The Rapture

The word "rapture" is not used in the Bible.  It means "the final assumption of Christians into heaven during the end-time according to Christian theology" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). The "Rapture" will occur because it was DEFINED to describe the event underlined in the verses below:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Why was this happening coined "Rapture".  It goes back to the secular definition of "rapture": " a state or feeling of great happiness, pleasure, or love". I would think that being raised from the grave and glory bound would cause elation of this nature! What is the "hope" of Christians? To be raised from the dead and and have eternal life in heaven! This is what "the Rapture" IS!

Some say that the Rapture never will be! If that's the case, Paul who met Jesus and spoke with him and is inspired by Jesus, is a liar. By the faith and continuity in the writings of Paul, he is not a liar!

The Rapture WILL HAPPEN because scripture gives a detailed account what is to happen! To deny the Rapture is to steal a person's hope. That is the desire of Satan; that Christians lose their hope, which diminishes their faith. Belief in the Resurrection is imperative to salvation because if Christians are not Raptured, there is no way to be saved. Paul's mission was this: "he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection" (Acts 17:18). The Rapture is how the Resurrection will occur and Paul wrote the "how" it would be done:  they "shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air"! Again, that IS THE RAPTURE!

For those who teach a different doctrine, theirs is the doctrine of the devil whose role is to deceive even the elect. Don't be fooled with slick words. The serpent did that to Adam and Eve and you're just as gullible as they are! Use your head! The word "Rapture" by definition is this passage. How could it NOT BE?