Gas prices will rise. It will rain again. Children will graduate from school. We will elect new leaders and pay our taxes. One day, we will die. Or will we? Some events are so predictable that we take them for granted. Death and taxes often come up. But there is a select group of people who will not die.

According to God’s Word, those believers who are alive on earth at the time of the Rapture will rise at the sound of Christ’s voice without tasting death. Scripture does not tell us when that day will occur, but it provides at least three reasons why the Rapture could happen at any time—possibly even today—and why we need to be ready.

Reason 1: The Rapture is a signless event. Unlike the Second Coming, no signs will precede the Rapture. This is called the doctrine of imminency—that is, the Rapture is imminent; it could happen at any moment. Specifically, nothing in God’s prophetic program must take place as a prerequisite to the Rapture. Things may happen, but nothing must happen. That means we don’t know when it could happen. It could be today or years from now.

Nothing in God’s prophetic program must take place as a prerequisite to the Rapture.

Without any warning, Jesus Christ will return to rapture His saints and take them to heaven. As Christians, we are called to live prepared lives, ready to meet our Savior at any moment.

Reason 2: The Rapture is a surprise event. While many have attempted to predict the date of the Rapture and Jesus’ Second Coming, we should take Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:36-39 literally: No one, including Jesus and the angels, knows the time of His return. Only God the Father knows. Not knowing when Jesus will come for His Church gives us cause to be ready at all times.

Reason 3: The Rapture is a sudden event. Paul wrote that the Rapture would take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52). “Twinkling” likely refers to the amount of time it takes for light, traveling at 186,000 miles per second, to be reflected on the retina of one’s eye. In less than a nanosecond, the Lord will call all believers to Himself!

First Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” These are not three distinct sounds but one sound described in three different ways.

Christ Jesus’ shout of “Come forth!” will summon every believer—living and dead—around the world.

This sound will ring with commanding authority like the voice of an archangel. Its volume and clarity will rival the blare of a trumpet. And the sound will be heard only by those who have trusted Christ as Savior. In John 11:43, Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come forth!” At the Rapture, His shout of “Come forth!” will not summon a single individual but every believer—living and dead—around the world.

Reflecting on the Rapture

• Many people have tried to predict the date of the Rapture. Based on Matthew 24:36-39, what would you say to them?
• The Rapture could happen today! Do you feel prepared to meet your Savior? If not, what changes could you make to better prepare for the Rapture?
• At the moment of the Rapture, God’s people from every era—the disciples, the martyrs of the ages, your godly ancestors, and many more—will rise from their graves. Who do you most look forward to seeing? Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the hope of prophecy.