How can I be ready for the rapture?

TL;DR:

The rapture will occur when Jesus bodily returns to earth and those who believe in Him as God's Son and have put their faith in Him as Savior will rise to meet Him. The only way to be ready for the rapture is to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior before it happens.

what does the bible say?

The only way to be ready for the rapture is to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and accept Him as Savior. Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 that when Jesus returns, believers—both living and dead—will be caught up to meet Him. Those who do not belong to Christ will not be raptured and will face the coming judgment, as emphasized in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 and the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. Readiness is not just a one-time decision but a daily walk with Christ, seeking His wisdom, turning from sin, and living with a heart focused on His return. If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, now is the time to believe in Him, confess your need for salvation, and receive His gift of eternal life (2 Corinthians 6:2).

from the old testament

Knowing how to be ready for the rapture is not discussed in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

Paul wrote these words to believers in the church of Thessalonica: "For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And 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, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). This describes the rapture. Those "in Christ," are ready for the rapture.
Those who are not in Christ, who have not accepted Jesus as their eternal Savior, will not be raptured. In fact, the day of the Lord, which follows the rapture, "will come like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Yet to believers, Paul said, "But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief" (1 Thessalonians 5:4).
In Jesus' parable of the ten virgins, five were wise and had their lamps full of oil and ready for the coming of the bridegroom. Five were not and missed the event (Matthew 25:1-13). Believers have faith and the indwelling Holy Spirit (the oil in their lamps); they are ready for the rapture.

implications for today

Being ready for the rapture means living each day with a heart that longs for Christ’s return. This readiness is not just about a one-time decision at salvation; rather, being ready is about walking with Him daily. This means putting Him at the center of our lives. This can look like waking up each day and asking Him to direct our day, seeking His wisdom in decisions, and turning away from sin when tempted. It can also look like forgiving others even when it's hard, sharing the gospel with a coworker who asks about your hope, or choosing honesty when a lie would be easier. It’s being like the wise virgins in Jesus’ parable—keeping our lamps full by staying connected to God through His Word and the Holy Spirit. If we truly believe He could return at any moment, our priorities shift.We invest in eternal things, love people well, and live with purpose, knowing we are citizens of His kingdom.

If you have not believed in Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior, today is the day you can do so (2 Corinthians 6:2). Simply speak to Him. Confess that you have lived without His guidance and covering. Tell Him you are done rebelling against Him and that you believe He is God's Son, who died for your sins, and rose again from the dead. If you are uncertain what salvation is, please see our article: "What is salvation?"

understand

Believing in Jesus is the first step to being ready for the rapture.
Believers should live with the longing for Christ’s return.
Believers can live ready for the rapture by investing in what matters eternally.

reflect

How does your daily life reflect a heart that is truly ready for Christ’s return?
In what areas do you need to be living with a more kingdom-focused mindset?
If Jesus returned today, would you be confident in your relationship with Him? Why or why not?

engage

What does it mean to “keep our lamps full” like the wise virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, and how can we apply this to our lives?
How should the reality of the rapture shape the way we encourage and challenge one another in faith?
What are practical ways we can live each day as if Jesus could return at any moment?