Mark Hitchcock: The 7 Lead-Ups to The Ultimate Event

As someone who studies biblical prophecy, I have found that there are actually seven rapture events described in Scripture – three in the Old Testament and four in the New Testament. These previous raptures of individuals like Enoch, Elijah, Philip, and even Jesus himself foreshadow and help shed light on the final, corporate rapture of the church that is still to come. By examining how these past raptures were literal, physical, and instantaneous events of people being taken from earth to heaven, we can see that the future rapture of believers will be just as real and sudden. While there are mysteries around why we still need to share the gospel if names are written in the Book of Life, these rapture accounts confirm that Satan’s ultimate defeat is sure as more souls are rescued from his kingdom.