The concept of the Rapture is presented in Scripture, and it involves an escape from judgment and an offer from God of eternal life and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus Christ?
We learn about Jesus Christ by reading the Bible. The Bible states that Jesus (1) is the one and only Son of God and therefore God, (2) is the expression of God the Father to all of humanity, and called "the Word," (3) became a man, having been born of the virgin, Mary, (4) is a lineal descendant of Israel"s King David, (5) lived a sinless life, (6) died on a cross, shedding His blood as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind, and (7) now sits at the right hand of the Father, waiting to return to the Earth in glory as the King of Kings at the time determined by the Father.
Why do I need to know about Jesus Christ?
By believing in Jesus, and what He has done, people can be forgiven of their sins and inherit eternal life with God. In this regard, the Bible states that "God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not judged, but anyone who does not believe is already judged, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God." (John 3:16-18 HCSB.)
The Bible also states that "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:9-10 HCSB).
The Second Coming of Jesus
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will one day return to Earth in great glory as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The event is described throughout the Bible, but is particularly detailed in Matthew 24 and in Revelation 19 and 20. Christians refer to this event as the "Second Coming" of Christ.
The Great Tribulation
The Bible also teaches that the Second Coming of Christ is preceded by a period of turmoil that will be unlike any before or since. Christians refer to this period as the "Tribulation" or the "Great Tribulation." The Tribulation will last for seven years.
The Rapture
Many Christians believe that just prior to the Great Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return and gather to Himself in Heaven all those who are alive and believe in His name. This event is called the "Rapture." The Rapture is based on a number of Biblical texts, one of the principal passages of which is I Thessalonians 4:16-17, which states that "the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive 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." (HCSB)
What should you do about Jesus Christ and the Rapture?
The Directors of Rapture Fund encourage you to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. We want you to avoid the Tribulation and participate in the Rapture. You can accept the gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life that God offers to you by acknowledging Jesus now. Simply say to God, "My Father in Heaven, I believe that Jesus Christ is God and Lord, and I believe that He died for my sins, and that He rose again. Thank you for taking away all of my sins and for giving me eternal life."If you prayed that prayer, congratulations! You have become a child of God. If Jesus comes to gather believers in your lifetime, then you will take part in that amazing Rapture event!