It is very simple the pre-trip rapture false doctrine that was taught in the early 1800s has had catastrophic effects on the Church (it is worth mentioning this doctrine was not taught anywhere in history prior to the 1800s). Even Jesus didn’t know about it, when He was asked about the resurrection He referred to it as the last day, a specific day. Not some secret night snatching that takes place 7 years before His return (or which ever time frame you use).
It was popularized by the Scofield reference bible in the early 1900s and took off into the ’70s and ’80s.
Regardless of what you believe or have been taught this argument is not edifying to the Church because the false teachings go on and on. However, for this post, I would like to rebuke and address the results of this teaching and how it has effected the Church over the past century. My hope and prayer is to wake some of you up from this false teaching.
This teaching has paved the way to an arrogant, self centred church that is not held to account for any of their sins or actions. While other Christians in many parts of the world are persecuted, martyred, and tortured for their faith. We somehow are special, so special that God would just not want that for us. We deem ourselves better than our second class brothers and sisters in the Lord in other parts of the world. I have even heard some claim they are not real Christians; as if we are the only ones Jesus died for. I have heard it all and it is reprobate and repulsive in the eyes of Jesus. Please look up what it says about the proud and arrogant in the bible.
All through history, almost all Christians thought that the Lord would return any moment, however, we have been here for over 2000 years now and yes He will return someday but it might not be our lifetimes we simply do not know. However, regardless of when He returns, that is none of our business we are to be occupying till He comes. He who endures to the end shall be saved. Not he who looks up in the sky all day doing nothing while waiting for His return. The problem is that people who are waiting to be rescued do not feel the need to work, it becomes all about the rescue. You are useless to the Lord Jesus if you think this way. You must repent! We have much work to do for the Lord regardless of where you are or what time period you are in. As long as you draw breath you are a solider for the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and you are under the commandment of Jesus to act accordingly.
If you are waiting for a rapture to save you, I have this question for you. When you are at work and the boss walks in the door who is he/she more pleased with? The workers watching all day doing nothing waiting for the boss to appear, or the ones who are doing the job he hired them to do? You want to found doing the Lord’s will my friends. The great commission, we are the light of the world. We are the salt of the world. Shunning your work or commandments that Jesus has outlined for us is not pleasing to Him, that is called lukewarm. Revelation 3: 15-16.
If you spend all your time daydreaming and waiting for a rapture. You need to repent regardless of what you believe because Jesus is not accepting cowards, hell is full of them. Revelation 21:8
When was the last time you heard your pastor talk about sin or repentance? Perhaps it is not required when you are going to be rescued. Have you become better than your master? Have your works exceeded Jesus?
We have a much better-calling brothers and sisters and you need to get into the fight and make your ripples for Jesus. It is time for the Church to take a stand for Jesus. You are accountable to the Lord for your actions until the day you are gone from this old body of flesh. While you gaze at the sky another soul plunges into eternity and you have no idea if they are saved or not? Maybe you would if you were not too busy waiting to be rescued.
What you do today will echo into eternity, when will you stand in the Gap?