This article will address a growing and troubling prophetic trend: The idea that the blood of Christ is not enough to save you from the wrath of the Tribulation, a “partial” Rapture.
Let’s be clear:
Being “ready” for the Rapture begins with being covered by the blood of Christ, continues with not being ashamed at His coming, and ends with not suffering loss at His Judgment Seat.
The Bible says nothing about being “left behind” because you are a sinner. In the following verse the apostle John teaches the possibility of shame when Christ returns for us at the Rapture:
“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28).
The hope of the imminent Rapture has a sanctifying influence in the life of believers. We do not want to get “caught” doing something that we will be ashamed of when Christ returns.
We will be taken to the Judgment Seat of Christ where Jesus Himself will judge all of those who have been redeemed by His precious blood:
“Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).
In Luke 21:36, when Jesus told us to pray that we “may be counted worthy to escape” the judgment of the Tribulation, He was speaking to the Jews of salvation from His wrath to come through the strength of the Cross. He was also exhorting all of us to draw strength through our continuous prayer as we watch the beginning of the birth pangs convulse over planet earth.
Jesus further exhorts in the Parable of the Persistent Widow “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1b).
What is the fruit of persistent watching and praying?
“And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8)
We who are Rapture ready ought to persistently call out to the Lord day and night in faithful prayer for Him to deliver us from this evil world of wickedness and persecution.
Being Rapture ready also means to work. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the Lord equated laziness with a lack of faith. In contrast with His commendation of “good and faithful” for the profitable servants was His condemnation of “wicked and lazy” to the unprofitable servant.
No matter our handicap God always provides us with some form of ability. Abilities not given by the Lord do not cancel out the abilities that were given by Him.
Another way for us to be confident at His coming is to not be in love with the things of this world:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).
God will discern the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). Endeavoring to live a pure and holy life will certainly be a cause to “stand before Him”. Even if you are not always successful in maintaining holiness, God will discern your intentions in correlation with your results.
It is easy to see why Satan would want people sidetracked with worry instead of work.
The unbelieving world’s definition of a “Super-Christian” is diametrically opposed to God’s definition. The world looks at the outside and the Lord looks within.
Satan will always prefer us to focus on the flesh instead of on the Spirit. He knows that if we focus only on the outward intentions of men we will not be able to discern their inward intentions.
Jesus clearly teaches that evil people who claim to be “Super-Christians” are still able to talk a good talk:
“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
Jesus is saying that evil people who claim to be know-it-all Super-Christians are the most dangerous and evil of all. They will lead many sheep astray by their false humility and false holiness. They appear to be holy but their burdens are heavy.
“I go on mission trips to far-away places. I volunteer at the local soup kitchen. I try to make this world a better place.” That may be all well and good but if those works are borne from proud intentions they will profit you nothing.
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16a).
Some false Christians hate faith and they command different actions of justification. Study and prayer have been replaced by diet and exercise as the new pillars of their “super” faith. Instead of focusing on evil things that defile the spirit they focus on things they perceive will defile the flesh: Yogurt replaces ice cream, yoga replaces fellowship with loved ones, etc.
Their twisted view of Christian “faith” conforms to another group of false Christians who roamed the earth some two thousand years ago. “They were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:14a), either.
The apostle Paul warned Timothy of the rise of our generation of Super-Christians cut from the same mold as those of his day: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:1-3).
The false Christianity described by Paul above knows no denominational boundaries. These demonic doctrines have permeated across continents and oceans and infected down to even the smallest of congregations.
And now the untruth of a partial Rapture doctrine is apparently springing forth from this same cult. It is very sad, very clever, and very destructive. Don’t buy into it.
“So that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:7-8).
“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (Romans 6:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 17-18).
It doesn’t get any more plain than that. If you have obeyed the gospel from your repentant heart by believing that Jesus died and rose again for your sins you will NOT be left behind.
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).
payne_daniel@outlook.com