Have I missed the rapture and been left behind? If you find yourself wondering about your eternity please know that Jesus has provided the only way to eternal life in Heaven. He offers God’s free gift of salvation to all who believe in His name. Let’s discuss this important question.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men … as we await the blessed hope (the rapture) and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).
The Blessed Hope of Jesus’ Return
When the Apostle Paul encourages believers to wait for “the blessed hope” of Jesus’ glorious return, he refers to the future rapture. This is when Jesus returns in the air to take believers from the Church Age back with Him to heaven
The Tribulation
After the rapture, the Bible predicts a seven-year time of severe tribulation, also known as the seventieth week of Daniel. The prophet Jeremiah warned us about people’s responses during this still future time.
“I have heard a sound of trembling, of fear, and not of peace…. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale?7 Alas! for that day is great, so that no one is like it” (Jeremiah 30:5-7). Worse that any time, ever, past or future!
God’s Wrath
It will be a time of divine wrath against a sinful and unbelieving world. The blessed hope will keep believers from experiencing God’s wrath against sin. Jesus already faced this wrath when He was crucified, and God considers believers as having already borne that wrath because of their faith in Jesus. Therefore, the Father will not make His children, those who believe in Jesus, face His wrath a second time.
Paul previously shared this same comforting message with the Thessalonians, stating, “(To) wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Left Behind?
Believers in Jesus who believe during the Church Age will not have to endure the seven-year tribulation. However, once Jesus raptures His Church, those left behind must face the horrors of that time.
How to Know if you Have Missed the Rapture
We cannot predict how noticeable it will be to non-believers that the rapture has taken place and that the blessed hope promised by God during this age has been fulfilled. It is crucial to understand whether that promised time has passed. You might be wondering how to determine if you missed it.
False Teachers
False teachers had convinced some members of the Thessalonian church that the rapture had already occurred. Understandably, this misbelief — this false alarm — caused them to panic. They may have quit their jobs and taken other appropriate actions if the rapture had passed and they were in the tribulation, but not if they were still waiting for the rapture.
Paul gently chastised them for not holding on to what he taught them,
“Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things?” (2 Thessalonians 2:5).
Timing of The Rapture
Reminder
So, Paul decided to teach them again about the timing of the future rapture and tribulation. He described the rapture as “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and … our gathering together unto Him” (2 Thessalonians 2:1). He warned them,
“Not to let your mind be quickly shaken or be troubled, neither in spirit nor by word, nor by letter coming as though from us, as if the day of Christ is already here.” He added, “Do not let anyone deceive you in any way” (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3).
Two Events
Paul explained that they could not be in the tribulation because two key events had not yet occurred:
- “For that Day (the tribulation) will not come unless a falling away comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Note: The term “falling away” is another way to refer to the rapture.
- “The man of sin (often called the Antichrist) is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Paul went on to describe the “man of sin” to assist the Thessalonians in identifying him. He explained that this person “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
Remain Steadfast
Paul had previously taught them essential truths, but they allowed false teachers to lead them astray. Their misguided beliefs caused them to panic and change their lives. To prevent this, he commanded them to remain steadfast:
“Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
Paul reassured them by saying,
“God has called you to salvation from the very beginning, through the sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. He called you through our gospel so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
Salvation From Wrath
The salvation that Paul mentions in verse thirteen refers to God saving us from experiencing His wrath during the tribulation. He linked their sanctification to the “belief of the truth,” meaning that they must hold onto his teachings and not let false teachers lead them astray. The phrase “obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” signifies Jesus rapturing us.
The “blessed hope” for believers in Jesus during the Church Age is the God-given gift of “salvation” through the rapture, which saves believers from the impending wrath of the tribulation.
Don’t Fall For It!
The Apostle Paul taught the Thessalonians about the correct order of future events. However, some false teachers had misled certain believers into thinking that the rapture had already occurred and that they were currently experiencing the tribulation. Paul addressed these deceived believers, reminding them to adhere to his teachings rather than fall for the falsehoods.
So, how can you be sure you haven’t missed the rapture?
You are not in the tribulation unless the “falling away” (the rapture) has taken place and the “man of sin” has been identified. The Apostle Paul taught the Thessalonians the correct order of future events; however, false teachers had convinced some believers that the rapture had already passed, and they were in the tribulation
Paul chastised these deceived believers, who had believed the false teachers, when they should have held fast to his teachings.
So, how do you know you haven’t missed the rapture?
You’re not in the tribulation unless the “falling away” (rapture) has happened and the “man of sin” has been identified.
You can be saved today. Please watch the short Great News video on this page to find out how you can receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
