Rapture (Bible)

thumb|Vatican City. Sistine Chapel. The Fresco "The Last Judgement" by Michelangelo, 16th century. Catholic view of resurrection at Christ's return, with angelic aerial couriers and saints assisting. The Rapture is an eschatological (end-times) concept held by some Christians, particularly those of American evangelicalism, consisting of an event when all dead Christian believers will be resurrected and, joined with Christians who are still alive, together will rise "in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. Quotes about Old Testament The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, For the Lord has spoken this word. Book of Isaiah 24:3 NKJV. New Testament Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Paul of Tarsus in the First Epistle to the Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts of the Apostles 8:39 NKJV. ...and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts of the Apostles 3:20-21 NKJV. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Paul of Tarsus] in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians 12:2-4 NKJV. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Paul of Tarsus in the Epistle to the Romans 8:19-21 NKJV. Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” éBook of Revelation 11:15 NKJV. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Book of Revelation 12:5 NKJV. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Gospel of Matthew 24:37-40 NKJV. Others Accordingly those who are found alive at the Lord's coming will be marked off from those who have died before, not for the reason that they will never die, but because in the very act by which they are taken up "in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:16), they will die and immediately rise again, as Augustine teaches. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Compendium Theologiae, Ch. 243 - Universality of the Judgement. See also Assumption of Mary Book of Revelation Last Judgement Second Coming External links Category:Book of Revelation