Yes — in the rapture context, 'caught up' means believers being gathered together to meet the Lord in the air.
The King James Bible uses the phrase 'caught up' for what is commonly called the rapture. Les Feldick explains that the word 'rapture' is coined from this phrase, so the two mean the same thing. Scripture places the event in the air, after the dead in Christ are raised first and living believers are changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 — This is the verse that uses the exact phrase 'caught up' to describe believers meeting the Lord in the air.
1 Corinthians 15:52 — This verse connects the catching up with the moment believers are changed, showing the transformation that enables them to meet the Lord.
Scripture uses the phrase 'caught up' in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to describe what happens to believers at the Lord's return. It says, "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." The preceding verse explains that the Lord Himself descends from heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, and the dead in Christ rise first. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul connects this event with the transformation of the body. "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." The corruptible body puts on incorruption, and the mortal puts on immortality, so believers are fitted for eternity.
Les Feldick explains that the King James phrase 'caught up' is the same as what is commonly called the rapture. He says, "Now it's caught up in the King James, but it's the same meaning. That's where we get the term raptured." He points to the words 'caught up to meet the Lord in the air' and says those are the words from which the term rapture was coined. If someone does not like the word rapture, he says simply call it 'caught up.' Les also teaches the order of events: the Lord descends from heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God; the dead in Christ rise first and are reunited with their soul and spirit which Christ brings with Him; then those who are alive and remain are caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. He emphasizes that this meeting is in the air, not on the Mount of Olives. He further explains that living believers will be changed at that moment — the corruptible puts on incorruption and the mortal puts on immortality — so believers can live for eternity.
In the King James Bible the phrase is 'caught up.' Les Feldick says 'rapture' is the word coined from that phrase — 'caught up to meet the Lord in the air' — and it has the same meaning. He also notes that the English Bible does not use the word 'rapture,' although the German translation does.
The Lord Himself descends from heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. The dead in Christ rise first, are resurrected with new bodies, and are reunited with their soul and spirit. Then those who are alive and remain are caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In that same instant, the living are changed — the corruptible puts on incorruption and the mortal puts on immortality, so death is swallowed up in victory.
They meet the Lord in the air. Les Feldick says this is not on the Mount of Olives but in the air, just as the verse states: 'caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.'
Paul introduces the teaching by saying, 'I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep.' Les Feldick points out that even believers often have no concept of this, and the passage is given so those who have died in Christ are understood and believers are comforted rather than sorrowing without hope.
The Blessed Hope and Not Being Ignorant
Les shows that Paul introduces the passage about believers being caught up by saying believers should not be ignorant about those who have died in Christ.
Caught Up Equals Raptured
Les says 'caught up' in the King James is the same meaning as 'raptured' — that is where the term rapture comes from, so it is fine to just say 'caught up.'
Words From Which 'Rapture' Is Coined
Les points directly to the phrase 'caught up to meet the Lord in the air' as the words from which the term rapture was coined.
The Order: Dead in Christ Rise First
Les explains that the Lord descends with a shout, the dead in Christ rise first, and then living believers follow — they do not precede those who are asleep.
Meeting in the Air, Not on Mount Olives
Les quotes the verse that believers will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and clarifies this is not on the Mount of Olives.
The Outcalling of Living Believers
Les describes the rapture as the outcalling of living believers as well as the resurrection of church-age believers, and notes the English Bible does not contain the word 'rapture.'
Church Raptured Out and Saints Resurrected
Les summarizes that the church is raptured out, living believers are changed, and departed saints are resurrected bodily with new bodies to meet the Lord in the air.
Corruptible Puts on Incorruption
Les explains that living believers are changed because their mortal, corruptible bodies must put on incorruption and immortality for eternity.
1 Thessalonians 4:16: 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:
This verse establishes the sequence that precedes the catching up of living believers.
1 Thessalonians 4:17: 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.
This is the key verse that uses the phrase 'caught up' and directly answers what it means in the rapture.
1 Corinthians 15:51: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Paul introduces the mystery that not all believers will die but all will be changed at this event.
1 Corinthians 15:52: 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.
This describes the sudden transformation that accompanies the resurrection and the catching up.
1 Corinthians 15:53: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
This explains why believers must be changed — their bodies must be made fit for eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:20: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Christ's resurrection is the guarantee that believers will also be raised and caught up.
The English Bible does not contain the word 'rapture.' The King James uses the phrase 'caught up.' Les Feldick notes that the word is in the German translation, but in English the equivalent phrase is 'caught up' — and the two mean the same thing.
The Lord descends from heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. The dead in Christ rise first and are resurrected with new bodies. Then those who are alive and remain are caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.
Yes. Living believers will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The corruptible body puts on incorruption, and the mortal puts on immortality, so that believers can live forever with the Lord.
Watch the Teaching: What Triggers the Rapture? Romans 11:25 Explained Verse by Verse