Part 4 of 12 / Paul's Teaching On The Rapture

Introduction: The Apostle Of Mystery

While Jesus gave His Disciples signs of the End Times and spoke of His return, it was the Apostle Paul who revealed the 'mystery' of the Rapture - a truth hidden in ages past but made known to the church (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Through the Holy Spirit's inspiration of Paul's writings, Paul explained the transformation of believers, the hope of the resurrection, and the encouragement that flows from Christ's promise to gather His people.

For Paul, the Rapture was not speculation but a source of comfort and motivation. It shaped how believers faced persecution, trials, and even death.

The Scriptural Foundation

"According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction." - 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Key Teachings From Jesus On The End Times

1. The Rapture Is A Revelation Of Mystery

Paul calls the Rapture a 'mystery' (Greek: mysterion) - something previously hidden but now revealed to the Church. Unlike Old Testament prophecies, which spoke of resurrection and judgment, the Rapture introduces a new element: living believers being instantly transformed and caught up to meet Jesus Christ.

2. The Sequence Of Events (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

   
   

Paul outlines the Rapture with precise order:

• The Lord Descends From Heaven.

• A Shout, The Voice Of An Archangel, & The Trumpet Call Signal The Event.

• The Dead In Christ Rise First (Resurrection Of Believers).

• Living Believers Are Then Transformed And Caught Up (Harpazo - Snatched Away).

• Both Groups Meet The Lord In The Air, Not On The Earth.

• We Are With Him Forevermore.

This is why Paul calls it the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:11-14)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds." - Titus 2:11-14

3. The Transformation Of Believers (1 Corinthians 15:50-54)

"Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “D eath has been swallowed up in victory." - 1 Corinthians 15:50-54

• Mortality Will Put On Immortality.

• Corruption Will Be Replaced With Incorruption.

• Death Will Be Swallowed Up In Victory.

In the 'twinkling of an eye,' our earthly bodies will be glorified; fit for eternity with Christ.

Jesus describes His visible and glorious return:

"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven . . . and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven, with power and great glory." - Matthew 24:30-31

Angels will gather the elect and this event is described as the Rapture, a sudden catching away, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

4. Encouragement & Comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

"Therefore, comfort one another with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:18

The Apostle Paul insists the Rapture is meant to encourage believers, not to frighten them.

• For the grieving, it assures reunion with loved ones in Christ.

• For the persecuted, it guarantees ultimate deliverance.

• For all believers, it offers joyful hope of being with Jesus forever.

5. The Man Of Lawlessness And The Day Of The Lord (2 Thessalonians 2)

"Therefore, comfort one another with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Paul warns that before the Day of the Lord (Tribulation & the Second Coming), a great rebellion will occur and the Antichrist will be revealed. However, he reassures believers that God has not appointed us to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

This ties the Rapture into the broader timeline of prophetic events; emphasizing deliverance and hope for the Church before the Antichrist is revealed upon the earth.

• For the grieving, it assures reunion with loved ones in Christ.

• For the persecuted, it guarantees ultimate deliverance.

• For all believers, it offers joyful hope of being with Jesus forever.

Timeline Of Paul's Teaching

1. Church Age - Believers Await Christ's Return

2. Rapture - Dead In Christ Rise First, Remaining Living Believers Caught Up & Transformed

3. Tribulation - Antichrist Revealed, Global Judgment

4. Second Coming - Christ Returns Visibly To The Earth

5. Millennial Reign - Christ Reigns For 1,000 Years

6. Eternal State - New Heaven & New Earth

For the believer, the study of the End Times isn't about fear, but about hopeful vigilance.

Living In Light Of The Rapture

Pauls Writings Remind Us:

• Death Is Defeated - We Will Rise Again

  
  

  Life Has Purpose - Our Labor In The Lord Is Not Vein

  
  

  - 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

• Hope Motivates Holiness - Knowing Christ Is Coming Soon Encourages Us To Live Faithfully

  
  

  - 1 John 3:2-3, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Summary

The Rapture is a mystery revealed to the church by Paul. Believers, who are both dead and living, will be caught up and transformed in the air with Christ as we are gathered to Him for eternity. The Rapture is not meant to bring fear or terrify people, but to bring encouragement and hope. Paul ties the Rapture to the ultimate victory of Christ over death and evil within our world.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why do you think Paul emphasized the Rapture as a source of comfort?

2. How does the promise of glorified bodies impact the way you view trials today?

3. In what ways does the hope of the Rapture motivate you to live differently?

Prayer For This Week

Heavenly Father, we Thank You for revealing the mystery of the Rapture through Your servant Paul. We praise You for the hope of the resurrection, the promise of transformation, and the assurance that one day we will meet the Lord in the air. Until that day, keep us steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. Help us to live with Faith, Joy, and Expectancy as we await the blessed hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Until Next Week ~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!