Content based on the Bible
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UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE
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Après Enlèvement explores biblical prophecy, the Rapture of the Church, the End Times, and the Christian faith.
Discover what the Bible teaches about the return of Jesus Christ and how to be ready for it.
THE RAPTURE
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© 2026 Après l’Enlèvement – All Rights Reserved
ABOUT
Après Enlèvement explores biblical prophecy, the Rapture of the Church, the End Times, and the Christian faith.
Discover what the Bible teaches about the return of Jesus Christ and how to be ready for it.
UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE
FOLLOW US
📖 UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.
In this passage, Paul explains that God revealed to him a mystery that had not been fully disclosed in previous generations. This mystery is that Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ are united in one body, the Church, and share equally in the promises of salvation through the Gospel.
This prophecy was fulfilled in the first century after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), God began forming the Church, bringing together believers from both Israel and the Gentile nations into one spiritual body.
This passage reveals a key stage in God’s redemptive plan. During the present Church Age, everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ becomes part of His body, regardless of nationality or background. Jews and Gentiles are saved by the same grace and become fellow heirs of God’s promises in Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
In this passage, Paul explains that through His death on the cross, Jesus Christ reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God and united them into one body: the Church. By His sacrifice, He removed the barrier that separated them and opened the way for all who believe to receive salvation through faith.
This truth was fulfilled in the first century following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), God began forming the Church, bringing together Jewish and Gentile believers into one spiritual body in Christ.
This passage reveals the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. Everyone who believes in Him becomes part of one body and is reconciled to God. This spiritual unity is one of the great blessings of the present Church Age, as believers await the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
In this passage, Paul compares a husband’s love for his wife to the love of Jesus Christ for the Church. He reminds believers that Christ willingly gave Himself on the cross to save His people, cleanse them, and set them apart for God.
This truth was fulfilled in the first century through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since that time, everyone who places their faith in Christ has been cleansed and made a member of the Church, the body of Christ.
This passage also points to Christ’s future work for His Church. One day, Jesus Christ will present the Church to Himself as a glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, perfectly holy and blameless. This prophecy has not yet been fully fulfilled. It will reach its complete fulfillment when the Church is forever united with Jesus Christ, sharing in His glory for all eternity.
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.
In this passage, Paul clearly describes the Rapture of the Church. Jesus Christ will descend from heaven, the dead in Christ shall rise first, and then those who belong to Christ and are part of His Church who are still alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air. The Church is the Bride of Christ: she belongs to Him and will be united with her Bridegroom at the Rapture.
This event will take place before the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation. Jesus Christ will meet His Church in the air and take her to Himself. It is important to clarify that not all believers will be raptured: the Rapture concerns those who belong to Christ and are part of His Church. After the Rapture, other people will still be able to believe in Jesus Christ during the Tribulation, but they will not become part of the Church, because the Church will already have been raptured. The Church Age will therefore come to an end at the Rapture, after which God will continue His prophetic plan concerning Israel and the nations.
This passage is one of the clearest promises concerning the Rapture of the Church. It gives a special hope to those who belong to Christ and are part of His Church: they will be reunited with those who have been raised and will be with the Lord forever.
The Church as the Bride of Christ
In the Bible, the Church is presented as the Bride of Christ. This image draws on the marriage customs of biblical times and helps explain why the Rapture is presented as the moment when Christ comes to take His Bride to Himself.
The Marriage Picture in the Bible
In the marriage customs of ancient Israel, the father of the bridegroom had an important role in the marriage arrangement. After the engagement, the bridegroom would leave to prepare a place for his future bride.
He would later return at the appointed time to take her to himself. The bride therefore had to remain ready and wait for the bridegroom’s arrival. This imagery helps us understand the words of Jesus:
“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” — John 14:3
Jesus is the Bridegroom, and the Church is His Bride. It is therefore significant that He says He will return to receive His Bride to Himself.
The Role of the Father
Jesus also spoke about the exact timing of His coming:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” — Matthew 24:36
Within the marriage imagery, this corresponds to the traditional role of the father in determining when the son would go to receive his bride. The Son knew that He would return, but the exact timing was in the Father’s hands.
However, an important distinction should be made: the Bible does not explicitly state that Christian marriage reproduces every detail of an ancient Jewish wedding ceremony. Rather, these similarities help us understand the biblical imagery surrounding Christ and His Church.
Why This Concerns the Church
This picture also explains why it is important not to simply use the expression “all believers” when speaking about the Rapture.
The Church is the Bride of Christ. Jesus will come to take His Bride so that she may be with Him. People who turn to Jesus Christ during the Tribulation can still be saved, but they will not become part of the Church that has already been raptured.
The Rapture can therefore be understood as the moment when the Bridegroom comes to receive His Bride. The Church Age then comes to an end, while God continues His prophetic plan concerning Israel and the nations.
This also gives special meaning to Revelation 19:7:
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”
The picture is therefore consistent: Christ is the Bridegroom, the Church is His Bride, the Rapture is the gathering of the Bride to her Bridegroom, and the marriage of the Lamb follows.