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Scripture text—1 Thessalonians 4:16–18

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.

These words refer to the rapture (transport) of the church of Christ. I wanted to write this so that if one day suddenly millions of people are missing from the earth, those left behind will know that the event has been predicted in the Bible. The explanations that will surface after the event will be false.

All prophesies in the Bible come to pass. We can know with confidence that God will complete the plan he outlined in his Word. Many books have been written on this topic. Study Bible prophesies to know. What a pleasure to learn that God has given us our history in advance.

Rapture is a man-made name given to the event of transportation described in many places throughout scripture. A few places to study are Matthew 24, 1 Corinthians 15:51–52, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. Transport is the clear message. Throughout human history two people have been transported in this way without facing physical death. Enoch and Elijah were favored by God and taken by him directly, the way Christians can expect to be taken before God’s wrath is unleashed on our planet. Learn about Enoch in Genesis 5:24 and Elijah in 2 Kings 2:1–11.

In story after story in the Bible, God’s own are removed prior to his wrath. It is not a fantasy of escapism but God’s modus operandi. The kingdom of God will be played out as he told us. Jesus will be the ruler on earth as he is in Heaven. Do we not pray this in the Lord’s Prayer practically without thinking about the meaning of the words?

It will be such a blessing to be among his before the rapture. It will be terrible for those who decide for Christ afterwards during the time of the great tribulation. It is all available to know. The Bible can be confusing. If you have trouble, use a prophecy guide that will point you to the places to study in the Word.

Do not wonder. Know that you can count yourself worthy to escape the wrath to come. Trust in Christ for your life.