Misunderstandings about the Rapture

Commentary by Perry Stone addressing common misunderstandings about the Rapture

Misunderstanding 1: There is only one appearing of the Lord.

Revelation 11:18

2 Thessalonians 2:1

2 Timothy 4:1

Daniel 7:22

Matthew 13:37-43

Joel 3:12

These verses show that the Bible is very clear that there are two comings of the Lord. First, the coming of the Lord when we are gathered to Him. The second is the coming of the Lord to reign on earth.

Misunderstanding 2: The coming of Jesus will be preceded by a major warning before it happens.

Luke 17:26-27

Just like in the days of Lot and in the days of Noah, they knew NOT UNTIL THE DAY that judgment was coming, we will not know UNTIL THE DAY of the Rapture.

The return of the Lord is secretive because of the following reasons:

1. Freedom to choose. Jesus wants people to do things out of love, not out of necessity.

2. Reward for those who have faith

3. Only the Father know the time when the place for the bride is adequately prepared by the groom--This is very well illustrated in the Jewish wedding: the point is the groom surprises the bride, so the bride must be ready, always, for the coming of his groom.

Misunderstanding 3: We will have time to repent because the Scripture says right before the Rapture, there's going to be a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. The moment I hear the shout, I can immediately repent and be saved!

Yes, these things will happen, but...

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

"... we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye..." That is, these events happen in 1 in 6 billionth of a second.

John 5:25

"Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live."

John 5:28-29

"....all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."

1 Thessalonians 4:14-15

John 12:28-29

"... The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: other said, an angel spake to him."

These passages suggest that there are 3 types of people:

a. Outer court people: those who live by flesh. Hence, God spake, but they heard only thunder

b. Inner court people: those who have the Spirit of God but are more spiritual than intimate with God. Hence, God spake, but they could only feel it spiritually and could not completely understand. They aren't close enough to God to fully understand.

c. Holy of Holies people: those have an intimate relationship with God. Hence, God spake, and they heard and understood God.

It's been said, he who has an ear, let him hear. This means we need to have our ears in-tuned to God in order to hear Him. For if we are not in-tuned to the Holy Spirit, if we are not in-tuned to God, we will not hear God's call, and we will miss the Rapture.

Misunderstanding 4: There is no proof that God is coming back.

The Bible states it clearly that certain prophecies must be fulfilled prior to the return of the Lord, and many of which have already been fulfilled:

1. Israel must be a Jewish controlled nation (Ezekiel 11:7): fulfilled in 1948

2. Jerusalem must be the capitol of Israel (Psalms 102:16): fulfilled in 1967

3. Jews must return from Gentile nations (Jeremiah 16:13-16): fulfilled in 1973

4. Israel will blossom like a rose (Isaiah 35:1-7): fulfilled 1988

5. Israel will be surrounded by enemies trying to seize the land (Ezekiel 38): up to 2010

6. There will be weapons of mass destruction (Ezekiel 38 & 39)

Hence, for those who doubt the lack of proof, study the Bible harder. God has given us all that we need to understand the times.