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The '''Rapture''' (first proposed by the [[United Kingdom|British]] preacher John Nelson Darby in the mid-19th century) is believed by some Christians to be an event that will take place sometime in the future. The theory of the rapture is derived from the [[Bible]], specifically, but not limited to, the [[book of Revelation]], the last book of the Bible. The belief is that [[Jesus]] will return to earth, gather up the believers, and then return to Heaven with the Church.<ref>1 Thessalonians 4:13-18</ref>

The '''Rapture''' (from the Greek word έκσταση, ekstasi) is an event to take place in the [[Last Days]] according to the New Testament of the Bible, in which believers in Jesus Christ will be suddenly taken away prior to the events of the war of Armageddon and the ushuring in of the Millenial Kingdom. Although the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible, it was first proposed by the [[United Kingdom|British]] preacher John Nelson Darby in the mid-19th century, and taken from verses in Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians:

Some evangelical commentators {{who says}} suggest that the following events need to occur for the Rapture to take place:

* The countries of the world must have the same currency.

* Peace in [[Israel]]<ref>Ezekiel 38</ref>

* One World Government, like the Revelation's 7th beast.

* Jerusalem must rebuild the Jewish temple.

* The Jewish people must control [[Israel]].

* The [[Antichrist]] must be walking the earth in human form.

 

Evangelical commentators suggest that the following events need to occur prior to the Rapture taking place:

* Lawless conditions in the world, as in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:36-41)

* The rise of a powerful government in Europe with its origins in the Roman Empire (Daniel 9, Revelation 13)

* The rise of powerful countries to the north, south, and east of Israel (Daniel 11)

* Israel living in peace with its neighbors (Ezekiel 38)

* A peace treaty between Israel and the Arabs for seven years (Daniel 9)

* The commencement of the rebuilding of the Jewish temple on it's original site in Jerusalem.

The website 'Rapture Ready'<ref>[http://www.raptureready.com/rap2.html Rapture Ready]</ref> maintains an index of how close we are claimed to be to the Rapture.

The website 'Rapture Ready'<ref>[http://www.raptureready.com/rap2.html Rapture Ready]</ref> maintains an index of how close we are claimed to be to the Rapture.

There is some debate in such circles over whether the Rapture will occur before, during or after the reign of the [[Antichrist]], but the original reference by St [[Paul]] that "we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" at I Thessalonians 4:17 clearly dates it to the time of the [[Second Coming]], and does not suggest in any way that it will result in Christians being spared in advance the horrors of the [[Last Times]], as is sometimes proposed.  Matthew 24:29-35 seems to favor the post-tribulation position, however:

There is some debate in such circles over whether the Rapture will occur before, during or after the reign of the [[Antichrist]], but the original reference by St [[Paul]] that "we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" at I Thessalonians 4:17 clearly dates it to the time of the [[Second Coming]], and does not suggest in any way that it will result in Christians being spared in advance the horrors of the [[Last Times]], as is sometimes proposed.  Matthew 24:29-35 seems to favor the post-tribulation position, however:

==Sources==

==Sources==

* Armstrong, K., ''The Battle for God'' (Harper Perennial, 2000)

* Armstrong, K., ''The Battle for God'' (Harper Perennial, 2000)

* Cruden, A., ''Complete Concordance to the Old and New Testaments'' (Lutterworth, 1930)

* Cruden, A., ''Complete Concordance to the Old and New Testaments'' (Lutterworth, 1930)