The Rapture: Who Is Left Behind?
A completely different world is coming—one that, for a time, will not contain a single, genuine, Bible-believing Christian.
The event that removes them is called the Rapture of the church. It is a snatching away of those who have been redeemed. The event that will befall the planet when they are gone is called the Great Tribulation. Jesus described the Tribulation as a time of evil and trouble “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Mt. 24:21). Nothing will compare to it.
In that day, Satan will use everything he can, including technology, to consolidate his power through the Antichrist in an attempt to overthrow God.
Today Bible-believing Christians stand in his way. But after the Rapture, they will be gone. For 2,000 years, since Pentecost (Shavuot) in Acts 2, the world has not known a day when the Holy Spirit has not indwelled true believers in Jesus Christ. Even in Old Testament days, the Holy Spirit came upon people for service. King David begged God, “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Ps. 51:11); and the prophet Isaiah spoke of grieving the Holy Spirit (Isa. 63:10).
For millennia the Holy Spirit has restrained evil, enabled people to understand Scripture, and guided believers to a closer walk with God. The Rapture will change everything. The Holy Spirit will no longer restrain (2 Th. 2:7); and God will place the world into the vicious, cruel, satanic hands of the Antichrist.
Although everyone left behind will be an unbeliever, not everyone will react to the new world order in the same way:
(1) The Demonically Directed. These people will follow the Antichrist gladly and worship him as God. They probably will exhibit the characteristics of 2 Timothy 3:1–5:
In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Not only will these people refuse to do what is right, they will revel in doing what is wrong, caring about nobody but themselves. Unfortunately, this is the course the world is taking now:
The coming of the lawless one [the Antichrist] is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Th. 2:9–10).
The truth will be available, but the demonically directed will abhor it, refusing to hear it or believe it. Even today it is possible to see how easily people reject truth.
In 2008 Ben Stein—an American actor, lawyer, political and economic commentator, and presidential speechwriter—coauthored and hosted the movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The film challenges the theory of evolution, discusses academia’s attempts to denigrate people who lean toward creationism, and reveals the link between Darwinism and Nazism. Expelled even shows how diehard evolutionist Richard Dawkins, who despises the very idea of God, has no answer for how life began.
Yet there is no evidence the movie changed the minds of evolutionists. They choose to believe humans evolved from monkeys and that life erupted from a “big bang” whose origin they cannot explain. They “did not receive the love of the truth” (2 Th. 2:10). Refusing to glorify God, they glorify men and manmade theories that fly in the face of Scripture. “Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:22).
During the Tribulation, such people will refuse to “repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or the sexual immorality or their thefts” (Rev. 9:20–21).
Their reward will be delusion: “And for this reason God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Th. 2:11). These people will welcome the mark of the Beast and seal their fate in the Lake of Fire. (See “Worshiping the Techno Gods,”)
(2) The Divinely Destined. As the seven-year Tribulation unfolds, millions on Earth will die. Yet God will supernaturally preserve 144,000 Jewish people, 12,000 from every tribe, to ensure Israel’s survival despite Satan’s best efforts to destroy it:
Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed (Rev. 7:2–4).
The battle between God and Satan will intensify. Satan will control the Antichrist, who initially will seem to protect Israel. Then the Antichrist will demand the world worship him because Satan craves worship and will stop at nothing to obtain it. Fiercely monotheistic, the Jewish people will refuse. Then the Antichrist will reveal his true colors and persecute them mercilessly.
The 144,000 Jewish people who are sealed are divinely destined to survive the Tribulation and enter the Messianic Kingdom as part of the group spoken of by the prophet Zechariah: “Then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn” (Zech. 12:10).
(3) The Duly Delivered. As events unfold, the process of salvation begins again. Revelation 6:9 speaks of “the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.”
Some people left behind at the Rapture will come to faith in Christ. Perhaps they will get hold of Bibles and read them. Or perhaps they will remember a godly parent or spouse who shared the gospel with them. There are many possibilities. Whatever the case, these people will become believers during the Tribulation. They are the duly and supernaturally delivered by God’s amazing grace.
Yet it will not be easy for them to follow God. Many will be martyred: “They cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’” (v. 10). God tells them to rest awhile “until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed” (v. 11).
In that day, believing in Christ will cost people everything, including their lives.
Scripture places these martyrs “under the altar” (v. 9). They receive white robes, meaning they take up corporeal space and are not merely disembodied souls.
As great as the evil will be in that day, God’s love will be greater. Although people will blaspheme Him, reject Him, and revile Him, He still will provide the truth that can save them:
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth––to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people––saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (14:6–7).
In the midst of judging the world for its evil, God still will give individuals an opportunity to be saved. The best time to be saved, however, is now. Not only does salvation guarantee that you will escape the Great Tribulation in the future, but it gives you an opportunity to live for God and have Him as a part of your life today.
Hello. What is your thought about end-times/rapture ideas that is now being taught by many Christian leaders? Many are saying that Darby “hypothesized” the theory of the pre-trib rapture, and other end-time beliefs that became taught as truth. They are saying that 150 years ago, Christians did not believe any of this or had very different views from what is now taught as truth? I believe in Darby’s “findings/understanding and believe in a pre-trib rapture. I had a very unpleasant conversation with a friend this evening who is revising her beliefs.
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone plus nothing else ever. No works to do before believing, no works to do while believing and no works to do to after to prove one is a believer. One is saved by belief and never ever by behavior and one will be raptured by belief and never by behavior. Once saved, forever saved and once raptured, forever raptured. Why? :
Romans 4:5
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
King James Version (KJV)
2 Timothy 1:12
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Jesus Christ does the keeping, forever.
All who are saved by faith alone, Jewish and Gentilish will be pretribulationally raptured … imminently. No need to ‘get ready’ if you are saved because you are already ready. Maranatha
I am worried about this too. What is going to happen to us believers in Christ?
So if I’m a saved person, because I’m not Jewish I won’t be taken in the rapture of the 144,000? That’s kinda scary.
God knows who his true believers are. He knows your heart, pledge him your soul.
If you’re saved you will be taken. The 144,000 are left here, sealed by God during the tribulation to save as many of the remaining non- believers as they can. It’s hard to understand and i had this very same question but i researched and spoke to Bible scholars and pastors who reassured me.
Thank you and God bless you.
But I still don’t get the clear insight of the whole rapture lesson.
Please i want to know the coming of Christ Jesus,is it the same as the day of rapture?
If it is then does it also means the end of the world. Thank you.
I would like to thank you for the information , and it’s what I truly believe in my heart, I just moved to a new city, and trying to find a Church that teaches the Holy Word of God I don’t want to be the one deceived. I’ve been asking God for His Holy Spirit to guide me. Thank you and God bless you.
Greetings, Maria! I am not sure if you will see this comment, but you will be greatly blessed by this website and YouTube channel within. May you find the truth and it set you free. ? http://www.swordofthevaliant.com
If the Holy Spirit is removed, how can anyone accept Christ?
Is not the Holy Spirit needed to open our eyes to God and our need of Him?
I am swinging toward the end Tribulation rapture where I was fully in the pre-Trib but in reading the word, not so much anymore.
God does not promise us no trials and tribulation, He does promise us that He will never leave or forsake us.
Holy Spirit isn’t taken away but moved out of the way so that evil can prevail.
https://youtu.be/v1hc2W2tSUw
Here is pre-tribulation rapture proof all backed up with scripture. God bless.
Thank you so much!
Amen
Glory to the LORD
It shows God’s overwhelming capacity to forgive! The world will literally have the entire remainder of the days up till Messiah Yeshua Emanuel returns at the battle of Armageddon to put down Satan’s final revolt(until one last time at the conclusion of the millennial kingdom, that is) to repent and accept Yaweh’s(God Almighty’s) wonderful offer of Grace through believing and accepting Yashua Emmanuel’s sacrifice for our sins. What a truly wonderful Father we have!!!!
Amen. God bless you thank you for the inspiring Word. The motivation to press on for the Mark of the higher Calling
If He gives us another chance in the time after the rapture , they why would we follow Him now? We could do whatever we want if if know time is coming of the rapture. We could have our cake and eat it to. This is the question I have been asked .
A person must like trauma and persecution, to wait post Rapture to start believing in Christ. People shouldnt take God’s chances for granted…this other chance is for those who didnt make the first cut and God is still making a way for them. Albeit they would be in the middle of great suffering. And what those planning to repent during post rapture period instead of pre rapture dont realise is…you’re not guaranteed to make the second cut . Who is to guarantee that you are still alive and allowed to get to know Christ in that time. So one should not plan when they should know get to know Christ cause they dont know how long they’re going to live for starters and if they know that they should’ve taken the opportunity pre rapture but decided I’ll live however and get to know Christ post rapture…I dont think they’ll be part of those making the second cut.
God knows your heart. He knows the motive behind it. Do you understand how bad it would be during the Tribulation? It’s going to be unlike anything ever witnessed before. Just think if all the Love disappeared? All that will be left is hate. Not a world I want to be in.
Right now accepting Christ is a choice that may be made fun of but we are not hunted down and killed (at least in America). After the rapture accepting Christ will be a death sentence due to Satan wanting all worship to go to him. So why in the world would anyone want to be a believer during a time of the darkest evil that has EVER come on this earth?
Apparently they are relying on the chance that this is all a story, something an intelligent person thought up! I surely pray for these people!
Because they would have the joy of knowing HIM now, his LOVE and GRACE fill their life. Who would want to wait to experience something so incredibly beautiful and amazing? Silly question
We never know if we have another day. We might die prior to the rapture. Also, following Jesus is more than a get out of jail card or fire insurance. Those who are His true followers will strive to do the will of His Father. God knows the true heart of every man and those who just want to do their will until the last moment to save themselves neither know Him or love Him. They need to stop being slaves to sin and seek the Lord while He may be found.
I had that same FOOLISH THOUGHT/IDEA/…My brother. It’s no guarantee you will MAKE IT thru the Tribulation. Your chances of surviving is slim to none. The Bible clearly states during those days will be GREAT TRIBULATION…such as was never seen nor will ever be again. If a person decides to Rob, Rape, Kill, Steal, Fornicate, LIE, Adultery, Cheat, Practice all kinds of wicked filthy sins…and say we’ll I’ll just catch the bus during the GREAT TRIBULATION. Because GOD has a second chance for me during that time. That person needs to read the FINE PRINT…a second chance will come at the cost of his/her LIFE. This is NOT a game…some people will not accept the TRUTH the 1st time around. So guess what…during your second time around as you say…GOD will be sending you a FALSE DELUSION…that will cause you to believe a LIE…because you didn’t accept the Truth. So now you have the False Prophet, Satan, and the Antichrist and on top of that. GOD will be sending you a False DELUSION of the truth. All this is your second chance. Once again your chances of coming out alive and saved are SLIM…VERY SLIM…blessed is he who partakes in the 1ST RESURRECTION….whom the second has no power of death over him. Please don’t attempt to play this game with the LORD. You will lose your soul…trust JESUS NOWWWW…
Amen as God says he is not mocked
The time is now because Satan will have powerful delusions to persuade those that remain. It will be nearly impossible to resist or deny.
At this time salvation remains relatively easy. We have free will to believe OR not believe. During the tribulation we won’t have that. Who would actually want to go through the tribulation being continually deceived, risking an eternity in hell? It’s hard to understand the way people think sometimes.
God also says that we don’t know what a day may bring. we may not make it till then like a car crash or somthing not a good idea to wait.
What a mighty God we serve
We have been studying this very topic in one of my classes and this article is a huge help. I do believe it is a type of confirmation.
Thank you,
It is upon us right now.
If you don’t know the Lord Jesus as your PERSONAL SAVIOUR yet, please DO IT NOW…YOU DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN THE TRIBULATION. This is still the DAY OF GRACE. TAKE HEED OF THE WARNINGS AND TIMES. GOD BLESS YOU!
AMEN! people need to look around because what is written in the Bible is truly coming to pass just as it is written, and it is rapidly happening! This is almost June 2023 now and I have never seen prophetic events unfolding with such speed as I have in the last five years. I’m truly frightened, but at the same time, I am excited at the coming of Christ and to be free of this evil once and for all. I give my life to God and I just pray that I am worthy to be saved in the rapture because I know I want no part of this world or the evil that is in the process of taking over right now.
Amen and God bless Christine…..
Amen. I believe in the Lord and read the Bible, I pray and hope that I too am good enough to be taken with Jesus. I read the article and it says to place faith and be ready for Jesus coming. I also don’t do any of the sin like liking other men as a man. I also repent for all my sins too. I’m just ready to be taken with my Lord and savior. I will try to spread the message and the news to everyone.