribulation. Jesus sends His angels to gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31). They had developed righteous character through suffering as He had done it. (Hebrews 2:10). Thus they testify that His grace is sufficient as He claimed in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Who is taken and who is left at the rupture?

The elected righteous children of God are taken in the air. Thus they meet Christ in the clouds and so shall they ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Will the rapture be secret or visible/audible?

The rupture is another grandiose event that follows the resurrection of the righteous dead, which is of the same magnitude. They both happened after Christ appeared in light (glory) of the Father, His own and unnumbered host of angels. (Matthew 25:31).

A brighter event had never occurred in human history. It is likened to lightning from the east shining to the west. (Matthew 24:27).

Moreover, it is audible from the host’s shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

What happens to the bodies of the righteous – both those who are alive and the resurrected?

They are both changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. The dead are raised with and those who live are changed to immortal bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:52, 53). They are both changed before meeting the Lord in the air. This transformation occurs because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:50).

What happens to the unrighteous (wicked)?

They are not part of those that had been ruptured. Their fate as part of the second coming is explained in different Bible passages. (Matthew 25:31-46; etc.).

How should Christians live in light of the rapture?

Apostle Paul teaches that the expected caught up should be a message of comfort between Christians. (1 Thessalonians 4:18). They should diligently study this blessed hope. They must share it with all who live in love and faith. This will ensure that the number of the ruptured will be extensively enlarged.

In conclusion

Christ’s followers – the resurrected saints and the righteous alive are to be ruptured together in the clouds. They are to meet their Lord in the air. From that moment on they will be together forever.

It is a supernatural event performed by the Son of God at His second coming to the world. It is also observed by the unnumbered host of His holy angels. They are Christ’s companions at His glorious visit to the earth to gather His elect.

Where to go from here

How To Study The Bible? – Apply these principles for clear spiritual discernment.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4 in KJV Bible – Full chapter study following along this article references.
Grow in Christ Category – Grow in faith, leaning on the promise to meet be taken at His coming.
God’s Love Content Hub – All Christ-centered teaching in one place.

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