The Rapture (The Blessed Hope of the Church)

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•  The Lord Jesus promised, “In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)). He also said, “Surely I come quickly” (Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)).
•  The proper hope of the Christian is to expect the Lord to come at any moment. There are many indications that lead us to conclude that the Lord’s coming is very near at hand. (See Appendix ‘B’ for a lengthy discussion on this point.) As a result, Christians all over the world are looking for the Lord to come. This is the Christian’s “blessed hope” (Titus 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)). The Lord could come today! “For yet a [very] little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:3737For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37)).
•  The Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a “shout,” with the “voice of the archangel,” and with the “trump of God” (1 Thess. 4:15-1815For 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. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). This is what Christians call, “the Rapture.”
•  The “shout” is to awaken the “dead in Christ.” These sleeping saints are Christians who have been saved during the period when the gospel of God’s grace has gone forth in this world. But having died, their souls and spirits have gone to heaven to be with Christ. We could call them the sleeping portion of the Church. Even though death has claimed their bodies they are still referred to as being “in Christ.” The Apostle Paul uses this expression in his epistles to denote the Christian’s individual place of acceptance before God. To be “in Christ” means to be in Christ’s place of acceptance before God. The very position that Christ now occupies before God is the Christian’s place. Old Testament saints are not said to be “in Christ,” although their souls and spirits are safe with Him in heaven. At the Lord’s coming, these Christians will have their bodies rise out of their graves in resurrection (1 Cor. 15:2323But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)). This is part of the first resurrection.1
•  The “voice of the archangel”: this is not a reference to Michael the archangel, but to the Lord’s own voice “with archangelic” power. His voice will call the Old Testament saints out of their graves.2 The Lord had often appeared to His people of old as “the Angel of the Lord,” and now calls them out of their graves with that same voice with which they are familiar. They will rise out of their graves at the same time as the “dead in Christ” rise (Heb. 11:4040God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40)). Even though they are a different class of righteous persons, they will also partake in the first resurrection (Heb. 12:2323To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)–“just men made perfect”).
•  The “trump of God”3 will close up this present dispensation with the snatching away of the remaining believers who are alive on earth at the time of the Lord’s coming. All three classes will be “caught up together” to meet the Lord in the air.
The Distinction Between “The Rapture” And “The Appearing of Christ”
•  It is important to understand the distinction, in Scripture, between the Rapture and the Appearing of Christ. The two events are not to be confused. Although the Lord comes out of heaven on both occasions, the Rapture and the Appearing of Christ are distinctly different.
•  The Rapture is when the Lord comes for His saints (John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)); the Appearing of Christ is when He comes with His saints which were taken to glory at the Rapture (Jude 14,14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14) Zech. 14:55And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:5)).
•  The Rapture could take place at any moment; but the Appearing of Christ will not occur until about 7 years after the Rapture.
•  At the Rapture, the Lord comes secretly, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:5252In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)); at His Appearing, He comes publicly and every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)).
•  At the Rapture, He comes to deliver the Church (1 Thess. 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)); at His Appearing, He comes to deliver Israel (Psa. 6:1-41<<To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.>> O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? 4Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. (Psalm 6:1‑4)).
•  At the Rapture, He comes in the air for His Church because they are His heavenly people (1 Thess. 4:15-1815For 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. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)); at His Appearing, He comes back to the earth (the Mount of Olives) for Israel because they are His earthly people (Zech. 14:4-54And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:4‑5)).
•  At the Rapture, the Lord gathers His saints Himself (1 Thess. 4:15-1815For 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. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18); 2 Thess. 2:11Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1)); but at His Appearing, He sends His angels to gather together the elect of Israel. (Matt. 24:30-3130And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:30‑31)).
•  At the Rapture, He takes the believers out of this world and leaves the wicked behind (John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)); at His Appearing, the wicked are taken out of the world for judgment and the believers (those who have been converted through the gospel of the Kingdom that will be preached during the Tribulation) are left to enjoy blessing on earth (Matt. 13:41-43; 25:4141The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:41‑43)
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)).
•  At the Rapture, He comes to deliver His saints (the Church) from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)); at His Appearing, He comes to deliver the wrath (Rev. 19:1515And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15)).
•  At the Rapture, He comes as the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:6, 106And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Matthew 25:6)
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)); at His Appearing, He comes as the Son of Man (Matt. 24:27-2827For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Matthew 24:27‑28)).
•  At the Rapture, He comes as the “Morning Star” which rises just prior to daybreak (Rev. 22:1616I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16)); at His Appearing, He comes as the “Sun of Righteousness,” which is daybreak (Mal. 4:22But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)).
•  At the Rapture, He comes without any signs, because the Christian walks by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:77(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2 Corinthians 5:7)); at the Appearing, His coming will be surrounded by signs, because the Jews seek a sign (Luke 21:11, 25-2711And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11)
25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25‑27); 1 Cor. 1:2222For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (1 Corinthians 1:22)).
•  The Rapture is never referred to in Scripture as a “thief in the night,” but His Appearing is—5 times (1 Thess. 5:22For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2); 2 Peter 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10); Matt. 24:4343But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (Matthew 24:43); Rev. 3:3; 16:153Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)
15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)). There is the Lord’s coming to His own (His first coming–John 1:10-1110He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:10‑11); Heb. 10:77Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)), His coming for His own (the Rapture–John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3); 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For 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. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)), and His coming with His own (the Appearing–Jude 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14)).
•  The bodies of the saints “caught up” to meet the Lord at the Rapture will undergo a tremendous physical change. They will not receive new bodies, but rather, “changed” bodies4 (1 Cor. 15:51-5251Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑52); Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21); Job 14:1414If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (Job 14:14)). Their bodies will be glorified like the body of the Lord Jesus Christ when He appeared to His disciples in resurrection (Rom. 8:17, 28-3017And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:28‑30); Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21); Luke 24:3939Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (Luke 24:39)).
•  The saints “caught up” at the Rapture will also experience a permanent moral likeness to Christ, as well as having a physical change in their bodies. This moral conformity to Christ in the saints, which is effected by the silent work of the Spirit of God, has already begun while they are still on earth, but then it will be complete (Rom. 8:28-3028And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:28‑30); 2 Cor. 3:1818But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)). Hence, they will all be like Christ physically (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)) and like Christ morally (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth 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)). This will be a fixed condition that will continue forever.
•  The fallen sinful nature in the saints thus “caught up,” will be eradicated. This means that they will never sin again (Heb. 11:40; 12:2340God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40)
23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)–“made perfect” refers to the whole person—spirit, soul, and body; Num. 24:2020And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. (Numbers 24:20)–“Amalek” is typical of the flesh, which is the fallen sinful nature).
•  Children under the age of accountable responsibility for their sins, whose parents (or even one parent) are redeemed, will also rise to meet the Lord in the air at the Rapture (1 Cor. 7:1414For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. (1 Corinthians 7:14)–“holy”). Unbelievers, however, with their children, will be left behind to enter the Tribulation. As these children grow up in the Tribulation period they will have an opportunity to hear and believe the Gospel of the Kingdom which will be preached in that day.5 If some of these children are killed during the seven years of Tribulation, their souls will be safe with Christ in heaven (Matt. 18:10-1110Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:10‑11); 2 Sam. 12:2323But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2 Samuel 12:23)). This will be a mercy, for if they are left to grow up into adulthood, apart from the grace of God working, they would turn out like their unbelieving parents and reject the gospel, and consequently, come under judgment (Gen. 19:1515And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. (Genesis 19:15)). The world will not be emptied of children at the Rapture. Mr. C. H. Brown, quite rightly, used to say, “God will not rob the cradle of unbelievers at the Rapture.” He leaves their families intact.6
•  The Spirit of God will also be taken out of the earth in the present capacity in which He is now functioning (2 Thess. 2:6-76And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:6‑7)).7 Presently, He abides on earth in the Church; it is His dwelling place (1 Cor. 3:16-1716Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:16‑17); Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)). The Lord promised that the Spirit would never leave the Church once He had taken up His abode in it (Acts 2:1-41And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1‑4); 1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13); John 14:1616And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)). When the Church is called to glory, then He too will rise out of this world never to dwell in it again. This does not mean that the Spirit will cease to work on earth, but thereafter, He will work in the world from heaven, as He did in Old Testament times. He will continue to work in a diversity of actions (Rev. 1:44John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)), such as quickening souls, etc.
•  From that time forward, the Bridegroom (Christ), the Bride (the Church), and the friends of the Bridegroom (Old Testament saints, etc.) will be together forever (1 Thess. 4:1717Then 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. (1 Thessalonians 4:17); Heb. 11:4040God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40)).
He and I in that bright glory,
One deep joy shall share,
Mine to be forever with Him,
His that I am there.
•  The Church will not go through the Tribulation. It will be taken to glory at the Rapture before the Tribulation period begins. The Lord said, “I will keep thee out of the hour of trial which is about to come upon the whole world” (Rev 3:1010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)). See Appendix ‘C’ for further discussion on this point.
•  All of the above points will take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:51-5651Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑56)).
•  No man knows “the day, nor the hour” of the Lord’s coming—the Rapture (Matt. 25:1313Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13)).8
 
1. All of the dead will not rise simultaneously. There are two resurrections (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29); Acts 24:1515And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24:15)). The “first resurrection” (Rev. 20:4-64And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4‑6)), called the “resurrection of life” (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29)) and the “resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:1414And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14)) is a resurrection of righteous persons only—those who have died in faith. This resurrection is referred to as being from “among the dead” (Matt. 17:99And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. (Matthew 17:9); Phil. 3:1111If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:11); Col. 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)), because it is a selective thing, in that the righteous are taken out from among the wicked. The first resurrection takes place in three phases: firstly, “Christ the first-fruits” (1 Cor. 15:2323But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23); Matt. 28:1-81In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. (Matthew 28:1‑8)), then, “they which are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:2323But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23); 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For 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. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)), which is the phase referred to in our text; then lastly, the final phase of the first resurrection will take place at the end of the seven-year Tribulation (Rev. 20:44And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)). This last group involves those who will turn to God during the Tribulation period and are martyred (Rev. 6:9-11; 15:29And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:9‑11)
2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)). Those who partake in the first resurrection will enjoy a heavenly portion with Christ and will reign with Him over the earth (2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)). The second resurrection, called the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29)) and the “resurrection of the unjust” (Acts 24:1515And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24:15)), is a resurrection of wicked persons who have died in their sins. They will be raised after the 1000-year reign (Millennium) of Christ (Rev. 20:7, 11-157And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, (Revelation 20:7)
11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15)). At that time, they will stand before the “great white throne,” and will receive their sentence of judgment. All that partake in this second resurrection, which is the rest of the dead, will be cast into the lake of fire forever.
2. Geo. Davison, “Precious Things,” vol. 4, p. 142; L. M. Grant, “First and Second Thessalonians,” p. 29; W. Macdonald, “Believer’s Bible Commentary,” p. 2038; H. A. Ironside, “Thessalonians,” p. 50.
3. The “trump of God,” here, is not to be confused with the last of the seven trumpets in Revelation 11:15-18,15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:15‑18) which will be sounded 7 years later at the end of the Tribulation period, when Christ will come out of heaven again (the appearing of Christ) to take possession of the kingdoms of this world. Nor should this be confused with the trumpet blast referred to in Matthew 24:30-3130And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:30‑31) and Isaiah 27:13,13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. (Isaiah 27:13) which refers to the re-gathering of Israel after Christ’s Appearing.
4. We are not aware of any Bible verse that says the saints receive new bodies. To say that the saints receive new bodies actually denies resurrection! If we teach that the saints will get new bodies at the Rapture, then we are implying that the bodies they once lived in will not rise from the dead. The truth is that the very same bodies the saints lived in while on earth will be raised. Albeit, they are not raised in the same fallen condition they once were in, but are “raised incorruptible” (1 Cor. 15:53-5453For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:53‑54)). Their bodies will be glorified then. The living saints on earth at the time of the Rapture will also have their bodies changed and glorified at that time.
5. The Gospel of the Kingdom is not to be confused with the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:2424But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)), which Christians are preaching today. The Gospel of the Grace of God promises justification through faith in Christ and a home with Him in heaven for eternity. The Gospel of the Kingdom declares the good news of the coming King who will establish His kingdom on earth in power according to the Old Testament prophecies. Those who believe this gospel and are preserved from martyrdom in the Great Tribulation, will go into the kingdom to share in its blessings on earth. It is the same gospel preached before Pentecost by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:1-21In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:1‑2)), the Lord Jesus Christ, the King (Matt. 4:1717From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)), and His disciples (Matt. 10:77And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 10:7)).
6. The Old Testament types of the judgment of the world also indicate this. At the time of the flood, the children of unbelievers were not taken out before the flood came, as was the case with Noah and his family. In the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, the unbeliever’s infants were not taken out before the fire and brimstone burnt up those cities, as was Lot’s family.
7. Some may ask the question, “How do we know when the Spirit will be taken out of the way?” We believe it is evident by the following passages that it is at the Rapture. The Lord promised His disciples on the night of His betrayal that when the Spirit of God came to take up his abode in them (Acts 2), it would be “forever” (John 14:16-1716And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16‑17)). When the Church is called out of this world at the Rapture, the Spirit of God will also go, because the Lord said that He (the Spirit) would never leave them. This can be seen in the book of Revelation. In the first three chapters, when the Church is viewed as on earth, the Spirit is seen over and over speaking to the Church. But after chapter 4:1-2, when the Church is viewed as taken out of the world to heaven, the Spirit is not mentioned again until chapters 14:13 and 22:17, which refer to a time after the Tribulation. Also, compare chapters 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22, with chapter 13:9. Notice the marked absence of the expression, “What the Spirit saith unto the churches” in chapter 13:9, when the Tribulation will be upon the earth. Again, this is seen typically in Genesis 24 where a bride (a type of the Church) is sought for Isaac (a type of Christ) by the servant (a type of the Spirit of God). Once the bride had been secured by the servant, he took her all the way home to Isaac who was waiting for her. Just as the servant went home with the bride, so will the Holy Spirit go home to reside in heaven with the Church when the Lord comes for the Church.
8. Many Christians use Matthew 24:3636But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36) to teach that no man knows when the Rapture will take place. However, that verse is not speaking of the Rapture, but rather, of the Appearing of Christ. It is true that no man knows when the Rapture will occur; the right verse to use to teach that is Matthew 25:1313Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13)—which has to do with the coming of the Bridegroom.