Is the rapture a real event yet to happen, or is it all just a sham?
In a timely and bold message, Pastor Kap Chatfield spoke on one of the most controversial doctrines in modern Christianity: the rapture of the church.
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“Is the rapture real?” he asks at the outset. “Is it a made-up doctrine, or is it rooted in Scripture?” With clarity and conviction, he affirms the rapture as a biblically grounded event, pointing to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 as one of the clearest passages describing it. “‘Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.’ That’s where we get the doctrine of the rapture.”
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Anticipating skepticism, from many, Chatfield addresses the familiar objection that the word ‘rapture’ is not found in the Bible. “The word ‘rapture’ isn’t in the English Bible,” he acknowledges, “but the concept absolutely is.” He explains that the phrase “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4 is the Greek word harpazo, which means “to seize, to snatch out or away.” “When translated into Latin, it’s rapturo, and that’s where we get our English word ‘rapture’ from.”
Chatfield also presents biblical figures who were snatched up by the Lord and taken to heaven while still alive, such as Enoch, Elijah and Philip: “They were snatched away by the Lord. God took them. That’s a picture of the rapture.”
He also warns believers not to be swayed by modern reinterpretations of the event. “There’s a whole group in the new age movement that says it’s not really about disappearing,” he explains. “They say it’s about ascending into a higher frequency. Not even close.”
Jesus, he insists, was crystal clear about what the rapture would look like. “In Matthew 24:40-41, Jesus says two men will be in the field—one will be taken, the other left. Two women grinding at the mill—one taken, one left. That sounds pretty literal to me.”
The heart of Chatfield’s message centers on readiness. He quotes Luke 21:36, where Jesus says: “‘Watch, therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass.’” Then he adds, “That word escape came out of the mouth of Jesus. Some people don’t like that word. They think it means cowardice. But it’s God’s mercy.”
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Ultimately, Chatfield says the rapture is not a fringe belief or escapist fantasy.
“It’s not a myth. It’s the greatest rescue mission in human history. It’s how the church goes up before the wrath of God comes down.”
As the world spirals into deception and distraction, the call to live awake, alert and aligned with God has never been more critical. This is not about fear, but about faith—a bold, expectant readiness for the return of Christ. The moment will come without warning, and when it does, only those who are truly prepared will be taken. Now is the time to examine your heart, walk in holiness and live with eternity in view.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
