When the word "rapture" is mentioned, the general connotation or thought that follows this word goes something like this: "When Christ comes back, He will rapture the Church (the Christians) out of the world, and leave the sinners to endure a short time that is generally referred to as the tribulation."

Why do so many people believe this? They believe this "theory" for one of three reasons: Primarily, most believe it because they have been taught this "theory" by their preacher and their religious friends. Secondly, they believe it because the majority of the "big time" preachers teach it, and most of the "big time" writers write about it. Lastly, they sincerely believe that this is what the Bible teaches will happen when Christ comes again.

This is a popular subject of our day, just as it has been for several generations. What we must do is put this "theory" under the Biblical microscope. If it is flawless, then the Bible will prove it true; but if it is not, the Bible will prove it a lie.

First, let's examine the word itself. The word "rapture" is never found written in the pages of the Bible. It's not in King James, New American Standard, New International, or any of the Greek manuscripts from which all the aforesaid versions were translated from. So where do we get this mysterious word?

The word "rapture" is a Latin word meaning "caught up." If you had a Latin Bible, you could find the word "rapture" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. In the K.J.V. this verse reads, "Then we which are alive <and> remain shall be caught up (raptured) together with them in the clouds. . ." The people who teach the "rapture theory" use 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 as their main text to prove this theory.

To examine the text, at a glance, it seems to be saying exactly what most people believe, "that Christ will come and call out the Christians first." If we use our microscope, we can see clearly that 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 does mention when the saints will be taken but doesn't say one word pertaining to the sinners and the ungodly. The only thing that we can deduct from this text is how a Christian will be taken out of the world. Not one word is mentioned, in this text, about the sinner. It doesn't say that the sinner will be taken first, last, at the same time, several years later, or even 1000 years later. This text doesn't say diddly about the sinner. To understand the order as to whom will be taken first, we need to find scripture that relates to that particular subject.

One text that specifies the order as to which will be taken first or second is Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43. Please read Matthew 13:24-30 several times and really try to understand what our Lord and Savior had to say about the order as to whom will be taken out of this world first.

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.'" (Matthew 13:24-30 KJV)

After reading verses 24-30, you may still find it difficult to fully understand the order. Some may say, "This is a parable that is too hard to understand." Some even say, "You can't take this parable word for word." It should be of interest to us that Jesus explains this parable detail by detail, so that we will know exactly who will leave this ol' world first. Read Matthew 13:36-43 several times and see if it isn't as clear as a bell who the Lord says will be cast out first.

"Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them. 'He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.'" (Matthew 13:36-43 KJV)

First, Jesus explains all of the symbols that He had given in the parable in verses 24-30. Secondly, He (Jesus) tells that the good (Christians) and the bad (sinners) will stay together until Christ sends the angels. Thirdly, the Lord says in verse 42, that the wicked "shall be cast into a furnace of fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Fourth, take a close look at the first word in verse 43. Our Lord and Savior says, "Then." Christ Himself said that the wicked would be cast out and "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father." Now ask yourself this question, "If Jesus Christ Himself, said that the wicked would be "cast out" first, would He then, later, tell the Apostle Paul to tell the people of Thessalonica that when He returned, He would "call out" the Christians first? God forbid!