“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who have fallen asleep (died),
lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so God will bring with him those who
sleep in Jesus.”
1st Thessalonians 4:13-14

Scripture tells us we are not to sorrow over lost loved ones as though we have no hope of seeing them again – and then Scripture reveals the doctrine of the Rapture, the hope that no other religion can give.

vs 16:
“For the Lord himself will descend
from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel,
and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Imagine it. Jesus Christ himself is going to descend from heaven and all who died believing in him are going to rise from their graves.

But that’s not all:

Then …believers in Jesus who are alive on the earth at that time, will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air and be taken to heaven, and from that day never to be separated again.

vs 17:
“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 ever be with the Lord.”

Many reject this teachingt because it sounds preposterous. But the same God who parted the waters of the Red Sea, the same God who himself was Raptured when he ascended to heaven — this same God will once again do something that defies science and all that is known to man. He will gather all born-again believers together to himself BEFORE the seven-year Tribulation which will take place upon the unbelieving world.

vs 18:
“THEREFORE …comfort one another with these words.”
1st Thessalonians 4:18

Some say the Rapture won’t take place before the Tribulation. If that were true, no way could we “comfort one another.” Only by the doctrine of the pre-tribulation Rapture can you comfort one another – with “the blessed hope.”

Even so, COME Lord Jesus.

MORE:
The Rapture Generation