The Rapture Challenge

Before this starts a debate or argument, I want to share what I believe. What you believe is your own business. But I want you to test your own belief. Instead of accepting a popular belief without truly understanding it, truly search the scriptures and know for sure what you believe.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
— Corrie Ten Boom

If you don't know who Corrie Ten Boom is, she was a Dutch Christian woman who sheltered Jews during the Holocaust and is very well known to the Jewish people because of all that she did for them. She is an inspiration to me because she knows what it's like to suffer and do good things for God's glory. If you also don't know, she has been known to speak out against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine.

She has good reason to. Why? Because she endured hard times during the Holocaust. The Holocaust is probably one of the greatest prophetic times of the Tribulation. She knows what it's like to fear for her life but yet remain consistent in helping those that needed to be saved, particularly the Jews.

A quote of hers that hits me hard is, "How dare you have a doctrine that takes you out of this world when it will need you the most!" Think about it! The world has yet to see it's worst days and we have this idea that God will take us out and people will be needing leadership and love the most! How SELFISH of us to believe that we will leave and let others suffer! The Bible remains VERY consistent that we are to endure hardship for HIS name's sake!

Is there ever a scripture verse that tells us to anticipate being rescued and not have to go through pain or suffering? Far from it! We are called to be a people that will do what is necessary and carry our cross so that He will be glorified! Why would we want to miss out on God's greatest moment to reveal Himself to people who do not know Him yet?!

I think what our religious leaders have deceived us on is this concept of thinking being saved is more necessary so that we can get our "lift ticket" and not concern ourselves on knowing how become spiritual warriors. "Get saved so that you don't miss the rapture!" It's like being frightened so that we don't miss out on something. That is not a healthy faith. That is a destructive faith. We should not live in fear so that we may receive a reward. We have been told that if we end up being "left behind" that we are screwed.

Instead of being hopeful for Christ's return because we could have the opportunity to lead the biggest multitude of believers the world has ever witnessed, we have accepted an idea that takes us out of the picture. How is the world supposed to come to Christ if those who know Him leave? How does abandoning the world help save it? It doesn't make any sense!

I have realized that God's greatest prophecy for the end times is the story of the exodus out of Egypt. God saved His people from oppression. He promised them He would save them and they anticipated it. The great song from "Prince of Egypt" that we enjoy singing, "Deliver Us!" I believe to be what we are singing in our hearts now. We are anticipating Christ's return. He is our version of Moses.

When He will show up, He will show up with great wonders, miracles, and signs. We will abandon the lifestyle we live now and go into the wilderness again, just as our ancestors did. He will provide food, water, and protection just as He did for our ancestors. How incredible will be to experience that?! That gets me excited! But sadly our Pre-Trib prophets have told us that it will be so terrible that we might as well die instead of endure, that somehow if we are not "lifted" that we are not "worthy" of being taken.

My brothers and sisters in the faith... God is consistent. He doesn't create new things but recycles and is a circular God. That is why we have the seasons. There is a time and a season for everything. He doesn't go in a straight line. History repeats itself. To deny this fact is foolish. There was never a point in time when God "raptured" anyone from a terrible moment in time but helped His people endure so that He would be glorified in the end.

He wanted to get the credit for His victory for His people. How does He gain victory by taking people away? We are His vessels, His tools, His ministers and workers. How are seeds to be planted if there is no one to plant?

I challenge you all to consider this point of view and I would love to continue the conversation. I have so much to say on this that it would take many days and nights to discuss. Many of you may be hardcore Pre-Trib rapture fanatics. I used to be as well. Until I did my own homework on the issue. Challenge yourself. What makes the most sense when ministering to the world? What makes sense in God challenging you in your faith? Enduring hardship and seeing who will stay loyal or hoping you say that last minute prayer and getting into Heaven? Think about it. Pray about it.

"If God has shown us bad times ahead, it's enough for me that He knows about them. That's why He sometimes shows us things, you know - to tell us that this too is in His hands."
— Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place)

Shalom