THE SECRET RAPTURE
MATTHEW 24:44
A. A POPULAR THEORY ABOUT THE OBJECT OF CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
1. He, according to this theory, will come in secret: Matt. 24:44
a. Two will sleep in the same bed, one will be taken away, while the other will not know anything about it.
b. The bride of the Lamb, the church, will be snatched away in a rapture, while the world will continue as usual.
2. It is then, according to this theory, that anti-Christ will begin his reign upon the earth:
a. He will cause all men to receive his mark; and those who refuse it will have great tribulation.
b. Christ will begin His thousand year reign in old Jerusalem; the Jews will see that they were wrong when they crucified Him and they will accept Him as their Saviour.
B. BIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE APPEARING OF THE SON OF MAN AND ITS EFFECT UPON THIS WORLD
1. His coming will not be secret by any means:
a. ". . . every eye shall see Him" - Rev. 1:7
b. The living wicked will seek cover in the rocks and beneath the mountains from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne - Rev. 6:15, 16
c. Christ will come with a shout which will awaken the dead - John 5:28, 29; Matt. 16:27; 24:30; 1 Thess. 4:16
2. It will not be a time for a second chance:
a. Experience of the five foolish virgins - Matt. 25:1-12
b. The bitter disappointment that will come to those who accepted the second chance theory - Luke 13:24-28
c. The time of salvation is "Now" - 2 Cor. 6:1-3; John 9:4; Heb. 3:7-9
d. This gospel of the kingdom, which is now going to all nations, will be preached before probation ends; then the end will come, and no other
opportunity for salvation is open - Matt. 24:14
C. EVENTS WHICH WILL MARK THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD
1. The Righteous:
a. Will be immortalized - 1 Cor. 15:50-57; Mark 10:28-30; John 5:28, 29; Dan. 12:2, 3
b. They will be removed from this planet - John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 4:6; 15:1-3
2. The living wicked:
a. Will be slain by the breath of the mouth of the Son of God. Compare 2 Thess. 1:7, 8 with chapter 2:9-11; Isa. 11:4; Rev. 19:15
b. There will be no living human being on this earth after the second coming of Christ for the space of one thousand years - Jer. 4:25; 25:31-38
c. The earth will not be suitable for human survival- Isa. 24:17-20
3. Just before the Lord comes, the people who have been deceived by the false shepherds:
a. Will turn upon them with all the fury to destroy them.
b. The false preachers themselves will weep because God will destroy their pasture - Isa. 56:9-12; Jer. 25:34-38
4. Bible facts to keep in mind:
a. The time of probation is now - John 9:4; 2 Cor. 6:1-3
b. There will be bitter disillusionment for many, who accepted the second chance theory - Luke 13:25-28; Matt. 25:12; Rev. 1:7
5. Beware of the so-called secret rapture theory:
a. It is not true; it is false and must be rejected by every truth-loving person.
b. This theory was invented by Satan to keep the minds of men from recognizing the great prophetic truths for our time.
c. Theological claims for this theory gave no Biblical foundation and are intended to keep the people from accepting God’s message.
d. To escape these deceptions we must study Present Truth and cleave unto it with all our hearts
