The Blessed Hope of the Saints
The rapture is one of the most profound mysteries revealed in the Word of God. It is the blessed hope of all true believers, the moment when Christ shall come suddenly to take His Church away from this present evil world. Paul declares, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
This glorious event will not be announced to the world beforehand. It will come suddenly and unexpectedly, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Jesus Himself warns, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42). The morn of rapture will be a day of joy for the faithful, but a day of sorrow, confusion, and despair for the careless and unprepared.
The Qualification of Those Who Will Be Raptured
The Bible is clear that not all who profess Christ will be taken up in the rapture. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Those who will partake in the rapture must:
- Be Born Again:
Jesus emphasized, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). New birth through faith in Christ is the entry point. - Live in Holiness and Purity:
Hebrews 12:14 says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Only the pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5:8). - Be Watchful and Ready:
The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–13) shows that only those who were ready entered with the Bridegroom. The careless virgins were shut out. - Walk in Love and Righteousness:
Ephesians 5:1–2 urges us to “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.” John further adds, “He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7). - Endure in Faith Till the End:
Jesus warns, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). A half-hearted or backslidden Christian cannot qualify.
If the Rapture Tarries – The Inevitable Reality of Death
If God in His wisdom delays the rapture, death becomes inevitable for every human being. Hebrews 9:27 affirms, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” However, for the righteous, death is not a tragedy but a transition into glory.
The Psalmist testifies, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). Paul echoes this joy, saying, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). The righteous who die in Christ enter into eternal rest: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
Thus, whether by rapture or by death, the faithful believer’s end is everlasting joy in the presence of the Lord.
Heaven: A Prepared Place for a Prepared People
Jesus comforted His disciples with these words: “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself” (John 14:2–3). Heaven is a prepared place, but only for prepared people.
Preparation begins with reconciliation to God through faith in His only Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 declares, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This requires repentance from sin (Acts 3:19), forgiveness through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7), and justification by His grace (Romans 3:24).
From that point, believers must live in holiness, serve God faithfully, and walk in obedience to His Word. Paul urges, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Without adequate preparation, the door will be shut as it was for the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:10).
A Solemn Warning and Call to Readiness
The Scripture gives strong warnings about the suddenness of the rapture and the uncertainty of life. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44).
Believers must:
Hold fast the word of life (Philippians 2:16).
Live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
The morn of rapture will separate the wise from the foolish, the ready from the careless, the holy from the unholy. It is a call to vigilance, purity, and perseverance.
Conclusion
The morn of rapture will dawn suddenly. For the faithful, it will be the greatest joy of all ages; for the unprepared, it will be eternal sorrow. Whether Christ comes today or delays and calls us home through death, the only safe position is readiness.
Therefore, be watchful, be vigilant, and be steadfast. Believe the gospel, repent of sin, embrace the grace of God through Christ, and live daily in holiness and service. For surely, “yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37).