What event does the Rapture refer to?

The Rapture specifically refers to the event in which true believers in Christ are taken away or "snatched" from the earth to meet the Lord in the air. This concept is rooted in certain biblical passages, particularly 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where it describes the Lord descending from heaven and the dead in Christ rising first, followed by those who are alive being caught up together with them. This event is often understood to occur before a period of tribulation or as part of the second coming of Christ.

Understanding the Rapture in this way emphasizes the focus on the believers' immediate transformation and elevation to a heavenly state, which sets it apart from other significant events such as the final judgment or the resurrection of the dead, both of which encompass broader theological implications and are not limited to the act of being taken away from the earth. The establishment of the Kingdom of God, while a pivotal biblical concept, pertains more to the reign of Christ and restoration of creation rather than the immediate experience of believers during the Rapture.