Many Biblical scholars believe The World is Rapture Ready. Others believe that there is a great deal that needs to happen before the Rapture. And yet others think that there will be no rapture. In the following paragraphs, I’ll discuss these interpretations. But why so many interpretations? Why do people think that God wasn’t clear? Well, God wasn’t clear, specifically because he wanted us to be continually watching and waiting, because this gives us the urgency and desire to share the Gospel before it’s eternally too late. We don’t want anyone to end up in hell.
The World is Rapture Ready, but Some Don’t Believe in the Rapture
Some Christians believe in amillennialism or that we are already living in Christ’s millennial kingdom. But, according to Revelation 20, at the same time that Satan is locked up in chains in the bottomless pit for 1000 years, Christ starts his 1000-year reign. There is no ambiguity because it is clearly written. Christ will reign as King of Kings with support from the Saints of God. Those saved during and after the tribulation and during the 1000-year reign must also be resurrected. So, those that die during the tribulation or the 1000-year reign will be resurrected at the end of the 1000-year reign.
At the same time, all will be resurrected, both the Saints and those dwelling in hell. God will open the Lambs Book of Life. Those not found in the Book will be cast into the Lake of Fire along with the False Prophet, Antichrist, Satan, Death, and Hell itself. Everything evil must go! It must go into the Lake of Fire for eternity! Revelation 20 is pretty clear about this.
The World is Rapture Ready but Not Right Now
Some believe that there are still things on earth that need to occur before the Rapture. They feel the Rapture will happen, but it will happen when all the signs line up just right. Well, that denies the fact that the Rapture is imminent. In other words, it could happen at any time. But 1 Corinthians 15:52 says “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” So, we have no idea when the Rapture will happen but can rest assured it will happen quickly and without warning.
The World is Rapture Ready
The best Biblical scholars, those that take the entire Bible in context to determine truth, agree that the Rapture could happen at any second. We do not require a Psalm 83 war or Ezekiel 38-39 war. Many believe the Psalm 83 war has already taken place because Israel lives in a pretty safe and secure manner at this time. Others believe it’s still in the future. Most scholars believe that all the pieces necessary for the Ezekiel 38-39 war are falling into place. The ancient region of Put, which would include Libya, Algeria, and Morocco, currently is not battle-ready. But through the leadership of Turkey and Russia, they may soon be ready.
But none of these wars are required before the Rapture. In my opinion, war will probably break out because of the Rapture. Just imagine, all the Christians in the world vanishing all at once. The estimate of professing Christians worldwide is 2.5 Billion people, as of the end of 2019. Even if only 2 Billion are True Christians, that will leave a vast socioeconomic gap when we leave. Some countries will be hit worse than others. The United States of America could lose up to 78% of its population. Brazil 90% and Mexico 95% of population reduction. I personally believe the decrease in population will be smaller than that, but even if the population of the Americas is reduced by 50%, that will clearly make us a non-player in the end time wars.
Conclusion
Praise God! We, as Christians, will not be here for the tribulation, with its wars, pestilence, starvation, destruction, and calamities. We have it made! But this should put a deep longing in our hearts for the lost. We should want as many people to make it to heaven as possible. We should have a huge burden for those that will have to suffer through the tribulation, just to find out that they will be condemned to the Lake of Fire for eternity – condemned by their own beliefs, condemned by rejecting the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, condemned by their own will. No one can blame God! God gave us the opportunity to believe and repent. If you’re not a Christian, choose wisely! If you are a Christian, have a burning burden for the lost and share the Gospel!!