A 5-Day Bible Study to Help Us Understand the Rapture
The rapture of the church is the first event of eschatology. It is before the seven-year tribulation, the Bema Seat of Christ, the thousand-year reign of Christ, the Great White Throne Judgment, the lake of fire, and the Eternal Kingdom. Once the rapture happens, every other eschatological event will begin to unfold. After completing this five-day Bible study, you will learn more about the rapture, when it occurs, what happens, and what it means to your life at present.
Although many are frightened of eschatological events, there is nothing to fear. As believers, we don't have to fear the scary events of eschatology, such as the tribulation or the Great White Throne Judgment, because we will not participate in them. These particular events are only for unbelievers. As believers, we will participate in the church's rapture, the Bema Seat of Christ, the thousand-year reign of Christ, and the Eternal Kingdom.
Day One: What is the Rapture?
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humankind, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive and who are left until the coming of the Lord will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the archangel's voice and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
This passage of Scripture is key in understanding the rapture. The Apostle Paul tells us the rapture is when believers will be taken up to meet the Lord in the air. It is important to note that Christ's rapture and second coming are distinct events. The church's rapture is when believers will be taken up after the call of Christ, but the second coming is when the Lord will physically stand on the earth again. Within the rapture, He calls us up from Heaven; however, He does not descend to earth until the second coming.
Believers who died before us will be resurrected and taken up to be with the Lord first, and then we will follow. If we are still alive when the rapture happens, our earthly bodies will be transformed into our glorified bodies. All believers will be taken into Heaven, where we will stay for the seven-year tribulation. During this time, we will undergo the Bema Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10). This is not a judgment of salvation, but rather, a judgment of works.
Everyone will be given rewards based on what they have done, and everyone will lose rewards based on wrong behaviors, actions, or motives. There again, nobody’s salvation is in jeopardy here as we have placed faith in Jesus. However, depending on what we did during our life will determine what rewards will be given or taken away. Thinking about the rapture can encourage us to do the right thing now and glorify God.
Challenge Questions:
- Did you know about the rapture before today? Has the information above helped clear up any confusion?
- What are you most looking forward to when it comes to the rapture?
- The Bema Seat of Christ can be intimidating, but it is needed. How can you live your life to prepare yourself for this event?
Day Two: When Does the Rapture Happen?
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).
Another key passage of the rapture is found in Paul’s words above. While we do not know when the rapture will happen, it will happen quickly. Paul says it will happen in the twinkling of an eye. If we think about how fast a twinkling of the eye is, we know it happens in less than a second. We will be changed into our glorified bodies and be clothed with immortality.
All believers taken in the rapture will not have to experience death. Death will finally be swallowed up in victory when this occurs. However, we will still partake in it if we pass away before the rapture. Rather than being automatically changed from our earthly bodies into our glorified bodies, we will be resurrected from the dead and clothed with our glorified bodies. Therefore, all believers will participate in the rapture, but we cannot be dogmatic in knowing when the rapture will happen.
Challenge Questions:
- Why do you think God didn’t give us exact timing for the rapture?
- What do you think our glorified bodies will look like?
- The rapture will happen faster than the twinkling of an eye. How amazing is it that God can do all this in such a short amount of time?
Day Three: How Does the Rapture Apply to My Life?
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:11).
Many people think that the rapture doesn’t apply to them. Some believe that the rapture is not true or that it won’t happen during their lifetime. Because of this viewpoint, they won’t be prepared when the rapture comes. The rapture is a real, biblical, literal event that will happen in the future. It is not a made-up event or something that has already been fulfilled.
In truth, the rapture could happen in our lifetime. Just because we may doubt it does not mean it couldn’t happen today. The rapture could happen at any time. As believers, we must look forward to the rapture and allow it to change our lives. Rather than continuing to live with the viewpoint that the rapture doesn’t matter, we need to use it to change our behaviors and bring glory to God through our actions.
As the Apostle Peter says in the passage above, we need to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11). We no longer need to live lives that bring shame to God. As believers, we are called to live lives that bring glory, praise, and honor to God. The outside world will be quick to judge us and God if we are not living holy lives. This must propel us to extend Jesus’ love in our actions and truly serve Him through our lives.
Challenge Questions:
- Have you ever doubted the reality of the rapture?
- How can you apply the rapture to your life?
- How can you start living a holy and godly life?
Day Four: How Can I Be Prepared?
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
To be prepared for the rapture, we need to be true believers. When the rapture happens, no believer will be left to undergo the seven-year tribulation. The seven-year tribulation will be a terrible experience, full of plagues, bowl judgments, and death. While many people will become believers during the tribulation, it is better to be a believer before the start of the seven-year tribulation. All who have placed faith in Jesus before the rapture will be taken to be with Him in Heaven, and everyone who has not put faith in Jesus will stay on the earth to face the tribulation.
If you have faith in Jesus, you are already ready. However, if you have not placed faith in Jesus, know you can put faith in Him whenever you are ready. Jesus died on the cross in order for us to be saved from our sins (John 3:16-17). Jesus is God in the flesh, which means God left Heaven to save us. Out of His love for us, He has given us salvation through His blood shed on the cross.
If you are ready to place faith in Jesus today, you can. Believing that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again is all required for salvation. Paul tells us, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). You can be prepared and keep watch as stated in Matthew 25:13 by placing faith in Jesus and living for Him.
Challenge Questions:
- How can you be on the watch for the rapture?
- Have you placed faith in Jesus and accepted Him as your Savior?
- How can you live your life in preparation for the rapture?
Day Five: Looking Forward to Eternity
“But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
After the rapture, believers will partake in the Bema Seat of Christ, the thousand-year reign of Christ, and the creation of the New Heaven and New Earth. The New Heaven and New Earth, also known as the Eternal Kingdom, will be the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). No longer will sin exist in the New Heaven and New Earth. All pain, sin, and death will be eradicated (Revelation 21:4). When we reflect on the rapture, we must look forward to our eternal home in the Eternal Kingdom.
God has blessed us beyond measure with salvation; however, He has more blessings waiting for us in the future. The ultimate blessing we have been given in Christ will continue to bless us for all eternity. Because of Him, we have the promise of the Eternal Kingdom. Without Him, we would be lost in our sins and doomed to be separated from God. As believers, we have been blessed and can look forward to eternity with hopeful hearts.
Challenge Questions:
- What are you most looking forward to regarding the Eternal Kingdom?
- How can you give thanks to God for His blessings today?
- The rapture will start eschatology, which will end in the Eternal Kingdom. Does this bring encouragement and hope to your heart? Why or why not?
Prayer: “Dear God, I praise You for the gift of the rapture. I cannot wait for the day to come when you call us up. Please help me to live a holy and godly life as I live on this earth. Thank you also for the future promise of the Eternal Kingdom. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/francescoch
Originally published May 12, 2025.
