WHAT WILL THE RAPTURE BRING

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL-USA)

What would happen if all Christians suddenly disappear, regardless of what they may be doing ? What would be the results, short term and long term ? Obviously, we would have mass hysteria, mass confusion, and a mass economy fall, brought on by worldwide panic and physical and structural catastrophes. However, first of all, let us examine this upcoming event, called the "Rapture", in the light of scripture.

This so called "Rapture" will be sudden, without any warning (1 Cor 15:51-52). And all Christians, living and dead, will be included in this estranged disappearance.(1 Thess 4:13-18). Leaving nothing but evil on the earth.

Accordingly, this next great prophetic event on God's timetable is the rapture of the saints. What a day that will be when all the children of God are brought together in that meeting in the air!

The word rapture does not actually appear in the New Testament, but the idea is all through the Bible. The word means, "to snatch away," "to catch up," "to be caught up." The coming of Jesus Christ for His saints is an absolute, undeniable, irrevocable truth. Regardless of what the agnostics or the atheists or the modern unbelieving theologians say, Christ is coming again! The Bible-the inspired, indestructible, infallible and inerrant Word of God-tells us so. God inspires all Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), not just portions of it. What is written in scripture, is stamped with the approval of, and by the inspired hand of, Almighty God (2 Peter 1:21).

There are numerous biblical personal testimonies, which give evidence of Christ's return: An angel testified to His coming(Acts 1:11). The Apostle Paul testified to His coming(Hebrews9:28). Christ Himself testified of His coming(John 14:1-3).

What will happen after the rapture ? Mankind, may not immediately believe this strange disappearance is due to the rapture, because some people who vanished didn't appear to be Christians. While others, who claimed to be Christians, were left behind. The only explanation is that not everyone who goes to church calling themselves Christians really are! Likewise, there are many Christians who walk quietly in their faith. However, with 100% confidence every person that vanished was a Christian who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!

So, the first occurrence will be an absolute strong delusion, presented by those who have been left behind, be they religious or government representatives. I personally believe the lie is going to come from the antichrist himself (Daniel 7:25) (Revelation 13:5). This lie will be a "must" to help calm the world. Then, comes the prophetic chain of events, included in the seven year tribulation period (please obtain a good study Bible and read the entire book of Revelation). But, from a secular point of view, here's a brief scenario of a few occurrences that could possible take place immediately following the rapture. Obviously, this list is inconclusive.

Airplanes will fall from the sky, trains will wreck, and vehicles will crash. This activity alone is enough to cause major physical and structure damage.

Loved ones, including adults and children, will suddenly be missing, causing mass police and emergency rescue traffic.

All major news media outlets will be instantly jammed. Hospitals and morgues will be instantly over run, by injury and death. Suicides will run ramped.

There will be wide spread power outages, natural gas explosions, and water line leaks, caused by the structure damage, too numerous for the emergency crews to handle.

Financial institutions will suddenly fail, causing a crash of the monetary system.

No food will be available, as grocery stores will immediately run out of food and eating establishments will not be able to operate.

Transportation will come to a standstill, due to the unavailability of cleanup crews, and utility crews.

False religious leaders will open the doors of the churches to console the masses.

Rioting will take place, as never before, just to survive. And wholesale panic among the masses with home break-ins occurring everywhere, just to survive.

In other words, an unstoppable evil phenomenon will literally break loose over the entire globe, as nothing but unchecked wickedness will be left behind, to the hands and control of the antichrist.

Meantime, what will we Christians be doing, this seven years in heaven ? We will be worshipping our Savior, in the clouds and getting ready to come back to earth with Him. Hallelujah ! First comes the "judgment seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10-12)(1 Cor 3:10-15)( 2 Cor 5:10), where all Christians will be judged for their works on earth. Then, comes the marriage to Christ, (Revelation 19:7-9). As the Jewish marriages lasted seven days, this marriage will last the seven years.

So, when will this "rapture" occur. At any time, as there are no prophecies need be fulfilled before the rapture,as it will be sudden and without warning (John 14:1-3) (1 Thess 4:13-18) (1 Cor 15:51-57) In fact, Jesus Himself doesn't know when the Father will give the command (Matthew 24:36 ). If possible, you should get a good study Bible and read the entire book of Revelation repeatedly.

Remember, the Bible is the Word of God and is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17) on all matters of prophecy (2 Peter 1:20-21)! I add no words nor take no words away from these prophecies of Revelation (Revelation 22:18-19), as it is the revealing of Jesus Christ as our Lord and, Savior. Each and every word of the book of Revelation is to be believed exactly as written.

Author's Post Script-The Great Debate
There is debate as to the timing of the rapture. The pre-tribulation rapture doctrine says that the rapture will occur at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period, which immediately precedes the return of Jesus. The mid-tribulation rapture doctrine says that the rapture will occur 3 1/2 years before Christ returns or halfway through the great tribulation period of seven years. The post-tribulation doctrine says that the rapture will occur at the same time as the return of Christ or at the end of the seven-year tribulation. All of these positions fall within the realm of Christian orthodoxy. As for myself, I hold to the pre-trib doctrine. Nonetheless, let's not argue the point, let's just stand ready to go up (Revelation 22:17,21).