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"Caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:17

THE RAPTURE

One of the more difficult teachings about the Return of the Lord Jesus concerns “The Rapture”. The following text provides important information concerning this event.

“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17

1. The people who are going to be involved in The Rapture

a) Those who are alive.

b) Those who remain.

c) The dead have already been raised from the dead.

2. “Caught up together with them”

a) The dead in Christ will be given a new resurrection body.

b) They would be with Christ.

c) The remaining believers will now be caught up (Rapture) together with them.

3. “In the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”

a) Literal understanding must be opted for.

b) Great symbolic significance too.

i) The dead in Christ are honoured first.

ii) We will transcend death.

iii) We will be with Christ our Lord forever.

iv) We will get to meet the Lord at long last.

v) What a glorious hope we have in the Lord.

DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS TEACHING

Some have difficulties understanding and appreciating this doctrine.

1. It is difficult to imagine:-

a) The Resurrection of the Dead.

b) The Rapture of the remaining saints.

2. The upheaval that will take place when this happens.

a) This is difficult to comprehend.

b) Faith in God’s plan will have to be exercised even if we do not understand fully.