5 Reasons the Rapture Matters Today

Many people believe Jesus will return at any moment, but few consider the implications of this belief. When we discuss the rapture, the biblical teaching of Jesus returning for believers at any moment (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 5:13-18), it gives us at least five reasons the rapture matters today.

Reason 1: The Rapture Challenges Us to Live for God Every Day

Many have said, “I’ll serve God when I’m older.” Maybe you’ve even thought this yourself. However, when we realize Jesus can truly come at any moment, this excuse no longer works.

Ephesians 5:16 teaches us to make the most of every opportunity. Why? Paul writes, “…because the days are evil.” We cannot fall victim to the lie that everything is getting better in this world and we can live however we wish.

We serve a God who sent His only Son to change our lives. The least we can do is live for God each day through our devotion to Him and in service to others.

Reason 2: The Rapture Urges Us to Share Christ with Others

If Jesus will really return any moment, this should urge us to share the gospel with everyone we can. This includes our loved ones, our classmates, coworkers, friends, neighbors, and the nations.

The Great Commission teaches us our mission is to bring the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). In Acts 1:8, Jesus taught, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We are not finished sharing Jesus until we have become witnesses to every person in every nation.

Reason 3: The Rapture Should Convict Us to Turn from Wrong

The rapture not only leads us to live for God and share Him with others; it also convicts us to turn from wrong. Hebrews 3:12-13 notes, “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

In addition, our effectiveness in sharing Jesus with others is often directly related to our own changed lives. If we live in ongoing, unrepentant sin, we lack a credible witness to call others to turn to Christ. Instead, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2), turning from wrong to more effectively witness to others.

Reason 4: The Rapture Leads Us to Make the Most of Every Moment

Paul wrote, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). His goal was the make the most of every moment.

Television, sports, shopping, or other activities can be enjoyable, but we often become consumed by the temporary and blinded to eternity. A proper understanding of the rapture awakens us to a use of time that is devoted to the Lord, making the most of every opportunity.

Reason 5: The Rapture Compels Us to Use our Resources for Eternal Impact

Our time, money, talents, energy, possessions, relationships, profession—everything we have—can be used in ways to impact lives for eternity. When we realize Jesus can and will return at any moment, we will look for every possible way to devote our lives to being prepared and bringing others with us.

Matthew left his work as a tax collector, while Zacchaeus remained a tax collector, yet lived as a changed person who donated his wealth to those in need. There are many ways we can use our position and resources for God’s honor. However, we must live with the mindset that what we have is to be used to serve the Lord and other people.

The rapture often serves as a point of controversy, but God’s desire is one of commitment. When we live as people preparing for Christ’s coming, we will live for God each day, share Christ, turn from wrong, make the most of every moment, and use our resources for eternal impact.

Let’s live with a renewed sense of urgency regarding the rapture today. We need not live in fear, but move forward in faith as we pursue a life that is prepared and devoted to the cause of Christ.