09/02/2025
Excellent article; but, I never worried about it since God is in charge. The most important part of this is we were taught from an early age at home and in Sunday school to be prepared for that day.
ttps://dailytimes.com/columnists/the-rapture-question-is-not-if-but-when/article_854534f0-adc7-4338-97e8-1e73676c4735.html
The rapture question is not if, but when? | Columnists | dailytimes.com
- William F. Holland Jr. – LIVING ON PURPOSE
- Aug 29, 2025
When discussing the rapture happening before the second coming of Christ, I and II Thessalonians are familiar letters that find their way into the conversation. The word “rapture” itself is not in the English Bible, however, it comes from the Latin Vulgate’s translation of the Greek verb “harpazô” found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, and commonly taught as a time when God will secretly rescues his people from the great tribulation.
II Thessalonians chapter 2 begins with an encouragement to not be upset that the day of the Lord is at hand, however, in this event, every eye will see him and know that he is God.
When these books were written, the new followers of Jesus were expecting him to return in his divine authority to conquer Rome and establish his kingdom forever. They accepted the Day of the Lord was when the trumpet would sound, and Christ would appear on a white horse with the armies of heaven following him to establish his kingdom. But we notice that Paul does not mention a rescue before this event.
If the writer believed Christians would be removed from the Earth years before the Day of the Lord, surely this event would have been mentioned.
Within the entire books of I and II Thessalonians, where is a pre- or mid-tribulation rapture? The context of both books is generally about believers living in a way that is pleasing to God and making sure they are ready for his glorious coming. This is not to say there is no such thing as the saints being transported up to meet him, but only the one coming is mentioned.
I Thessalonians 4:16-18 is a clear explanation of when all saints living and dead will be caught up. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, the living will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will forever be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Unlike when Jesus was born, his return will be a universally witnessed occurrence establishing divine authority and judgment. “For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines to the west: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” — Matthew 24:27.
In I Thessalonians chapter 5, Paul continues the narrative about the end times and reminds us how the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. This is an analogy describing that we must be constantly focused on Jesus, to be sober and not distracted, as difficult times are coming for all true Christians. This includes praying without ceasing, wearing the whole armor of God.
Matthew chapter 24 also reminds us to warn everyone about intense persecution. The writer mentions in verse 12 about how sin will increase and the love of many will wax cold. For many, the enthusiasm of walking with God will fade and be replaced with lukewarm religious attitudes and carnality. We can definitely see it now.
Verse 14 says when the gospel is preached in all the nations, the end will come. Is this not happening today? Verse 15 begins the description of the antichrist, and continues warning the saints to prepare for the great tribulation.
Verse 29 says that immediately after the tribulation, the sun and moon will become dark, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heaven will be shaken. Then all the Earth will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with infinite authority and glory.
Verse 31, “And God shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
The next verse, Jesus talks about how we know summer is near when a fig tree develops leaves, and in the same way when we see the specific signs, we can discern the end is near.
I Corinthians chapter 15, and verses 51-52, is listed as another example of a secret rapture, but again within the context of the chapter this is talking about the second coming or Day of the Lord. The question is not about the reality of a resurrection and a catching away of saints, but when on the timetable it will happen.
William Holland is a Christian minister, author and community chaplain. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.
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