Chapter 12
The Rapture
“13 ¶ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Th 4:13-18 NAS)
In our age of modern Christianity in America, the rapture of the Church seems to have taken center stage as Bible teachers expound upon eschatology. A study of the Scripture shows that this is a misguided concept. The term “rapture” comes from the Latin meaning to catch up as used in 1Thessalonians 4:17. This is the only place in Scripture that this term is used in reference to our gathering together at Christ’s return.
Obviously, in Scripture, it is Christ’s return and His entrance into this world that is the center stage of all events. Putting our focus on Christ’s return will help us put all of the other things in perspective.
The “rapture” has been presented as a separate and glorious event. It is often presented as a secret return of Christ for the sole purpose of rescuing His Church from the events that follow. The events that follow are defined as “The Great Tribulation.” Teachings that have centered on these two concepts have developed through the years and are embedded in many church doctrines. At times the variations of these teachings have caused conflicts and disagreements within the church. The pre-tribulation rapture teaching has become the most popular of the different ideas that have been proposed. Many who have accepted this teaching view it as established truth. The question that must be answered though is what does the Scripture actually say?
We will start first with the word “rapture” as it refers to the text in 1Thessalonians 4:17. In the KJV of the Bible, it says that those Christians who are alive at the return of Christ will be “caught up” to meet Him in the air. This is the only reference in the Scripture that uses this language to explain what is going to happen to those believers that are still alive at Christ’s return. “The Rapture” has become a theological term that refers to Christians being caught up to meet Christ in the air.
There are other passages in the Scripture that make reference to this meeting with Christ that describe it differently. In 2Thessolonians 2:1 it speaks of us being gathered together unto Him. In Matthew 24:31 and Mark 13:27 we are told that the angels will gather His elect from the four winds. In 1Corrinthians 15:51 Paul reveals the mystery surrounding our gathering to Christ. For he says the dead in Christ will rise first and then we who remain will be changed from mortal beings into immortal beings. If we glean from the parables of Jesus concerning the end of the age we see it as a time of reaping and gathering together. It is at this time that the separation is made between that which is preserved and that which is destroyed.
It is also clear in these passages that all believers will be gathered together whether they have died or remain alive. The resurrection of the righteous dead takes place at the time of our gathering together unto Christ. Also, there is the sound of the trumpet, the voice of the angel (a shout), and Christ appears in the clouds for all the nations to see at this time.
The Greek word “harpazo” has been interpreted as “caught up” (rapture) and it is used thirteen times in the New Testament. But it is only used once in the context of Christ’s return. Theologians have used the Latin interpretation “rapture” as a theological term, but it would better be described as our gathering together with Christ at His return. The uniqueness of this gathering is that it includes those who are resurrected and those who are transformed or changed. The location is also unique because it is in the air.
As people have separated the “rapture” from the return of Christ it has taken on a life of itself. It has been presented as a momentous event, even though it is never presented in Scripture as such. When it is presented as a separate event people’s imaginations run wild. An event like this would have huge ramifications. You cannot extract a multitude of people without having a shocking effect on the entire world. Books have been written and movies are made presenting the chaos that would follow. Yet there is nothing in Biblical prophecy that reflects anything like this. You should ask yourself the question: Why is there nothing like this in the Bible? The term “left behind” is not even mentioned in the Bible.
The answer is clear if we return to Scripture and simply read what it says. The rapture does not come across as an event. That is why there is so little said about it in Scripture. The event is Christ’s return and the whole world will be witnessing that event. Much is written in Scripture about this momentous event and the huge effects it has on everybody and everything in the World. Nobody is going to sit scratching their head wondering what happened. Jesus was clear on this point.
So, what is the “rapture” if it is not a separate event? It is simply the means God uses to gather His people together. Those that propose a pre-trib rapture claim that it is for the purpose of removing us from the world so that we can escape the “Great Tribulation.” But the Scripture is clear we are caught up for the purpose of meeting our Lord as He returns. It does not say that we are then taken to heaven, but it says we will meet Christ in the air. Most of the rest of the story they will tell you is simply based upon speculation and conjecture resting on the assumption that God will use the rapture to rescue us from tribulation. Much of their speculation ends up in clear contrast to what Scripture actually says.
Tribulation
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (Joh 16:33 NAS)
If we are going to understand the events that are to take place in these last days in which we live, then we need to know what the Bible is talking about when it talks of tribulation. The Greek word most often translated “tribulation” is “thlispsis.” This word is used forty-five times in the New Testament and interpreted tribulation twenty-one times. It is also interpreted seventeen times as afflicted or affliction. It is defined as affliction, anguish, burden, persecution, tribulation, and trouble. It is important to understand the meaning of this word because much of modern eschatology teaching centers on the terms, “rapture” and the “Great Tribulation.”
In our Biblical text, tribulation is usually referring to trouble that is inflicted upon us by people around us. The world we live in sits in opposition to God and His will. Since the fall of Man, this world has come under the influence of Satan and his lies. When we make the choice to follow Christ we will face tribulation from the world. Tribulation can come in many forms and from various sources. The question is not whether we will face tribulation, but what will be our response to the tribulation? How we face tribulation will determine the outcome.
“21 And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Ac 14:21-22 NAS)
It appears from the Scripture that it is a given that Christians will suffer tribulation. Yet, when we are faced with the pending great tribulation at the end of the age, pre-trib teachers insist that we will be rescued from this period of time. Their logic goes like this: We know that the Bible says we will have tribulation. But the Scripture tells us that we are not destined for God’s wrath. Therefore, the church will be a rapture before the “Great Tribulation.” If this sounds like a mix-up to you, you are right, it is illogical. Tribulation and wrath have different definitions, they are not synonyms.
The Great Tribulation
“21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. 22 “And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short.” (Mt 24:21-22 NAS)
“19 “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created, until now, and never shall. 20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect whom He chose, He shortened the days.” (Mr 13:19-20 NAS)
The term “The Great Tribulation” was drawn from Jesus’ instructions to His disciples concerning end time events. We find this recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. We know from Scripture that this time of tribulation will immediately precede Christ’s return. What distinguishes this time of tribulation is that it exceeds past periods of tribulation that have happened in the past. As we continue through chapters twenty-four and twenty-five of Matthew the emphasis is on being ready for Christ return, for His return will come upon the earth suddenly. There is not even a hint that those on earth can avoid this time of tribulation. Rather there are instructions to patiently await Christ’s return which will be revealed to everyone on earth. At that time Christ will gather His people unto Himself.
The Wrath of God
“9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” (1Th 5:9-10 NAS)
The main argument for a pre-trib rapture is that the time of great tribulation is when the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth. The wrath of God is final punishment upon unrepentant sinners, whereas tribulation is affliction or persecution. Affliction can come from God, but when it does it is for the purpose of bringing people to a place of repentance. But the tribulation and affliction that we as Christians most often face come from Satan and those who have been inspired by his lies.
During the time of great tribulation, there are possibly two different sources of tribulation. At this time the kingdom of the Beast will exercise authority over all the nations on earth. The righteous will come under great persecution or tribulation. Not only the righteous, but everyone will suffer because of the totalitarian government that is ruling. Also, during this time, we read of the judgments that are heralded by the seven trumpets. These judgments are intended to wake people up so that they would repent, reminding the world of the impending judgment and wrath of God that is shortly to come.
“26 “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it shall be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29 but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 “It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.” (Lu 17:26-30 NAS)
These two examples of God’s wrath are given to remind us of what is in store for those who live unrighteous lives. The wrath of God is poured out in judgment on those who have refused God’s offer of salvation. On the day Noah entered the ark the flood came. On the day Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone. We are warned that it will be just the same on the day Christ is revealed. It will be on the day that Christ gathers the believers unto Himself that the wrath of the Lamb will be poured out on the kingdoms of this world, the beast, the harlot, and those that worship the beast.
Justice will come swiftly as God judges those who are destroying the earth. The kingdoms of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and righteousness will rule. This is what true believers are anticipating as we look forward to that day. But until that day there will be tribulation. And there will be a time of great tribulation as Satan makes his final efforts to destroy God’s creation and through deception ensnare those who love unrighteousness.
Distinguishing Between Tribulation and Wrath
The failure of Bible teachers to distinguish between tribulation and wrath has created confusion in the Church. In the past several generations many have been schooled in the concept that the time of great tribulation was the wrath of God. Viewing the Scripture from this perspective has distorted their understanding of end time events. By ignoring the dissimilarity of these two words it has produced many erroneous assumptions that distort the clear reading of Scripture. The pre-Tribulation rapture teachings are all built upon these assumptions. For nowhere in all of Scripture can you find where it says that believers will be rescued from days of great tribulation. In fact, we are shown in Revelation 7 that there is a multitude from every tribe on earth that has come out of great tribulation. It certainly does not say that they came out of the time of God’s wrath.
It is understandable why this teaching has become so popular, especially here in the West. But it is built on numerous assumptions and it has provided a lens through which people study the Bible. As time has progressed it has developed its own language. Words that you do not find in the Scripture are used to guide people in this teaching that has taken the form of Church doctrine. Words like rapture, left behind, and tribulation saints, are a few examples of words or phrases you will not find in your Bible.
The Bible is an incredible collection of scriptures that reveal a harmonious unfolding of God’s plan for man. When we introduce assumptions it creates problems with that harmony. If we hang on to our assumptions then it becomes necessary to build a rationale that explains away what would seem to be the clear intent. That is what has happened with the pre-trib theory. It has become a long and arduous story that has been developed to sound good and acceptable. But it is built upon assumptions built upon assumptions and explains things that have no foundation in Scripture at all. In the Scriptures God tells us what He is going to do. When we tell people how He is going to do it, we are out of line. There will be a gathering, but it will be on God’s timetable.
The Outline of End Time Events
If there is anything that will get people’s attention it is a prediction about the future. From weather forecasting to predicting the end of the world, people are curious about what is going to happen. For short-term predictions, we have developed tools to help us. By keeping good records we can make predictions about the weather. In the same way we can learn from studying history and be fairly certain of certain outcomes for similar situations. But we cannot foretell the future, there are too many variables. It does not stop people from trying though.
Of course, the only accurate predictions are in the Bible. This is true insider information because God created this world, and He keeps it going around. If we pay attention to what God has told us our future will be much better. God has placed our personal future in our own hands and lets us know the outcome of our choices. “If” becomes an important word in God’s instruction for us. History has revealed that God was accurate on both the “either” and the “or.”
God informed His prophets about the Messiah who would come and bring salvation. Yet when Jesus came very few people recognized him. It wasn’t that prophesies about Jesus were inaccurate, for they were precise. Rather, people’s pre-conceived notions blinded them from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. Even after Jesus was affirmed by John the Baptist and a voice from heaven, people did not acknowledge that Jesus was the promised Messiah. They were blinded by their own pride, lack of knowledge, and understanding of the Scripture.
Obviously, people do not learn that well from history or they would not continue to repeat the mistakes of history. I am afraid that it is also true concerning Christ’s second coming. Many will be caught unaware and unprepared when Christ returns, for the same reasons people did not recognize Him at His first coming. It will not be because God has left us in the dark concerning future events and the end of the age. Recorded in His Word are prophesies concerning the event leading up to Jesus’ return and the end of the age. All that has been left out is that He has not revealed the times and dates. Many of the predictions may leave us scratching our heads, wondering what it will look like as they come to pass. Probably the reason for this is because their intended purpose is so that we will recognize these events when they do happen. By observing prophesies concerning Christ’s first coming and their fulfillment we see how at the time they were issued they appeared vague. But in the setting of their fulfillment they were clear and precise. For this reason, speculation concerning Christ’s second coming has run wild and bookshelves are full of books that propose to clarify what God’s Word really means and what we should be expecting. Those who have boldly predicted a date for Christ’s return have failed miserably. While this has cautioned date setting it has not slowed speculation.
It is important as we approach the end of time to keep our vision as clear as possible so we are not deceived by false information. It is easy to mix up scripture with speculation as we recall our memories. For this reason, it is prudent that we return to Scripture often to refresh our memories so that we can distinguish between knowledge and speculation.
If we want to know when Christ will return, the best place to start would be Matthew 24. In this chapter, Jesus answers questions concerning the destruction of the temple, His return, and the end of the age. Later in Scripture we can learn more details about these events, but here is an answer to some direct questions.
When Will These Things Be?
“And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’” (Mt 24:3 NAS)
In Jesus’ answer we do not have a time frame of dates for when these things will take place. What He does give us is a timeline of events that lead up to and include His return. This provides us with an outline of events that can guide us in our understanding as more details are provided. As we examine Paul’s exhortations and revelations in the letters to the churches we can be assured that they will fit harmoniously into this basic outline. Likewise, as we try to understand prophesies in the Book of Revelation this outline will help us by providing a clear outline in which they fit. As we focus on the rapture we will find it mentioned here in Matthew 24 in its proper place in the timeline of events.
The Focus of Scripture
Modern eschatology puts the focus on the “Rapture” and “The Great Tribulation”. As I have brought you through the Book of Revelation it should be clear to you that this is not the focus of Scripture. The focus of Scripture is on the return of Jesus Christ to establish His Kingdom on earth. As I have pointed out earlier Christ’s concern for us is that we are ready to be a part of that kingdom when He comes. With this understanding all the pieces began to fit into place in harmony.
“11 ¶ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;” (Tit 2:11-13 NAS)
In evangelical circles the term “the blessed hope” has come to mean our anticipation of the rapture of the Church. “The blessed hope” has become synonymous with the rapture simply because it has been the focus of their ecological teaching. In the scripture above where this term comes from, it is clearly referring to the fulfillment of our salvation as Christ appears in His glory. There is no reference here to the rapture or tribulation. The only places that we have both the tribulation and rapture mentioned in the same context are in Matthew and Mark.
“29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, 30 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Mt 24:29-31 NAS)
Here we see the rapture in the sequence of events that Jesus gives to us. After the tribulation He will appear for all to see and at that time He will gather us together in the air. This verse alone should have settled the debate about when, in relationship to the time of great tribulation, the church will be raptured. I have heard all the arguments refuting this clear reading and none of them hold water. If this is not the rapture then Jesus did not think it was even important enough to mention.
As we continue through the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth chapters of Matthew the focus and emphasis is centered on being prepared and ready to meet the Lord when He returns. Never is there any mention about escaping tribulation. Tribulation, great or small, is simply a time of testing for believers. The focus of Scripture is preparing us to overcome every obstacle that would destroy our faith. That is why Jesus identifies those dangers that we will face; false teachers, false prophets, false teachings, greed, envy, neglect, lack of diligence, and failure to watch faithfully until He returns.
Above all else, we are to remain faithful to our Lord and the gospel He has entrusted us with. Those who are not faithful will be condemned with the world as He returns to judge the world and establish justice and peace.
As we read and examine Jesus teaching here in Matthew it is clear that tribulation and rapture are not central themes as they are depicted in modern end time teachings. The concept of a pre-tribulation rapture was introduced in about 1830 by Charles Darby and was later popularized in America. It has become a real distraction from what the Scripture actually teaches. It opened up the question of when the rapture will take place in relationship to the time of great tribulation. The development of different opinions resulted in three divisions, pre, mid, and post tribulation rapture theories. Other than diverting people’s attention away from the focus of Scripture, these discussions have accomplished nothing.
In the Twinkling of an Eye
“51 ¶ Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1Co 15:51-53 NAS)
Would it surprise you if I told you that there is only on verse in the bible (1Thes. 4:17) that says we will be raptured? Of course Matthew 24 tells us that we will be gathered from the four winds, which is essentially the same thing. This verse in 1Corrinthians alludes to it and it is often quoted and the two are often combined. In the context of this verse Paul is talking about the resurrection. The resurrection of the righteous will take place at Christ return in which they will be raised with a body that is immortal. So, for the righteous that are still alive at Christ’s return, they must also go through a transformation to receive an immortal body. That transformation takes place in the twinkling of an eye.
From the context it is clear that this is the time in which we are caught up to meet the Lord. The sounding of the trumpet and the resurrection of the dead show us that this is the same event that is mentioned in 1Thes. 4. For this reason some have concluded that we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the twinkling of an eye. The fact is that we will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye. The time involved in gathering us together in the air is not revealed here.
I am bringing your attention to the details here because it is important that we treat the Word of God with all reverence. By paying attention to the actual text we come away with an entirely different picture than when we simply interject someone’s assumptions. For those of you that have been told that the rapture will take place in a twinkling of an eye, or have read the books, or watched the movies, there is a reason to pause here. Adding to the Word of God can paint a different picture than God has given us. Conjecture and assumptions are not facts and they can distort the actual facts that God has given us.
God is a God of order not of chaos. It would seem likely that we would be caught up like Jesus was caught up. Jesus was not caught up like we see in Star Trek, “beam me up Scotty”. Jesus at the time had a resurrected body and the disciples watch Him ascend into the clouds. It was told them at the time that Christ would return in like manner. We have been given the information that those who are still alive will be transformed before they do what was not possible in our old mortal bodies. People will be gathered from all over the world to meet Christ in the air.
The Meeting Place
Considering all that we have gleaned from the Scripture, I think that it is clear that the rapture is not an event. The event is the return of the King. Why are we caught up? The Scripture is clear that we are caught up for the purpose of meeting Jesus. Where are we caught up to? Again we are told that the meeting place is in the air. The rapture as presented in Scripture simply is informing us how we will be able to meet with our Lord as He returns to set up His kingdom on earth.
It may seem like I am belaboring the point but I feel that it is necessary because theologians have created a story that is not presented in Scripture. The pre-tribulation story has us meeting Christ in the air and then going to heaven. They simply had to make that part up. Then they have us partying for seven years while Jesus is pouring out His wrath on earth. After seven years Jesus then takes us back to earth for a final victory and we set up camp for a thousand years. They make it a lot more complicated than my simple rendition, but my point is that most of this story is simply fabricated from a cut and paste version of the Bible and a vivid imagination. If you think I am wrong I would like you to show me where in all of Scripture these concepts can be found. God has revealed to us what He is going to do. Based upon their assumptions they have proposed that they know how He is going to do it.
To Be With Jesus
“so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” (1Th 3:13 NAS)
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1Th 4:17 NAS)
After we meet with Jesus in the air where are we going from there? The Scripture is clear on this point; it says we will be with Jesus. At our point of meeting in the air Jesus is on His way to set up His kingdom on earth. So that is where we are going too.
For those who propose a pre-tribulation theory these simple facts produce a dilemma. Because according to their theory we meet Jesus and then go to heaven. To substantiate their theory they have to propose two second comings. One in which Christ returns to rapture the Church and one in which we return with Him to set up His kingdom on earth. None of this can be backed up with Scripture. It is a story built upon assumptions and conjecture.
The Day of the Lord
“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” (1Th 5:2 NAS)
Throughout Scripture there are numerous reminders that the Day of the Lord will come. Although it is speaking of a time period in which Christ will reign over all the earth, there will be a specific day in which it begins. I have already expounded upon this as we walked our way through the Book of Revelation. It is at the sounding of the seventh trumpet that marks the beginning of this day. This is also the time in which the rapture takes place and we are joined with our Lord to usher in His reign on earth.
In the first century there were already people that were trying to insert their ideas into the teachings of the Apostles. Paul addressed these issues that had arisen concerning the time of our Lord’s return.
“1 ¶ Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 ¶ Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” (2Th 2:1-4 NAS)
It will always amaze me how people can take these verses and turn them upside down. The coming of our Lord, and our gathering together to Him (the rapture), are presented here as the beginning of the Day of the Lord. The text is very clear here. The day of the Lord will not begin until there is first the apostasy (a falling away or a defection from truth). In addition the man of Lawlessness will be revealed as the son of destruction. The description of this man leaves no doubt that this is the person that we identify as the anti-Christ.
“2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief;” (1Th 5:2-4 NAS)
If we adhere to the sound doctrine and revelations of God’s Word that day will not overtake us as a thief, because we will be ready and watching.
“so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” (1Th 3:13 NAS)
Loose Ends
Like many people in American Christianity, I grew up in a church that taught a pre-tribulation rapture. This had been taught for several generations and was widely dispersed through the notes in the Scofield Reference Bible. I have just walked you through what the Scripture actually says and where the “rapture” is placed in the timeline of events. But I haven’t addressed all of the other elements that are included in the pre-tribulation rapture story. These elements cannot be addressed using Scripture because they simply are not in the Bible. These elements have been developed in people’s imaginations based upon assumptions that are drawn from their belief in a pre-tribulation rapture. A whole series of fictional books was based upon an assumption that unprepared believers would be left behind. I have heard numerous testimonies of people who as children were frightened when they could not find their parents, feeling that they had been left behind in a world without the Church.
Assuming the rapture took place seven years before Christ would return in power and glory creates a world that awakens with millions of people gone who have simply vanished. Thinking of the ramification of such an event surely awakens the imagination of what effect that would have on the world. It would be mind boggling, yet there is not a hint in Scripture about such an event. It takes a lot of faith in your teachers to believe things you are taught that cannot be verified with Scripture.
There are other elements of this story that are totally synthesized by people’s imaginations as they attempt to tell us how God is going to accomplish His part in fulfilling these prophesies He has presented us with. My exhortation is to trust what God has revealed to us and have faith in His promise that He will be with us until the end. And when at last Christ returns in all of His Glory those whose names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life will accompany Him. The dead in Christ will be resurrected and those who are alive will be caught up to meet them in the air. We will accompany Christ as He takes possession of this world and its kingdoms.