On September 27th, 2022 CNN published an article concerning "rapture anxiety". (https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/27/us/rapture-anxiety-evangelical-exvangelical-christianity-cec/index.html) The main premise states that there are a substantial group of Christians that have been traumatized by this doctrine, and thus it is a danger to mental health.
The article opens with the story of a young teenager who finds her family is not at home and is terrified that they have missed the rapture of the church. How many of us could have similar stories? I have heard them from my father and had them myself. All of us who were raised in the church have had these experiences, especially as children and young people who were not yet saved. Truly, the thought of being left behind is indeed a terror, but it is a terror to the unconverted and the careless carnal "Christian", who is sinning but unwilling to forsake their sin and follow Christ with the dedication commanded. (Matthew 15:1-15, 1John 2:1-6)
From the moment they are old enough to understand, millions of people raised in certain Christian communities are taught that the rapture is something that can happen at any time. Though there are different schools of thought as to how such an event would go, the basic idea is the same: Righteous Christians ascend into heaven, while the rest are left behind to suffer.
We are repeatedly warned in Scripture to be prepared for the soon return of Christ, which this quotation has accurately stated, but they are in error by saying that "righteous Christians" will be the only ones taken. The error is in the implication that there is such a thing as Christian that is unrighteous! Such a thing does not, and indeed has not ever existed. Firstly, no Christian can claim any independent righteousness except through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ shed by His sacrifice upon the Cross. Further, Paul states that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6:9-10, Galations 5:19-21) Thus it is only the adjective 'righteous" implies the idea that only "good Christians go to Heaven." That is not true. Only those that are Christians as God considers them will be taken in the Rapture.
"However it happens, it is something to be both feared and welcomed, to be prayed about and prepared for every moment of a believer’s life." Why would not the coming of our King be an awesome and fearful thing? He will be returning to judge the world, and we will be receiving either the rewards of rebellion or the rewards of obedience at His hand! The Scripture states that we are to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12) The article correctly states that the Christian is to spend his life preparing for the day that he will be called out of this world.
The main sources for this article are people who have apostatized from the faith that they knew. Darren Slade, the president and CEO of the Global Center for Religious Research, was a former Baptist preacher and the person referenced at the beginning of the article is an "exvangelical". There is not a single voice from those of us who believe and anticipate the Rapture of the church to lend this article balance.These are like the man referenced in Pilgrim's Progress, who, having journeyed a long time in the path of Truth, have turned their back on the hope of the Christian and now seeks to discourage all others by his advice.
We Christians are not told the time of the end, but whether the Rapture occurs sooner or later, the truth is that we will all die, and after this we will enter into judgment to be rewarded with either a blissful awaiting of Christ's return, or we shall be caused to suffer until such time as we are condemned in the final judgment before His great white throne. (Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:22-25, Revelation 20:11-15)
We as Christians who have been called by His name, washed in His blood, filled with His Spirit, and living in obedience to His commands have any need to fear the Rapture. This fear is for those that have either heard the call and rejected Him, those that once served Jesus and have since departed, or for the sinner who is will perish in their ways far from salvation. Truly the Gospel has gone out into the whole world, and there is no longer an excuse for men to say that it was not available to them. The internet alone, with all of the Scripture, commentaries, and instruction has placed the Gospel into every corner of the world for those who are willing to search. Further, the Bible has been translated into a sufficient number of languages that most people could read it or have it read to them.
For the Christian, the Rapture is our hope when the days of our lives grow long, and the evil of this world waxes greater. This is because we are citizens of a kingdom whose reach is longer, broader, and greater than we can possibly conceive, and our King is the King of kings, Lord of lords, who lived, died, and is alive forever more. (Revelation 1:18) The soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ is our greatest consolation during times of hardship, grief, and persecution. Our lives here on earth is not the sum and total of our existence, and we have the hope of again seeing those that have died in the faith having been faithful unto their very deaths.
For those of us who have repented of our sins, seen them remitted when we were baptized in Jesus' name, and been filled with the Holy Ghost, there should not be a fear of the Rapture, but rather an eager expectation and preparation. Revelation states that the Bride will be made ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Bride has no cause to fear her loving Bridegroom, but will spend all the energy possible to prepare against that great day so that she will be ready without spot, wrinkle or blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27
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