For immediate posting
Author’s note: Events we are witnessing revolving around God’s chosen nation, Israel, speaks to my spirit in ways I’ve not sensed to this point. Christ’s call to His Church must be very near indeed.
It is time as never before to look up and lift up our heads, for our redemption (the Lord Jesus Christ) is drawing near. He is, I believe, on the very cusp of stepping out onto the clouds of Glory to call to Himself all believers of this Church Age–those alive and those who have already passed into His presence.
I heard again this week an interview between Scottish Christian broadcaster Sheila Walsh and Dr. David Jeremiah regarding the Rapture. This and the likely prophetic import of things happening surrounding Israel prompted me to again post this article, which was previously posted January 3, 2022.
Rapture or Rupture
Twenty something years ago, Pat Robertson was on his network, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). I remember him saying in an almost amused, mocking tone that there would be no Rapture of the church. He declared that if that were to happen, it would completely disrupt all of the human condition across the world.
Planes would be crashing, cars would be wrecking, trains would run wild, and destruction of every sort would take place in such a moment. That’s not going to happen, he said. There will be no Rapture. He implied rather that there will be a “rupture” of all culture and society across the world. The Tribulation would be the implosion that wrecks everything, rather than the explosion a so-called Rapture would cause.
I remember distinctly Pat talking with his then co-host Sheila Walsh, the Scottish Christian broadcaster. As a side note, I presume Sheila has since moved on from agreeing with Mr. Robertson and his dismissing the pre-Trib Rapture “theory,” as he called it. I’ve heard her just within the past year on air with Dr. David Jeremiah, who teaches solidly on the pre-Trib Rapture of the church. She seemed to agree totally with all he said on the prophetic topic.
Over the years, there has been banter coming from those who adamantly hold that the pre-Trib Rapture is a myth. These sometimes use the word “rupture” to sneer at the idea of a Rapture, which we believe is Bible truth as taught by the Apostle Paul—and, by the way, by the Lord Jesus as well. He said the following as recorded by the Apostle John.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1–3)
In these words of the Lord we are told, I’m convinced, the same as the Apostle Paul foretells.
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: 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. (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)
For all the fun-making against pre-Trib Rapture and those of us who believe it to be the next catastrophic intervention by Christ into human affairs, they can’t erase these powerful promises. That is, they can’t without spiritualizing and allegorizing as they make their case. They have to conclude that neither Jesus nor Paul meant what they said in a literal sense.
There is, however, a biblically prophetic passage that speaks, I believe, of a rupture. It is a key prophecy that will take place immediately after the Rapture of the Church. As a matter of fact, we’ve seen this rupture beginning for some time. It will be the tear in the fabric of this world system that will rip civilization the way Mr. Robertson once feared.
The prophet Zechariah forewarned of this coming rupture.
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (Zechariah 12:3)
The prophet is saying here that when the world takes on Jerusalem and Israel–God’s chosen city and nation—it will be a load too heavy to lift. They will be injured severely, or ruptured, in their attempt to remove the city and nation from being in the place where God put them.
We’ve seen almost daily leaders from countries surrounding modern Israel declaring they will destroy the tiny Jewish state. Those such as Nasser and Sadat have tried to do so. Israel not only remains, but is now in a stronger position than ever, even though constantly threatened.
Antichrist and his juggernaut will finally manage to invade Israel, following all of Israel’s surrounding enemies being destroyed in the Gog-Magog attack of Ezekiel 38 and 39. But the man of sin will, too, be severely injured and ultimately bound in chains and removed to eternal punishment. Israel will become the chief nation of the entire world during the Millennium—Christ’s thousand-year reign on planet earth.
Thankfully, all who accept Christ now, this side of the Rapture, will not endure the rupture the whole world will suffer when God again begins dealing with His chosen people, the Jews.
Here again is how to avoid being part of that future injury—that rupture—that will condemn the soul to eternity apart from God.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
I am a long time reader. Over the years, I’ve heard conflicting interpretations of scripture saying there is NO rapture. I believe there will be and I’m grateful for that reassurance. But i have a couple of adult children that agree with the naysayers. How do I navigate them to the truth? How can people even arrive at a no-rapture conclusion?
Thank you for listening-
Margaret
Sent from my iPhone
Take them to a prophecy conference. It’s difficult to find a church that teaches it. Conferences are good because it’s concentrated, full strength teaching which is what they need
With the possibility of the U.S. entering the Israel-Iran conflict perhaps, Russia will soon be turned around and pulled south!
All day I was thinking about what Robin said in Terry’s post 2 days ago, -on war and peace- “while my enthusiasm for the Rapture is undiminished, my expectation it will happen in 2025 is rather low”. Actually, I felt that same way too, until I remembered a prophecy scholar/pastor in Florida many years ago concluded his update saying,”therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). Also, I remember Ed Wood commenting more than once he felt 2025 would be important for Believers! Meaning he felt the Rapture will happen this year.
Now I read Terry’s post today “Rapture or Rupture”, and think of these words, “I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the Earth” (Rev3:10). Those words, and others convince me NO Believer will endure the Tribulation time contrary to what many so-called prophecy experts conclude. I wasn’t aware of Pat Robertson’s position on the Rapture, so this was news to me.
The Israel-Iran conflict, or war really, is newsworthy because it involves modern day Persia which is one of the players, along with Russia, and Turkey, which has been increasingly hostile towards Israel in recent years.
I agree with all you’ve said, and it’s a real head game (speaking for myself here) to recognize the thoughts that come with the concept of “since I don’t think it can happen quite yet, that probably means it will happen.” I am happy for Ed that he has been relieved of the struggles with which we, here below, must wrestle.
Back to the topic at hand, these familiar verses are the sticking point in my mind against the Rapture taking place this year: Ezekiel 38-10 “Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme 11 and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’ 12 to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth.” No one can claim all of Israel is presently living securely, without walls, bars, or gates. It would take something massive and blindingly fast for that to change in 2025 (yes I believe God can do anything, but He rarely works outside of His earthly time constraints.)
Most reputable eschatologists agree that the Gog-Magog War takes place after the Rapture and before the start of the 7-Year Tribulation. They concur there will be a gap of an undetermined time span (likely months, not years) which will allow this war to usher in the AC’s covenant with the many that begins the Tribulation, because the weapons of that war will be used (burned) for 7 years by Israel as fuel: Ezekiel 39: 9 “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years, 10 so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord God.”
Their agreement over the timing of this war doesn’t mean they are right, but it is nearly impossible to fit it into any other time frame and adhere to scripture. Therefore, many things we don’t understand must still take place.
Since it is my personal opinion that the Lord will harpazo (rapture) us at the last possible moment before His judgment against earth-dwellers begins to fall. Biblical studies indicate the Rapture will pattern God’s wrath as analogous to His judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah by snatching us out of danger like He did for Lot and his family; while emulating the pattern of Noah and his family in the Ark for the Jews, who will be protected during the Tribulation as a pattern of His protection by allowing them to escape and being supernaturally safeguarded in the wilderness, likely Petra.
All of this is to say, it sure seems that more needs to happen before we are Raptured away. Am I making predictions? No! I, along with all the other watchmen, am only trying to track with God’s word, as it is unfailingly accurate. I’m wrestling, trying to understand how everything fits together. More will be revealed. And suspecting the Rapture may not occur this year, as I’ve hoped, doesn’t mean I have given up, nor that I am resting on my own conclusions, and making plans for still being here 5 years down the road. (That seems unfathomable!) Now is not the time to step back from the urgency of our times.
It would be utterly fantastic if the Rapture happens today, or in the next few weeks or months. I’m weary of this world, and want to be free from this body of death, in the eternal presence of our Savior. Nevertheless, I am trying to pace myself, to remain faithful, to not race ahead (which I tend to do), and trusting in God’s perfect timing. May He come quickly!
Hi Robin! Yes, I agree it appears much needs to happen prior to the Rapture taking place nevertheless you have told me before we cannot know perfectly God’s Timing concerning all end-time events, or words more or less to that effect. Please forgive me if I’m not expressing your thoughts correctly!
I’ve had issues with the “dwelling safely in the land of un-walled villages” too! As you said this doesn’t describe Israel today. But it may immediately or soon after the Rapture. You will say how is this possible? I believe PM Benjamin Netanyahoo must be removed from leading Israel. And be replaced with a liberal PM who will give into the demands of a person–the antichrist– allowing a re-built Temple, and other concessions. Namely, that Israel take down its buffer wall which runs miles thru Israel dividing up PA territory, the West Bank, and the Gaza territory. This will allow Palestinians, and others to move and work within Israel’s borders.
If my assumption(s) are correct, this means the Ezekiel War happens much later in the 1st half of the Tribulation period than some eschatologists believ. But, all agree it will be incredibly short, and incredibly destructive to Israel’s enemies! Thus the burning of the weapons, burying the dead, some of which is taken care by the animals consuming flesh for the remainder of the Tribulation–or 7 years. But as soon as the Temple is finished, some say working 24/7 it can be built in 3-6 months! Ready for the offering of animal sacrifices, which the antichrist allows until he turns on Israel! Desecrates the Temple declaring himself to be God, and be worshiped as God! Then, the remaining 1/3 of Jews alive flee for their lives to Jordan-Petra, leaving their worldly possessions behind, unlike when they left Egypt, and took much ‘booty’ with them!
What we’re seeing now in the Gaza territory I believe goes hand-in-hand with my premise I described here. The incredible suffering of these people, many of whom would rather be under Israel’s governance, not Hamas or the PA, will be allowed to walk freely in Israel to buy, sell, and work. But not until the Tribulation will this happen I believe, and not before!
Interesting ideas, especially Netanyahu being replaced by a liberal who will open up the country. Now that you mention it, that seems inevitable. I have been to Israel, and far more than the buffer wall must be removed for her to live in complete peace and mobility. A radical change is coming. Clearly that will happen, just don’t know when and how.
The 7 years of burning the weapons from Gog Magog must be completed by the end of the Tribulation because Jesus is going to clean the world for the Millennial Kingdom at His Second Coming. So Gog Magog must happen before the Rapture, or around the time of the strengthening of the covenant (which begins the Tribulation) or shortly after the signing of the covenant. It just doesn’t fit anyplace else to be consistent with scripture.
All we can do is discuss, watch and wait. When it is too confusing to piece together I remind myself it will happen in a way that everyone will say “Ahhh, so that’s what that means!” It has already happened for God, He is outside of time. He didn’t give us His detailed playbook because He doesn’t want Satan, and his minions, to know His every step.
I’m ready to go whenever He calls us up…my schedule is completely clear for whatever the Lord has planned for His Church.
I found the mocking & ridicule of the non-rapture proponents to be decidedly unChristlike. Why the extreme reaction? It seems to me to fit the “in the last days scoffers will arise.” Scoffing takes many forms & insulting not just the belief but maintaining it is a foolish belief. The enemy likes nothing more than to deceive & divide us, one day the truth will be known to all. We know false teachers will arise & they are plentiful & many preach in church on Sunday. Test all teaching with scripture.