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Five Myths About the “Rapture” and the “Left Behind” Industry
Insight Scoop ^ | September 29, 2014 | Carl E. Olson

Posted on 09/30/2014 11:41:47 AM PDT by NYer

Five Myths About the “Rapture” and the “Left Behind” Industry | Carl E. Olson | CWR

On the (short) history, (bad) theology, and (continuing) appeal of premillennial dispensationalism

This year has marked a sort of second coming of “the Rapture”. On June 29th, HBO launched a new series, "The Leftovers", based on the 2011 novel of the same title, written by Tom Perrotta, which follows the struggles of various characters living in the aftermath of the sudden disappearance of millions of people. “And then it happened,” states the novel's Prologue, “The biblical prophecy came true, or at least partly true. People disappeared, millions of them at the same time, all over the world.” The twist is that Perrotta apparently uses the Rapture as a plot device, but does not adhere to the dispensationalist belief system which features the Rapture (more on that below).

The recent movie, “The Remaining”, however, is completely dedicated to the “left behind” theology, as co-writer and director Casey La Scala explains:

And ever since I was a kid, I wondered what would happen if the Rapture were to happen and all of the sudden we were in seven years of hell. So, I went through Revelations and I got to the sixth trumpet, in which the Abyss is opened and the demons are released, and I said, ‘There it is!’ ... In the process of writing The Remaining, once I was sure the project would stand up to an evangelical base, I did a lot of work on making sure the rules of the Rapture were biblically accurate.

If La Scala really did refer to The Apocalypse as “Revelations”, then readers will be forgiven for questioning the depth of his research and knowledge of Scripture. Then again, being “biblically accurate” has never been a strong suit of the “left behind” theology (again, more on that below).

And then there is the new “Left Behind” movie, in theaters this coming Friday, starring Nicholas Cage (yes, he's still acting—or at least appearing in movies). The verbiage is boilerplate and sensational, a combination that has been an essential part of Rapture fiction since British author Sydney Watson published a trilogy of end times novels a hundred years ago—Scarlet and Purple (1913), The Mark of the Beast (1915), and In the Twinkling of an Eye (1916):

In the blink of an eye, the biblical Rapture strikes the world. Millions of people disappear without a trace. All that remains are their clothes and belongings, and in an instant, terror and chaos spread around the world.

With all of this eschatological excitement in the pop culture air, it's not surprising that I've received e-mails and questions about the newest round of Rapture roulette. The biggest question is simply, “Are the 'Left Behind' books and movies compatible with Catholicism?” Others follow. I addressed those and many, many other questions several years ago in my first book, Will Catholics Be Left Behind? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today's Prophecy Preachers (Ignatius Press, 2003; e-book). I also write a number of articles about the “Left Behind” phenomenon, including pieces about the unoriginal nature of the Tim LaHaye/Jerry B. Jenkins novels, a short history of the “left behind” theology, a comparison of dispensationalism and Catholicism, and a rather scathing review of the Glorious Appearing, the twelfth Left Behind novel.

With that in mind, I am reposting an article I wrote in late 2003 for Crisis magazine, which examines five of the central myths, or misunderstandings, about the Rapture and related matters. I've not updated it (for example, there are a total of sixteen Left Behind novels, and they have sold around 65 million copies in all), but the main points are still just as good today as they were then.

--------------------

Three years ago I mentioned to a Catholic friend that I was starting to work on a book critiquing the Left Behind novels and premillennial dispensationalism, the unique theological belief system presented, in fictional format, within those books. “Why?” she asked, obviously bewildered. “No one really takes that stuff seriously.”

That revealing remark merely reinforced my desire to write that book, Will Catholics Be “Left Behind”? (Ignatius, 2003). Other conversations brought home the same point. Far too many people, including a significant number of Catholics, do not recognize the attraction and power of this Fundamentalist phenomenon. Nor do they appear to appreciate how much curiosity exists about the “end times,” the book of Revelation, and the “pretribulation Rapture”—the belief that Christians will be taken up from earth prior to a time of tribulation and the Second Coming. In addition, I hoped to pen the sort of book I wish that I, as a Fundamentalist, could have read while studying and approaching, by fits and starts, the Catholic Church.

In the course of writing articles, giving talks, and writing the book, I have encountered a number of questions and comments—almost all from Catholics—that indicate how much confusion exists about matters of eschatology, not to mention ecclesiology, historical theology, and the interpretation of Scripture. The five myths I present here summarize many of those questions, and I seek to provide basic and clear answers for them.

The Left Behind books represent a fringe belief system that very few people take seriously.”

Exactly how many copies of the Left Behind books must be sold before the theology they propagate can be taken seriously?

Continue reading at www.CatholicWorldReport.com.


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Evangelical Christian; Theology
KEYWORDS: dispensationalism; eschatology; lastdays; leftbehind; rapture; tribulation
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To: Old Yeller

I predict your tagline will go viral.......


161 posted on 09/30/2014 9:31:50 PM PDT by Califreak (Hope and Che'nge is killing U.S.)
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To: Iscool

Nope.


162 posted on 10/01/2014 2:53:08 AM PDT by huldah1776
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To: F15Eagle

~~~So, I went through Revelations~~~ Always love how folks put the “s” on the end there.

When I see/hear the non-existent “s” at the end, I know that person is clueless about the Bible and to pay further attention would be a waste of my time. Bill O’Reilly has done it a couple times when expounding on his great knowledge of the Bible. (In his great wisdom, he has mentioned the people at “Thessalonia”, too.)


163 posted on 10/01/2014 3:23:24 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: Alex Murphy

Discussing with a Catholic the rapture, or any Biblical reference or fact, is a waste of time. As with any other cult, they don’t believe the Bible if it conflicts with ideas their human leaders make up. (My priest-friend told me this.) Guys in goofy hats take precedence over God’s Word.


164 posted on 10/01/2014 3:31:06 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: Iscool

Great verse


165 posted on 10/01/2014 3:46:17 AM PDT by StoneWall Brigade (Howard Phillips Conservative)
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To: Iscool

I went in circles about the rapture with a church of Christ member last night it’s like talking to a stonewall I finally threw my hands up.


166 posted on 10/01/2014 3:49:52 AM PDT by StoneWall Brigade (Howard Phillips Conservative)
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To: dware

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.


Yep. After the first 3.5 years of the tribulation I see this. And I think it’s touched on in Revelation 7.


167 posted on 10/01/2014 4:35:47 AM PDT by cuban leaf (The US will not survive the obama presidency. The world may not either.)
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To: sasportas

I was pre- trib for my first two years in AG. Once I studied it I became mid-trib and continued to attend AG for another 16 years.

Interestingly, the adult sunday school teacher who’s class focused on prophesy, and had huge attendance every week, gave me a white paper he had written to bring me back to pre-trib. Rather than bring me back, it exposed an amazing amount of inferences and reading between the lines to bring a pre-trib meaning to the scripture he read.

Even more interesting - once the pre-trib meaning of scripture that had always confused me was removed, the scripture was suddenly clear. e.g. “two will be grinding. One well be taken and one will be left.” The one left is the Christian. It explains it in the verses preceeding it.

It’s why the follow up verse about the vultures gathering where the dead body is never made sense with the pre-trib perspective. Now it does.


168 posted on 10/01/2014 4:41:37 AM PDT by cuban leaf (The US will not survive the obama presidency. The world may not either.)
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To: CynicalBear

Jesus said the wrath, when it came, would come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.


I agree. But just before His wrath is the 3.5 year tribulation, ending with Revelation 7. And “all” means all except the 144,000, insomuch as it will not affect them.


169 posted on 10/01/2014 4:43:19 AM PDT by cuban leaf (The US will not survive the obama presidency. The world may not either.)
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To: StoneWall Brigade

Sorry for the poor formatting...

The Rapture and The Second Coming

At the Rapture, Jesus comes FOR His Church. (John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)
At the Glorious Appearing (Second Coming), Jesus comes WITH His Church. (Zechariah 14:5, Colossians 3:4, Jude 14, Revelation 19:14)

At the Rapture, Christians are caught up to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus’ feet touch the earth (Zechariah 14:4, Revelation 19:11-21)

At the Rapture, Christians are taken first and unbelievers are left behind. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
At the Glorious Appearing, the wicked are taken first, but the righteous (the tribulation saints) are left behind. (Matthew 13:28-30)

At the Rapture, Jesus will gather His Bride, the Church, unto Himself in preparation of the Marriage of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:6-9)
At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will execute judgment on the earth and establish His Kingdom. (Zechariah 14:3-4, Jude 14-15, Revelation 19:11-21)

The Marriage of the Lamb takes place in Heaven AFTER the Rapture of the Church. (Revelation 19:6-9
War on earth comes AFTER the Marriage of the Lamb at the Glorious Appearing when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords lays the smackdown on evil! (Revelation 19:11-21)

The Rapture will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (Blink. It’s over!). (1 Corinthians 15:52)
The Glorious Appearing will be a slow coming. Everyone will see Jesus coming with great power and great glory! (Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7)

At the Rapture, only those who are looking for Him (Christians) will see Him. (1 John 3:2, 1 Corinthians 15:52)
At the Glorious Appearing, every eye will see Him and those who have rejected Him will wail. (Revelation 1:7)

At the Rapture, Jesus will descend from Heaven with a shout (calling for the saints at the resurrection). (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
At the Glorious Appearing, no shout is mentioned, although the Lord does slay the wicked with the sword of His mouth. (Revelation 19:11-21)

At the Rapture, a resurrection will take place. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
At the Glorious Appearing, there is no resurrection spoken of. (Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah14:4-5, Revelation 1:7, 19:11-21)

The Rapture can happen at any time...maybe even now which is why we are to be WATCHING for the return of Jesus Christ! (Revelation 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)
The Glorious Appearing will occur at the end of the seven-year tribulation period. (Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:29-30, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8)

At the Rapture, no angels are sent to gather the Church.
At the Glorious Appearing, angels will be sent to gather people together for judgment. (Matthew 13:39, 41 & 49, Matthew 24:31, Matthew 25:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)

At the Rapture, those who died in Christ will return with Jesus to recover their resurrected bodies. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16)
At the Glorious Appearing, Christians will return with Jesus already in their resurrected bodies riding on white horses. (Revelation 19:11-21)

White horse for Jesus or no white horse for Jesus?

At the Rapture, Jesus doesn’t return riding a white horse.
At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will return riding a white horse. (Revelation 19:11)

The Rapture will bring with it a message of hope and comfort. (1 Thessalonians 4:18, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3)
The Glorious Appearing will bring with it a message of judgment. (Joel 3:12-16, Malachi 4:5, Revelation 19:11-21)
World is deceived. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) Satan is bound. (Revelation 20:1-2)

Rapture Focus: Lord and Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Glorious appearing Focus: Israel and Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14)

No signs precede Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
Signs precede Second Coming. (Luke 21:11,15)

After Rapture, Tribulation begins.
After Glorious Appearing, Millennial kingdom begins.

Rapture, removal of believers. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Glorious appearing, manifestation of Christ. (Malachi 4:2)

Rapture, Jesus claims His bride.
Glorious appearing, Jesus comes with His bride. (Revelation 19:6-14)

Marriage Supper Of The Lamb follows the Rapture. (Revelation 19:9)
The Great Supper of the wicked follows the Tribulation. (Revelation 19:17)

At the Rapture the world will not see Jesus at the Rapture; but rather, believers ascend go to meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
At the 2nd Coming Jesus will descend bodily and visibly for all to see, just as He ascended bodily and visibly. (Acts 1:9-11)

The Judgment Seat Of Christ follows the Rapture. (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11)
The Judgment of the Nations follows the Tribulation (Matthew 24:32-46)

Believers receive a new, immortal, glorified body fashioned like unto the Lord’s. (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
Saints saved during the Tribulation enter into the Millennial kingdom with their earthly bodies. (Isaiah 65:20)

The Antichrist is revealed after the Rapture. (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
The Antichrist is defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire at the Second Coming. (Revelation 19:20)

Israel is persecuted during the Tribulation.
Two-in-three Jews in Israel are killed. (Zechariah 13:8-9)
Israel is regathered. (Jeremiah 23:5-8)
World government (New World Order) follows the Rapture. (Revelation 13:15)
Christ’s reign and government follows the Second Coming. (Daniel 2:34-35)
World famine, pestilence, war and sorrow follow the Rapture. (Matthew 24:6-10; Luke 17:31)
World peace follows Christ’s Second Coming when He reigns from Jerusalem (Isaiah 11:6)


170 posted on 10/01/2014 6:44:10 AM PDT by Iscool
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To: cuban leaf

So you don’t believe that the statement “the wrath has come” in Revelation 6 means that it is already happening?


171 posted on 10/01/2014 6:47:34 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: CynicalBear

So you don’t believe that the statement “the wrath has come” in Revelation 6 means that it is already happening?


The more I study His word, the more I notice I used to get wrapped around the axle applying His word to a fictitious world and not the world in which we live. His word is to human beings living on planet earth and is meant to hit us in a way our human brains can relate.

So, to a more “real world” interpretation of the verse in question: If there was a prophesy that a large meteor was going to wipe out the earth and it got to the point where it was looming in the sky bigger than the moon, would people not say “the meteor has come”, even though the destruction was not, in fact, already happening?

This is how I interpret Rev. 6 and 7 in context.


172 posted on 10/01/2014 7:03:25 AM PDT by cuban leaf (The US will not survive the obama presidency. The world may not either.)
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To: antidisestablishment
>>Do you think the American church more resembles<<

To understand you first have to get rid of the erroneous understanding most have of the term "church". The Greek word that the word " church" has replaced is ekklesia. It literally means an assembly of those who have been called out. The ekklesia (church) at Laodicea for instance was those who God has called out who met at that location. Those who God calls out meet at different locations around the world. Some of the groups remain faithful others not so much. Some groups have strayed but still have people who meet with them who have not.

The concept of an organized hierarchy called a "church" is no where found in the New Testament. Whenever you see the word "church" in English read assembly instead and it makes sense. The assembly at Laodicea simply means "those who God has called out" who meet at Laodicea.

173 posted on 10/01/2014 7:18:32 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: Iscool

Well done!!!


174 posted on 10/01/2014 7:25:12 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: CynicalBear

I was not talking about structure, but the church as the body of Christ. The question was, how does one deal with the fact that the passage is directed to a specific part of the body.

It doesn’t matter how you look at the formal or informal structure, there are obviously different elements within the body as a whole whom the Lord has specifically called out I’m all the letters.

If Phillipi is representative of the only faithful remnant who will be raptured, what happens to the rest of the Christians who are admonished rather than condemned?


175 posted on 10/01/2014 7:29:07 AM PDT by antidisestablishment
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To: cuban leaf
>>would people not say “the meteor has come”, even though the destruction was not, in fact, already happening?<<

Um, no. At least not anyone that I know would say that. "Is coming" would be correct. Start at verse 12 and see the distruction is already happening. It's not just about to happen as in your example of the meteor.

176 posted on 10/01/2014 7:37:31 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: antidisestablishment
>>If Phillipi is representative of the only faithful remnant who will be raptured<<

You bring up a good point. It's those who have not left their "first love" which is Christ. Some have allowed paganism or other heresies to enter. Look at the "church" at Sardis. Even though overall they were "dead" there werea few who were not. Then the "church" at Philadelphia who have remained faithful. See the promise to them.

Revelation 4:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

After chapter 4 the "church" is not mentioned as being on earth again.

177 posted on 10/01/2014 7:58:27 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: antidisestablishment
>>what happens to the rest of the Christians who are admonished rather than condemned?<<

They go through the tribulation. They are the ones who let their lamps run out of oil. They don't get into the wedding.

178 posted on 10/01/2014 8:04:16 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: CynicalBear

Um, no. At least not anyone that I know would say that. “Is coming” would be correct. Start at verse 12 and see the distruction is already happening. It’s not just about to happen as in your example of the meteor.


If the meteor is about to crash into the earth and obliterate it TODAY, I’d say “the day the earth is to be destroyed has come”.

6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Another important distinction is that, though Revelation includes chronologies of events, it is not in chronological order. Rather, it is more like the four gospels all in one book, each one telling the same story but emphasising different things.


179 posted on 10/01/2014 8:11:19 AM PDT by cuban leaf (The US will not survive the obama presidency. The world may not either.)
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To: Boogieman
After all, that statement expresses a certainty which we just don’t have.

For me, that's called a statement of faith! =)

180 posted on 10/01/2014 8:22:20 AM PDT by dware (3 prohibited topics in mixed company: politics, religion and operating systems...)
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