''And when these things begin to come to pass, the look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.'' (Luke 21:28)

The Dangers of an Untimely Rapture

by

Dr. Gabriel Galofre, M.D.

Late Friday afternoon, the world is suddenly stricken by a wave of fantastic events. In the twinkle of an eye hundreds of millions of human beings disappear.

Airplanes crash to the ground, trains derail, cars spin out of control, control towers at airports are left desolate without anyone to control them. Husbands who one minute are talking to their wives, next minute find themselves staring at an empty chair. All around the world the story is the same - millions vanishing into thin air.

The common denominator, they are all Christians, and they have vanished forever!

This history has dominated the preaching pulpits of thousands of churches around the world as well as blockbuster movies and books for the last several decades. The idea is that it is inconceivable for the church of Christ to be part of the tribulation, or to even begin to witness any of the events that will define the end of times.

The teaching that the church will not experience the wrath of man, poured out through the Antichrist in these Christians who missed the rapture has been the subject of countless arguments. It has become a pillar of great division within the body of Christ.

In one side of the ring we have those who are staunch defenders of a pre-tribulation rapture that will not see the raising of the Anti-Christ, the seven years covenant being made with the nation of Israel or the great persecution of Christians that will take place at the end of times. In this view, the church will not experience the wrath of God, which we all agree is the case, for the church is not appointed to wrath. But neither will the church be a major player in the end times events, as it will be transported suddenly to heaven during the time of greatest distress in the world, the time of the great tribulation.

Many of the brothers and sisters who share this view are completely convinced they will not see any of the events prophesied in the book of Daniel or the book of Revelation; and therefore knowing about what may soon happen is not important or not relevant to them. There is a sense of comfort that comes with thinking that you will not go through difficult times, and that sense of comfort can be a dangerous one.

The danger of preaching a pre-tribulation rapture view as fact can create a false sense of security in a believer’s heart. Let’s say that for some reason the rapture is not here before a man from the Middle East (the most likely scenario) or Europe (a much less likely scenario) arises as a political, religious and military leader who effectively secures a peace treaty or covenant with the nation of Israel for seven years. Let’s say that event is followed by the slaughter of millions of Bible believing Christians throughout the world. What will happen to those who have been accustomed to believe they will not endure such a thing? Discouragement may set firmly in their hearts, doubt, and disbelief and for many ultimately, a cold-hearted view of the precious Gospel of Christ.

I do not support one view over another; as a matter of fact I pray the I will be raptured way before these things come to pass. Do I want to be decapitated for my faith? Not really. I would much rather see my soon to come baby become a mighty man or woman of God. I would much rather plant a little garden in the back of my house and watch my wife cook those delicious stews that I can’t get away from. I would much rather retire to Texas or Florida and have my own little ministry reaching out to the lost in medical missions in South America or Mexico; supporting planting of churches in neighborhoods decimated by crime and poverty.

However, I am well aware that maybe, and I say maybe, there is a generation of Christians who may be on this earth when all the prophecies in Revelation come true. I pray I will not be that generation, but I pray that if I am, I will endure until the end, confessing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ till my last dying breath, for nothing will separate me from His love.

Ultimately, why would God promise a blessing to those who keep the word of His most extraordinary work of prophecy if we were not supposed to be here? That is a question for each one of us to answer, in the depths of our hearts.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelations 1:3