Caught Up to Meet the Lord
Paul foretold the living and the dead in Christ caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Paul reveals a mystery: the dead in Christ shall rise first, then the living shall be changed in a moment and caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, ever to be with Him.
The Prophecy
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout...and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
A blessed hope
Paul wrote this passage to comfort believers grieving departed loved ones — assuring them that Christ's coming will reunite the church, dead and living, in one glorified body.
A moment, in the twinkling of an eye
The transformation will be instantaneous — corruption putting on incorruption, mortal putting on immortality, fulfilling Isaiah's word that death is swallowed up in victory.
People in This Prophecy
Verse Commentary
Read verse-by-verse commentary on the key passages of this prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the rapture taught?
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 — the living caught up with the resurrected dead to meet the Lord.
What is the rapture?
The catching up of living believers, together with the resurrected dead in Christ, to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
When does the rapture occur?
Scripture commands constant watchfulness (Titus 2:13) — many place it before the tribulation; all agree it precedes Christ's visible return to earth.
Related Bible Prophecies
The Second Coming of Christ
The visible, glorious return of Christ to judge and reign.
The Resurrection of the Dead
All the dead raised — some to life, some to judgment.
The Great Tribulation
Unequalled trouble before the coming of Christ.
Signs in Sun, Moon, and Stars
Joel, Christ, and Revelation foretell darkened sun, blood-red moon, and falling stars.
Related Reading
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