The doctrine of the rapture is a cornerstone belief for many Christians, particularly those who hold to a pre-tribulation interpretation of end-time events. The term “rapture” itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but the concept is derived from key scriptures that describe believers being caught up to meet Christ in the air. These scriptures have been foundational for Christian eschatology, shedding light on the event that will precede the second coming of Christ.
In this article, we will explore 45 key scriptures on the rapture from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. These verses highlight the promises, the mystery, and the hope of the rapture event that all believers eagerly await.
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: 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.
This passage is one of the clearest descriptions of the rapture. It provides details of how believers, both dead and alive, will be caught up to meet Christ in the air.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
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.
Paul describes the rapture as a mystery, revealing that some will be changed in an instant. The phrase “in the twinkling of an eye” underscores the sudden and unexpected nature of this event.
3. John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus Himself promises to return for His followers, an essential aspect of the rapture, where He will gather believers to be with Him forever.
4. Philippians 3:20-21
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
This passage points to the transformation believers will undergo, as our bodies are changed to be like Christ’s glorious body during the rapture.
5. Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
The rapture is described as the “blessed hope” for believers, highlighting the anticipation of Christ’s return.
6. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
This scripture references the gathering of believers to Christ, reminding us that the day of the rapture will not occur until certain events unfold.
7. Matthew 24:40-42
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Here, Jesus describes the sudden and unexpected nature of the rapture. Believers must be vigilant, for the event will come like a thief in the night.
8. Luke 17:34-36
I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
This passage mirrors Matthew 24:40-42, emphasizing the sudden separation of believers and non-believers, which is central to the rapture.
9. Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
This scripture is often interpreted to refer to the rapture, where faithful believers will be kept from the hour of trial or tribulation that is to come upon the earth.
10. 2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Peter speaks about the unexpected nature of the rapture, comparing it to the coming of a thief in the night.
11. Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the Ten Virgins)
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
This parable illustrates the need for spiritual readiness for the rapture. The wise virgins were prepared for the bridegroom’s (Christ’s) arrival, while the foolish were not.
12. 1 Thessalonians 5:2
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
The suddenness of Christ’s return is a recurring theme in the Bible. Believers are reminded to be prepared, as the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly.
13. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
This passage reassures believers that, unlike those in darkness, they will not be caught unprepared when the rapture occurs.
14. Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
This verse symbolizes the call for believers to ascend, pointing to the event of the rapture, where the faithful are called to meet Christ in heaven.
15. Matthew 24:31
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
This passage reinforces the idea of the rapture, where the angels gather the elect (believers) from all corners of the earth.
16. 2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Believers have the promise of an eternal home in heaven, which is emphasized in the context of the rapture when the physical body will be transformed.
17. Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
This verse speaks of the ultimate glory believers will share with Christ when He returns for them.
18. Hebrews 9:28
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Christ’s return will bring salvation to believers, which is a part of the rapture event that we look forward to.
19. Jude 1:14-15
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Jude speaks of the coming of the Lord with His saints, a reference to the rapture when believers will be with Christ.
20. Romans 8:19-23
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
This passage alludes to the ultimate redemption and transformation of believers, which will occur during the rapture.
21. 1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
At the rapture, believers will be transformed into the likeness of Christ, an event filled with hope and anticipation.
22. Matthew 24:36-39
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
This scripture likens the rapture to the days of Noah, where people were caught unawares by the flood. Similarly, the rapture will come suddenly for the unprepared.
23. Revelation 11:12
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
This passage symbolizes the rapture, as the faithful are called up to heaven in a cloud, watched by the world.
24. Revelation 14:14-16
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
This image of a harvest points to the rapture, where Christ gathers His people at the end of time.
您
25. 1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
This verse encourages believers to be mentally prepared and sober in expectation of the grace that will be fully revealed at the return of Jesus Christ, a reminder of the rapture’s significance for those who are eagerly awaiting Him.
26. Matthew 24:28
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
While this verse speaks metaphorically of the final judgment, it can also be interpreted as a reference to the gathering of believers, similar to the way eagles gather where there is a carcass. This represents how Christ will gather His faithful during the rapture.
27. Revelation 7:9-10
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
This passage illustrates the multitude of redeemed people gathered before the throne of God, a vision that many interpret as reflecting the rapture and the ultimate gathering of believers.
28. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
This scripture provides comfort to Christians, assuring them that those who have passed away in Christ will be resurrected and reunited with the living at the rapture.
29. Revelation 22:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The final words of the Bible express a yearning for the return of Christ, underlining the anticipation of the rapture and the desire for Christ to come swiftly.
30. Isaiah 26:19-21
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
This Old Testament prophecy is often seen as a foreshadowing of the rapture, where God calls His people to safety and promises deliverance before His judgment falls upon the earth.
31. Zephaniah 2:3
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
The day of the Lord’s anger is a reference to the judgment period, and this verse can be understood as a call for righteousness and preparedness, qualities that believers must embody as they anticipate the rapture.
32. Matthew 13:40-43
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.
This passage uses the analogy of wheat and tares to describe the separation that occurs at the rapture. The righteous are gathered, and the wicked are left behind for judgment.
33. Romans 8:23-25
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
This scripture speaks to the longing and groaning of creation and believers alike, eagerly waiting for the redemption of our bodies, which will occur at the rapture when we are fully transformed.
34. Matthew 25:31-32
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.
This passage speaks of Christ’s second coming in glory. The separation of the sheep and goats can be seen as a precursor to the rapture event, where believers (the sheep) are gathered and the unbelievers (the goats) are left behind.
35. Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
The marriage supper of the Lamb, often associated with the rapture, marks the joyous union of Christ and His church, celebrated after believers are caught up with Him.
36. 1 Corinthians 15:53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
At the rapture, the bodies of believers will be transformed from corruptible to incorruptible, marking the end of our earthly existence and the beginning of eternal life.
37. Matthew 24:44
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
This verse emphasizes the need for readiness and alertness, as the rapture will occur unexpectedly, in an hour we do not anticipate.
38. 1 John 2:28
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Believers are encouraged to live in such a way that they will have confidence when Christ appears, ready for the rapture and His second coming.
39. Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Another reminder of the need to stay watchful, as the time of the rapture is unknown.
40. Revelation 15:8
And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
This passage highlights the time of judgment that follows the rapture, reinforcing the urgency for believers to be ready.
41. Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Jesus advises His followers to be prayerful and watchful so that they may be deemed worthy to escape the coming tribulation, a sign of the rapture’s significance in God’s plan.
42. Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
This verse calls Christians to spiritual alertness, as the time of salvation (the rapture) draws closer.
43. 1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
The rapture is seen here as the ultimate hope and joy for believers, as they will stand in the presence of the Lord when He comes.
44. Luke 17:33
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
This verse points to the radical separation that will occur during the rapture, where some will be saved and others will be left behind, echoing the need for spiritual readiness.
45. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The temporary struggles believers face now are seen as nothing compared to the eternal glory awaiting them at the rapture.
Conclusion
As we have examined the 45 scriptures related to the rapture from the King James Version, it becomes abundantly clear that this event holds a central place in Christian eschatology. The Bible consistently encourages believers to live in anticipation of Christ’s return, to be prepared for His coming, and to remain steadfast in their faith.
The rapture, an event where believers are gathered to meet Christ in the air, represents the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. Whether it’s the transformation of bodies, the reunion with those who have gone before us, or the ultimate rescue from the tribulation, the scriptures remind us that this is our blessed hope.
As Christians, the rapture should inspire us to live holy, watchful, and expectant lives, always prepared for that glorious moment when we will be caught up with our Lord. Let these scriptures encourage you to stay vigilant, to grow in faith, and to keep looking up for the return of our Savior.
Related topics:
- 45 Bible Verses About Thief in the Night
- 30 Bible Verses on Love and Unity
- 30 Bible Verses on Direction and Guidance