“For the Lord Himself will descend… and we will be caught up together with Him.” – 1 Thess. 4:16–17

 Introduction

One of the most debated topics in the Church today is the timing of the rapture — the moment when believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). Some believe it will happen before the Tribulation (Pre-Trib), others in the middle (Mid-Trib), or at the end (Post-Trib).

At One Body in Christ United, we believe the Pre-Tribulation Rapture best fits the whole counsel of Scripture. Not because it’s the easiest view, but because it shows God’s mercy, His plan for His Church,and His promises of deliverance from His wrath.

1️⃣ The Rapture Defined

The word rapture comes from the Latin “rapturo,” which translates the Greek word harpazo — meaning caught up or snatched away. Paul describes this event clearly:

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 → “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.” This is a promised event — sudden, visible, and glorious.

2️⃣ God’s Promise of Deliverance

Scripture repeatedly teaches that the Church is not appointed to wrath.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 → “...Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9 → “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 3:10 → “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”

The Tribulation is described as a time of God’s wrath poured out on an unbelieving world. The Church, His Bride, is promised deliverance.

3️⃣ The Distinction Between the Church & Israel

The Bible distinguishes between God’s plan for the Church and His plan for Israel.

The Church (born at Pentecost) will be completed and caught up before God resumes His dealings with Israel during the Tribulation.

Daniel 9:24–27 → The “70 weeks” prophecy speaks specifically of Israel and Jerusalem. The final week (7 years) is the Tribulation — a period focused on Israel, not the Church.

This helps us understand why the Church is not present in Revelation chapters 6–18 (which describe the Tribulation judgments).

4️⃣ The Comfort & Hope of the Pre-Trib Rapture

Paul ends his rapture teaching with:

“Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

If believers had to endure the horrors of the Tribulation — famine, war, Antichrist, persecution, God’s judgments — this would hardly be a message of comfort. But the promise of being caught up before that hour of trial is a message of hope, urgency, and encouragement.

5️⃣ Living in Readiness

The Pre-Trib Rapture teaches imminency — that Christ could return at any moment.

Matthew 24:42 → “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

Titus 2:13 → “...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

We don’t set dates, but we live with expectancy — ready at all times, keeping our lamps burning.

❓ Questions to Ask Yourself

Am I living as if Christ could return today?

Do I find comfort in the promise of the rapture, or fear?

Am I sharing this truth with others so they can also be ready?

Is my life set apart as the Bride of Christ, waiting for the Bridegroom?

✝️ Closing

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is not about escaping hardship — Christians throughout history have suffered.

It is about God’s faithfulness to His promises: to rescue His Bride before pouring out judgment on the world.

This truth should bring us comfort, urgency, and readiness. Comfort, because we are not appointed to wrath. Urgency, because time is short. Readiness, because Jesus could return at any moment.

👉 Encourage one another with these words, and let us live faithfully as we wait for our blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.