Discover Who Will Be Raptured and the Hope of Christ’s Return
Bible Study Guide
What Happens to Believers in Christ Who Have Already Died (fallen asleep)?
(Verses 13-14) Paul begins in verse 13 with a passionate plea: “I do not want you to be uninformed.” He’s not simply offering comforting words—he’s issuing a vital warning. The Thessalonians already knew about the rapture, but they were troubled—what would happen to believers who had already died? Would they miss this glorious moment? Paul’s answer is clear. Absolutely not!
7 Biblical Proofs of the Pretribulation Rapture
The rapture is no vague or random event. It is a precise, divinely timed rescue—set in motion by the authority of Jesus Christ Himself given to Him by God. Paul anchors their hope, and ours, in the unshakable truth of the gospel.
Paul explains to the Thessalonians that Christ is the model for this order of the rapture. There will be an order for who is going to be raptured and when.
“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. “ (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
First and foremost, only those who believe that Christ is the Son of the Living God, was crucified and raised from the dead for the atonement of our sins will be raptured (taken up). If you believe in these things and repent of your sins and accept Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, you will be raptured if you haven’t passed away (fallen asleep) before it happens.
Explore all 7 proofs of the biblical Pretribulation Rapture.
Is There an Order to the Rapture?
Absolutely! Verse 14 is the basis of that order as Paul explains.
What Will Happen to Those Who Have Already Died in Christ?
(Verses 15-17) Just as Christ died and rose again, so also will those who have died in Christ be the first to be raptured. Then those who are still alive in Christ will follow after them to meet and be with the Lord forever.
“According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16)
This is the order: First, those who have died in Christ will rise—physically, gloriously, unmistakably—when He calls. Then, in an instant, the believers still alive will be caught up to meet Him in the air.
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Isn’t that such a beautiful phrase for our minds to comprehend, “…be with the Lord forever.” It brings so much joy and peace to my soul to know that. Those who truly have given themselves to Christ know this day is fast approaching.
The realization of knowing what would happen to their loved ones who have “fallen asleep” in Christ came as a great comfort to the Thessalonians. This was one question that truly left them uneasy.
But here’s the sobering truth—this promise is not for everyone. Only those who belong to Christ will be taken. Only those who believe He is the Son of the Living God, who trust in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of their sins, who have repented and surrendered their lives to Him, will be part of this moment.
If you wait, you may miss it. If you delay, you may be left behind to face the wrath to come. This is not the time for casual faith or vague belief—this is the time to make certain you belong to Him. The trumpet will sound. The Lord will descend. And in the twinkling of an eye, the opportunity to be part of His gathering before God’s wrath will be gone forever.
Who Are The Dead in Christ Who Will Be Raptured?
The ones who have truly given their life to Christ and died will be those who’ll be raptured first. This will include all who have died (fallen asleep) from the time when Christ came to earth to extend God’s free gift of salvation up to the time of the rapture. This will be called the First Resurrection.
How about those who died before Christ came to earth but believed in and dedicated their life to God? These saints never experienced the covenant of salvation that came to earth through Christ, so they have a different path to follow in their reunification with God. This path is explained in the Old Testament and finally in the book of Revelation.
These Old Testament saints will be resurrected after the Tribulation when Christ returns to earth.
This clearly falls in line with God’s word established through the Bible that God’s plan has an order. All of His works have a time and a season and a purpose.
What is the Rapture?
The rapture is an event whose time is set by the Father that not even the Son knows. It is an imminent event that draws closer and closer as we see the fulfillment of Bible prophecy coming to fruition at a remarkable rate. This fulfillment of prophecy is happening at a greater rate than any other time in the history of mankind.
Imminent means that nothing has to happen for the rapture to occur. There is no trigger event that will cause the rapture. The Bible makes it perfectly clear that there will be events that will occur before the rapture. There will also be events that will occur after the rapture. But none of them will trigger the rapture. If there was a trigger event, then we would know when the rapture would occur.
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:17
The phrase “caught up” is the definition of the rapture. The English word “rapture” was translated from the Latin word “rapturo.” This word was translated from the Greek word “harpazo” which comes from the original Greek text.
While the Bible never uses the word “rapture,” its definition is used in its place.
Is the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ the Same Event?
Rapture vs Second Coming of Christ Comparison Chart
Absolutely not! When Christ comes to gather His church to Himself, he will not be returning to earth. As Paul states at the end of verse 17, “we will meet the Lord in the air.” At His Second Coming, he will return to the Mount of Olives when He first appears. The rapture and the Second Coming are two distinct and separate events.
“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.” (Zechariah 14:4-11)
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
In Revelation, John describes Jesus’s Second Coming in this way.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.” (Revelation 19:11-16)
What Signs Today Show Us We Are Nearing the Second Coming of Christ?
Does this sound like the Jesus who’s coming to gather His people to Himself? Absolutely not! Rather, this Jesus that is coming to rule and judge those who have rejected Him, His people and His land.
The rapture is imminent and has no warning. The Second Coming will occur at the end of the tribulation which will be seven years after the antichrist establishes a covenant with the Holy Land of Israel.
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” (Daniel 9:27)
Paul closes this passage with some wonderful advice. We should use these words of the coming of our Blessed Hope to spiritually prepare ourselves through sanctification so that we will be made holy and righteous. Let us use these exciting words of anticipation to edify one another all the more as the day fast approaches.
Prayer for the Blessed Hope
Lord Jesus, my heart leaps with joy at the thought of Your return! Thank You for the promise that You will come for Your bride, the Church, and gather us into Your presence forever. I praise You for the victory of the cross and the empty tomb that makes this hope certain. Keep my eyes lifted, my heart ready, and my life faithful until that trumpet sounds. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.
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