Revelation 6:1-17; II Thessalonians 2:1-8

Introduction– When this begins to happen, what will be unleashed here on the earth?  An oft asked question: What is the rapture and when does it occur?  How close are we in real time to these events beginning?

Where does the word “rapture” come from?  It is the translation from the 4^th century A.D. Latin Vaticanus/Vulgate.  It is especially related to I Thessalonians 4:14-16(17) when it says “Then we who are alive, and remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”  The Greek word is harpazo and the Latin word is raptos.  These words mean to pluck up or snatch away suddenly.  Can Jesus come any day now and rapture us out?  No, the Bible tells us several things must take place first, i.e., Matthew 24:14.