THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

Of all the prophetic topics discussed today, the Rapture of the Church has to be at the top of the list. And, like most Christian doctrine, it has been the subject of much debate. There are four positions held by believers: 1) Pre-Tribulation Rapture; 2) Mid-Tribulation Rapture; 3) Post-Tribulation Rapture; and 4) No Rapture. The irony is, it really doesn't matter which of the four views one holds, because when it happens, born again believers are "going up." However, since both Jesus and Paul taught on the subject, some things related to the Rapture must be important (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:13-18). Here is a comparison of the two passages.

Both intended to comfort believers:
* Jesus: "Let not your heart be troubled" (v. 1).
* Paul: "Comfort one another with these words" (v. 18).

Both emphasized the need for personal faith:
* Jesus: "Ye believe in God, believe also in Me" (v. 1).
* Paul: "If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (v. 14).

Both assure us that we can take Christ at His Word:
* Jesus: "If it were not so, I would have told you" (v. 2).
* Paul: "This we say unto you by the Word of the Lord" (v. 15).

Both promise that He will come again:
* Jesus: "I will come again" (v. 3).
* Paul: "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven" (v. 16).

Both speak of believers being caught up to Him:
* Jesus: "And receive you unto Myself" (v. 3).
* Paul: "We...shall be caught up...to meet the Lord in the air" (v. 17).

Both speak of spending eternity with the Lord:
* Jesus: "That where I am, ye may be also" (v. 3).
* Paul: "And so shall we ever be with the Lord" (v. 17).

Finally, there are Old Testament examples of God taking His people up:
* Enoch (before the Flood - Gen. 5:24).
* Noah (He lifted them up in the Ark - Gen. 7:17).
* Lot (angels took him up into a mountain - Gen. 19:17).
* Elijah (Elijah taken up before Israel's first captivity - 2 Kgs. 2:11).

"Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!"