The Doctrine of the “Rapture” in the Ancient Church

A Contemporary Icon in Traditional Byzantine Style of the Final Trumpet and the Beginning of the Apocalypse 

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV) 

Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

The Protestant doctrine of the Rapture, popularized in the 19th century, presents a view of the End Times that was foreign to the beliefs of the Early Church. According to this modern teaching, Christians will be taken up to heaven before a period of tribulation, sparing them from suffering. However, the ancient Church did not distinguish between a "Rapture" and the Resurrection; it viewed Christ’s return as a single, climactic event encompassing the Resurrection of the dead, the destruction of evil, the final judgment, and the establishment of Christ’s eternal kingdom. Far from expecting to escape tribulation, early Christians anticipated suffering as part of their witness, knowing they were called to endure faithfully until the end. 

The belief in a pre-tribulation Rapture is a relatively new phenomenon. It first emerged in the 19th century, championed by figures like John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren. This interpretation relies on a dispensationalist reading of certain passages, such as the above quote from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which describes believers being “caught up” with Christ in the air, and Matthew 24:40-41, which speaks of one being taken and another left. These texts are understood by Rapture advocates as evidence of a secret event preceding the tribulation. However, the Early Church Fathers, creeds, and Scriptures make no mention of such an event. 

Instead, the Early Church consistently taught that Christ’s return would occur after tribulation, with all believers - living and dead - being gathered to Him on the last day. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, for example, speak not of an escape from suffering but of the climactic moment of Christ’s Second Coming, when He descends from heaven with a shout, the dead in Christ rise first, and those who are alive join them in the air. Similarly, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 ties the gathering of the elect explicitly to events “immediately after the tribulation.” The Ancient Church never envisioned Christians being removed from the world before this time of trial. 

Russian Icon of Michael Starting the Second Coming by the Proclamation of a Trumpet 

The Broken Churches on the Ground Show the Decimation of the Church by the Antichrist

The Angelic Horse is Trampling on the Forces of Satan, Shown Here Coming Out of the Abyss

Christ Returns on His Bright White Steed, a Sword Coming Out of His Mouth - “One Little Word Shall Fell Them!” Christ will Destroy All Evil by the Power of His Name

The Last Battle, Led by Christ Jesus, with All the Saints and Angels Returning with Him

A Contemporary Coptic Last Judgment Icon

The Historical Vision of Heaven, Hell, Salvation, Damnation, Forgiveness, and Eternal Life, Uniting the Ancient Church of Both East and West

A Contemporary Icon of the Last Judgment, Showing the Glory and the Fire Experienced as Heaven and Hell Originates in the Glory of Christ, Experienced from the Inside as Communion, Light and Life, and from the Outside as Alienation, Heat and Torture 

Belarusian Icon of the Last Judgment, with Hell Represented as a Monstrous Mouth 

An Ancient Russo-Byzantine All Saints Icon from the 12th or 13th Centuries, Depicting All the Saints and Martyrs Returning with Christ in the Air, to Rule and Reign with Him Forever

The Same Icon Redone in the 17th Century, Showing the Bosom of Abraham and Christ Taking Up the Innocents of Every Age 

A Modern Reproduction of the Ancient All Saints Icon Above

The writings of the Church Fathers affirm this understanding. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, for example, emphasized that Christians await Christ’s glorious Second Coming, not as a secret event but as the culmination of history. St. Augustine, in his great work “City of God”, taught that the Resurrection and the final judgment occur together on the same day. Likewise, St. Irenaeus described the Church enduring persecution under the Antichrist before Christ’s ultimate victory at His return. The early creeds, including the Nicene Creed, affirm this unified vision, declaring that Christ will come again “to judge the living and the dead,” with no mention of a Rapture. 

This teaching carries profound implications for how Christians understand suffering. The modern “Rapture” ideology, which promises believers an escape from tribulation, stands in stark contrast to the biblical and historical understanding of suffering as integral to the Christian life. Jesus Himself declared, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). St. Paul likewise exhorted the faithful, saying, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Suffering is not something Christians can avoid or bypass; it is part of their sanctification, a means by which their faith is refined and strengthened. 

The Church Fathers consistently upheld this view. St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing to the early Christians, taught that it is through tribulations that believers are prepared for the Kingdom of God. St. John Chrysostom beautifully described tribulation as the chariot by which we ascend to heaven. These reflections echo the words of Scripture, which teach that tribulation produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). To be a Christian is to follow in the footsteps of Christ, who suffered for the sake of the world, and there are no shortcuts or exemptions! 

On the last day, all these sufferings will be vindicated as Christ returns in glory. The Resurrection will occur as all who have died, both righteous and unrighteous, are raised from the dead. Jesus spoke of this moment in John 5:28-29, saying, “The hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth.” The righteous will be raised to the resurrection of life, while the unrighteous will be raised to the resurrection of condemnation. The living believers will join the risen saints, and together they will meet Christ in the air, forming His triumphant army as He descends to destroy evil once and for all. 

This final battle is vividly described in Revelation 19, where Christ, the King of Kings, returns on a brilliant white horse, leading the armies of heaven to defeat the forces of the Antichrist. St. Paul also alludes to this victory in 1 Corinthians 15, where he writes of Christ putting all enemies under His feet and destroying every rule, authority, and power. This is the ultimate vindication of the faithful, who endured suffering and persecution for the sake of their Lord. 

Following this, the final judgment will take place. As Jesus described in Matthew 25, all nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the righteous from the wicked. The righteous will inherit eternal life, while the wicked will be cast into eternal punishment. For the faithful, this is a moment of unspeakable joy, as they receive their crowns of glory and join in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, described in Revelation 19. This great feast is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with His people, the eternal union of Christ with His Bride, the Church. 

The Ancient Church’s view of the End Times is profoundly hopeful. It does not promise escape from suffering but promises victory through suffering. It calls Christians to remain faithful, even in the face of tribulation, knowing that their Lord will return to set all things right. In this unified vision, there is no division between a Rapture and a Resurrection - they are one and the same event. 

As we await the return of Christ, let us remember that we are called to endure and to persevere, knowing that tribulation is the path to glory. The Lord will return in triumph, the dead will be raised, and the faithful will reign with Him forever. 

COLLECT

Almighty God, who hast revealed the victory of Thy Son over sin, death, and the Antichrist: strengthen us to endure tribulation with faith and hope, that we may rejoice in the Resurrection, stand with Christ in the Last Day, and be found worthy to partake of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.