Is the Rapture in the Bible?

rap·ture - The transporting of a person from one place to another, especially to heaven.

No, the word "Rapture" isn't found in the Bible. That being said, this could be the shortest webpage on this site. However, events which are commonly defined as rapturing are clearly discussed many times in both the Old and the New Testaments. The Bible speaks of rapturing in both the past and the future. This is an examination of the scriptural basis for the Rapture.

And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:21-24 KJV

According to the Book of Genesis, Enoch was 65 years old when he became the father of Methuselah. Methuselah was the longest-living man in the Bible. During the next 300 years Enoch had other sons and daughters. Logically, Enoch lived a year's worth of years: 365 years. (That would be using the current standard of a 365 day year. Most of the years in the Bible were 360 days versus the current 365 day year. A cursory study will show that all of the world's calendars were changed before the birth of Christ). History's first demonstrated Rapture event occurs as God takes Enoch. One moment he's dwelling on Earth and in the blink of an eye he's transferred to Heaven.

The Bible does not state Enoch died. It states that God took him. The Bible clearly differentiates between what is commonly referred to as a rapture and when a person dies. The term "die" first appears in the Bible at Genesis 2:17. It is repeated again before verses 5:21 at 3:3, 3:4. My point being the word "die" appears three times before the scriptures regarding Enoch. It is also referred to 23 times in the same book after 5:24, at Genesis 6:17, 19:19, 20:7 26:9, 27:4, 30:1, 33:13, 38:11, 42:2, 42:20, 43:8, 44:9, 44:22, 44:31, 45:28, 46:30, 47:15, 47:19 (twice), 47:29, 48:21, 50:5, and 50:24.

This same subject is discussed again in the New Testament. In the book of Hebrews it clearly states that Enoch did not die, but was taken by God.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 KJV

The second rapture that I know of, is found in the Book of 2nd Kings. The background to this story is Elijah, the prophet of God, has finished his Earthly ministry and is going to be taken up to heaven, leaving his spirit with his successor Elisha.

And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee , here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 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. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. II Kings 2:1-12 KJV

In my estimation, 2nd Kings 2:11 clearly says that Elijah went to heaven without dying. In every other translation of the Bible that I have come across, the same point is made. Here is 2nd Kings 2:11 from a number of other translations:

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. II Kings 2:11 Webster's Translation And it cometh to pass, they are going, going on and speaking, and lo, a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and they separate between them both, and Elijah goeth up in a whirlwind, to the heavens. II Kings 2:11 Young's Translation And it came to pass as they went on, and talked, that behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire; and they parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into the heavens. II Kings 2:11 Darby's Translation And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. II Kings 2:11 ASV Translation It happened, as they still went on, and talked, that behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both apart; and Eliyah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. II Kings 2:11 HNV Translation And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Eli'jah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. II Kings 2:11 RSV Translation

This next passage is very interesting. First, an Angel of the Lord speaks directly to Philip (one of the early Apostles). The Angel tells Philip to head for the desert. It appears that Philip went by conventional methods, most likely by walking. Along the way, Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch. The Spirit tells Philip to go to the Ethiopian's chariot, and to stay near it. Philip does so. Philip asks the Ethiopian if he understands the prophecy he is reading. After inviting Philip to enter the chariot and explain the prophecy concerning the Sacrifice of Christ, the Ethiopian then asks Philip to baptize him at a nearby body of water. In verses 39 and 40, Philip is supernaturally removed from the desert and appears at the city of Azotus where he continues preaching the Gospel in several cities.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. Acts of the Apostles 8:26-40 kjv

Verse 39 once again shows that a person was transferred from one place to another by supernatural means. The other translations that I have come across convey this same point

And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts of the Apostles 8:39 Webster's Translation and when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, for he was going on his way rejoicing; Acts of the Apostles 8:39 Young's Translation But when they came up out of the water [the] Spirit of [the] Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no longer, for he went on his way rejoicing. Acts of the Apostles 8:39 Darby's Translation And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. Acts of the Apostles 8:39 ASV Translation When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Pilipos away, and the eunuch didn't see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing. Acts of the Apostles 8:39 HNV Translation And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Acts of the Apostles 8:39 RSV Translation

In verse 39, the Greek word "harpazo" is translated in the King James Version as "caught away". "Harpazo" means "to seize upon suddenly, with force". This same word is translated as "caught up" in 1st Thessalonians 4:17, where the Rapture joins believers, both dead and alive with the Lord in the blink of an eye, but I will get to that verse later.

In the following passage, the Apostle Paul describes the transformation of the believer into the Heavenly Kingdom of God. A perishable, mortal human body cannot enter the Kingdom, therefore believers will be given new bodies that are imperishable and immortal. Paul reveals a mystery: every believer will not die but some will be transferred to the Kingdom of God in the blink of an eye. In verse 51 Paul uses the term "sleep", which was a common Greek idiom (or metaphor) for physical death. It appears that during the Rapture, living Christians will enter the Kingdom directly without experiencing death.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 1st Corinthians 15:50-54 KJV

In the following passage, the apostle Paul again uses the term "sleep" for physical death. This time clearly explaining that those Christians who have experienced physical death will be resurrected by Christ. Here the Rapture is in the 17th verse. That is where the Greek word "harpazo" is translated into English as "caught up".

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV

The same word "harpazo" is again translated into English as "caught up" in Revelation 12:5. Here it is used to describe the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, which is another Rapture:

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne. Revelation 12:5 KJV

In the Gospel According to Luke, Jesus tells the Disciples to await the Holy Spirit of God, Whom Jesus would send to them after He ascends to God the Father's right hand. The Disciples are ordered to stay in the city of Jerusalem until the Spirit comes upon them. In the city of Bethany, Jesus blesses His Disciples and Ascends into the Kingdom of God on high. His Rapture is found in verse 51.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Luke 24:49-53 KJV

The Ascension of Christ into Heaven is also described in the first chapter of Acts. First the Disciples asked Jesus if Israel would soon be restored as His Kingdom. Jesus told them that the appointed time was not something they would know. He did, however, promise the power of the Holy Spirit, and that they would be witnesses throughout the end of the earth. The Rapture event in this passage occurs in verse 9. Suddenly two angels appear and inform the Disciples that the visible, second coming of Christ will occur in a like manner, although reversed:

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts of the Apostles 1:6-11 KJV

In Revelation Chapter 11, there is another Rapture as God resurrects the Two Witnesses and then takes them directly into Heaven in plain view of the world:

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:11-12 KJV

In Revelation, Chapter 4 there is another Rapture, as the Apostle John is called up into Heaven to view the events of the future. This event was similar to the Apostle Paul's journey in 2nd Corinthians:

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Revelation 11:11-12 KJV

In 2nd Corinthians, there is another description of a Rapture of the Apostle Paul into Heaven. Paul describes this as the Third Heaven. During the Apostle Paul's time, the First Heaven was known as the sky above the Earth, the Second Heaven includes what we know as outer space, and the Third Heaven is the dwelling place of God:

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. II Corinthians 12:2-4 KJV

Jesus speaks about the Rapture in the Gospel according to Luke. Although He speaks of two destructive events, the important point here is that believers are removed by God prior to God's wrath being poured out. Regarding Sodom and Gomorrah, the destruction happens after Lot departs from Sodom. The Rapture is seen in verses 34-36 which also demonstrates that the event will happen simultaneously in each of the three major time zones on the Earth. It is my understanding that working in the field is done in the morning (verse 36), grinding is done in the afternoon (verse 35) and sleeping occurs at night (verse 34):

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall begrinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luke 17:26-36 KJV

Jesus speaks about the Rapture in the Book of Matthew. Here, He speaks of the destructive worldwide flood. However, the important focus in this passage is that most of the world is busy with their normal daily lives. They did not understand what was coming and it took them completely by surprise, despite Noah's preaching. The Rapture is seen in verses 40-41 but only two time zones are referenced here. The last part of this passage states the Rapture will be a surprise to everyone (including Christians):

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:37-44 KJV

Almost 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ spoke to the disciples and told Christians not to become so preoccupied with the cares of this life that they become unfruitful. Jesus promised that the Faithful will be accounted worthy to escape the terrible things that will come upon the Earth in the Last Days. If the Rapture isn't the method of escape, then I'm not sure what is.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Matthew 24:37-44 KJV

I believe that although many will be converted to the Gospel during the Tribulation Period (Revelation 20:4), it will be the most difficult time ever seen on the Earth. The fifth and final earthly kingdom of Daniel's prophecy will arise and be led by the man known as the antichrist, he will be assisted by the false prophet, and they will cause people to worship a false deity which is a statue called the "image of the beast". It will also be the time of conversion of the Nation of Israel to Christianity (Romans 11:25-29).

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