Based on Scripture, many Christian faiths believe and teach about a future, end-times event when all true believers who are still alive before the end of the world will be taken from the earth by God into heaven. The term describing this event is "the Rapture."
Although the term "rapture" is not found in the Bible, the theory is firmly based on Scripture. Those who accept the Rapture theory believe that all non-believers on the earth at the time will be left behind for the tribulation period. Most Bible scholars agree the tribulation period will last for seven years, the final seven years of this age, until Christ returns to set up his earthly kingdom during the Millennium.
The English word "rapture" is derived from the Latin verb "Rapere" meaning "to carry off," or "to catch up."
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