Exegetical Analysis of Rapture in the Light of 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

This study was prompted by the carefree attitude of the postmodern christians towards biblical teachings, most especialy, rapture. The paper is an exegetical analysis of Paul’s Eschatological Discourse in 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18. The paper aims at using the eschatological teachings of Paul in 1Thessalonians 4:15-18 to challenge the postmodern society to be rapture-ready in spite of the obstacles placed on their way by the negative traits of postmodernism. The paper commences with a brief introduction on the negative features of the postmodern world that encourages the postmodern man’s complacent attitudes towards rapture. The next focal points of the paper are the texts surrounding the main text where Apostle Paul encouraged to the Thessalonian church to build up their faith, love and grace for holiness (1Thessalonian 4:13-14). The surrounding texts also present Paul’s transition to eschatological discourse and the purpose was to comfort those alive who were grieving over the dead because they were confused. The paper also touches the source of Paul’s eschatological discourse: the eschatological discourse of Jesus Christ. A step-by-step procedure of rapture is presented. The paper draws infenrences for application for the postmodern church from the discourse analysis and closes with recommendations.