If we wonder why we are being raptured, there are several answers. The answer that is perhaps most obvious to us can be found in the context of events here on earth. The snatching away is not an isolated event, but takes place in a turbulent period in which developments will follow one another in rapid succession. The snatching away is situated within the events concerning Israel, a period of “peace and security,” the great tribulation, the seven seals of Revelation 6, etc.
I will only mention these matters here without explaining them, but will return to them later when I want to discuss some Scripture passages that deal with the timing of the snatching away.
One Body
But we have also seen thus far that the rapture is the moment when we are placed in the position that is our destiny. This directs our gaze not to the circumstances here on earth, but upward, to heaven. We will be appointed sons of God and, together with Christ, receive our destiny: this entire creation! As the body of Christ, we are inseparably connected to Him and destined to rule over heaven and earth.
1 Corinthians 12
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ.
the Christ
In these chapters of 1 Corinthians, Paul elaborates extensively on the metaphor of the body, that although it is very diverse with all sorts of different members, those different parts still form one body. You would expect him to say: so also is the body of Christ. But nowhere does Paul put it so succinctly and powerfully as here: so also is the Christ. Here he calls the entire body, Head and members, simply: the Christ.
one organism
The reason we are caught up is that we belong to Him; we are one with Him. If I were to use descriptions like: we are His intimates, His confidants, or His neighbors, those words would be too weak and undermine our connection with Him. We are one organism (Rom. 6:5), we are one body with Him! In fact, you could say that the current situation is not normal. Head and body are still separate and must be united. After all, from the snatching away onward, we will always be together with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17).
Judging the world and angels
Paul writes to the Corinthians about the fact that they were seeking justice in their disputes before earthly judges (1 Cor. 6:1). He reacts with surprise and shock. Apparently, these believers did not realize who they were and the future to which God had destined them.
1 Corinthians 6
2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to be judged by the most base courts?
3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels? (…)
Brothers
Paul is astonished that brothers were dragging each other into court and allowing themselves to be judged by unbelievers (6:6). Remember that a brother is a co-heir or co-owner (Rom. 8:17), thus someone with the same calling and future. A member of the same body.
We will be placed with Christ and our fellow believers over the universe. We will judge the world and the angels, for we will subdue heaven and earth. If you realize this, wouldn’t you drag that other person into an earthly court? Paul is saying, as it were: the judge you now ask to judge will soon be judged by yourselves. Then what you are doing is absurd!
Destined for the Throne
Earlier, in connection with Romans 8, I referred to the chapter of Revelation 12, which speaks of the birth of a male child. This male child represents the body of Christ, or more simply: the Christ. This passage gives us much insight into the context of the events surrounding the rapture, so it will be discussed in detail later. But for now, I want to point out one detail.
Revelation 12
5 And she gave birth to a male child, who is about to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and the child from her is caught up to God and to His throne.
Dominion
The male child is caught up to God and to His throne. That last part wouldn’t have been necessary if it were simply about the ecclesia being caught up. But it is there because it speaks of the position and task of that male child. The ecclesia, the body of Christ, is destined for dominion, and that is why the male child is caught up!