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.

The Different Raptures and Resurrections in God’s Redemptive Plan

The Bible describes multiple rapture and resurrection events throughout history and prophecy, each serving a unique purpose in God’s divine order. These events highlight God’s sovereignty, His deliverance of the righteous, and His ultimate plan for judgment and eternal restoration.

1. The Rapture of Enoch (Pre-Flood Rapture)

Enoch is the first recorded person in Scripture to be taken to heaven without dying. Genesis 5:24 states, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Hebrews 11:5 confirms this was a translation into heaven so that he would not see death. Enoch’s rapture is a foreshadowing of future rapture events, demonstrating how God takes the righteous before bringing judgment—just as the Church will be taken before the Tribulation.

2. The Rapture of the Church (Pre-Tribulation Rapture)

The next major rapture event is the catching away of all believers in Christ before the seven-year Tribulation. The dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are alive will be transformed in an instant to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). This marks the removal of the Church before God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth (Revelation 3:10).

3. The Rapture of the Two Witnesses

During the Tribulation, two witnesses will prophesy and perform great miracles, testifying against the Antichrist. After three and a half years, they will be killed and left unburied in the streets of Jerusalem (Revelation 11:3-12). But after three and a half days, they will be resurrected and raptured into heaven, demonstrating God’s power and warning to the remaining inhabitants of the earth.

4. The Rapture of the Tribulation Saints

After the Church is raptured, many will come to faith in Christ during the Tribulation. These believers will refuse the mark of the Beast and will be martyred for their testimony (Revelation 7:9-14). Their resurrection is seen in Revelation 20:4, where they are raised to reign with Christ during His Millennial Kingdom.

5. The Resurrection of Old Testament Saints

At the Second Coming of Christ, the Old Testament saints—those who placed their faith in God before Christ’s first coming—will be resurrected (Daniel 12:2, Isaiah 26:19). They, along with the Tribulation martyrs, will enter into the Millennial Kingdom to reign with Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6).

6. The Resurrection of the Millennial Saints

Believers who come to faith and die during the Millennial Kingdom will also be resurrected before entering the eternal state. The Bible does not give explicit details on this event, but it is implied that they will be raised before the final judgment, receiving glorified bodies to dwell in the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

7. The Resurrection of the Unbelievers (Great White Throne Judgment)

The final resurrection occurs after the Millennial Kingdom. Every unbeliever from all time will be raised from the dead to stand before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). They will be judged according to their works, and since their names are not found in the Book of Life, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternal separation from God.

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.