The Timing of the Rapture, Part 1

Not every believer is going to die, but every believer will be changed - instantly - when Christ returns. When He does, He will bring with Him those who have died and they will be reunited with their physical, resurrected bodies that will be changed (glorified.) This return of Christ is called the 'rapture' or, using the Latin term, the 'harpazo' which means to snatch away or to be caught up. Biblcal prophecy concerning this event reveals it to be separate and distinct from the second coming of Christ to earth.

Those future prophecies also reveal several reasons for this event and why it must take place prior to the start of the seven year period identified as the tribulation or 'seventieth week of Daniel.' A careful study of these reasons helps us understand the significance, sequence and timing of these events to the extent of the details God has chosen to reveal.