The document explains the concept of the rapture as described in the Bible, specifically referencing 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which depicts the catching up of believers to meet the Lord in the air. It discusses various interpretations of rapture timing, including pre-, mid-, and post-tribulation views, and emphasizes the idea of believers being taken to heaven before tribulation begins. The text also highlights that the rapture is a blessed hope for Christians, assuring them of salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. RAPTURE PRESENTED BY JOY JOSEPH MUNDUKOTTACKAL KONKANI CHRISTIAN (BRETHREN) ASSEMBLY

2. RAPTURE What is Rapture ? Is there the word Rapture in the Bible? Answer: No Why then widely used ? … ..Then we which are alive and (1 Thessalonians 4: 17) 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. “ Caught up” - is the rapture.

3. RAPTURE Have you ever seen how Magnet works ? If brought over a mix of sand and other materials; the Magnet will snatch away all Iron filings (Things only of Magnetic attraction will be caught up) Rapture can be compared to this At the coming of the Lord to clouds, ( All who belongs to him ) Dead in Christ will be risen first The living in Christ will be changed ( Together caught up ) (Will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the clouds)

4. RAPTURE 1 The. 4:16-17 For 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: Then 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 Cor.15: 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:..we shall be changed.

5. RAPTURE Rapture (of the church) was a mystery . Resurrection was not a mystery. (Job.19: 25-27) (Was known to the men in other ages past.) Living in Christ changed and caught up Translation of the saints was a mystery. (1.Cor.15: 51) (Was not known to the men in other ages past.) Apostle Paul revealed this mystery. 1 Corinthians 15: 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

6. RAPTURE Theories on rapture 1. Pre- tribulation rapture Church will be caught up before tribulation 2. Mid- tribulation rapture Church will be caught up at the middle of tribulation 3. Post- tribulation rapture Church will pass thru tribulation and then caught up. Partial rapture ( As parts but not church as a whole ) Is a modern school of thought ( Of some “modern movement” have no scriptural support )

7. RAPTURE What is rapture ? It is the Lord’s return to the clouds (1.The.4: 17) The Lord’s return for the saints (Heb.9: 28) Blessed hope of every believer (2.Tim.4: 8) The coming to meet his bride the church (Rev.19: 7) We (church) will be caught up (1.The.4: 17) Before the tribulation begins (1.The.1: 10) Can be any moment from now (1.Cor.15: 51-52)

8. RAPTURE THERE ARE TWO PHASES OF HIS COMING 1. COMING FOR HIS SAINTS (RAPTURE) 2. COMING WITH HIS SAINTS (REVELATION) WHAT IS RAPTURE ? (Heb.9: 28; Acts.1: 11) Coming to the clouds (1.The.4: 16; 1.Cor.15: 22) WHAT IS REVELATION ? (I.The.3: 13; Rev.66: 15) Coming to the earth (2.The.1: 6; Jude 14-15; Zec. 14: 4) (In the epistles 2. Pet; 2.The. etc, more of revelation we read)

9. RAPTURE

10. RAPTURE It is the Lord’s return to the clouds 1 The.4: 16-17 For 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: Then 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 The.1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. Following the rapture, in heavenly places will have 1. The judgment seat of Christ and rewarding ( 2.Cor.5: 10 ) 2. Marriage of the Lamb ( Rev.19: 7 ) 3. The Marriage supper ( Rev.19: 9; Lk.13: 28-30 ) On earth will have the 70 th week ( 7 years Period )

11. RAPTURE WHY THE TRUMPET SOUNDS ( Read Num. 10: 1-10 – The use of Trumpets ) Numbers 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly , and for the journeying of the camps. The trumpet of God ( v.3 ) To gather together The shout ( V.5 ) Command to start journey The voice of the archangel –To clear the way for rapture ( Rev.12:7; Dan.10: 13 ) The people of the world may hear but may not understand ( May take time to realize - John 12: 28-30 ) World will come to know many are missing.

12. RAPTURE THE LORD’S RETURN FOR THE SAINTS (Heb.9: 28) Only His own will see him. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, 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. (At the revelation all will see him- Rev.1: 7; Zec.14:4 ) We shall be with him (1.The.4: 17) 1 The.4:17 Then 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. Shadows: Meeting of Isaac and Rebecca- ( Gen.25: 65- 67 ) World may not understand-( Jn.12: 28-30; Acts. 9: 7 )

13. RAPTURE Blessed hope of every believer (2.Tim.4: 8) Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby heis able even to subdue all things unto himself. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then 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 .

14. RAPTURE The coming to meet his bride the church (Rev.19: 7) 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For 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: Then 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. Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.

15. RAPTURE We (church) will be caught up (1.The.4: 17) 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: Shadows in the Bible Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (Heb.11: 5) 2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Revelation 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; ( the two witness during tribulation )

16. RAPTURE RAPTURE BEFORE THE TRIBULATION (1.The.1: 10) (As bride of Christ, will not be allowed to pass thru it) Church is espoused to Christ (2.Cor.12: 2) Church is the bride of Christ (Rev.22: 17) Church is the object of Christ’s love (Eph.5: 25) Church is waiting for His return (1.The.1: 10) Will not deliver his turtle dove to the w. beast (Ps.79: 19) Church is not the object of his wrath. 1 The.5: 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 The.1: 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

17. RAPTURE Can be any moment from now ( 1.Cor.15: 51-52 ) 1 Corinthians 15:52 In 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. Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. ( Lk.12: 40 ) 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward , not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.

18. RAPTURE It will be sudden- means how much time will take? 1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound. (Twinkling of an eye, may be only fraction of a second) Example Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. ARE YOU READY FOR THE RAPTURE ? IF NOT……

19. RAPTURE You can be sure of your part in rapture Admit you are a sinner (Rom. 3: 23) But Know God loves you (John. 3: 16) Christ died on the cross for you (Rom. 5: 8) You can have the forgiveness of sin (Acts.10: 43) You can have eternal life by believing (Jn.20: 31) You can become a child of God (Jn.1: 12) You can have assurance of salvation (1.Jn. 3: 1-2)

20. RAPTURE On that bright and golden morning when the Son of Man shall come, And the radiance of His glory we shall see; When from every clime and nation He shall call his people home- What a gath’ring of the ransomed that will be! What a gath’..ring! What a gath’..ring! What a gath’ring of the ransomed In the summer land of love! What a gath’..ring, What a gath’ring Of the ransomed in that happy home above

21. THE RAPTURE Hope the brief study on THE RAPTURE been a blessing. Any questions, comments or suggestions Please write to my Email Email: [email_address]