Amir Tsarfati: The Mystery of the Rapture

Join Amir Tsarfati on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem as he unpacks one of the greatest promises in Scripture—the Rapture. What is the Rapture? Who will be taken? And when will it happen? In this powerful teaching, Amir explores the biblical answers to these vital questions and reminds believers of the blessed hope we have in Christ.

The Mystery of the Rapture

Shalom from the top of the Mount of Olives. The city of Jerusalem is right behind me, and we are on one of the most important mountains on planet Earth. This is the place where so many things happened. This is where Jewish people from Galilee used to encamp every festival as they made it to Jerusalem from the east, coming up from Jericho as their last major stop. Right here, for the first time, they would be able to see the Temple—where the Dome of the Rock stands today. Whether it’s the First Temple, built by Solomon around 1,000 B.C. and destroyed in 586 B.C., or the Second Temple, rebuilt by those who returned from Babylon, it went through three phases: its initial construction, a restoration by the Hasmoneans in the second century B.C., and, of course, the great facelift by Herod the Great. He adorned this mountain with marble and gold. They used to say that whoever had not seen Jerusalem in those days did not know what beauty is. Others said that if ten measures of beauty were given to the world, nine were taken by Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was amazing—truly the center of the world’s attention then, and even more so now. From the top of the Mount of Olives, as we look at the Temple Mount and know the City of David is just below, we’re reminded that this is a contested place today. UNESCO claims it has no Jewish heritage, yet we know that if any place has heritage here, it is Jewish. We’ve found remains going back more than 3,000 years, and recently a 2,700-year-old piece of a scroll—essentially an invoice—documenting wine shipped to Jerusalem. There is no doubt we are looking at the place where God Himself said in 2 Chronicles 6:6, “This is where I will put My name.” He also said He would give it to David to rule over His people Israel. Someone from the house of David—from the tribe of Judah—must come and restore the fallen tabernacle of David right here.

Now, the topic of the Rapture of the Church is often controversial—people don’t know how to take it and have many opinions—or it’s neglected by thousands of churches worldwide. I believe the enemy uses this neglect to steal the most important promise to believers in Jesus: our blessed hope, the main hope for every believer. The title of this message is “The Mystery of the Rapture.” It is a mystery. In the Bible, “mystery” is not the same as “secret.” A secret is hidden; a mystery is something once shadowed that becomes clear with revelation. When God reveals a secret, it’s something we had not heard. When He reveals a mystery, we say, “Aha! Now I understand.”

The word mystery appears 33 times in the Bible, once in the Old Testament—in Daniel—regarding Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which God revealed to Daniel. That mystery concerned things that existed and would come to pass. In the New Testament, mystery appears in Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, and Revelation. In Daniel, the mystery reveals the true God; in Romans 11, it concerns Israel and God’s plan for Israel—their role, even in the future, now revealed in light of Jesus and the New Covenant. In Colossians 2 it’s the mystery of the true Messiah; in Ephesians 5:31–32, the mystery of the relationship between Christ and the Church—like a husband and wife. In 1 Corinthians 15:51, it’s the mystery of our imminent change (the Rapture). In Ephesians 3:6 and Colossians 1:26, it’s the mystery of Gentile heirs of the Kingdom. In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, the mystery of lawlessness already at work. There are mysteries in Revelation as well.

Let’s focus on 1 Corinthians 15:51–52: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Believers “sleep,” then wake elsewhere—like a child who falls asleep in the living room and wakes in his own bed. Not all will sleep, but all will be changed. As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4, “The dead in Christ will rise first, and we who are alive will be caught up together with them.” He describes a sudden event (twinkling of an eye) and also a process hinted by “the last trumpet.” A season of trumpeting is underway—signals that believers should notice.

I’ve often said God has been sounding two “trumpets” since 1948: Israel and the Church. For the first time in history, Israel is back in the land while the Church coexists. In Isaiah, God says to Israel, “You are My witnesses.” In Acts, He says to the Church, “You are My witnesses.” Two witnesses; two silver trumpets (cf. Moses’ command). Since 1948—then 1967 and beyond—God has been getting the world’s attention. Some ask whether the Rapture must occur on the Feast of Trumpets, as Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts on their days. But Scripture says no one knows the day or hour—not even the Son. Trumpets indicate a season, not a date. We should understand the times and seasons, awaiting the last trumpet; at that last trumpet, we will be changed.

What is the Rapture?

The Greek word behind our term appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 as “caught up” (harpazō: to snatch, take away). The Latin Vulgate renders it rapturo. Harpazō also appears in Acts 8:39, where “the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away”—snatched from one place to another on earth. In 2 Corinthians 12:2–4, Paul speaks of a man “caught up” to the third heaven—again harpazō. So the concept isn’t foreign.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18: “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God; the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” The Rapture is us being caught up. The dead rise first; then we meet the Lord in the air. From that moment, we will always be with the Lord—never apart from Him in any way.

The enemy wants the world to believe it won’t happen, or that it’s already fulfilled. But our hope is that this fallen, anti-Christian world is not our home. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we will go where we belong. This isn’t a new idea: Enoch was taken without dying (Genesis 5:24). Elijah was taken up (2 Kings 2). Jesus ascended (Acts 1:9) from this very Mount of Olives, and Zechariah says He will return here.

Why the Rapture?

Because of Jesus’ promise. John 14:3: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” He will receive us—take us to where He is. The only time believers will be in heaven is after the Rapture; we will later return with Him to reign in the Millennial Kingdom on this earth for 1,000 years. After that, He makes all things new (new heaven, new earth). So, where is Jesus now? In heaven, at the right hand of the Father. For Him to receive us to Himself, He takes us there.

Some teach everything ended in A.D. 70 with the Temple’s destruction. But Scripture and Daniel’s 70 weeks do not support that; the Rapture has not occurred yet.

Spiritual conflict:

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of the unseen battle. Heaven is dominated by God; the world is under the “prince of this world,” and will be ruled by the Antichrist. Revelation 12 shows a war in heaven; Satan is cast down, and tribulation unfolds on earth. He loses in heaven (Revelation 12) and later on earth (Revelation 19). Israel—the woman and her offspring—will be persecuted.

As ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), we note a diplomatic pattern: ambassadors are called home before war is declared. Likewise, the Church is called home before the outpouring of wrath.

When is the Rapture?

2 Thessalonians 2:1 speaks of our gathering (episynagōgē) to Him. Revelation 3:10 promises to “keep you from [ek—out of] the hour of trial” coming on the whole world. We are kept from, not through, the Tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 1 and 5 say we are not appointed to wrath. That’s why we “comfort one another with these words.” How could it be comfort to promise beheading and doom? Bible prophecy is not doom for the believer; it’s hope. As God removed Noah before the Flood and Lot before Sodom’s destruction, He will remove the righteous before judging the unrighteous.

Who will be raptured?

There is an order:

1. Christ Himself descends from heaven (John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). “Himself” emphasizes it is literal, not allegory.
2. He receives us to Himself (John 14:3)—He comes with hands outstretched to receive, not to judge.
3. It happens in the twinkling of an eye, with the trumpet of God (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). It’s swift and sudden.
4. The dead in Christ rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:14–15).
5. Those alive are caught up to meet Him in the clouds (1 Corinthians 15:51–53; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Rapture vs. Second Coming:

They are not the same. In the Rapture, Jesus comes for the Church; in the Second Coming, He returns with the Church. Titus 2:11–13 distinguishes our “blessed hope” (the Rapture) and “the glorious appearing” (the Second Coming). Revelation 1:7 says every eye will see Him at His coming; the Rapture is a meeting in the air, unseen by the world.

What about Old Testament saints?

Their resurrection follows the Second Coming in preparation for the Messianic Kingdom. The wedding ceremony (in heaven) precedes the Second Coming; the wedding feast inaugurates the Kingdom on earth. The saints who rose when Jesus died (Matthew 27) were restored to natural life and later died again; immortality comes only after Messiah’s resurrection.

Our mission now:

Leading someone to Christ saves them from the second death. Physical miracles are wonderful, but spiritual sight and new birth are eternal. This is the time for the Church to preach and to lead people to Jesus—before we are taken and deception deepens (cf. Revelation 16).

In sum:

The Rapture is Christ’s promise to us, the blessed hope for believers, our rescue from this evil world, the gathering of the saints, and, for many, the last chance before overwhelming deception. No wonder it’s controversial—the enemy wants to rob believers of hope. But Jesus promised He is coming to restore all things.

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.

Amen.