The Words of Jesus and the Urgency of His Return Help to Answer the Question: Is the Rapture Biblical?
Bible Study Guide (Proof of the Rapture Series)
Introduction
Few questions stir as much debate as this: Is the rapture biblical? To answer, we must go directly to the highest authority, the words of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 24:36–42, the Son of God Himself speaks about His return. He sets the principle of imminence: “no one knows the day or the hour.” His return is certain, but its timing is hidden, making it an event that could happen at any moment.
To drive the point home, Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah. Just as Noah and his family were removed before the floodwaters of judgment, so the church will be removed before the wrath of God in the Tribulation. This passage is one of the clearest teachings on the gift of salvation and the pretribulation rapture — and it comes from the lips of Christ Himself.
The question “Is the rapture biblical?” finds its strongest answer here in the verses of Matthew 24.
This is the second of seven proofs. Explore all 7 proofs of the biblical Pretribulation Rapture.
1. The Day and Hour Unknown (Verse 36)
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
- Observation: Jesus makes it clear — no one but the Father knows the exact time of His return. Even the angels, even the Son during His earthly ministry, did not reveal this knowledge. There is no event that has to occur that will signal the coming of the rapture. It is imminent, for good reason.
“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
- Answering the Question: Is the rapture biblical? Yes — Jesus establishes imminence, teaching that His coming is unknowable yet inevitable. It tis unknowable, but it will not be a surprise to believing Christians who have been taught the signs of the times.
- Application: We are not called to speculation but to expectation. Every day should be lived as though it could be the day of His return. We must be a light to those who walk in darkness up to the day of His return (rapture).
7 Biblical Proofs of the Pretribulation Rapture
2. As It Was in the Days of Noah: A Foreshadowing That Helps to Answer the Question, Is the Rapture Biblical? (Verses 37-39)
“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man…” (Matthew 24:37-39)
- Observation: In Noah’s day, life continued as usual — eating, drinking, marrying — until the flood came suddenly. People were oblivious to the danger. Noah was surrounded by scoffers laughing at the moment of rain that would flood the world.
- Foreshadowing: Noah and his family were saved, lifted above the waters of judgment in the ark. The ark had only one door to enter. This was a symbol of Christ as the only way to salvation. There is no other way back to God except through Christ. Likewise, the church will be removed before God’s wrath is poured out in the Tribulation. God is the one who closed and sealed the door to the ark. So it will be at the rapture. God will decide the time of Christ’ return. After that, it will be too late.
“Then the Lord shut him in.” (Genesis 7:16)
“Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark.” (Genesis 7:23)
“Noah’s faith led to the saving of his household.” (Hebrews 11:7)
“Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
“if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;” (2 Peter 2:5)
- Answering the Question: Is the rapture biblical? Yes — Jesus Himself connects His coming to Noah’s deliverance before judgment. Noah and his family were not taken through the wrath of the flood. They were lifted above it and protected from its bite.
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
- Application: The world today mirrors Noah’s — distracted, dismissive, and unprepared. Believers must be watchful and faithful like Noah. Beware – many will scoff at Christ’ return. They’ll interpret this scripture allegorically in an attempt to deceive believers.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
3. One Taken, One Left (Verses 40–41)
“Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.” (Matthew 24:40-41)
- Observation: Jesus describes a sudden, dramatic separation — the saved and the unsaved divided in a moment. Let those who have ears hear what Jesus is saying.
“I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”” (Luke 17:34–35)
“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. 17 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 4:16–17)
- Answering the Question: Is the rapture biblical? Yes — this is Jesus’ own description of the dividing line at His return. Be ever so cautious of mystical and allegorical false teachings on this passage. The Bible is the best interpretor of the Bible. It has no need for mankind’s opinion or beliefs.
- Application: Salvation cannot be shared. Faith in Christ is personal. When the rapture occurs, only those who are in Him will be taken. Tremendous panic will erupt after the rapture, among those left behind who thought being a good person would win them salvation. They’ll realize those things that their family, friend, coworker or Pastor tried teaching about the love of Christ was true.
4. The Call to Watch (Verse 42)
“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)
- Observation: Jesus ends with a command — be alert, be awake. His return will be sudden.
“Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13:33)
“while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13)
“If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” (Revelation 3:3)
- Answering the Question: Is the rapture biblical? Yes — it is confirmed by Christ’s own words and by His urgent call to watchfulness. A command from the faithful Teacher Himself.
- Application: To “stay awake” means to live with readiness — cultivating holiness, prayer, and witness. This is not passive waiting but active preparation. Do not fall into the trap of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 24:48-51). Once the door is closed it will not be reopened.
Closing Reflection
So, is the rapture biblical? Jesus’ own words in Matthew 24:36–42 give the answer: Yes. He declares His coming is imminent — no one knows the hour. Jesus uses Noah as a foreshadowing of removal before judgment. He describes the sudden separation of believers and unbelievers. And He commands His people to stay awake, ready at all times.
The teaching of the pretribulation rapture of the church is not a man-made invention. It is a promise from the Son of God Himself. From Genesis to Revelation, God has always removed or preserved His people before judgment: Noah before the flood, Lot before Sodom, Israel sheltered at Passover, and the Church (believers in Christ) before the Tribulation.
The message is urgent: Christ is coming suddenly, and the time is near. The only question is whether you are ready. All of the signs Jesus spoke of are happening at this very moment. The path is being paved and the players are in place that lead to the seven year Tribulation.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for speaking clearly about Your return. We believe Your words, and we know the pretribulation rapture is biblical, revealed by You as a certain and imminent event. Help us to live awake, holy, and ready for Your coming. Make us faithful like Noah, prepared to enter into Your salvation while there is still time. Keep our hearts steadfast in hope, and let our lives point others to the urgency of this truth.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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