Rapture Of The Saints: Will Some Christians Be Left Behind?
Question 1: When the Rapture of the saints take place, as is prophesied in the Scripture, will some Christians be left behind?
Yes, unfortunately.
Question 2: Will I be left behind?
It depends…
Let me explain.
There Is A Barrier Of Entry To Rapture
A lot of us are probably not going to make it to the Rapture. This is going to be a huge surprise for those who won’t make it, but as we speak many of us still live in ignorance, and some even have an arrogant attitude too, partly because of the assumption that everybody in the Church is going to be raptured.
Another reason why they are ignorant, or even arrogant, is because many Christians haven’t really read the Bible closely enough and simply carry on their daily life as if the most terrible time in history, the 7 years of Tribulation, isn’t coming within a very short time.
If we all read Jesus’ words very carefully, then we will know that there is a tough barrier to entry for the Rapture.
Let me show you the Bible verses that talks about the barrier to entry and explain why I said that the Rapture is going to be conditional.
Where In The Bible Does It Say That The Rapture Is Conditional?
Here is a list of Bible passages that say the Rapture is conditional, but this is not the entire list. For the purpose of simplicity, I will use the key ones that bring the point across, and then move on to the next sections that include other verses.
The Days Of Noah – Matthew 24:36-51
36“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.42“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
V36-38 Talks about the end of Church age when the Rapture is about to happen. These are the days like the days of Noah, when people were eating, drinking, and business as usual, right before the flood came. Likewise, our age is similar to the days of Noah, when people are thinking everything is ok, and then Jesus suddenly come and bring in the Rapture.
V42 was speaking to Christian. We have to be ready for the Rapture. What if we don’t? If Rapture is going to include all Christians, then why did Jesus ask us to keep watch and be ready?
If you happen to think that a Christian who commits serious sins isn’t a true Christian to begin with, then I would say you are probably doing fine, because you are too innocent to know that a genuine Christian can indeed commit serious sins, and that many have already committed them, and some are continuously, actively sinning. However, later in this post, and the next one, I am going to list other sins and traps that can disqualify even an average Christian from the Rapture.
V 45-48. Jesus was speaking to Christians because He was talking about His servants. There are servants who are wicked! A wicked servant cannot be a non-Christian, because a non-Christian isn’t a servant, but is an enemy.
V42. “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come!” If Jesus is coming to take every Christians during the Rapture, then whether we know He is coming or not isn’t relevant, and Jesus didn’t need to tell His disciples to keep watch so many times. Jesus wasn’t a man of many words, so if He says something more than once, it must be important.
That Day Will Close On You Unexpectedly – Luke 21:34-36
34“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21 and Matthew 24 are both sides of the same coin. They addressed the same speech that Jesus delivered, which talked about the Tribulation, and the time that comes before it.
V34, “that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap” means the day when Jesus comes at the Rapture (Matt 24:42)
V36, Again, Jesus warned us to “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen”. Note that He used the words “may be“, which indicate there are prerequisite conditions to be met.
One of the prerequisite to escape the Tribulation is to be always on watch and pray.
This means if we are not always on the watch, we can miss the Rapture. If the Lord finds us being weighed down with dissipation (pleasures of sin), drunkenness (addictions, undisciplined life), and the anxieties of life (fame, wealth, success, career), then the day Rapture takes place it will be like a trap, rather than deliverance.
The Foolish and Wise Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9” ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
12“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Speaking of the Jewish marriage in Matt 25:1-13, the Lord mentioned about a “bridal chamber/heavenly mansion” (John 14:1-3), which, according to Jewish tradition, is where a Jewish bride will enter at the start of the bridal week.
This “bridal chamber/heavenly mansion” is the one that Jesus promised He would prepare for us in heaven. (John 14:1-3)
V 12-13 Those who are unprepared are not allowed into this chamber/heavenly mansion.
What is this chamber/heavenly mansion’s for?
20 Go, my people, enter your rooms
and shut the doors behind you;
hide yourselves for a little while
until his wrath has passed by.21 See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling
to punish the people of the earth for their sins.
The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her;
she will conceal her slain no longer. Isaiah 26:20-21
This chamber is for us to hide ourselves “for a little while until his wrath has passed by“. How long is this little while? 7 years of Tribulation!
The 10 virgins are all describing Christians, and this parable isn’t about salvation, but is about permission to join the Rapture. Those Christians who aren’t ready will remain outside of the heavenly chamber that Jesus has prepared for us. (John 14:1-3)
Where else could these unready Christians be? earth.
Update 2010 Nov 14: I find a more accurate interpretation of the parable of virgins in this book on pre-tribulation. I misinterpreted the virgins to be pre-tribulation Christians, but in fact they are all people who are left behind in the Tribulation. The bridegroom is the second coming Jesus. See here
Spitting Christians Out To Tribulation – Revelation 3:15-16
15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Jesus was rebuking the Church in Laodicea, one of the 7 Churches in the first chapters of Revelation, which are the symbolic Churches that represent today’s Churches.
What does it means to be lukewarm? Lukewarm is neither cold nor hot, but Jesus would rather it be either one or the other! Why is that?
Because lukewarm water is good for nothing. Either cold or hot is useful – Cold is refreshing, and hot is useful for other purposes such as washing, cooking, and brewing.
Jesus was saying that this Church is good for nothing.
v16. Spit out. Jesus will spit out this church if it continues to be useless. It means Jesus will spit us out to the Tribulation and let it purifies our faith.
Jesus will treat us the same if He finds us useless. What does it means to be useless? Compromising God’s command; Serving God halfheartedly; Calling our own shots instead of living according to God’s plan for our lives (Knowingly); Serving God out of selfish ambitions; Being a poor Christian example to others (And be arrogant about it, instead of being heartbroken about it); Refusing to serve or go to Church; Relying on our own strength instead of God’s; Living an empty life without daily fellowship with God.
I will explain in more detail later in the post.
Casting Immoral Christians Into Great Tribulation – Rev 2:20-22
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
Jesus was speaking to the Church in Thyatira. Can you imagine it? Christians can in fact commit sexual immorality and idolatry. You can’t argue that they aren’t Christians to begin with because Jesus was calling those who sinned his “servants”.
V22, Here Jesus used the words “great tribulation”, which means the 7 years of Tribulation.
One thing is sure here – the Rapture isn’t for every Christians. Rapture is a conditional reward for Christians.
If Christ Find Us Sleeping – Mark 13:36
35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Sleeping – everyone needs it, so it’s not talking about normal sleep, but is a condition that is the absence of: prayers, fellowship with other Christians, obedience to God’s call, or any crucial spiritual exercises that keep one spiritually active and healthy. Sleeping also means ignorance of one’s sinful condition, and lack of urgency to repent.
How Do You Make Sure The Lord Will Include You At The Rapture?
Keep The Word Of Christ – Rev 3:10
10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Keep the word of Christ! But unfortunately…
A lot of Christians haven’t really read what Jesus had said, or simply brushed off some of his teaching because it’s uncomfortable to follow. For example, Matthew 5:23-25:
23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.[d]
It’s very easy to offend someone, but it’s very hard to see anyone actually apologizes to one another and seeks reconciliation. Many Christians act like kids (sorry kids, it’s just an expression. Jesus actually teach us to be like kids) and point their fingers outward. “Why doesn’t she/he apologize first?”
This is so mocking God! For they know what Jesus commanded us to do in this situation, but they brushed it off. See Galatians 6:7:
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Sure, we can pick and choose what we want to listen and obey, but we will have to pay the price for it. If we simply disobey what Jesus plainly said, it’s like going to grocery store and grab whatever we want without looking at the price tags.
The price to ignoring God’s word is huge, always.
Today, many Christians misinterpret God’s love. God is love, but it doesn’t necessarily mean soft love in its entirety. God’s love also has a tough side. (Revelation 3:19)
We do not want God to show tough love to us more than it needs to be.
Be Careful, Be Always On The Watch, And Pray – Luke 21:34-36
34“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
“Being always on the watch” is literal.
If we are always on watch for Christ’s sudden visit, will we watch cable TV that has graphical, violent content? Will we be watching porn thinking no one will knows? Will we be holding grudges against someone as if Christ isn’t going to mind when He comes? Will we be dating casually and play the marriage game outside of marriage (kissing and touching are moral only within marriage)? Will we be allowing ourselves to do shameful things so when He comes He may catch us “naked” (literally or figuratively)? (Rev 16:15)
Encourage One Another
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I am also guilty of some of the sins I mentioned in this post! There were times, too many times, when I was sure that if the Rapture was to come I would probably be left behind. Fortunately, God was able to bring me up to speed again with this blog ministry. By encouraging my readers, I am blessed too.
Yes, I know it’s hard to be on watch, but let’s encourage one another and pray that that day won’t befall us like a trap.
Obey, Repent, and Wake Up – Rev 3:3
3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Sin makes one asleep. Sin is deceiving. Once we commit any sin, it can deceive us and numb our sensitivity to it. It’s very easy for those of us who have been to Church for many years to become complacent and think that some of the basic commandments aren’t so important anymore.
They think they are above consequences of violating simple, basic commandments of Christ because they are now more sophisticated and have advanced knowledge. In fact, the longer we have been to Church, the heavier the responsibilities we have. Luke 12:47-48:
47“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:47-48 was talking about the Rapture also (See the entire content in Luke 12). For those who think they know better, but refuse to act on their knowledge, Jesus will give them punishment that is proportional when He comes.
If we repent of our sin, we will once again see clearly, for the deceptions of sins are removed.
Experiences and knowledge won’t save a Christian from the Tribulation, only consistent and constant obedience and repentance do. This is going back to the basic.
Cleansed By The Word Of God – Ephesians 5:25-27
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
We are to anticipate Christ as a bride. A “marriage” between Christ and the Church will take place in heaven (Rev 19:7-9; Rev 21:1-2). To prepare for this ceremony, we have to be holy and blameless, being washed with water through the word.
We have to allow sanctification to take place in our life, see this article on sanctification, which I find helpful.
If anyone isn’t living up to the grace and time that he is given, such as the ones who refuse to be sanctified and mature (Hebrews 5:11-14), he or she is in danger of being left behind.
Shame, Caught Naked, and Arrogance
Being left behind is shameful. There will be a lot of pains, fears, tears, and losing battles. Christians who find themselves in that age are not going to accomplish anything of significance other than enduring persecutions and disasters that come wave after wave, according to the book of Revelation.
In the present age, which is the pre-Rapture age, is when the Church given the authorities over Satan. (Luke 10:19; Mat 16:19 ) However, during the Tribulation, power and domination are given to Satan and the Anti-Christ (Rev 13:7; Dan 7:21).
There will be two great witnesses, angels, and 144,000 Jews who will carry out the final task of evangelizing the world. The contribution from those who are left behind is insignificant, at least I don’t see in the Bible any major accomplishments from these saints other than losing their battles with the Anti-Christ (Rev 13:7) and being beheaded for their faith (Rev 20:4)
These words were used in the book of Revelation to describe those who are left behind and those who become Christians during the Tribulation Rev 7:16-17:
16Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
These are words of consolation, not words of praises. Sure the Tribulation saints are given white robes (Rev 7:13-14) because of the blood of Christ, but that does not mean the Tribulation is necessary for them to go through. They could have met Jesus earlier at the Rapture if they keep watch or accept Christ earlier.
They have gone through hunger, thirst, and scorching heat. They have shred many tears.
Unlike the pre-Rapture saints who died for Christ, and whose blood and tears were necessary because of the gospel, the blood and tears of the Tribulation saints could have been saved.
Are We Asleep? Or Are We Arrogant?
If you are confident in your answers, then good for you. Let hope that we will meet each other at the Rapture!
I personally have witnessed Christians who act very arrogantly in the Church. There were condemnation, gossips, slanders, outburst, factions…(2 Cor 12:20) Such Christians act as if the Lord can’t do anything about it.
Why would they behave in such a way? Because they think their salvation and the Rapture are guaranteed! They got it wrong on both – once saved isn’t always saved, and the Lord will discipline every Christian as He deem necessary. (Revelation 3:19)
On top of regular discipline and consequences of sins, the Rapture is coming very close and if it happens today a lot of Christians will find it a trap.
I don’t want to be caught naked! (Rev 16:15) The day of the Rapture will come very suddenly during good time so that the, arrogant, immature, and sleepy Christians will be so shocked as if they are being caught naked, literally or figuratively. (I worry about that too, none of us is totally immune to the possibility of being caught naked (literally) right? 
)
Next I am going to list some major Bible verses that show what could hinder a Christian from participating in the Rapture.
The rapture is a heresy. It’s a misinterpretation of scripture and a contradiction of Jesus’s promise to return to us.
I’m carrying out some study around the similar topic. It was of actual help.
Hi Verna, I was reading your blog. So it’s about love story. I am curious what makes you curious about the Rapture and left behind? Any story to share?
This word just confirm what I have been taught in my local church. Few people believed that the rapture is closer than we think and their lifestyles show that belief. I thank Father God for revealing His word to me. I pray that other will take heed to the warning from God to save us from destruction. What an Awesome and loving Father we have.
Amen Nezzy. Your church taught that the rapture will come soon and even Christians might be left behind if they are not watchful? That’s good to hear!
This blog tells us about what was foretold and who do not want to read it and take heed will have a heavy price to pay after the rapture. For me I just want to love God and obey Him.
Saints who really loves our Heavenly Father will want to please Him because of love and not out of fear. They will fear as a child will fear his father but in love.
Today I just spoke with the godly woman over the phone who were very influential to my faith since I was 6. She commented about how she has been sensing that the Lord is coming back very soon.
So Nezzy, I want to know more about you. Interested in becoming a forum thread moderator or a blogger?
Many people call themselves Christians but are NOT born again. ALL born again believers in Jesus Christ WILL be raptured regardless of sins committed.
Based on which part of the scripture do you make this claim?
Praise God
This is a very good Bible study. Today many Christians are Biblically illiterate due to their ignorance and false doctrine of their traditional Church; please pray for them to be a Wise Virgins of Christ.
yes there will be lots left this is true. the tree is no good if its green only if its full ripe.i think its time we need to plan to hide as he says to do. the rimnant of david will come from us.we are grafted in so pray our flight be in the spring cause we will be put where we will have to depend on god for everything.we will be as lions of the beasts of the filds.god will keep us safe but we must have fath and be thankfull.
What about in Luke where those in Jerusalem are told to flee when they see the abomination and how it will be like the days of Noah? Then later in Revelation just befor the very end it says to watch and not be found naked. Could there be several groups told to watch at different times? Pre rapture Christians, post rapture Christians, and then those Jews who needs to flee into the valley resulting
in the earthquake when Jesus fights the antichrist?
What about in Luke where those in Jerusalem are told to flee when they see the abomination and how it will be like the days of Noah? Then later in Revelation just befor the very end it says to watch and not be found naked. Could there be several groups told to watch at different times? Pre rapture Christians, post rapture Christians, and then those Jews who needs to flee into the valley resulting
in the earthquake when Jesus fights the antichrist?
Based on your slant of the “requirements”, none will be able to be raptured, if that is even true since the word “raptured” is not even in scripture. Fortunately for us, God loves and He will bring us to Him instead of you determining through your slant interpretation of God’s word who you think will make it to heaven.
Everyone should see the new Rapture movie, Final – it explains a lot….
http://FinalTheMovie.com
The Scripture clearly states in 1Thes4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The only ones that will be “raptured” or “caught up” will be those “in” Christ. “Born again” believers.
Read the Parable of the 10 virgins. Why were the five foolish
shut out of the wedding feast.
Just read the Bible and stop playing mind games with yourself.
” stop playing mind games with yourself”
Funny how “Christian” talks like drunk guy from a bar.