Hope and Prophecy

What Is the Rapture and Is It a Biblical Teaching?

Scripture teaches that believers will be caught up to meet Christ at His visible, audible, worldwide return, an event some call the "rapture," though the Bible does not describe a separate secret return distinct from His final, glorious second coming.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

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Second ComingProphecy

Biblical explanation

Paul describes believers being “caught up together... in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” at His return, an event accompanied by a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God (), making it a public, unmistakable event rather than a secret occurrence. Jesus similarly describes His return as visible “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west” (), and “every eye shall see him” according to Revelation (). Rather than a separate secret rapture followed later by a second, distinct visible return, these passages together describe a single, glorious, worldwide event in which Christ returns and believers are gathered to meet Him.

In brief

Paul describes believers being “caught up together...

Bible references

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Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.