I think they’re simply preparing the cover story to explain why millions of people instantly disappeared. They certainly can not call it The Rapture, or say, “God called the faithful home.” That’s right, I said it.
Me and my spouse have been saying that for years… For leftists who completely trash the Bible, Jesus and biblical prophecy, they sure are afraid of it and have to create a smoke screen for when the rapture happens
“They’re simply preparing the cover story to explain why millions of people instantly disappeared.”
While I appreciate dramatic stories like the “Left Behind” series that depict the rapture as a mysterious event that defies explanation, it is always a good idea to base our understanding of Biblical doctrines (like the rapture) on scripture rather than popular fiction.
There is no secret rapture in the Bible. The only thing secret about the rapture is the exact day and time.
With passages of the Bible that are explicitly about the rapture, and even those that say Christ is coming “like a thief”, the evidence shows that EVERYONE will be aware of it when it happens. Look at these descriptions that show that the rapture will not be secretive.
Non-secretive attributes of the rapture:
1. Highly Visible, Revealing Christ
Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Titus 2:13-15 NKJV
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:7 NKJV
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
2. Loud, Identifying Christ
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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.
2 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
3. Accompanied by Sudden and Catastrophic Fiery Destruction, Exalting Christ
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NKJV
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
2 Thessalonians 1:7b-8 & 10 NKJV
When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, [it will be] in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ...
when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
Here are the passages that describe the rapture/Christ’s return/the Day of the Lord as “coming as a thief”:
Matthew 24:43-44 NKJV
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Luke 12:39-40 NKJV
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 NKJV
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
2 Peter 3:10 NKJV
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Revelation 3:3 NKJV
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Revelation 16:15 NKJV
Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
The aspect of the rapture in which Christ is coming as a thief does not describe a future event where the world will be puzzled by the disappearance of millions of Christians. It is the basis for the admonition to watch and be ready because Christ’s return will be sudden and surprising to those who do not watch.
But how do we “watch” for His coming again? Do we stand outside looking up at the sky? No. At least not now. We watch for Christ by watching for the signs He gave us.