The word “rapture” is derived from a Greek word that means “to be caught up.” It describes a future event that is mentioned by the Apostle Paul. –“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
“For our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21
Jesus’ apostles asked him, “When will these things happen, and what will be the signs of your coming and the end of this age?” Matthew 24:3
Jesus answers them by telling them that before he returns, “There will be great tribulation, unseen since the beginning of the world. But for believers that time will be cut short.” Matthew 24:21-22
Then Jesus promised his disciples: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3
The Bible’s book of Revelation describes this time of tribulation in detail. It is truly horrific. But Jesus promises his true believers that they will be spared, “Because you have kept my word and patiently endured, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 3:10
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Some believers insist that the Rapture shall not happen until the Tribulation has ended, and that believers will suffer through it. But that is not consistent with what the Bible teaches; for, throughout the book of Revelation we see the ‘saints’ (all true believers in Christ) in Heaven, joyously worshipping God. – “They are “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” This great crowd is standing before God’s throne and the Lamb (Jesus), clothed in white robes and holding palm branches. They are loudly praising God, shouting, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10
If you want to have eternal life and to escape the horrors to come soon, then “Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.” Romans 10:9