What is the Rapture?

The Rapture is a Christian belief that God will call his faithful people to Heaven either before, during, or after a period of tribulation on Earth. Believers in the Rapture say that God will take all true Christians to Heaven in what is called the “Rapture of the Church” at the end of the age, before the “Great Tribulation” erupts on Earth. The Rapture is one of the most important beliefs of modern Christianity.

Origin of the Rapture

Despite its prominence in modern times, the ideas behind the Rapture are not found in the Bible. The concept can be traced to the 17th century Christian minister, John Nelson Darby. He wrote of God taking a “rapture” of the Church to Heaven, prior to a coming “great tribulation” on earth. This idea was promoted by later theologians and spread through popular books such as the Left Behind series.

Raptureism and Biblical Interpretation

Raptureism is a major school of interpretation related to prophecy, which draws on Christian premillennialism. Premillennialism teaches that Jesus will return to Earth before a “millennium” of peace and justice is established on the Earth. Most premillennialists, including Raptureists, believe that there will be a period of great tribulation on Earth prior to Christ’s return. They further believe that, prior to the tribulation, God will take all of his faithful followers to Heaven in a “Rapture of the Church”.

Raptureists believe that the Rapture will happen suddenly and unexpectedly, taking those who are “raptured” by surprise. They also believe that Christ will return to Earth amidst war, suffering and chaos, establishing a Kingdom of Peace and Justice.

Conclusion

The Rapture is an important belief of modern Christianity and one of the defining beliefs of the Raptureists. Despite its modern prominence, the ideas behind the Rapture are not found in the Bible and can be traced to the 17th century Christian minister, John Nelson Darby. Raptureists believe that the Rapture will occur suddenly and unexpectedly, taking them to Heaven before the Great Tribulation begins on Earth. They also believe that Christ will return to Earth amidst war, suffering and chaos and establish a Kingdom of Peace and Justice.