Is the word, Rapture, in the Bible?
Perhaps no other word gets used more in regards to our future as believers than “rapture”. There are many theories and opinions as to when this so-called event happens: pre-tribulation rapture, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation, pre-wrath, etc. And everyone is convinced their view is right. Yet again, my point is not to go down the road of proving one over the others.
One of my concerns with the preoccupation with the rapture is that American believers in particular think they are going to escape any or all hardship and tribulation. It smacks of naiveté at best and arrogance at worst. God has blessed this nation more than any other, but many of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are suffering disease, famine, persecution, and martyrdom. And we may one day face it too before the Lord returns. So please be sensitive to this. Now, to the word at hand.
The word, “rapture” does not appear directly in the English translation of the Bible. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the verse associated with this word:
“After that (the raising of the dead in Christ), 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.”
In this verse the key phrase is “caught up”, which in Greek is “harpazÕ”. It means to snatch or carry off. In Latin, this is the word, “raptus” or in English, “rapture”.
Now, I am not saying there is no rapture. There are wiser scholars than I on both sides of the issue. But, as we’ve already seen, the word Trinity is not in the Bible either, but there is compelling Scriptural evidence of its truth as well. I do look forward to being caught up, whenever it happens.