Many Christians feel anxious or fearful when they hear teachings about the end times and the rapture. But the Bible presents the rapture as a source of comfort and hope for believers, not something to be afraid of. Let’s explore why end times teaching, when understood properly, should bring peace and encouragement to Christians.
What is the Rapture?
Before we dive in, let’s clarify what we mean by “the rapture.” The rapture refers to the sudden catching up of believers to meet Christ in the air when He returns. It comes from the Latin word “rapturo,” meaning “to seize or snatch away.”
Key passages that describe the rapture include:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
- 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
From these passages, we can identify several key aspects of the rapture:
- It will happen suddenly and unexpectedly
- Jesus will descend from heaven
- There will be a loud command and trumpet call
- Believers who have died will be resurrected first
- Living believers will be “caught up” to meet Christ in the air
- We will receive glorified, immortal bodies
- We will then always be with the Lord
So in essence, the rapture is when Jesus returns to take believers – both living and dead – to be with Him forever. It marks the end of the church age on earth.
Why the Rapture Brings Comfort
1. It Fulfills Jesus’ Promise
In John 14:1-3, Jesus told his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
The rapture is the fulfillment of this promise. Jesus is coming back to take us to be with Him forever in the place He has prepared. This should bring great comfort and anticipation.
2. It Exempts Believers from God’s Wrath
The Bible teaches that the rapture will occur before the tribulation period – a time of God’s judgment on the earth. This means believers will be spared from experiencing this terrible time of wrath.
As 1 Thessalonians 5:9 states: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Knowing we are exempt from this judgment should relieve fear, not increase it.
3. It Reunites Us with Loved Ones
For those who have lost believing family members or friends, the rapture brings the joyful promise of reunion. As 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 says:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
At the rapture, we will be reunited with fellow believers who have died before us. What a comforting thought!
4. It Ends All Suffering
In our glorified bodies, we will no longer experience pain, sickness, or death. Revelation 21:4 describes this beautifully:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
The rapture marks the end of all earthly suffering for believers. This is a source of great hope and comfort.
Why Many Christians Misunderstand the Rapture
If the rapture is meant to be comforting, why do so many Christians find it scary? There are a few reasons:
Confusion with the Second Coming
Some people confuse the rapture with Christ’s Second Coming at the end of the tribulation. While both involve Jesus’ return, they are separate events. The rapture is when Christ comes for His church, while the Second Coming is when He returns with His church to defeat evil and establish His kingdom on earth.
Misinterpretation of Matthew 24-25
Passages like Matthew 24-25 are often incorrectly applied to the church and the rapture. However, these chapters are actually describing events related to Israel during the tribulation period, not the church age. When we understand the proper context, it removes a lot of the fear factor.
Focus on Tribulation Details
Some teachers spend too much time detailing the horrors of the tribulation period, rather than emphasizing the comfort of the rapture. This can leave people feeling anxious rather than hopeful.
Lack of Teaching on Imminency
Many Christians don’t understand that the rapture is imminent – meaning it could happen at any moment. There are no prophesied events that must occur before the rapture can take place. This “any-moment” aspect should create joyful anticipation, not fear.
How to Find Comfort in Rapture Teaching
To experience the comfort God intends through rapture teaching, consider these tips:
1. Focus on Scripture, Not Speculation
Stick to what the Bible clearly teaches about the rapture and avoid getting caught up in speculative theories or date-setting. God’s Word provides all we need to know.
2. Remember It’s About Jesus
The rapture is ultimately about being united with Christ. Keep your focus on the joy of seeing Jesus face-to-face, not on scary end-times scenarios.
3. Let It Motivate Holy Living
The possibility of Christ’s return at any moment should inspire us to live godly lives. As 1 John 3:2-3 says:
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
4. Share the Hope
Instead of being paralyzed by fear, let the hope of the rapture motivate you to share the gospel. People need to hear this good news!
5. Trust God’s Timing
Remember that God’s timing is perfect. We don’t need to worry about when the rapture will occur. Our job is simply to be ready and to trust Him.
A Blessed Hope, Not a Fearful Dread
In Titus 2:13, Paul refers to Christ’s return for us as “the blessed hope.” This is how we should view the rapture – as a joyful, hope-filled event, not something to dread.
Dr. Andy Woods puts it well:
“The whole point of the doctrine is to comfort the Christian. Jesus said it in the upper room, Paul is repeating it…the rapture is the blessed hope.”
So the next time you hear teaching on the rapture or end times events, don’t let fear creep in. Instead, let your heart be filled with comfort, anticipation, and hope. Christ is coming for His people! What a day of rejoicing that will be.
