The Lie of the Rapture

The absolute man-made doctrine of the rapture is a complete lie.

by Guy C LaMar

This doctrine of an end-time rapture (what many call a “Secret Rapture”) came from the works of John Nelson Darby, who is considered to be the father of modern dispensationalism and futurism. Pre-tribulation rapture theology was popularized extensively in the 1830s by John Nelson Darby.

This false doctrine was incorporated into Study Bibles, such as the Scofield Reference Bible.

The definition of the word “rapture” means a feeling of intense pleasure or joy. And, words and phrases related to this word “rapture” are as follows ──

Ecstasy, Bliss, Euphoria, Elation, Exaltation, Joy, Joyful, Joyousness, Cloud Nine, Seventh Heaven, Transport, Rhapsody, Enchantment, Delight, Exhilaration, Happiness, Pleasure, Ravishment, Top of the World, and Delectation.

In the early 20th century, a group of religious leaders of the Plymouth Brethren and the founder of the Exclusive Brethren adopted whole-heartedly this man-made doctrine of an end-time rapture. A false doctrine that teaches that there would be the “transporting” of believers to heaven upon Christ’s Second Coming. Or, rather, “taken away.”

This doctrine is nowhere found in God’s living word ── the Holy Bible!

Here are a few of the biblical references they use to try and prove their false doctrine ── 1st Thessalonians 4; Matthew 24; John 14; and Revelation 3.

Friends, let us closely examine these Scriptures ──

1st Thessalonians 4:17 – “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.”

The very word “rapture” is not a biblical word – it’s not found anywhere in the Bible. The adherence to the idea has ceased upon a couple of Greek words to describe the second coming of Jesus Christ. Looking at their use of three Greek words that they’ve somehow concluded relate to the second coming of Christ, and are broken up into several “stages.” And, they teach – that He is first coming for the Church, a “secret rapture” – skipping by the earth and snatching away the saints and carrying them up to heaven, then second “the great tribulation” will befall all of those remaining on the earth, the chaos, the hurricanes, volcanoes, nuclear war, tsunamis, and ultimate extermination. And then, finally, He is coming with the Church – and I reckon that would be considered a ‘third’ coming of Jesus Christ. But they don’t use that term – they just teach that His second coming is broken up into two “stages.”

Matthew 24:29-31 – “’ Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars [Satan the Devil and his demons] will fall from heaven [the atmosphere], and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30) The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, …’”

When the glorious throne of God ── when New Jerusalem ── begins to return to this earth, at some point it will be a little small light in the night sky. And the next night it will be a little brighter – like the star Sirius. And then, it becomes more and more obvious – and people will look up and go, “What is that!?” Now, most of the people of the world will think it’s – and they really will – an invading alien force.

“ …’ and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31) And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven [the atmosphere] to the other.’”

He will be gathering His saints from all around the world. So, much of the confusion among many is the prophetic order of events. It’s the end-time trauma, What our Lord Jesus calls an end-time ‘tribulation.” Then because of the tremendous ash and smoke in our atmosphere the sun and the moon will be darkened, and the “stars” will fall from heaven (Satan and his demons will be thrown to the earth). Then the sign of the Son of Man appearing in heaven [which in this case is outer space]. He’s not going to be a “near miss.” This is not going to be a “secret rapture,” skipping off the atmosphere, grab the saints and then leave in “secret.” Indeed, Jesus says, “’ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’” And as the Book of Revelation says, “every eye will see Him.”

John 14:3 – “’ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.’”

That’s the greatest promise in the Bible!! In fact, nothing comes close to that promise, and yet, many churches – so-called Christian churches – don’t even talk about this, don’t even think about it. It’s not even a part of their doctrine. But here He says, ‘I will come again!’ And some church groups believe that Jesus Christ will return. Again, there’s a lot of confusion about when, where, and how. “… ’and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.’” – and where will He be? ON THE EARTH! Jesus Christ, someday, in the not-too-distant future, is going to return to this Earth, and when He does – or just before He does and as He does – there will be the Day of the Lord. It is a date in future history when Jesus Christ directly confronts rebellious evil sinful mankind and will punish this world, and quite literally, break it down, and then He will start over! Building a society which is often called the Millennium, the World Tomorrow, it will be the millennial reign of Jesus Christ!

Revelation 3:10 – “’ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.’”

This is about an end-time prophecy about an end-time event about an end-time group of people! “…’ Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.’” Verse 12 – “’ He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, …’” – like an integral part of the internal leadership of the Kingdom of God. “…’ and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven …’” – this is upon the return of Jesus Christ, not a thousand years later. The setting up of the Kingdom of God.

All of these passages are speaking of when our Lord Jesus Christ returns to collect His saints. This is AFTER the tribulation!

1st Thessalonians chapter 4 speaks about those who are dead in Christ in their graves and those who are still alive and are remaining AFTER the tribulation of those days will be resurrected and caught up together in the clouds. This is speaking about those saints who are still alive on Earth, that Almighty God’s righteous hand of protection was upon to keep them from being martyred. Gathering of all the saints in the atmosphere. Note that our Lord Jesus Christ ── at this moment in time ── has not placed His feet upon the Mount of Olives yet.

He will be in Low Earth orbit with His saints. “ … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.’”

Our Lord Jesus Christ is collecting His firstfruits. Those who died in Christ ── in faith and lived their life in faith ── survived the tribulation of those days. This time will be the glorious Feast of the Firstfruits, also called Pentecost. “ … thus we shall always be with the Lord” – meaning, we will be eternally with the King of kings and the Lord of lords from that point forward! And, we gathered together upon what is called in God’s living word, “the sea of glass” (Revelation 4), the transparent pavement surrounding the LORD God’s thrones!

Here we will receive our new name, our position, and our reward. We will participate in our Lord Jesus’ bridal supper. Many saints will be given a white horse to ride into battle upon His glorious and powerful return to Earth in full glory and power ── placing His feet upon the Mount of Olives! Our Lord Jesus Christ and His saints will return to EARTH from Low-Earth orbit to establish His kingdom! The war trumpet will be sounded! This will be the time of the Feast of Trumpets!

Sadly, those that are left upon the Earth ── some 10% ── those that are a godless people, will try to make war with our Lord Jesus and His saints. Yet, the armies of this world will be annihilated ── where blood will flow up to the horses’ bridles.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His saints will be teachers of His living Word, Truth, and Plan upon the establishment of the glorious World Tomorrow! His Millennial Reign!

NOWHERE in God’s living immutable word ── the Holy Bible ── does it speak of God the Father or our Lord Jesus calling Their begotten people to a place of safety, i.e. Petra. Almighty God can protect His people wherever they are at the time!

Clearly, our Lord Jesus calls all who are in their graves in Christ first and then calls His living saints to be gathered with them in the clouds of the atmosphere.

The whole “rapture” doctrine of “boom bing bang!” That you as a Christian will just be magically taken away upwards and straight to heaven ── IS NOT IN THE BIBLE! It’s a bald-faced lie.

Friends, let us get away from the lies that Satan the Devil and his demons continue to perpetuate upon a deceived world and embrace the LORD God’s living TRUTH taught to us by and through His Spirit ── within His living word ── and stop looking to man to give us an answer over what the LORD God truly teaches.

We are admonished to study God’s living word diligently and thoroughly. Let us not diligently embrace this world’s church organizations and their lying doctrines. □

Additional Information on this Subject ──

Is There A "Secret Rapture"? - sermon by Minister Leonard V Johnson. Will there be a "secret rapture"!? Thousands upon thousands are placing their hope in a coming rapture. Will it occur!? What about the utter destruction of the people on the Earth at the end-times!? Will that occur!? One major and influential religious organization teaches such a thing. Let's learn the truth of God and just exactly what the prophet Isaiah wrote, under the inspiration of God's Spirit.

What If the Dead Rise Not? - sermon by Minister Leonard V Johnson. Delivered by Minister Leonard V. Johnson of the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries on June 18th, 2022.

A 'Secret Rapture'? - online article by the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries. Back in 2014, I came across a movie on television entitled “Left Behind” starring Nicholas Cage which was based upon a novel by the same name. It’s a movie concerning what many claim is the Biblical rapture. ... 

Are Protestants Wrong About a Pre-Tribulation "Secret Rapture"? - God’s living word – the Holy Bible – does not teach of a pre-tribulation “secret rapture.” Anyone who continues to teach this fallacy cannot be a ‘credible person.’ Any argument in favor of it is biblically disprovable. 

Personal From... A Coming Invasion! - As I scrolled down my newsfeed this early morning, I was aghast at just how many news headlines boldly and confidently preach that there are aliens – as in little green men from Mars. And, when I typed into my search engine on the computer – UFO Religion – I was not aware that there is a whole religious subculture of the belief in alien life! ...

Revelation - A Book of the Past and the Future (Part VI) - So, everything up to here has been most horrible! But now this angelic being is announcing, “You haven’t seen anything yet!” The last three are going to shake the world to the core! ...

Is This 'the Beginning of Sorrows'? - What I am very aware of is – just what are we, as ministers, going to give a message about!? And I say this because in my mind I’m sure that we, as servants of God, have a thousand messages we would like to give at once – because there is so much happening in this world today. As I gave a sermon not long ago entitled “The Calm Is Over!”, truly the calm before the storm is over! I know in my mind I have a million subjects that could be preached today. Certainly, messages that I have preached in the past along with others. ...