The Rapture itself - Part 2
Besides 1 Thessalonians 4-13-18, the Rapture has additional and more confirming material in the Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Here it says:
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O[n] Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The text here gives additional value to the Rapture meaning. First of all the way the Rapture is performed, and why it is called the Rapture. It is an event performed in a twinkling of an eye. Almost or totally unnoticeble. Also there is talk here of a trumpet.
In the letter to the Thessalonians we see that Christ brings with Him the Trumpet of God. I do not presume then, that it is unused. Also the Trumpet of God does not seem to be used anywhere else in the Bible. This trumpet could be used for this very significant event. So this adds to the sequence that was setup in the previous article.
What we can conclude of this text is firstly that there will be series of trumpet blasts because at the last trumpet blast (verse 52) the ones who were asleep in Christ will rise first.
And there is a reason for why the ones who are still alive must be Raptured. It is not only to be saved from the Wrath of God, but also to get rid off the corrupted body. We get a new incorrupt body and a body that is immortal to be in the presence of the Lord.
Rapture sequence (adapted):
- God will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel.
- God will descend from heaven with the Trumpet of God.
- Multiple trumpet blasts will be heard.
- The LAST trumpet will sound.
- Those who are asleep in Christ will be resurrected, and go to meet the Lord in the air
- Those who are alive and remain will be raptured in the twinkling of an eye, and they will go to meet the Lord in the air
Is the text to be taken literal or not?
There is only indication that this text is to be taken literally. Because it does not say otherwise.
Is the text unambiguous, can we draw a single conclusion?
The ultimate victory is the victory over death as we have faith in Jesus Christ, is the conclusion of the resurrection and rapture. The text is further clear on how the Rapture experience will be and why the Rapture is needed. ("Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God".)
Is the text referring to the Rapture?
Clearly this depicts the Rapture as it clearly states the instantaneous transformation of body and location.
Is the text referring to a related event of the Rapture?
No, it is about the rapture itself.
Are there (relative) time references?
Yes, the last trumpet could be a relative time pointer, if we know when that is.
Are there references to other events?
No other event references found in this text.
Further study
The question we need to ask ourselves here is, is the last Trumpet, the Trumpet of God as stated in 1st Thessalonians 4-16. This could be a significant clue to either rule in or rule out certain references. Although it does not say here that the last Trumpet is the Trumpet of God, it is only highly likely so. But still it is not confirmed textually.
Trumpets are common use in Jews feasts. There is even a feast of trumpets in which the last trump is the trump with the longest breath.
But in the time that Jesus was in the flesh, when the Romans occupied Israel, the particular Last Trump had a significant meaning. It was the Trump of Reunion, the moment to look forward too as a Roman soldier as you are coming home and enjoy the glory and feast over the victory. This exactly pictures the situation of the saints:
- The last Trump ís a reunion call.
- The saints get to go home.
- And there will be glory and a feast.
- The victory is over death by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.
See also: Article in Truth & Tidings
This is to keep in mind for when we move on in the study and maybe see another reference of this. But it definitely points to chronological sequence of events. The last trumpet sounds and then the resurrection of the saints starts.