The word "rapture" never appears in the Bible. This is because it is a Latin word. This Latin word actually means a "snatching away or a catching up". The Greek word for 'snatching or catching up' is harpazo! When harpazo is translated into Latin it becomes "rapio". When that word is transliterated (given an English pronounciation) it becomes "rapture". There was a time when students of the Bible did all of their Bible research using the Latin language. This is why and how the word 'rapture' was coined in our everyday language. It is a theological term used to define a prophetical event. When Christians speak of expecting someday to be "caught up" in the air to meet the Lord Jesus Christ and from that point on stay with Him forever, they are speaking of the Biblical event known as "the rapture".

The Rapture event is described under two important Bible passages: (1) 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and (2) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Corinthians passage describes what happens to living Christians when Christ returns. The Thessalonians passage describes dead Christians at the rapture. Both complete the picture of this wonderful event. (A Pictorial Guide to Bible Prophecy, pg. 65) [T]he rapture passages speak of the blessing of the Lord's return for His own, or more specfically, the return of Jesus Christ to take His children home to heaven. This is the hope and comfort, and it is a different scenario than that of Jesus coming back to judge the earth, to reign and rule as Messiah. In fact a key to most rapture passagers is this going-home joy and anticipation. (Dictionary of Premillenial Theology, pg. 334)

In Revelation 13:5, we see the antichrist with 'a mouth speaking great things." A hypothetical speech from the antichrist [or false teachers/leaders] after the rapture [might be something on the order of]: "My dear friends. Bless you for listening to me. I know that many of you have lost loved ones in the unusual disappearnace of so many people. However, we believe it was God's judgment on them, for their uncooperation and divisions on the majestic advances of Society and the Church on earth. Now that the separatists are removed, let us really unite in the great goal of universal brotherhood, love, and peace on earth." (A Pictorial Guide to Bible Prophecy, pg. 68)

In John 14:1-3, Jesus promised His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them. From the Greek text the passage could read: "Let not the heart of each of you be disturbed. All of you together are believing in God; in the same way, all of you continue to trust in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places, but if not, I would have told you, because I go to prepare a room for you [to live in]. And if I am going and preparing a room for you, I will be coming again and taking you along [to My own home], that where I am, I and you [will be together]" [Translated by Dr. Mal Couch]. The hope and comfort in this passage is stated in a kind of a negative, "Let not the heart be disturbed." The reason: Christ is going to prepare a place for them, and He will come again for them and receive them to Himself. This is a rapture passage because it implies that His coming could have taken place while they were alive. Though death could overtake them (as it did), their new bodies would be taken home by the resurrection at the time of Rapture. (Dictionary of Premillenial Theology, pgs. 334-335)