Changes

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:

The '''Rapture''' (from the Greek word έκσταση, ekstasi) is a hypothetical event to take place in the [[Last Days]] according to a mid-19th century preacher John Nelson Darby. John Nelson Darby interpreted 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 in the New Testament of the Bible as which present future believers in Jesus Christ will be suddenly taken away prior to the events of the war of Armageddon and the ushering in of the Millennial Kingdom. The word "rapture" is not found in the Bible, but rather taken from the New Greek word "harpazo". "Harpazo" is found 13 times in the New Testament including Revelation 12:5 which addresses Jesus' ascent described in the Book of Acts.

:''But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.''  

:''But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.''  

:''Wherefore comfort one another with these words.'' (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

:''Wherefore comfort one another with these words.'' (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

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

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)

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