Is The World Headed Toward A Rapture?

In 1967, I attended a Campus Crusade for Christ Conference in Arrowhead Springs, CA. I had just graduated from high school. The featured speaker was a man by the name of Hal Lindsey, who had just published a book entitled, “The Late Great Planet Earth,” which went on to become a best-seller, dealing with Bible prophecy. He got up before hundreds of college age students and said something I have never forgotten: “I believe you are the generation that will not experience physical death.” Wow! It sent shivers up my spine, so to speak, but started me on a journey of following prophecy all of my adult life. He was referring to the rapture of the Church.

Now at the age of 73, I am seeing prophecy being fulfilled like never before in history. In fact, all End Time prophecies are converging! Prophecies written over 2,000 years ago are being fulfilled before my eyes. According to Pew Research, a secular think tank in Washington D.C., about 40 percent of adult Americans believe we are living in the End Times.

Are We Living In The End Times? 40% Of U.S. Adults Believe We Are – Harbingers Daily

So, what is the meaning of the “End Times?” It does not mean the world is coming to an end. It refers to the end of the Church Age of Grace leading up to the seven-year Tribulation Period.

There is a huge amount of interest, even among secular people, about what is happening in the world and where it is all headed.  If you read Revelation 13 you will find the answer. Is something big about to happen? This brings me to the subject of the rapture of the Church. Even though a very small minority of Christians reportedly believe in a literal rapture, there is a huge interest in the subject. This is evidenced by the fact that Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, “The Great Disappearance” is number 30 on Amazon.

Some critics say that the word “rapture” is not in the Bible, and they are correct. But the Greek meaning of the word “harpazo” means to be caught up or taken away. This is the same wording found in First Thessalonians 4:16-17. “And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” Could this be the big event about to happen?

I concur with Hal Lindsey that my generation is the most likely generation in history to not experience physical death, assuming there is a literal and physical rapture. I say this for several reasons. One, the stage is being set for the fulfillment of Revelation 13. The world is ripe for a “savior” (aka anti-Christ) who will solve all of the world’s problems. Two, the technology for the mark of the beast is here. Three, 2,000 year-old prophecies are being fulfilled to the exact detail. It is easy to connect the dots if one knows Bible prophecy and keeps informed on what is happening in the world, especially with Israel and the Middle East.

Another question asked by Pew Research was, how certain were people that Jesus will come in their lifetime? One out of 10 said definitely or probably. For true Christians living now this would be a blessed hope and comfort. If you are not a Christian, you will be left behind to experience the worst judgment the world has ever known. What are your thoughts on the rapture?