The Rapture is the first event we want to consider as we begin our study of the end times because the Rapture is the next event to happen in the prophetic picture. The word “RAPTURE” does not occur in Scripture, but the teaching does, just as the word TRINITY does not occur, but the teaching does. The word RAPTURE comes from the Latin verb RAPTO meaning to be caught up.

The Rapture is not taught in the Old Testament because it was a mystery until the present time of the Church, the Bride of Christ, but God did picture it in the life of Elijah in 2 Kings 2:11-12.

“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire [appeared] with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw [it], and he cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more.” (NKJV)

But the school of the prophets was nearby and some of the prophets did not believe what had happened.

“Then they said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send anyone." But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, "Send [them]!" Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?" 2 Kings 2:16-18 (NKJV)

I wonder, after the Rapture takes place here on earth, how many religious unbelievers are going to waste time looking for missing believers, organizing search parties to look for believers that supposedly decided to go into hiding. It will be a useless search. They have all gone to glory.

Nor is the rapture taught in the Gospels. There is, however a reference to the Church, which may have puzzled the disciples in their Kingdom mindset.

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Mat 16:18

“Will build” is future tense, something Christ would do but had not started yet. The disciples wanted the kingdom built, so in their minds, what was this church business all about?

When Jesus told His disciples He would be leaving them they became very concerned. He sought to allay their fears by telling them:

“Let not your hearts be troubled…I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3

This may have been confusing to the disciples. What about the kingdom they expected Him to establish here on earth? But Jesus states He is going away to prepare a place for them in glory that it might be ready for the day when he catches us up to heaven to be with Him in Heaven’s glory.

The disciples expressed their concern again in Acts 1:6 “Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons.” The Disciples wanted Jesus to establish His Kingdom right then. However, this was not the time for Jesus to build His kingdom, but it was the time for building His Church, and they would soon see that happen.