Reflections On The Rapture Which For Many Can Be An Eschatological 'Eadache

 When I first encountered the concept of the rapture, I was skeptical. At that time, I had only been a Christian for five months. That night, I experienced a vivid dream in which I felt as though I had been lifted into the clouds. My skin felt as if it had been burned, and all my body hair stood on end. In this dream, I witnessed several events that I later found reflected in Scripture.

For instance, I experienced the phenomenon of thunders that communicated profound messages. Although I understood their meaning in the dream, I could not recall the specific words upon waking. This experience resonates with Revelation 10:4, which states, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”

Additionally, I saw the Antichrist presenting himself as the true Lord Jesus Christ, leading the world to rejoice in his deception—except for those, like myself, who had heard the thunders and understood their significance. This aligns with 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, which warns against being misled by false teachings regarding the return of Christ.

My views diverged from many popular interpretations, particularly those promoted by Hal Lindsay and others who were influential during that era. Despite being aware of figures like John Nelson Darby, Edward Irvine, and Cyrus I. Scofield, I chose not to delve deeply into their writings. I felt that my own experiences and insights were sufficient for my studies in eschatology, particularly as I pursued a Master's degree.

Historically, chiliasm—the belief in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ—was accepted in the early church. However, as the Church distanced itself from certain scriptural truths, this view was largely replaced by amillennialism, which aligns more closely with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1975, I began to pray for clarity regarding the various eschatological perspectives I encountered. Through these prayers, I felt compelled to share the message of Jesus Christ with others. I believe that many will be deceived by the Antichrist, but those who are wise will be taken up to meet the Lord in the clouds, followed by a period of tribulation lasting 3.5 years. During this time, those who refuse to worship the Antichrist may face severe persecution.

The biblical prophecies concerning Israel's scattering and eventual restoration further affirm my beliefs. Deuteronomy 28:64 speaks of Israel being scattered among the nations, while Deuteronomy 30:1-3 promises their return and restoration.

While I do not subscribe to the views of Darby, Irvine, Scofield, or Lindsay, I have faced criticism from those who advocate for the "secret rapture." My doctoral tutor, Dr. James O. Combs, who contributed to the "Left Behind" series, was a good man, but I suspect we would have disagreed on this topic.

Many have been misled by false predictions regarding the return of Christ, such as those made by Chuck Smith and Edgar C. Whisenant. I have resisted the pressure to make predictions myself, despite recognizing significant events, such as the Balfour Declaration and the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, as fulfilling biblical prophecy.

My approach to Scripture is grounded in a posteriori reasoning rather than assumptions. I believe that the Scriptures bear witness to Jesus Christ, and understanding this relationship is crucial. 

Moreover, the Bible does not explicitly state that Jacob's Trouble refers to a seven-year tribulation, as many assume. Where in the Scriptures does it say Jacob experienced trouble for 7 years? From what we read of Jacob's life, his troubles existed for longer periods.  Even when he thought his troubles were over, Jacob found himself lamenting the loss of his son Joseph. What a headache.

In February 1975, I received a vivid revelation in a dream that included several key insights:

1.      The Spirit will pour out the latter rain before the final harvest (Joel 2:23; James 5:7).

2.    He will communicate with the wise in ways that may seem like thunders to the unsaved (Revelation 10:1-4; Matthew 24:1-12).

3.    The Antichrist will be declared as the coming Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

4.    Many will choose to worship this imposter (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:4).

5.     The Antichrist will emerge from a country located northwest of Israel (Daniel 8:9).

6.    The Lord Jesus will rapture the Body of Christ to meet Him in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

7.     Our bodies will be transformed from mortal to immortal (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

Seriously, I urge you to seek and share the truth, as it is vital for understanding the times in which we live.