When the Nicolas Cage “Left Behind” movie came out I was in film school. I asked my classmates what they would think if they were traveling by plane and suddenly half of the passengers disappeared mid-flight. I pointed out that this is how the movie starts. No one had a clue about the rapture except one young Jewish guy. Some claimed to be Christians but didn’t know much at all about prophecy or the rapture.
The various dramatic portrayals of future events in these types of films are fascinating and entertaining. One such film that I saw as a kid impacted me a lot, called “A Thief in the Night”. It’s really poorly made and poorly acted, but it still is very compelling. I tracked it down a few years ago and bought a copy to show family and friends. And most responded the same way I did. It’s like a Christain version of a horror movie.
Personally, I’ve come to believe the escatology of these films is inaccurate, but they resonate with people because the truth is that God’s wrath will be poured out on the world, and He is going to rescue His elect from destruction. These prophecies go hand in hand with the Gospel, the call to repentance, and the warning to flee from the wrath to come.
I’ve read all the books and saw the movies, and also watched “A thief in the night” along with the other movie (or two) made back then. The movie was horribly made but it did make me think. I’ve watched it a time or two recently and now it’s more funny because of the clothes and bad acting. :)