But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonias 4:13-18 (ESV)
Ready or not, the church's Rapture is coming for those waiting on this blessed hope. From Genesis to Revelation, God shows us evidence of this glorious event. The following paragraphs will show you our analysis and summary of chapter 4 of Graff & Dolphin (1998).
Analysis and Summary
Grafft and Dolphin's (1998) website presents a detailed theological discussion on the Rapture—an event in Christian eschatology where the church of the Lord Jesus Christ will be taken up to meet Him. The authors rely on biblical texts to explain the concept, its sequence, and its implications for the Church and the world.Definition and Meaning of the Rapture
The term Rapture is derived from the Latin "rapturo", which translates the Greek word "harpazo", meaning "to snatch away" or "to seize." This term is directly taken from 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where believers are described as being "caught up" to meet the Lord in the air.The Rapture is distinct from the Second Coming of Christ. In the Rapture, Christ comes for His church, and they meet Him in the air. In contrast, the Second Coming involves Christ returning with His saints to establish His kingdom on Earth.
The Sequence of Events at the Rapture
The authors outline three distinct events occuring at the Rapture, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16:- The Lord's Shout – Jesus Himself will give a command, calling the dead in Christ to rise. This is likened to how He called Lazarus from the grave (John 11:43).
- The Voice of the Archangel – Michael the Archangel, associated with Israel (Daniel 12:1), will announce the event, signaling God's renewed focus on Israel.
- The Trumpet of God – A divine trumpet will sound reminiscent of the Jewish Feast of Trumpets, signaling the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the transformation of the church.
Timing of the Rapture
The chapter strongly supports a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, meaning the church will be taken up before the Great Tribulation (a time of divine wrath and suffering described in Revelation). Key arguments for this view include:- The imminency of Christ's Return – The Church is told to be ready at any time (Titus 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:2).
- The Church's Exemption from Wrath – Verses like 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and Revelation 3:10 suggest that believers will be spared from the coming judgment.
- Distinction Between Israel and the Church – The Great Tribulation is a time of judgment for Israel and those left behind, while the Church is removed beforehand.
The Rapture and the Transformation of Believers
- The resurrection at the Rapture is described as both physical and immediate.
- Dead believers will rise first, followed by the church, who will instantly change into glorified bodies (Philippians 3:20-21).
- The transformation will happen "in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52).
- After this, the church will be taken to heaven to dwell with Christ.
Comparison Between the Rapture and the Second Coming
The authors emphasize that the Rapture and the Second Coming are distinct events:| Feature | The Rapture | The Second Coming |
|---|---|---|
| Who is involved? | Christ comes for His church | Christ comes with His church |
| Where does it occur? | The Church meet Christ in the air | Christ descends to Earth |
| Purpose | To take the Church to heaven | Christ establishes His kingdom on Earth |
| Timing | Before the Tribulation | After the Tribulation |
Purpose and Implications of the Rapture
- Encouragement for the Church – The Rapture is meant to be a source of comfort and hope for the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
- Purification of the Church – The anticipation of the Rapture encourages holy living (1 John 3:2-3).
- God's Sovereign Plan for Israel and the World – The Church's removal allows God's focus to return to Israel and fulfill the end-times prophecis.
Conclusion
Graff and Dolphin (1998) present a comprehensive and detailed defense of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine. The authors support the view with biblical passages, theological reasoning, and distinctions between the Church and Israel. The discussion affirms the Rapture as an imminent event that will remove believers before the tribulation, leading to the Second Coming of Christ and His millennial reign.What if I missed the Rapture?
If you missed the Rapture, you still have a chance to be saved. However, you must endure the Tribulation period, a time of great suffering and persecution. The Bible describes this period as a time of great distress. Jesus said that it will be a time of trouble such as has not been since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be (Mathew 24:1).