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1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Our question this week comes from Mexia. Many people do not like to discuss the rapture because the different views cause disagreements. However, if we approach it with prayer, love and maturity, we will not be divided by it. One thing to note is that if it is discussed in Scripture, it is worthy of our time.

Although I could go on about his subject forever, I'll limit myself today. It actually deserves a sermon series, to be honest, but one thing at a time. In short, when people use the term “rapture,” they are talking about when Jesus will come and pick up His followers to take with Him, at which point we will be with Him forever. The event is described in a few different passages in Scripture, with 1 Thessalonians 4 above being the most prominent. The vast majority of Christians believe that the rapture will take place, they just disagree on when in relation to the great tribulation period. 

The most popular view (which I hold to) is the pre-tribulation rapture view. This view teaches that the rapture will occur before the tribulation period (as depicted in Revelation chapters 6-19). Another view is the mid-tribulation rapture view, meaning that the rapture will occur in the middle of the tribulation. Next, the post-tribulation rapture view holds that the event will take place after the tribulation. Some Christians see the rapture in 1 Thessalonians above as symbolic, not literal. There are other views such as pre-wrath, preterist, partial preterist, and historist. Unfortunately, we will have to look at those another time.

The rapture will be quick and happen when we do not expect it (1 Thessalonians 5:2). However, what you read above is the basic premise. Again, the vast majority of Christians believe that it will be a literal event, we just disagree on when. 

Be mindful that this is a secondary doctrine. We should not disagree on primary core doctrines, but secondary doctrines, we can. What you believe about the rapture does not affect your salvation. It could affect the way you live, however. Still, there is no reason that this topic should be divisive among believers. If it is, we should turn to the Lord and focus on Him and the unity His Spirit brings.