1. I Thessalonians 4:13-18

2. “Caught up” harpadzō – to seize; carry off by force; to snatch out or away; to claim for one’s self eagerly. The Latin translation uses raptō – to seize; to carry off, & is where we get our English word “rapture.” Rapture: Living Believers Will Be Caught Up (4:17)

3. Various meanings of “caught up” (harpadzō) – 1)“To catch away speedily” – Phillip caught away after leading the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ (Acts 8:39). He was caught away in the twinkling of an eye! 2)“To seize by force” – See John 6:15. Perhaps a suggestion that Satan & his armies will try to keep us from leaving the earth (cf. Eph. 2:2).  Hopefully not an indication that some believers will be so attached to this world that they have to be drug away! (Like Lot being drug away from Sodom! – Gen. 19:16.) 3)“To claim for one’s own self” – Views the Rapture from Christ’s viewpoint as He comes to claim His bride. Rapture: Living Believers Will Be Caught Up (4:17)

4. 4)“To move to a new place” – Used in II Cor. 12:1-4 to describe Paul’s visit to heaven (cf. John 14:1-6). He comes to take us to the place He has prepared for us. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20, 21). We are strangers & pilgrims in this world (Heb. 11:13). See also Rev. 12:5. 5)“To rescue from danger of destruction” – See Acts 23:10. A suggestion that the church will be taken out before the 70 th week of Daniel (the Tribulation Period). Cf. I Thess. 1:10; 5:9. Also see Jude 23. Rapture: Living Believers Will Be Caught Up (4:17)

5. We shall see Him as He is, & become like Him (I Jn. 3:1, 2). The goal of redemption is not just to rescue us from judgment, but to relate us to Christ. We will be reunited with believing loved ones who have died. What an exciting reunion! As believers, we should be looking forward to & loving His appearing (II Tim. 4:8). Because we have this hope in Him, we should be keeping our lives pure so that we will not be ashamed at His coming (I Jn. 2:28-3:3). Reunion: Christians Forever With The Lord (4:17, 18)

6. Doctrine of The Rapture 1)The function of GAP (Grace Apparatus for Perception) (the intake of the Word of God) gives one confidence with regard to everything in life, including one of the most startling events in life – death. 2)The function of GAP therefore causes confidence regarding death – Job 5:17-27; II Cor. 5:1-9; Titus 2:11-13. 3)While the 2 nd Advent cannot occur until certain events are fulfilled (like, all the events of the Tribulation Period), the Rapture of the Church is imminent – there are NO events which must 1 st be fulfilled – I Cor. 1:7; Titus 2:13; James 5:8 4)The Rapture could occur today, or a thousand years from now – NO ONE KNOWS!