The Mystery of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church

Apr 7, 2026 • Pastor Jeff Smith

The Mystery of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

📖 1 Corinthians 15:51–55 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 | Romans 11:25

In this message, we study one of the great New Testament mysteries revealed through the apostle Paul—the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. Scripture teaches that this event was once hidden but is now made known so believers would not be ignorant concerning God’s plan for the body and bride of Christ.

This lesson carefully walks through the biblical order of events surrounding the rapture, distinguishing what happens from heaven and what happens on earth, and explaining how the resurrection and transformation of believers unfold according to the word of God.

We examine several key truths about this mystery:

• Why believers are not to be ignorant of this revealed truth (Romans 11:25)

• How the rapture connects to the mystery of the body of Christ and the mystery of the bride

• The order of events from heaven—the Lord’s descent, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)

• The order of events from the ground—the resurrection of sleeping saints and the transformation of living believers

• The meaning of the first trump and the last trump (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)

• The moment when both groups are changed together and caught up to meet the Lord in the air

Particular attention is given to the distinction between awakening, changing, and catching up, helping clarify the sequence Paul describes and how it relates to the believer’s future glorification.

This study highlights the comfort, certainty, and expectation the church should have as we look for that blessed moment when the corruptible puts on incorruption and the mortal puts on immortality.

“If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

Follow along as we continue exploring the mysteries revealed to the church and the blessed hope that belongs to every believer in Jesus Christ. ✨