How do we know that the "Rapture" happens all at once and not over an extended time?
The Bible describes the rapture as an event where some people are taken and others are left behind, such as when two men are in a field or two women are grinding at a mill. But does it say anything anywhere about them all going at the same moment? Could it be that we each have our own appointed rapture time that is different from others?
Matthew 24:40 - 42
ESV - 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
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Asked 1 day ago
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Tammy Moody
Supporter
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Paula Fether
Supporter
Let’s begin with a brief description of the stages or elements of this event, which are taken from John 11:25-26, John 14:1-3, 1 Cor 15:50-53, 1 Thes. 4:15-18, 1 Thes. 5:1-11, 2 Thes. 2:1-12, and Rev 3:10: Jesus descends from heaven to the sky (not to the earth) The archangel shouts The trumpet of God sounds Those followers of Jesus who have died are raised in immortal bodies Those followers of Jesus still living are instantly transformed from mortal to immortal Both groups are snatched away up into the clouds to meet Jesus Jesus takes us to his Father’s house While the Rapture as an event isn't given a duration (the "twinkling of an eye" only applies to our transformation to immortal), it is presented as a single instance. I'd say that the burden of proof would be for an extended, bit-by-bit Rapture.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Good question, Tammy! In college, I was a member of Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU). There, once a week on an evening all of us would sing, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready." This referred to those left behind in the Rapture of the Church. But is that what Matthew 24:40-42 is talking about? I see the Rapture clearly in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The "Rapture" is understood to happen all at once, in an instant, as the language describes a simultaneous "catching up" of believers to meet Christ in the air, implying a single moment of transformation and ascension rather than a drawn-out process. This is according to most commentators and AI.
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