The Rapture

As we grow older, we naturally look back. But as believers in Christ, we also look forward. My collaborator Ned Nossaman recently wrote a poem that reflects our hope for the Lord’s return.

As we grow older, we naturally look back at our life with all its twists and turns. But as believers in Christ, we also look forward. Although we have the assurance of eternal life, we also hope to still be alive at the Lord’s return, that we may be taken by Him without seeing death. What a glorious hope and expectation that is!

Promise of the Lord’s Return

The rapture is first mentioned in Acts, at the time of Christ’s ascension into heaven. The disciples watched as He was taken up, a cloud received Him, and He disappeared. Then two angels appeared and spoke to them:

You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky (Acts 1:11).

Years later, Paul repeats this promise:

But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

….

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.

Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thes. 4:13-18).

And the Bible concludes with this glorious promise from Christ Jesus and the spontaneous response from the disciple John:

He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.”
Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

My collaborator Ned Nossaman recently wrote this poem, which captures this feeling in the heart of every believer.

The Rapture

The Lord always takes care of His children,
Those departed and those who remain.
Not a one is neglected, forsaken,
For with Him soon one day shall they reign.

It’s the glorious day of His coming.
It’s the time of His advent to men.
So especially true for believers,
For, believing, they’ve been born again.

What a face we’ll behold in bright splendor,
As His visage we’ll joyously see.
But no words will we have for that moment,
When transformed and like Him shall we be.

Oh, yes, come, and come quickly, Lord Jesus,
Rend the heavens and firmament, skies,
And break forth with glad shoutings among us
As with Thee to the heavens we rise!

Let the rapture appear in our lifetime.
We expect all Thy glory to see
As You come to the Earth at the right time
And conformed to Thine image we’ll be.

“It is done” were Your last words among us,
Only one thing remains in this day—
In one moment, You’re coming, we’re leaving.
“Come, Lord Jesus, and take us away!”
—Ned Nossaman

Sing It as a Hymn

I spent some time trying to find a tune that matches this meter (10.9.10.9 in syllable count). There aren’t many. But I did find this old classic, which Phyllis Skene wrote for the hymn, “Let me sing, for the glory of heaven.” Ned and I agreed that it is quite beautiful and captures the feeling of the lyrics [1].

Here is my attempt to sing this hymn. I used the music available on Hymnal.net and simply recorded my voice over the music. The production value is not very good, especially because it is pitched too high for me. I offer it here in hopes that someone with better ability than I have will record it and make it available. If you do so, please let me know and I will be happy to replace my version with yours.

Or, certainly, if you would like to write a new tune for this hymn, feel free to do so!

As shown in the end notes [2], we are publishing these lyrics under a Creative Commons license. It means you are free to perform, record, or publish these lyrics, both for commercial and non-commercial purposes, provided that you credit Ned Nossaman as the author. The music I used in this recording is now in the public domain.

End Notes

[1] This tune was originally published in Hymns of Consecration and Faith, by James Mountain, around 1902. The piano score from the original hymnal is below, for those that would like to sing it or record it. Click to enlarge and print.

[2] The lyrics for The Rapture © 2025 by Ned Nossaman is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International