10-19-2025 What’s So Important about the Rapture

Text: I Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 22:12

                   The hallmark of our faith is that Jesus died, rose again, and will come again.  It’s because of His death, burial and resurrection that faithful believers are assured of eternal life.  Paul tells us in I Corinthians this is the Gospel – or Good News that we have been given, and Jesus tells us in John 14 that He is preparing a place for us for eternity. 

                   The day He calls His Church home is referred to as ‘the Rapture.’  Paul writes in I Corinthians 15:51-52:  “ (51) Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:  for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”  Jesus confirms for us in Revelation 22:12:  “And, behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according to his work shall be.” 

                   So why is the Rapture so important to Christians?  Many people focus on when the Rapture will occur by looking for the things Jesus tells us will occur in the end times.  Still others focus on the details of the Tribulation, which will follow the Rapture.  And believe it or not, there as some who preach that the Rapture will not happen until after the Tribulation.  To me personally, the Bible is very clear that there will be a Rapture and if it happens before it’s my time to die, I’m very much looking forward to that event. 

                   I Corinthians 15 tells us that the Rapture will bring resurrection to all believers.  It reminds us that because Jesus was resurrected, so shall all believers.  The promise of our resurrection is what comforts us when we lose those that we love because we know that we will be reunited with them.  The final resurrection will take place at the Rapture.  It will be when those who have already died will rise first in their new glorified bodies.  Every visit to a cemetery reminds us of the coming Rapture and allows us to be comforted by the fact that one day we will be reunited.  Yes, we miss them, but we know that they aren’t gone from us forever.

                   The Rapture will bring recovery because Paul tells us we will all be changed.  The dead will rise with glorified bodies.  Living believers will be caught up in a moment.  And I John 3:1-2 tells us that at that point they also will be changed into their glorified bodies and become like Jesus.  Mankind will finally recover what Adam and Eve lost.  We’ll no longer have pain, sickness, sorrow, or death,  Our minds will be perfected, and we will know all the mysteries of God. 

                   All of God’s creation is waiting for what will be revealed on the wonderful day of the Rapture.  We’re told in Romans 8:18-23 that creation still groans because of the fall of Adam and Eve.  But at the Rapture, all creation will glory in what God has done.  All that this world had to endure up to that point will be forgotten.

                   The time of the Rapture will be a time web Christ will reward His people for their faithful service to our Lord.  James tells us in chapter 1 verse 12 that we will also be rewarded for overcoming Satan’s temptation and for keeping our faith strong during times of trials and testing.  And as Paul writes in II Timothy 4:8 we will be rewarded for eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus despite being persecuted for our beliefs. 

                   So you see, the Rapture is a very important event for all Christians.  It gives us something specific to anticipate while we’re waiting for the return of Jesus.  It gives us comfort because we won’t have to endure the horrific events of the Great Tribulation.  And it gives us a very compelling reason to keep our faith strong.  Like past events told of in the Bible have been proven to be true, we can trust that events yet to come will also prove to be true.  The Rapture is one of those events. 

                   Christians have the promise of eternal life but that promise comes with conditions.  We must have faith and trust that what our Bible tells us is true.  We’re to live our lives anchored by the promises given to us about what we have to look forward to, and we must share our faith with others who are lost and searching.

                   As we look around, there are many signs of the end of time already occurring.  So we must be even more focused on preparing ourselves for the time when we are called from this life into the next.  When the Rapture happens, it will happen so fast that those left behind will be left scratching their heads wondering what happened.  Imagine what the world will be like when thousands of people suddenly disappear.  There will surely be chaos and confusion.  Probably lots of talk of alien kidnappings.  But in reality, it’s an event that every Christian can anticipate with joy. 

                   If you aren’t looking forward to the Rapture, do some soul searching to see what’s lacking in your Christian life that makes you anxious or afraid of the Rapture.  If your faith isn’t strong enough to believe that this will happen, study your Bible more to learn what God has in store for those who love Him and trust Jesus as Savior. 

                   Have you made the decision to trust Jesus your Lord and Savior?  That’s the first step that must be taken to receive the gift of eternal life.  Some would say they would rather wait until they die to see what is true.  But taking that position will make it too late to decide and will lead to eternity in darkness with Satan.  Trust Jesus today so that you can have eternity to look forward to in the light of the glory of Jesus.  Sure, we will still have problems in our life.  Loved ones will die, friends will disappoint us, and events over which we have no control will hurt us.  But a strong faith will get us through all of life’s difficulties that we will experience because we live in a fallen world. 

                   None of us know if we will be among those who have died and will be caught up first to meet Jesus or if we will be quickly changed and caught up to meet Him while we are still alive.  Whatever our circumstance when the Rapture occurs, it will be the capstone of having lived a Christian life here on earth.  Our eternal life will have begun.  Jesus will reward those who have served Him well, and we will be reunited with all our loved ones to begin a new life in a world that will be as God intended when He created it in the beginning. 

                   Let faith be your guide and study the Bible every day so your faith will be reinforced.  It’s not that hard to do.  We’re promised that what is waiting for us is indescribable.  I believe that our earthly minds aren’t equipped to imagine the splendor of what God has in store for us in the next life.  But I also believe that it’s something I want and am eagerly waiting for because I know that He is a God of love that keeps His promises. 

                   Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.