The concept of the “Rapture” as a specific term isn’t explicitly mentioned in the english Bible, but the idea of believers being caught up or taken away is derived from various passages that we will discuss in this post.
The word rapture does appear if you’re reading the Latin Bible in the Vulgate. The Latin Vulgate the word is “rapiemur” (1 Thes.4:17) which is the proper tense of rapido which is our English word wrapped and rapture coming from the past participle of rapido so it’s derived from that verb. The word rapture occurs in effect is proper tense in Latin in the Latin Bible and the volume that’s where we get this term rapture from.
People who say the rapture is not in the Bible prove they have not done their homework. When doing, you will be surprised to find that the Bible teaches seven raptures in the scripture.
Enoch you could call was raptured back in Genesis. Elijah was taken in second Kings to Jesus of course is the classic example and Philip in Acts 8. Paul when he’s taken to the third heaven in 2nd Corinthians 12; these are all familiar passages. The body of Christ is spoken here in 1st Thessalonians 4 and as one more when John is called up in the first verse of Revelation chapter 4. In fact what’s interesting is for these the actual word harpazo is used and probably the most provocative one of all of these to me is Revelation 12.
In Revelation 12 we have Israel portrayed as the woman, the woman with the reading ascend starts with Eve. It’s the woman that gave birth to the manchild the Messiah. She brought forth a man child but some people try to make that the Church in Revelation 12. That’s a strange contrivance because clearly it’s identified by idioms drawn from Genesis.
Jacob in Genesis actually identifies her for you but furthermore she’s the one that brought forth the manchild she’s the mother she’s not the wife or the bride. She brought forth a man child who was to rule all the nations of the rod of iron, who would that be Jesus Christ. Her child was caught up to God and to his throne. The member who first recognized the possibility that what may be in view here is the catching up of the body of Christ the church itself in fact the word caught up interesting left is harpazo the same word that we have in 1st Thessalonians 4.
Nonetheless, the Bible does describe the rapture in 7 occurrences in which we will look at today starting in Genesis.
Table of Contents
The 7 Rapture Events in The Bible
ENOCH (RAPTURE 1)
Enoch (Gen 5:24; Heb 11:5): Enoch is mentioned in Genesis 5:24 as someone who “walked with God” and was taken by God so that he did not experience death. Hebrews 11:5 confirms this faith-based account, stating that Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death.
ELIJAH (RAPTURE 2)
Elijah (2 Kings 2:1, 11): Elijah’s departure from Earth occurred in a whirlwind as he was taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire, witnessed by his disciple Elisha, as described in 2 Kings 2:1 and 11.
JESUS (RAPTURE 3)
Jesus (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11; Rev 12:5): After Jesus’ resurrection, He ascended into heaven, as recorded in Mark 16:19 and Acts 1:9-11. Revelation 12:5 symbolically depicts the male child being caught up to God and His throne, representing Christ’s ascension.
PHILIP (RAPTURE 4)
Philip (Acts 8:39): After baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip was “caught away” by the Spirit of the Lord, indicating a sudden transportation from one place to another, mentioned in Acts 8:39.
PAUL (RAPTURE 5)
Paul (2 Cor 12:2-4): Paul refers to a man (likely himself) who was caught up to the third heaven and heard inexpressible things, an experience that was beyond normal earthly bounds, as detailed in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
THE CHURCH (RAPTURE 6)
Body of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:17): This passage speaks about believers being caught up together with the resurrected and transformed ones to meet the Lord in the air, indicating a sudden gathering or “rapture” of the believers.
JOHN (RAPTURE 7)
John (Revelation 4:1): In Revelation, John is called up to heaven in a vision, symbolizing a divine revelation, when he hears a voice saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
The concept of the Rapture, as understood by many Christian denominations, combines elements from these and other passages to propose a future event where believers will be suddenly taken away to be with Christ before the period of tribulation on Earth. Interpretations and beliefs about the timing and nature of this event may vary among different Christian traditions. I have a FREE download describing this event with references and Biblical arguments that the Rapture is a pre-tribulation event, you can download it here for your study.
