There will come a moment in human history when all who have believed the gospel of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) by faith alone will be caught up on “our resurrection day” to be with the Lord in the clouds, and we will be with the Lord Jesus in heaven forever. Believe it because the Bible says so.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the incredible hope of being united with Him in heaven one day. This event, known as the Rapture of the Church, is described in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 as “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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

This passage, along with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, reminds us that the Rapture is a time of great joy and reunion. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we read “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again (the gospel), even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this, we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

The Rapture is Not the Lord’s Second Coming

This passage gives us a detailed picture of the rapture event and the blessed hope that we have as believers. The Lord Himself will come with a shout to the clouds, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And we will always be with the Lord.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul reminds us that “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” As believers, we can have confidence that we will not face God’s wrath, but instead will be united with Him in heaven. God’s wrath is for the Christ-rejecting world, and to pay off the mortgage on the planet held by Satan. The seven-year tribulation is the time when God will pour out His wrath. God did not pour out His love, mercy, and grace by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His blood, die on the cross for our sins, then be buried, and raised from the dead three days later for the salvation of those who believe by faith alone in that “good news” or gospel. Only to turn around and pour out His wrath and judgments on the same. Ridiculous!

Our Blessed Hope

As we contemplate this blessed hope, let us remember the words of 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through faith in Jesus, we have victory over sin and death and the assurance of eternal life with Him.

In light of this wonderful truth, let us live a life that is pleasing to God, always looking forward to the day when we will be united with Him. Let us encourage one another with this hope and strive to be ready for His return.

Get out your Bible and read, pray, meditate and study these verses. Don’t just glibly read over them. The power is in God’s words.