Jack Hibbs: What You Believe About The Rapture and Why It Matters

What You Believe About the Rapture—and Why It Matters

The Bible is clear: there will be a Rapture (John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Titus 2:13). But what you believe about it shapes how you live today. In this message, Pastor Jack explains the biblical foundation of the Rapture, clears up common misconceptions, and shows how a right view fuels hope, holiness, urgency, and everyday faith.

In this teaching you’ll learn:

• What the Rapture is—and isn’t—according to Scripture

• Why your view of the Rapture affects discipleship, mission, and comfort

• How to live ready and encourage others with our “Blessed Hope”

Watch, share, and invite a friend who needs biblical clarity and encouragement.

What You Believe About The Rapture and Why It Matters

Well, welcome to this edition of Real Life. I’d like to announce it as a special edition—and for this reason: when I say special, it’s because this concerns a teaching I had the chance to give to the fine people of Canada—Toronto specifically—at a Bible prophecy conference.

No matter what your view may be regarding the Rapture of the Church, stay tuned and listen in. Throughout Scripture it is absolutely clear that there is a Rapture to take place. You can’t deny the existence of the Rapture—the doctrine and the advent of Christ to remove His people from the earth. It’s in the Bible. The question is when will it be?

I want to share an argument in the upcoming message that I hope causes you to think and really consider: What is it that the Bible is saying? What would God have us experience? And how are you and I to be ready for what the Bible says is the imminent—the momentary—coming of Christ for His bride?

Today, I’m going to take you to Colossians chapter 3. It’s an unusual passage, I’ll give you that, regarding end-time events or the Rapture of the Church or what the Church ought to be preparing for. But turn in your Bibles, if you have them, to Colossians 3:1:

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (v. 2)
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (v. 3)
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (v. 4)

That’s the argument we’re going to be looking at today. Very key words—mark them in your Bible study as we go through the passage: see, set, when, then. Those are key to getting ready for Christ’s return.

By the end of this message, I hope you’ll see why the Bible really forces—yes, forces—upon the believer the call to be ready, with our hearts and minds in heaven while our hands and feet are busy in this world being about our Father’s business.

So grab your Bibles—Colossians 3:1–4. We’re going to talk about the validity and the necessity of the pre-tribulation Rapture view of the Church. God bless you. We’ll see you on the other side of this teaching.

Understanding the Rapture

1) Understand why the Rapture is a biblical doctrine.

Who introduced the Rapture in the New Testament to the Church? Jesus Christ Himself. John 14:1–3:

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And 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 was on earth when He said it. “In My Father’s house”—where is that? Every Sunday school kid points up. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Then, “I will come again and receive you to Myself”—to His person—“that where I am, there you may be also.”

You cannot take John 14:1–3 and say there’s no Rapture. Jesus said it.

The ministry of the pulpit needs to get back to the Bible. Pastors should preach John 14:1–3 again. Jesus is coming again to receive us to Himself. That should shape how we teach, study, and serve—with anticipation.

We should be excited about the Lord’s return. Christianity should exhibit that today. We’re closer now to meeting Jesus than ever before. Does that affect your life? I hope so.

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God’s Word Is Spirit

Welcome to Real Life Radio with Jack Hibbs. God’s Word never returns void. God’s Word is Spirit; it’s power, and it has its effect. Grab your Bibles, open them up, and get ready to learn. God did not give us Bible prophecy to scare us but to prepare us.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… You are the salt of the earth.” How does that happen? By the power of the Holy Spirit. Get excited about what Jesus Christ wants to do in and through you.

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The Rapture Is a Biblical Doctrine

Paul stressed this. He was in Thessalonica for about three and a half weeks, founded a church, and taught them key doctrines—predestination based upon God’s foreknowledge and the Rapture of the Church.

Write these down:

• 1 Thessalonians 1:10 — …to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
  God’s wrath is coming on a Christ-rejecting world. We are told to look up and be watching.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:19 — For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

• 1 Thessalonians 3:13 — …so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Do you know anyone who loved Jesus and has died? The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Those who have died in Christ are with Him now. Their bodies—whether in a grave or the sea—will be raised. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet them in the air, and we will forever be with the Lord. What’s not to love? Outside of salvation, this is the greatest promise—our blessed hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:14–18

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And 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.

“Caught up” — harpazo in Greek, rapturo in Latin—means to be snatched away with force, upward. Verse 18 says we are to comfort one another with these words, not panic.

If you’re not excited about Jesus coming back and you’re a Christian, that likely means you’re not ready. Get ready.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

You will not be punished for your sins during the tribulation. Your sins were punished at the Cross.

A Believer’s Hope

Titus 2:13 calls it the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Yes, that verse declares the deity of Christ.)

This hope sustained Paul:

2 Timothy 4:6–8

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

If we don’t get raptured, we will die. Be faithful to the end. For the believer, to die is gain; to live is Christ. Be looking up—and insert Jesus into every part of your life. You may be quiet by personality; that’s fine. God didn’t die for your personality—He died for your sins. Use the gifts He’s given you in the Body of Christ. We’re running out of time. He could come at any moment.

Understand Why the Rapture Is a Great Motivator

This is very personal for me. I’ve had opportunities for many years to work with leaders in Washington, D.C. Some have asked, “If you believe in the Rapture, why get involved?” My answer: because Jesus is coming back, I want to be found living righteously, busy with the Father’s business—today. I have children and grandchildren. Whether He comes tonight or in nine months, we are to live holy, engaged lives now.

Outro

We’ll pick this up next time. Let others know we’re going through the Bible on these issues. People want to argue about the Rapture. Is there a Rapture? Yes. The bigger question is when. I believe the Scriptures make a strong case that it could happen at any time.

Learn more with us on our YouTube channel: Real Life with Jack Hibbs. Subscribe, share, and invite others. We don’t beg for money—we believe if God is guiding, God will provide. If you want to partner to expand the reach, pray for us and spread the word. We’re teaching the Bible without apology, looking to God’s Word to make a difference in our lives.

Next time, we’ll continue with part 2 of why you and I should believe in the pre-tribulation Rapture view. Is it biblical? God bless you.

Welcome to Real Life Radio with Jack Hibbs. God’s Word never returns void. God’s Word is Spirit—powerful—and effective. Grab your Bible and get ready to learn. God did not give us Bible prophecy to scare us but to prepare us.

“You are the light of the world… the salt of the earth.” That happens by the power of the Holy Spirit. Get excited about what Jesus Christ wants to do in and through you.