Sermon Outlines: Understanding the Rapture

Last week at Bloodline (our new church plant) my husband shared with us three of the most popular views of the Rapture. Although the word rapture is not mentioned specifically in the Bible, the principle is. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the rapture experience is described as a "catching away" of believers from the earth.

The Rapture has been the topic of controversy in the church for many years. Prior to the twentieth century most church theologians and leaders (like John Calvin and Martin Luther) believed that the Rapture would take place at the end of the tribulation period. The tribulation period is spoken of in numerous places in the Bible as a time of trouble that will come upon the earth for a period of seven years (see Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:21, and Revelation 7:14 for starters).

This view changed in 1830 when a 15 year old Scottish girl had a dream that most born-again believers would be raptured prior to the beginning of the tribulation period. It was at this time that J. M. Darby, founder the Plymouth Brethren, grabbed onto this theory and ran with it. As a result, most Christians believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture today.

With that bit of history in mind let's take a brief look at the three most widely held views of when the Rapture will occur.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory

This is the theory that most Christians and theologians hold to today. It is the belief that all born-again believers will be raptured prior to the seven year tribulation period.

The basis of this theory is 1 Thessalonians 5:9 which says that "God has not appointed us (believers) for wrath." Those who subscribe to this view also believe that when the Apostle John hears the voice say "come up hither" in Revelation 4:1, that the passage is referring to the Rapture of the church.

For further reading see Revelation chapters 2-4. These chapters deal vividly with the seven churches, the church age, and the tribulation period.

The Mid-Tribulation Rapture Theory