What Is the Rapture in the Bible?
Bible Study Guide
(Verse 1) The disciples found themselves deeply troubled. Here are the reasons why. Jesus had just revealed to them that one of the twelve was about to betray him. Following that, Jesus tells them that He’s going to be with them for only a little while longer.
If this isn’t enough, they learn that Simon Peter is going to deny Jesus three times. While they’re learning all of this, they can sense that Jesus is troubled.
For this reason, John opens this chapter with Jesus’ words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He understands what they’re going through. They need to put their trust in Him. It’s what we’re called to do every day in our journey as Christians. We are to trust in the Lord in all things.
He’s going to give them some encouragement. It’s something they can look forward to. Jesus is going to explain it to them in a manner that they will comprehend as fellow Galileans.
He’ll offer them again more encouragement in John 16.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)
What Is the Rapture?
(Verses 2-4) There are three chapters in the Bible that serve as the most important passages that support the pretribulation rapture. The pretribulation rapture is not just an eschatological view held by some Christians. It’s the only view taught by God’s word. You will not find any other view of the rapture in the Bible. This is true if you study it by taking an exegetical approach.
John 14 is one of the those chapters. The other two chapters are 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15. There is much more offered by the Bible on this subject but these are the foundational passages. I encourage you to read the other two. We’ll explore John 14 here.
Since these twelve men are Galileans, Jesus is going to use Galilean culture and tradition to describe the rapture to them. This will help them to grasp what Jesus is trying to convey.
Just Like the Galileans
In the Galilean culture of Jesus’ day, a young Galilean man and woman who were in love would hold a small public gathering for a betrothal. If the bride accepted the proposal of the groom, they would exchange gifts. This would make way for the next phase of the process. This phase would eventually lead to the marriage ceremony.
After the betrothal, the bride would return to her home and prepare herself for the wedding ceremony. It would be according to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
She would have no idea as to when her groom would return to gather her and her bridesmaids for the wedding ceremony. But it was important that she was prepared and ready for his arrival. According to Galilean tradition, this waiting period could take as long as nine months to a year.
During this time, the groom would return to his Father’s house. There he would commence in adding more rooms to the house. He would do this so as to prepare a place for him and his bride to return to and live in after they’re married.
When the work of preparing a place was finished, the father of the groom would be the one to determine if the son’s work is finished. When it is, the father would tell the son to go and get his bride for the wedding feast.
No One Knows the Day or the Hour
As part of the betrothal, there is an implied promise that the groom would return to gather his bride. It’s the timing that was unknown to both the groom and bride.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)
Are you beginning to pick up on the similarities of this tradition and what Jesus is telling His disciples?
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
(John 14:2-3)
What Is the Rapture in the Bible According to Galilean Tradition?
Jesus describes here that He (groom) is going back to His Father’s (God) house to prepare a place for His bride (disciples/the church). Then He will return to gather them and bring them back to the Father’s house (heaven). This is for the marriage supper of the Lamb as described in Revelation 19:7-10.
This pattern Jesus used of Galilean traditions and customs as a way of making His message understandable to His disciples. This was used often throughout the gospels.
By understanding Galilean traditions and customs, we’re able to make sense of many of the lessons Jesus taught His disciples.
How does this translate to today’s true Christians? When we come to know and accept our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God will justify us through the real desires of our heart. This will be followed by our receiving of the Holy Spirit. This is the mark of our betrothal to Christ. With that comes a promise from Christ that He’ll return to gather His bride (the church) so that we’ll be with Him wherever He will be for eternity.
This also means that He’ll keep us from the wrath that is going to come upon the whole world. This wrath is for their rejection of God and the grace of salvation offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
(Revelation 3:10)
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