While 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 are the best-known Scripture passages that speak of the rapture, not everything in these passages is equally well-known. This is all the more reason to discuss both passages first, because much of what we read in these passages is repeated elsewhere.
1 Corinthians 15
50 But I emphasize this, brothers and sisters: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit imperishability.
Resurrection of the Dead
1 Corinthians 15 is a long chapter, and here we are already in verse 50. The chapter speaks extensively about the resurrection of the dead. Verse 50 also addresses resurrection. Flesh and blood (our earthly bodies) cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
Allotment
An allotment or portion is something that is allocated to someone and what they receive as a possession. This can be an inheritance, and that’s how it is translated in translations like the Statenvertaling (States Translation) and the NBG (Dutch Bible). In itself, this is a perfectly fine word to use, as long as we know what we’re talking about. God gives an inheritance or portion, but of course, He doesn’t die when He gives us our portion, as is the case with an inheritance. That’s why I prefer the word allotment.
Co-Owners
Today’s believers, who belong to the body of Christ, are one with Him and will share in His rule. God has given all creation to His Son as His possession (Ps. 8:7; Heb. 2:6-8). And we share in that position and are co-owners of Christ (Rom. 8:17). That it is an allotment means that God allocates it to us. God gives it without any contribution from humans. He has ordained it, He gives it, and it is our lot (Prov. 16:33). Just as the land of Canaan was divided among the Israelites by lot (Josh. 18:10; Acts 13:19), and each tribe received its allotment.
Flesh and blood
Flesh and blood cannot receive that Kingdom. Our current body is subject to corruption and therefore cannot enter into imperishability. Therefore, we receive a new body.
Secrets
What Paul is going to reveal here belongs to the mysteries or secrets he received from the Lord himself. In 1 Thessalonians 4:15, he says: “For this we tell you by the word of the Lord.” The secrets Paul reveals were passed on to Him by Christ Jesus himself. They are also things that have not previously been made known to mankind (Ephesians 3:5); they have been hidden for eons (> world ages) (Col. 1:26). Therefore, the event of the snattching away was not prophesied by the prophets of Israel. It had been hidden in God until then (Ephesians 2:9) and was first revealed to Paul.
51 Observe, I tell you a secret: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed.
changed
Paul is revealing something similar here as in 1 Thessalonians 4. In that chapter, the emphasis is on those who have fallen asleep. Paul wanted to encourage his readers concerning those who have fallen asleep (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Here in 1 Corinthians 15, the emphasis is on those who remain alive until the parousia (> coming) of the Lord. Not all will fall asleep, and those who have not fallen asleep at that time, but are still alive, will be changed.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…
An indivisible moment
The dead will be changed in an instant. That’s why 1 Thessalonians 4 says it’s called being snatched away. Here it’s called being changed, in an indivisible moment. The rendering “indivisible moment” in Greek is just one word: atomos. We naturally recognize the word “atom” in that. Apparently, people thought the tiny particle in matter they had discovered was indivisible and therefore called it an atom.
In the blink of an eye?
Other translations render “indivisible moment” instead of “blink of an eye” as: “instant”. This would be an addition to the indivisible moment and a further explanation regarding the speed at which it occurs.
We will see Him
In Greek, it says “en ripē ophthalmou.” The word ripē, translated as “blink” or “wink,” means: to throw or to cast. Ophthalmou means: glance or eye. It could therefore also be translated as “(in) casting a glance.” Could it perhaps have something to do with the moment we will see the Lord? Compare our expression: take a look (in Dutch: throw a look). At the moment of the snatching away, when we are changed, we will see Him immediately. We will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and from that moment on will always be with Him and see Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The Last Trumpet
Those who are still alive will be changed in (the blowing of) the last trumpet. Some conclude from this that this refers to the seventh and final trumpet from Revelation 8-10, but that is impossible, because that series of trumpet blasts occurs (years) later. There are many occasions in Scripture when the trumpet sounds. Those of Revelation 8-10 and 1 Corinthians 15 are distinct series. A careful reading reveals that here in 1 Corinthians 15, there are two trumpet blasts.
52 …For He will blow the trumpet, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Two Trumpets
In verse 51 and the first part of verse 52, we spoke of those who are still alive at the time of the snatching away. They will be changed in the last trumpet. Then, in the second half of verse 52, it says: “For He will blow the trumpet, and the dead will be raised imperishable.” This takes place with the first trumpet. There are two trumpets.
It’s the same order as we read in (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17): first the dead are raised, then the living who are left are changed, and then they are caught up together to meet the Lord.
53 For this corruptible must put on imperishability, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Put on
Flesh and blood (corruption) cannot receive the Kingdom (put on incorruption), and therefore the dead are raised and those who remain alive are changed. This mortal must put on immortality. Note that it doesn’t say “this dead” or “this deceased,” because this refers to the dead in Christ, including those who remain alive. The word translated “put on” is also used for putting on clothing (Matt. 6:25, 22:11; Eph. 6:14).
That sounds rather laconic, and so it is. The living God transforms us from caterpillars into butterflies in an indivisible moment!