The rise of Christian apocalyptic media, such as books and movies focused on the end times, introduced many people to the concept of the rapture. Through engaging with series like Left Behind, however, some individuals began to worry that they would be forgotten by the Lord and forsaken, left to endure the tribulation alone. They associated the rapture with feelings of fear, a phenomenon known today as “rapture anxiety.” And as this area of eschatology became more widespread and popular, churches saw an increase in believers and other individuals seeking to confirm their salvation to avoid being left behind in the rapture.
What started as a popular media trend ended up hindering the faith of many. Thus, many people view the mention of the rapture with suspicion. Isn’t it just a popular trend in America and a recent doctrinal development ?
Before we dismiss all teachings of the rapture, though, we must look at what Scripture teaches and compare that to the varied interpretations found within Christian belief. Believers from different streams of the church hold varied views on when the rapture will occur, as well as how this teaching is connected to the second coming of Christ.
The Rapture in Biblical Teaching
The term “rapture” does not appear in the Bible, as it is merely a title that expresses a theological concept. Drawn from 1 Thessalonians 4:17, the term comes from the Latin translation of the Greek word commonly translated as “caught up” in the verse. The idea is that of being snatched away and translated somewhere else, similar to how Philip was carried away by the Holy Spirit and taken to Azotus (see Acts 8:39-40). In basic terms, then, rapture means being caught or snatched away, specifically in the context of believers being taken up by the Lord.
Notice, however, that the passage in 1 Thessalonians does not tell us what being caught up specifically looks like, and it does not give a direct answer about the timing of the event. Rather, Paul was seeking to provide comfort to the Thessalonian believers, reminding them in their grief that living believers would not precede those who had died in Christ when receiving resurrection bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15). The emphasis in the passage is to encourage fellow believers with this reminder and truth (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Of course, theologians who hold different views about eschatology will argue that other verses apply to the rapture, such as John 14:3 and Matthew 24:31. These are commonly used to support specific views, but being caught up is not explicitly mentioned. Thus, the main verse used in discussions of the rapture is centered on 1 Thessalonians 4.
Different Views of the Rapture
Depending on denomination and other factors, churches and individual Christians hold various views regarding the timing and nature of the rapture. For example, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians argue that they do not believe in the rapture as commonly taught, since the ancient position of the church was that the gathering of believers will occur at the second coming. Generally, the emphasis on and development of newer classifications of the rapture are seen predominantly among evangelical, instead of mainline, churches.
The common views of the rapture include the following:
Pretribulational View
The rapture will occur before the tribulation occurs. At an unexpected time, before the Antichrist makes a deal with Israel, the church will be snatched away to protect them from the widespread judgment on the earth. Typically, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 is used in defense of a pretribulational rapture, since the verse indicates that believers are not appointed to suffer wrath.
Pre-wrath View
Christians will endure most of the tribulation but will be spared from the outpouring of God’s wrath near the end of the seven years. According to this view, God’s wrath involves only the bowl and trumpet judgment mentioned in Revelation, judgments that the church will be exempt from experiencing (Revelation 8-16). Believers will, thus, be snatched away before this outpouring of wrath.
Midtribulational View
As the name suggests, this view teaches that the rapture will occur in the middle of the tribulation. Most theologians recognize the difference between the general tribulation and the Great Tribulation, which starts after roughly three and a half years (the midpoint of the tribulation). This view is similar to the pre-wrath view in that believers will be caught up in the air before the outpouring of God’s wrath with the bowl judgments (Revelation 16).
Posttribulational View
The rapture will occur at the end of the tribulation and happens at the same time as the second coming. Believers will be instantly changed and caught up to meet Christ in the air and travel with Him as He returns to earth. Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 24 is often used in support of a posttribulational rapture.
We should note that even within specific theological systems (such as Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology), there is disagreement about the nature of the rapture and its timing. Just because one member espouses a view does not mean that everyone within their camp agrees with that interpretation. A spectrum exists in which some members of a system can fall at different places within the realm of views. For instance, although a pretribulational view of the rapture is commonly connected to Dispensationalism, a Progressive Dispensationalist may be more open to a midtribulational or posttribulational view, in contrast to a Dispensational Premillennialist who advocates for a pretribulational rapture.
Perceiving Dispensationalism as a Fad Teaching
The main area of criticism about the rapture focuses on a Dispensational Premillennialist approach to the end times. Opponents to this view argue that Dispensationalism is a relatively new system, uniquely developed by John Nelson Darby and popularized in America by the Scofield Reference Bible. Because of its “newer” identity, many believe that it does not have the same support from Christian tradition as other views, especially regarding the rapture and the millennial kingdom.
Other areas of concern that move beyond the criticism of fad teaching are that a pretribulational view of the rapture is escapist and does not adequately deal with Bible verses that talk about Christian persecution and exposure to tribulation. Lots of believers have wisely pointed out that we should not assume we will be spared suffering because we belong to Christ. History and Scripture testify that we should expect tribulation as believers. Jesus even stated this as a fact: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).
Furthermore, as a popular teaching, this system of eschatology has sometimes promoted fear. For example, websites and literature exist that use the threat of being left behind as an evangelistic tactic to urge people to accept Jesus. The church will be raptured, they say, so that only believers in Jesus will be preserved from the coming wrath. They urge individuals to place faith in Christ to avoid being left to suffer the tribulation. Critics rightly point out the faults of using such methods, reminding fellow Christians that love, not fear, is the best way to point others to the Savior.
Although these criticisms are insightful, Dispensationalism remains an established theological system. Scholars and theologians may disagree with it, but the system has contributed to theological thought, biblical interpretation, and a renewed interest in studying the promises to Israel and how they will be fulfilled in the Kingdom. Certain byproducts of this system, such as the promotion of fear and media representations of the rapture, should be seen as mere popular teaching. But the system itself should not be fully dismissed.
Freedom to Believe in Varying Interpretations and A Call to Focus on Unifying Biblical Truth
Humans have created elaborate timelines and systems of eschatology, and that is all they are – human-created models. Many areas of doctrine are based on what people have attempted, to their best ability, to interpret from God’s Word. Sometimes these interpretations are wrong or slightly off in focus. Hence, we need people with many different perspectives to contribute to the discussion about the end times. The variety of interpretations offers us more opportunities to see issues we did not notice before or to recognize the contribution of verses we might have earlier disregarded as unconnected.
The rapture, like views of styles in worship or spiritual gifts, is not a primary doctrine. It does not have the same significance as the virgin birth, the sacrificial death of Jesus, and His resurrection. Our salvation is not dependent on whether we believe in the rapture or hold a pretribulational, midtribulational, or posttribulational view. Thus, Christian freedom allows for a variety of opinions about belief in the rapture and its timing.
None of us can say with certainty that we know exactly what will happen during the end times, such as when events will occur or in what sequence. What we can know, and affirm with other believers, is that Jesus will return and we will live with Him on a new earth. The ancient Christian hope is not tied to a specific timeline. Rather, we are looking forward to the coming of our Savior, the physical and visible return of Jesus.
Let us not get so caught up in systems that we lose sight of what Scripture emphasizes – that we should live holy lives in anticipation of the coming renewal (2 Peter 3:11), and that we should endure suffering and persecution patiently with the knowledge that our Lord is coming soon (Revelation 21:7). May we add our voices to the prayer at the end of Revelation for the Lord Jesus to come, entrusting the other details to Him (Revelation 22:20).
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