The Bible is clear: history is not random, and it’s not endless. God is moving all things toward a glorious conclusion in Christ. One of the most urgent and hope-filled parts of that story is what many Christians call the rapture—the catching up of believers to be with Jesus forever.
This post will focus first on what Scripture says about the rapture and being ready for it. Then we’ll transition into a glimpse of heaven, based on more than 1,000 Near Death Experiences (NDEs) carefully researched by John Burke, author of the book, Imagine Heaven. Finally, we’ll close with a word of joy and hope.
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What the Bible Says About the Rapture
The word “rapture” doesn’t appear in most English Bibles, but it comes from the Latin rapturo, translating the Greek word harpazō—“to seize, snatch up, catch away.” The concept is drawn from several key passages.
1. Caught Up to Meet the Lord
One of the clearest rapture passages is in 1 Thessalonians:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NKJV)
Here we see:
- Jesus personally returns with a shout and a trumpet call.
- Believers who have died are resurrected first.
- Living believers are caught up (raptured) to meet Jesus in the air.
- From that moment on, “we shall always be with the Lord.”
Paul’s conclusion is not fear, but comfort: “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
2. A Sudden, Transforming Moment
Another key passage is 1 Corinthians 15:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52, NKJV)
This shows:
- Not all believers will experience physical death (“sleep”).
- But all will be changed—given immortal, resurrection bodies.
- It will happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” Sudden. Instant. Unmistakable.
3. Jesus’ Warning: Be Ready
Jesus also spoke about His return and the suddenness of that day:
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
(Matthew 24:44, NKJV)
And:
“Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”
(Matthew 24:40-42, NKJV)
Whatever someone’s particular view of the timing of the rapture, the clear biblical emphasis is this:
- It will be sudden.
- It will be certain.
- God’s people are called to be spiritually awake, faithful, and ready.
Being Ready for the Rapture
So what does it mean to be “ready”?
1. Belong to Jesus
Readiness starts with a relationship:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16, NKJV)
To be ready for the rapture is first and foremost to have turned to Jesus in faith—trusting His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and new life.
2. Walk in Watchfulness and Holiness
Paul connects the hope of Jesus’ return with a holy, alert lifestyle:
“So then, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober… putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8, ESV)
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The principle of watchfulness is beautifully illustrated in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, found in Matthew 25:1-13. In this parable, Jesus teaches about the importance of remaining spiritually prepared and vigilant, as no one knows the day or hour of His return.
In the story, ten virgins, or bridesmaids, take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them are described as wise because they bring extra oil for their lamps, while the other five are labeled foolish, as they bring no extra oil. When the bridegroom is delayed, all of them fall asleep. At midnight, a cry alerts them that the bridegroom is coming. The wise virgins are ready and able to refill their lamps, while the foolish virgins, lacking oil, scramble to find more.
While they are away, the bridegroom arrives, and the wise virgins, who were prepared, join him for the wedding feast. The foolish virgins return too late and find the door shut, unable to enter. Jesus concludes the parable with a warning: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13, NIV).
This parable emphasizes the necessity of being spiritually alert and prepared at all times, living in a way that reflects readiness for the return of Christ. Just as the wise virgins were equipped with extra oil, believers are called to live a life of faith, persistently cultivating a relationship with God and being careful not to become complacent or neglectful in their walk of faith.
Readiness means:
- Staying spiritually awake—not dull, drifting, or distracted.
- Guarding our hearts with faith, love, and hope.
- Living in repentance, obedience, and love for God and people.
3. Encourage One Another with This Hope
The rapture is not meant to be a point of fear or division, but of comfort and encouragement:
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:11, NKJV)
God wants this hope to:
- Strengthen us in trials.
- Purify our priorities.
- Help us live with eternity in view.
Our Glimpse Into Heaven
Once we understand that Jesus is returning and that His people will be caught up to be with Him forever, the natural question is: What will that forever be like? Here is where the Bible’s picture of heaven—and the testimonies of Near Death Experiences—give us a powerful glimpse.
The Biblical Picture of Heaven
Heaven is not a vague, cloudy existence; it is a real, renewed creation. In Revelation 21, the Apostle John records this:
*”Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he
will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”* (Revelation 21:1, 3-4)
The Bible describes a New Earth—a redeemed, perfected version of the world we know now. It has physical cities, gates of pearl, streets made of pure gold (so pure it is transparent like glass), a crystal-clear river of the water of life, and the tree of life bearing fruit every month (Revelation 21-22).
But the most incredible feature of heaven isn’t the architecture or the landscape. It’s the presence of God Himself. Scripture tells us that this new city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb (Jesus) is its lamp (Revelation 21:23). Heaven is a place of profound relational intimacy, perfect purpose, deep learning, joyous reunions, and unending exploration.
The Surprising Witness of Near Death Experiences (NDEs)
In modern medical history, advances in resuscitation have brought millions of people back from the brink of clinical death. A stunning percentage of these people report Near Death Experiences (NDEs). What is fascinating is that regardless of geography, culture, age, or prior religious background, the core components of these experiences are strikingly similar.
People often report:
- A feeling of leaving their physical body and experiencing heightened, HD-like senses.
- Traveling through a tunnel or transition space.
- Encountering breathtaking landscapes, colors that don’t exist on earth, and music that feels alive.
- Joyous reunions with family members and friends who have passed away.
But the most profound commonality is the encounter with “The Light.”
Countless survivors describe meeting a Being of Light who radiates an all-consuming, holy, and unconditional love. And here is the amazing part: thousands of people—including those who grew up in entirely different faiths, atheists, and agnostics—have recognized this Being of Light as Jesus Christ.
They describe His love not as a distant, judgmental force, but as an overwhelming, intimate embrace. They report feeling more “known” and “loved” in His presence than they ever thought possible. Jesus meets them right where they are, showing them incredible grace and truth, and giving them a taste of the pure, holy love that God has for every single human soul.
Imagine Heaven: John Burke’s Incredible Research
One of the most compelling collections of this research comes from pastor and author John Burke. In his phenomenal, bestselling book, Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God’s Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You, Burke analyzes over 1,000 NDE accounts.
Burke, who was formerly a skeptical engineer, realized that when you line up the verified, credible accounts of NDEs alongside the biblical descriptions of heaven, they fit together perfectly. He describes the Bible as the “picture on the box of a jigsaw puzzle,” while the NDEs are the individual puzzle pieces. When you put them together, the NDE testimonies brilliantly color in the biblical promises.
To hear more about this incredible research, watch this powerful video from John Burke’s channel:
Joy and Hope for the Journey Ahead
Why does all of this matter for us today?
Because the overwhelming alignment between the promises of the Bible and the testimonies of those who have seen the other side should give us immense joy and hope.
Whether we meet Jesus by passing from this life into the next, or whether we are caught up in the clouds to meet Him in the air at the rapture, the destination is exactly the same: we are going home. The Jesus who promises in John 14:2-3, “My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you,” is the exact same Jesus who meets people in these near-death experiences with overwhelming grace.
We do not have to live in fear of the future, the end times, or death itself. The end of this earthly life is simply the beginning of the real story. It is the threshold to a home we have been homesick for our entire lives—a place of unimaginable beauty, perfect restoration, and an eternity spent wrapped in the holy, relentless love of our Creator.
Let this truth anchor your soul, keep you watchful and ready, and fill your daily life with breathtaking hope. Jesus is coming soon, and what He has prepared for those who love Him is better than we could ever imagine!
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