I recently read a passionate article by Jonathan Brentner on the divorce of Rapture theology from the gospel and from pulpits. I so resonated with the main points he made. The absence of this topic—and related topics—from our churches today is a great tragedy!

When Rapture discussion ended some thirty years ago in the church and elsewhere, so did discussion of the Millennium, Israel’s key end-time role, the trend toward the Tribulation, the building of the third temple in Jerusalem, the prominence of end-time deception, the rush to a cashless society and Central Bank Digital Currency, and so much more!

It became almost impossible to understand the times from a biblical and prophetic perspective! And right at a time when people began asking earnest questions as they observe the turmoil of our times.

I am taking a few talking points from the Brentner article below. I will post a link to the full article at the end of the comments I am quoting.

Somewhere in the past, a tragic divorce occurred; theologians decided we must separate the return of Jesus for His church from the proclamation of the gospel. The results of this untimely divorce have led to a dearth of understanding among believers regarding Jesus’ appearing and the joyful anticipation that comes with such awareness.

Confused believers hear that they will surely die rather than meet Jesus in the air, which directly contradicts the New Testament in passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:51 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The Apostle Paul believed there would be many saints alive at the time of the Rapture, but many preachers today disagree with him on this matter.

The divorce of the Rapture from the gospel has resulted in a near blackout of teaching about our “blessed hope” in churches today. This negatively impacts new believers as well as seasoned saints, as it leaves them ill-prepared to live in a fear-ridden society because such teaching provides no prophetic context into which they can place the violence and lawlessness of our day or the push for a New World Order.

The new converts in Thessalonica were so fixated on their soon departure from the earth that when some in their midst died, they grieved unnecessarily, thinking they would miss out on the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-19). In response, Paul emphasized the primary place of the “dead in Christ” during the rapture, telling his converts that Jesus would resurrect them first at His appearing (4:16).

Another sorrowful result of this divorce is this: It takes the eyes of believers away from their ultimate hope at a time when they need such a focus. Instead, their eyes remain focused on earthly aspirations.

Very few pastors talk about what happens at the moment Jesus returns for His church (1 Cor. 15:51-55; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). Even those that believe these things never ever mention the believers’ hope of immortal bodies for fear that talking about the Rapture might hurt attendance.

Find Brentner’s entire article here.

As I wrote in a previous article, What Happened to My Church? someone made a conscious decision some 30-40 years ago that we should have a “new way of doing church,” although many members and attendees agreed there was nothing wrong with old ways of doing church. Terms began being used like “purpose-driven,” “seeker-sensitive,” “church-growth movement,” “postmodernism,” “Emergent,” and more.

Joel Osteen and his fellow travelers began telling us we could have our best life now as Christians. Who would want to long for His appearing with that in mind?

People started to hear about love, unity and tolerance. We must be known for what we agree on, not what we disagree on. Everything and everyone must be accepted. Aberrations must be accepted. People loved having their ears tickled. They would be encouraged to “feel good” and have their self-esteem built up. Sound doctrine was being set aside.

The saving of souls was being set aside for the entertainment factor and social justice causes. It seemed that many in the church no longer cared that so many were on their way to hell! What an offensive, intolerant thought. But clearly sound doctrine will separate and divide, so we must tread lightly in that area. Relevant issues have vanished from most pulpits.

Here in 2023, all of this would be called “wokism”! And a marvelous cure for wokism would be a focus on the fact that the King is coming—perhaps today. Pulpits that are focusing on this glorious good news are growing exponentially, and don’t have to worry about church growth!

We feature Brentner’s book, The Triumph of the Redeemed, highlighted below, and highly recommend it. It will be an uplifting, encouraging read in our rapidly-darkening world.

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I am hearing more and more from believers who say they are among the last days’ remnant, trying to tell the truth and be watchmen on the wall. They are paying a price. They are facing rejection and scorn, even from fellow believers.

I hurt for many of these fine Christians. They are watching the signs of the times. They are connecting dots that say time is running out. They are warning others that so much of what the Bible prophesied for the tumultuous last days is beginning to play out, but they are finding few have ears to hear.

Thus, I have resurrected an older e-newsletter that I wanted to re-send, as we have thousands of new readers. I hope you find it helpful. I open my thoughts with an e-mail I got that speaks for many!

“If I did not have access to you and a few others online, I would be so isolated! I try to talk to people about issues that are important, including end-times, and they look at me like I am an alien. A few of you help me celebrate my alien status. I feel like a lonely goldfish in a bowl. Prophecy is coming true right before our eyes. You and a few others are making a huge difference with all of us aliens in the world.” — Karen

Karen spurred me on to write some rules for remnant survival. I hope they will help you survive what can be a lonely road!

>Remnant believers will travel across town and across country to be with like-minded. Sometimes they even cross oceans. And when they find one another, it is like discovering a gold mine.

>Though almost always in vain, these believers have talked to church leadership about their concerns, including topics missing from the pulpit, but they are generally blown off. Some are asked to leave the church. They only wanted their church to major in the majors–topics and issues that would equip the saints.

>We should expect mockery and worse, as it is predicted (II Peter 3:3,4). Watchmen are going to be seen as troublemakers, for we are studying and keeping alert. We understand the times as did the sons of Issachar (I Chronicles 12:32). The tragedy is that our critics are the clueless ones.

>Nonetheless, when it comes to charting our times and the lateness of the hour, stick to the Bible. Trendy new “signs” and theologies come along frequently. Some are intriguing and thus become an Internet sensation, but they are not sound.

>Understand that the end-time church is racing towards Laodicea and is more interested in conforming than transforming. Many churches and leaders will focus on “your best life now.” You might long to be in Eternity with the Lord and with loved ones and escape a sin-wracked earth. You will not be understood.

>But we cannot survive alone. Seek out a Bible study or small group fellowship where you can relate with the like-minded if your church is lacking. Even an online group is better than no fellowship. As you encourage there, you will be encouraged.

>Things are going to grow darker, and we must shine brighter! News of the day can be shocking and disheartening. God is trying to wake us up and shake us up so we will look up. A few will awaken, and some will listen, so we must not unplug from news and information because you might be someone’s “early warning system.”

>Resist being disillusioned. The prophets of old longed to see and live in our day. We are privileged (and challenged) to be here for such a time as this.

>Remember the warning to the “watchmen” in Ezekiel 33:6. If we are silent when we should speak up, the blood is on our hands.

>The Bible suggests an end-time church will be small. In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks if He will find any of faith when He returns. Many will have fallen by the wayside. Thank God for the remnant that holds to truth and spreads truth. I have recently read where only 6% of the U.K. is Christian, and this could include denominations that are not totally solid.

>Remember that God has everything under control. Things are lining up; they are falling into place. Nothing is falling apart. We get to watch the stage being set! In the end, we win. So does Jesus Christ. The world will bow their knee to Him.

>Anticipate your crown for those who “long for His appearing” (II Timothy 4:8)

>Get your focus off of self and onto others. Everyone has a challenge: health, family, finances, career, isolation, and more. Encourage at least one person a day. That will make your day and theirs.

Many of today’s churches—and thankfully not all of them—are following the church-growth formula that will never include issues remnant believers love to hear about. This was predicted. The rise of apostasy, wolves, false teachers, and more may be the most prominent end-time warning in the Bible. Finding the right church sometimes takes years for remnant believers.

If you’re going to be a remnant survivor, you need to figure out how to be a part of the solution to this sad state of church affairs. Bouncing from church to church is likely not the best idea. But sitting multiple times a week under bad theology, music with spiritually unhealthy lyrics, or leadership that is just dysfunctional is also not an option. Cutting yourself off from fellowship is no better.

A remnant of fabric is a discarded piece of cloth that no longer has a purpose—until someone comes along and makes a beautiful quilt out of it. You may be that quilt. You will ultimately shine brightly, certainly in eternity, but perhaps before. So don’t despair.

The hour is so very late. Someone must warn the world. God may be calling you to be the one to do that!

Watchmen have a lonely assignment.

“On your walls, Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent…” (Isaiah 62:6).

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