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Place HolderIt is common knowledge that a large segment of people in secular society say that they do not believe in God and the Bible. Many of these same people wish that people who call themselves “Christians” would just go away (disappear), and take their bibles with them. After all, life would be a lot better for non-believers without someone pointing out what is morally wrong in the world and in our behavior by citing passages from an ancient book of rules. Rules supposedly from an invisible god, who also happens to be just one of many gods mentioned throughout history as is being taught in all levels of our educational systems. What is so special about the god that these Christians worship anyway? Well, that question is one with many answers, however, in this writing I want to focus on some very Good News for those who wish that Christians would just go away.
The Good News for the secular world is this… in the very near future; your wish will come true! Yes - there is coming a time (and it could be very soon) when according to the Christians and their Bible, the Christians will vanish off the face of the earth! In the blink of an eye, millions of people all over the world will vanish! No longer will the moral influence of those “pesky” Christians clash with the Secular World View! This will be wonderful day for many in our secular society. There will also be some added bonuses! Along with the Christians, most who call themselves “Conservatives” will also be among those who vanish! Statistically this encompasses the majority of the Republican Party, so, for an added bonus… that political party will more than likely eventually disappear as well! The Progressive Liberal Left Agenda will have little or no opposition remaining, and Socialism will finally reign supreme throughout the U.S.A. and throughout the world! However, the celebration will only be for a brief period for those who remain!
The event described here is “The Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ.” This is a controversial subject even among Christians as the word “Rapture” does not appear anywhere in the Bible, so what is this all about? Whether you consider the Bible to be, the “Word of God” or not the historical aspects of the Bible are irrefutable. What is meant by this is that there are manuscripts that are ancient including secular writings that confirm the content and accuracy of the Bible, more than any other writing in the history of the world. Even many so-called “Atheists” confirm the historical accuracy of much of the Bible because of these facts. With that in mind, where does this concept of the rapture come from, and what does it ultimately mean to you – me, and to everyone else? I am not going to go into all of the arguments concerning the topic of the rapture. My personal belief is that the Word of God was given to us so that it can be understood by anyone simply by taking it at face value. However, many people feel that in order to understand the Word of God, it takes years of formal study. They forget that Jesus chose simple people to be His disciples while He was on the earth… Fishermen, Tax Collectors, and those mostly of common backgrounds. The disciples were ordinary people, and it makes sense that Jesus spoke to them as He would speak to any of us.
Although Jesus sometimes spoke in parables, He always explained them afterwards. Therefore, I will give references to be considered at face value as the Bible really is not that confusing when you keep it in context, and you consider who is being addressed within that context. The case for the Rapture comes from the following passage among others:
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NKJV)
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 will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will 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. This passage is talking about an event that is to take place before the return of Jesus. Many people confuse the Rapture with the Second Coming… These are actually two separate events.
The phrase translated “caught up” is from the {Greek} word Harpazo which is also sometimes translated, catch up, take by force, catch away, pluck , catch, or pull.
James Strong, Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary, (Austin, TX: WORDsearch Corp., 2007), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "726".
We get the word Rapture from the Latin word “Rapio” which is translated into English the same as the Greek word Harpazo. Some have speculated that the word Rapture came about simply because it sounds better in our language than Harpazo or Rapio to describe the event. Whatever the reason for using the Latin, the meaning remains intact. Regardless of the word chosen, the result is the same… “True Christians” who are alive at the time of this event will be “caught up” from the earth to be with Jesus, “In the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Though many Christians have died over the ages, those alive at the time of the rapture will never experience death.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (KJV)
⁵¹ Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
So there it is… one day the Church, (Christians), will indeed be removed, or caught up from the earth to be with Jesus, however others will remain. Those who remain will be those who have rejected God and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. To add to the confusion, there will also be many “Church Attendees” left behind in addition to non-believers, this will include some Pastors and Priests as well! How can this be? Many people profess they are Christian; many think that because they are not Jewish that makes them Christian! Only the ones who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior are true born again Christians.
As for those who have not, Jesus said the following: Matthew 7:23 (KJV)
²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Bible is full of prophesies concerning the “End Times,” many of which that have been fulfilled down to the minutest detail. Jesus told His disciples of many signs to watch for that indicate when the time is near. Considering all of these facts, there is no reason to doubt that the prophesies concerning what is referred to as “The Rapture” will not take place exactly as predicted. Once again, this may bring joy to some who remain behind that have rejected God and the Bible, but be they assured, the “joy” would only be temporary. It is also important to note that this prophesy concerning the Rapture can take place at any time. There are no other prophesies that must take place before this event.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 (KJV)
² For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. ³ For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Matthew 24:40-42 (KJV)
⁴⁰ Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ⁴² Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
What Comes After The Rapture?

As mentioned previously, the celebration of the Christian Rapture will be short-lived. The disappearance of the Christians will bring with it chaos. Think about it; many people will have lost loved ones, friends, and relatives. Initially, the majority of people will be in shock! However, it is after things begin to settle down that what Jesus referred to as “The Great Tribulation begins.” It may begin soon after the Rapture, however many Biblical Scholars believe it may not begin for a longer period, perhaps even years after the rapture. For those remaining on the earth, it will not be pleasant…

Matthew 24:21 (KJV)
²¹ For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Revelation 6:17 (KJV)
¹⁷ For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The Book of Revelation goes into detail as to the chain of events during this time. If you are one who was “Left Behind,” again I say it will not be pleasant, but God will still give you a chance to repent, but it will probably result in you being executed. This does not have to be. Why not turn to God now, before all of this takes place! This sounds like a much better deal… by accepting Jesus as your savior now; you would be a part of the Rapture and would not experience the judgments and the wrath of God during the tribulation. Receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior today!
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (KJV)
⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

John 3:16-18 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.