What is the Rapture?: Billy Graham’s Perspective

The concept of the Rapture holds profound significance in Christian eschatology, representing a future event where believers in Christ, both living and deceased, will be suddenly caught up to meet Jesus in the air [1][2]. Billy Graham, a prominent figure in evangelical Christianity, provided a distinctive perspective on the Rapture, emphasizing its theological implications and practical relevance for believers.

Key Points About Billy Graham’s View on the Rapture:

**1. Two-Phase Return:** Billy Graham articulated Christ’s second coming as occurring in two distinct phases. First, the Rapture, where believers are caught up to meet Christ in the air, followed by a visible return to Earth [1][2]. This understanding is rooted in Graham’s interpretation of passages like:

**1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV):**

*”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.”*

**2. Sudden and Secret:** Graham emphasized the sudden and unexpected nature of the Rapture, highlighting that it will occur without prior warning to unbelievers [1][2]. This aspect underscores the need for constant readiness among Christians, a theme Graham frequently reiterated based on teachings such as:

**Matthew 24:44 (KJV):**

*”Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”*

**3. Transformation:** Central to Graham’s teachings on the Rapture is the concept of transformation. He taught that during this event, both living and deceased believers will undergo a profound transformation, receiving glorified bodies that are imperishable and suited for eternal life [1][2]. This transformation is elucidated in passages like:

**1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (KJV):**

*”Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”*

**4. Timing and Tribulation:** While acknowledging differing views among Christians, Graham generally aligned with the pretribulation perspective, suggesting that believers will be taken up to meet Christ before a period of intense tribulation on Earth [1][2]. This view provides reassurance to believers that they will be spared from the wrath to come, as outlined in:

**1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV):**

*”For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,”*

**5. Comfort for Believers:** Graham saw the Rapture as a profound source of comfort for Christians. It signifies the assurance that believers will be delivered from the tribulation and will be united with Christ and fellow believers in a state of eternal joy and peace [3]. This hope-filled perspective is deeply rooted in passages like:

**John 14:1-3 (KJV):**

*”Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”*

**6. Call to Readiness:** Throughout his ministry, Billy Graham consistently emphasized the imperative for believers to live in a state of readiness for Christ’s return. He drew from passages such as:

**1 Peter 1:13 (KJV):**

*”Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”*

**7. Glorious Reunion:** Graham described the Rapture as a moment of glorious reunion for believers. This event represents a joyful occasion where believers will be united with Christ and with loved ones who have died in faith, as portrayed in:

**1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV):**

*”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.”*

This reunion serves as a powerful encouragement for believers to persevere in their faith journey, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

**8. Hope and Purification:** According to Graham, the expectation of Christ’s return should serve as a powerful motivation for believers to purify their lives and to live with an eternal perspective. This transformative process is highlighted in passages like:

**Titus 2:11-14 (KJV):**

*”For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”*

While acknowledging variations in interpretation among Christians, Graham consistently emphasized the core belief in Christ’s bodily and visible return to establish his eternal kingdom [1][2]. This foundational belief is rooted in biblical passages such as:

**Revelation 19:11-16 (KJV):**

*”And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.”*

Biblical Foundation of Billy Graham’s Teachings:

Billy Graham’s teachings on the Rapture drew extensively from biblical passages, which provided the doctrinal foundation for his perspectives:

– **1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:**

13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16  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:

17  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.

18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Central to Graham’s teaching on the Rapture, this passage describes how believers, both living and dead, will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, emphasizing the comfort and hope this event provides [1][2].

**1 Corinthians 15:50-58:**

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Graham used this passage to discuss the transformation of believers during the Rapture and the victory over death and sin through Christ’s resurrection [1][2].

– **Matthew 24:36-44:**

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

– **1 John 3:1-3:**

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Graham drew from this passage to encourage believers to purify themselves in anticipation of Christ’s return and to live as children of God [2].

These foundational passages not only formed the basis of Graham’s teaching but also provided practical insights into how believers should live in anticipation of Christ’s return.

Similarities and Differences in Graham’s Perspective:

**Similarities:**

– **Two-Phase Second Coming:** Like many evangelical theologians, Graham affirmed a two-phase return of Christ involving the Rapture and the subsequent visible return to Earth [1][2].

– **Pretribulation Rapture:** He held to the pretribulation view, teaching that believers would be taken up to be with Christ before the onset of the Great Tribulation [2][3].

**Differences:**

– **Pastoral Emphasis:** Graham’s teachings often emphasized the practical implications of the Rapture for Christian living, focusing on readiness, comfort, and the transformative power of Christ’s return [2][4].

– **Avoidance of Speculation:** Unlike some theologians who delve deeply into speculative interpretations of end-time events, Graham maintained a practical and pastoral approach, focusing on the spiritual preparation and moral readiness of believers [2][4].

– **Eschatological Focus:** While deeply rooted in eschatological teachings, Graham’s emphasis on the Rapture as a source of hope and purification set his teachings apart within the evangelical community [4][5].

In conclusion, Billy Graham’s perspective on the Rapture not only aligned with mainstream evangelical thought but also provided a pastoral and hopeful outlook on Christ’s imminent return. His teachings continue to inspire believers to live with faith, hope, and readiness for the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ.

**Citations:**

– [1] https://www.billygraham.ca/answer/what-is-the-rapture/

– [2] https://billygraham.org/answer/what-is-the-rapture/

– [3] https://encountertoday.com/blog/2023/02/16/what-did-billy