The Bible Truth About the Rapture

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.” Matthew 24:40-41 NLT

Many people have used this passage to suggest a secret rapture, where people will suddenly just disappear and be taken to heaven. Growing up, I occasionally saw bumper stickers, warning that in case of rapture this car will be unmanned. But when you read this passage in context you will see no hint of a secret rapture. ¹ Unlike the secret rapture theory, the Sabbath is found in the Bible and has been taught and observed in the Bible and throughout history. The secret rapture was never taught before 1830 and is not found in the Bible.

Let’s take a look at the entire context of the passage in Matthew 24.

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those

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days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. Matthew 24:37-41 NLT

In the days of Noah the people who were swept away or “taken away” as other versions describe, were the wicked people, not the righteous. Jesus tells us it will be the same when He comes. So the ones taken in the field and at the mill are not the righteous, they are the wicked! They are taken away from the presence of the righteous and destroyed, just like in the days of Noah. So, Jesus is telling us that two men will be in the field; one will be taken and destroyed, just like the tares that are bundled up and destroyed in Matthew 13:30 while the wheat remains in the barn. By saying the other man is left, Jesus means that man is left alive and not destroyed. In Matthew 13:38 Jesus says the field is the world. That tells us that the one who is taken is destroyed while the one who is left inherits the new earth. (See Matthew 5:5 and Revelation 21:1-5.)

When you read Matthew 24:37-41 as it reads, there is no hint of a secret rapture. After all, when the wicked were swept away in the flood that was no secret. The whole world at that time saw what was happening. The eight who remained and took over the earth knew what was going on the whole time also. There were no secrets either way.

Far from being a secret the entire world will know.

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. Revelation 1:7 NKJV

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV

Yes there will be a rapture when we are taken up, but it will be no secret. Why is it so important that everyone sees Jesus coming instead of the righteous just secretly disappearing? There are many reasons, but I am sure that Satan does not want to have to face the music. He would rather avoid that confrontation when Jesus comes as King of kings and Lord of lords. But there is no avoiding it. One day,

As I live says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11 NKJV

When the great controversy is finished, the entire universe will declare that God is love. And that is a truth that Satan would rather cover up and keep secret, but he won’t be able. The whole world will see Jesus coming, and He will take home with Him all those who have accepted His love into their lives. Let’s accept Him into our hearts now so that we will greet His coming with joy.

By the way the secret rapture rapture was never even taught until the theory was invented by John Darby around 1830. The Sabbath truth was re-discovered around the same time. ↩

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The Bible Truth About the Rapture — 32 Comments

Paul Blanke on June 9, 2016 at 9:35 pm said:

We have read questions that were asked by the Disciples in Matthew 24:3, and the answers were completed in Matthew 26:1. An enormous amount of prophetic time and territory. While mulling over much of what has been discussed, I wondered what was the purpose of the questions and answers by the Disciples. If they could have seen, or been made aware of first hand, rather than prophetic information, wouldn't that be more beneficial that what 22/20 vision provides? the answer that came to my mind was, the Disciples recorded most of information found in the four Gospels and Jesus made use of it all as He saw fit. We still being human think like humans and questions regarding the unknown will be asked like most humans.

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- Dale H Smith on May 27, 2020 at 12:49 pm said:
  
  Mathew 26:1 doesn't contain an answer
  
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Don Litchfield on June 10, 2016 at 6:13 am said:

I believe you are right about the one that is left being the righteous one Luke 17:35-37 is even more explicit with a question from the disciples added with Jesus' answer as to where the ones who are taken will be taken.

He says that their bodies will be where the Eagles are gathered together. If you've ever seen big birds gathered around a body you know what has happened to the life of that body. He's probably talking about the wicked that are slain by the brightness of His appearing when every eye shall see Him.

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- Paul Blanke on June 15, 2016 at 5:10 pm said:
  
  I think we need to back up a bit to Luke17:20,21. Jesus didn't answer that question directly. Jesus in fact tells the Pharisees in Luke 17:22,23 they will not see and then he continues with what I would classify as diversion, and continues to verse 37. There is no secret to 1Thess.4:15,17.
  
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Walter O. Pearson on June 11, 2016 at 12:15 am said:

Thank you William. You have indeed expounded on a text that has been a perplexity to many including Seventh Day Adventists. You have given a very clear direction on this matter and I thank God for you.

It has widely been believed that the "taken" are taken to heaven and the "left" are the evil awaiting destruction whereas the truth is the opposite.

It has been a challenge to me to find the right way to explain this text and am glad finally the Spirit has led you to explain it so perfectly.

Thank you and may God continue to bless you through Christ our Lord and Savior.

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Bothwell Watadza on June 11, 2016 at 10:14 am said:

Hi Linda indeed the SDA bible commentary says its the righteous taken and the wicked left. This they arrive at because the greek word used on the verse which says "the flood took them" is not the same greek word used on the verse which says "one will be taken..."

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- Maurice Ashton on June 11, 2016 at 1:58 pm said:
  
  You are indeed both correct in what the SDA commentary says. However, some ministers have indeed used the same interpretation as William. I am not a Greek Scholar but I know enough about linguistics to be aware that figures of speech and colloquialisms can be ambiguous. Irrespective of the exact interpretation, the "Taken and Left" indicates a division between the prepared and unprepared, and there are other passages of scripture that clearly indicates what happens to each.
  
  What we sometimes overlook in all of this is that the lesson of the parable is that Second Coming is unexpected and sudden. I get the feeling that even those who are prepared for it will be very surprised when it happens.
  
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  - Bothwell Watadza on June 12, 2016 at 4:50 am said:
    
    Many thanks Maurice for sharing.
    
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Nonad Coralde on June 12, 2016 at 6:19 am said:

Thank you Elder Walter for this clarification. I also believe 100% that the "taken" are the lost and the ones that remain or "left behind" are the ones who are saved. I believe every post is shared to clarify things and not confuse. So if there's one thing I hope will come out clear from this post, is that we all agree that the rapture is not secret and the lost were "taken" away and the saved are those that "remained".

Can you imagine if you still agree with the idea that the ones who are remaining are the ones who are "lost"? Then you are actually believing on the theory of the secret rapture because that is exactly what they preach. But don't take my word for it, ponder on these two texts about the remaining and the taken away, and ask yourself which one really fits the lost and the saved.

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:36-37‬ ‭KJV‬

I have to add, when the disciples asked, "Where Lord?", they are obviously asking where will the "taken away go?". They are not asking about the ones that remain because they know exactly where the remaining people are, either in the field in the case of the men and in the case the women, in the grinding place. Jesus answered "where the body is, there will be the Eagles also". Pardon me for sounding rude but in modern language, It simply means that the taken will be bird food.

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- Bothwell Watadza on June 12, 2016 at 2:10 pm said:
  
  Hi Nonad, when you get chance have look at the exposition in the SDA Bible Commentary on these text and see how they arrived at the conclusion that the saved are the ones taken.
  
  In any case Jesus is speaking in parabolic language. And we can not come up with a dogmatic conclusion based on figurative and elegolic passages only. Even without the "taken and left" passage we have many other texts to prove there is no secret rapture.
  
  The one thing we can agree on is Jesus is teaching there will be two groups on the last day. have a blessed week.
  
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  - William Earnhardt on June 12, 2016 at 4:13 pm said:
    
    You are absolutely right Bothwell. Like you say, and either way you take the text as far as the taken and left, it still says nothing about it being a secret.
    
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    - Paul Blanke on June 15, 2016 at 4:31 pm said:
      
      William, I am glad for that last comment. I take it to mean, what is the purpose for the belief or the discussion? The bottom line is what ever your persuasion is, the end will come and you will be in it. 1tThess 4:17.
      
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      - Pastor Lenny on August 15, 2020 at 5:32 am said:
        
        I'm a Methodist pastor and I feel it is hard to explain to the Methodist about the rapture, because I believe the same way that you the SDA believe. The more I dig into the bible the more it makes sense that there is no rapture before the 2nd coming of Christ. I also believe that people will not burn forever in hell, they will be burned up, just as it says in Mal. 4:1. AS a local pastor in the United methodist church,I preach the bible and sometimes people do not want to hear what I say, because they want their ears tickled instead of the truth.
        
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        Save Daugunu on August 18, 2022 at 12:41 am said:
        
        Thank you Pastor Lenny, the Secret Rapture is indeed very hard to explain because it is not Biblical and I agree that the people do not want to hear the truth but rather have their ears tickled. God bless you in your study of this subject.
        
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William Earnhardt on June 12, 2016 at 4:13 pm said:

Thank you all for your insightful comments!

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Nonad Coralde on June 13, 2016 at 3:58 am said:

The post is entitled "The Truth About the Rapture". Again, we all agree that the Rapture is No Secret.
It will be sad to stop on that and we be not agreed about the truth of rapture in terms of who is Saved
And who is lost: the Taken or those who remain? "Those who remain will be caught up in the clouds and will be with Jesus forever". Those who are taken will be "bodies where the Eagles are".
The truth about the Rapture is that the second coming is Visible and Audible, it is no secret; the taken are the lost ones and the ones remaining are the ones who are saved. The bible explains itself. The SDA Bible Commentary is not the Bible, it is a commentary. God forbid that you wish to be "taken first" during the second coming, you are going to be part of the wrong crowd.

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- Bothwell Watadza on June 14, 2016 at 1:18 am said:
  
  Thanks Nonad,
  By pointing to the commentary I was asking us to consider the text in the original language. This I believe must be done to a certain extent to come up with Bible truth.
  
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Jim bob on June 16, 2016 at 8:41 am said:

The majority of those SDA polled in the SDA global data project (2011-2013) think that the end of the world(2nd coming of Jesus)would not take place within 20 years. (45% strong, 15% stronger than weaker)
Sure,some of these responders will not be around to see if they are correct because they will pass away for whatever reasons.
What are the factors for this majority? How do you react to hearing this survey result when so many church pastors & leaders input..."Jesus is coming soon"?

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Mabhandi tungamirai on July 31, 2017 at 5:42 pm said:

the secret rapture is unbiblical. i am surprised by the teachings of man. sabbath which appeared in the book never taught in churches, people tend to ignore what is bible, introducing their own doctrines

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Stephan Nicholas Mitznegg on September 3, 2017 at 11:48 am said:

Sorry, I am confused: the topic seems to be "is there biblical evidence for a rapture or not..." but in fact it is discussed whether the rapture is a "secret"rapture or not. Okay, there is no "secret rapture"...but is there an adventist standpoint on a rapture at all?

May God bless everybody who seeks for biblical truth

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- William Earnhardt on September 3, 2017 at 6:34 pm said:
  
  Hi Stephen, the title is the Bible truth about the rapture, and the Bible truth about the rapture is it won't be a secret.
  
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Seale Masemola on June 1, 2018 at 11:46 pm said:

The title of the main topic for discussion "The Bible Truth About the Rapture" authored by Pastoral Evangelist William Earnhardt and the commentaries by Nonrad Coralde on the subject matter is the absolute biblical doctrine vehicle pilots truth about end-time events as it is in the Word.

By referring someone to extract or obtain the absolute truth about the topic in question by William from SDA Bible Commentary, can be either fair or unfair depending on the interpretation of that particular topic.

The Bible and the Bible alone is our guide.

In Jesus name, Amen

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- Maurice Ashton on June 2, 2018 at 5:30 am said:
  
  I am not William but would like to make the observation that while the principle of the Bible and Bible alone is a great idea, we have a problem. There are many who claim that they follow the "Bible and Bible only", who have come to quite different conclusions to one another over the same issue. How then do we decide who is following the principle and who is not? Can I suggest that one of the ways we can avoid coming to an erroneous "Bible Only" conclusion is by listening to the Holy Spirit as it speaks to us through our community of believers? Discussion, particularly listening to others, and testing our ideas collectively against the scriptures helps avoid some of the pitfalls of interpretation. Paul praised the Bereans for using this approach. Nobody is saying that the SDA commentary is the absolute truth, but it and other sources have a role to play in our search to find truth.
  
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  - William Earnhardt on June 2, 2018 at 5:46 am said:
    
    Agreed Maurice.
    
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- Bothwell Watadza on June 2, 2018 at 10:49 am said:
  
  Hi Nonad
  
  Did you get a chance to read the SDA Bible commentary on this topic ? It will help if you can show us the error in thier exposition.
  
  I believe the goal of the author was to prove there is no secrect rature. Disagreeing or agreeing with the method and exposition used to arrive there does not change the conclusion.
  
  Whether the "taken" are the saved or the "left" are the saved it also does not change the conditions of salvation, justification, sanctification and glorification or any of our 28 fundamental beliefs. So we might agree to disagree and still be saved (taken/left )😃
  
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- Bev on April 5, 2021 at 1:59 pm said:
  
  I have been a Christian for over 40 years and yes I’ve heard of the rapture. But never have I heard of a “secret” rapture. This it seems is a word that SDA have added to make a stronger point.
  
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  - Shirley DeBeer on April 5, 2021 at 4:01 pm said:
    
    Bev, I don't know who added the word 'secret' to "the rapture" but the real question is are there two "comings" of Jesus - one where only'the church' is caught up to heaven and everyone else carries on and people get a second chance and 7 years later Jesus comes in all his glory and every eye will see him and the unbelievers are slain and the believers are caught up to Him and taken to heaven.
    These two comings were first taught by John Darby and spread by Scofield in his comments in his study bible and recently popularized by the novels and movies in the Left Behind series.
    It is my understanding that SDA's only believe in one coming of Jesus at the end of the age to take his children to heaven for a thousand years and all the unbelievers will be slain by the brightness of his coming.
    
    Darby
    What separated Darby's dispensationalism was his novel method of biblical interpretation, which consisted of a strict literalism, the absolute separation of Israel and the church into two distinct peoples of God, and the separation of the rapture (the "catching away" of the church) from Christ's Second Coming. At the rapture, he said, Christ will come for his saints; and at the Second Coming, he will come with his saints
    https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/pastorsandpreachers/john-nelson-darby.html
    Left Behind (series)
    BY TIM LAHAYE AND JERRY B. JENKINS
    Based on a Dispensationalist reading of Old and New Testament scripture, the Left Behind series centers on those “left behind” after the Rapture transports true believers to Heaven. The Tribulation, the period between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus, is marked by great pain, but it offers those left behind a chance at redemption. Over the course of 16 books, the Left Behind series tracks a group of Americans who join together to form the Tribulation Force, which battles the Global Community, an Illuminati-esque organization led by a man later revealed to be the Antichrist. https://interactive.wttw.com/great-american-read/books/left-behind
    
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Bangihunlang on January 10, 2020 at 12:57 pm said:

Confused about the taken and the left,but after wrapping around my head,it maybe the "good ones"and "the bad"respectively.. thankyou and please share more...

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Brigitte Humphery on May 27, 2020 at 6:54 pm said:

Considering the context of John 14:2, Matt.24:37-41, John 14:1-7 as well as Matt.25:1-13, I come to the conclusion that Jesus arrives unexpectedly to 'receive/take away' His followers/believers and take them so they can be with Him were He is.

All four references are based on the same reason/purpose for His coming:
John 14:2 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 - And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that WHERE I AM, there ye may be also. (This 'WHERE' is a place in Heaven).

Matt.24:37-41 - 'Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left'. The ones 'taken' are those that Jesus comes back for and receives unto Himself to take them to where He is going back to - His Father's house.

Matt.25:1-13 - v.10 - 'And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut'. Those not ready at the time of His return/coming back, will be left on this earth to face the time of the 'wrath' of God.

Rev.21:1-3 - v.2: 'And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband'. This is the time when we return to the new earth under a new heaven.

It appears to me that this is a straight forward interpretation of the texts. It has nothing to do with a 'rapture', but all to do with Jesus Christ's coming back to take us to be with Him where He is and then all returning to the new earth, including Him to be with us forever.

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Shirley de Beer on May 28, 2020 at 12:57 am said:

If you go to the top of SSNET's webpage you will see a tab "Resources", once there choose "Bible Courses at Bible Universe.com" then select "Study Tools" then "Free Book Library" then the booklet "Anything But Secret"

Praise the LORD that there will be a "rapture" when Jesus comes in the Second Coming to take His loved ones to heaven.

Some think that the Bible teaches there are two "comings" of Jesus because of different Greek words translated as "coming" but a careful study of all the verses containing 'parousia' and 'apokalupsis' does not support the theory.

The popular series "Left behind" states there is a "Secret Rapture" and then during seven years the AntiChrist appears, then only at the end of the 7 years does Jesus come in the Second Coming. This is based on a misunderstanding of Daniel's prophecy of the 70th week.

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- Brigitte Humphery on May 28, 2020 at 10:55 am said:
  
  Shirley - I am aware of Jesus coming back to take the believers home with Him. My writing was also focusing on the 'who' is taken home at His return to be with Him, since there appears to be a difference in interpretation.
  
  Supporting my 'arguments' with scripture references was to avoid including the word 'rapture' in our dialogue. The use of this word is, obviously, the source of some theological disagreement and debate among believers.
  To avoid adding to this problem, I wrote that his coming back has nothing to do with the 'rapture' as it is being used by the contenting parties.
  
  If we pay attention and use the context of scripture to explain itself, we can see that it declares the return of Jesus and the believer's departure with Him. We can avoid getting into an 'argument' about 'rapture' and can just call it departure.
  
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Lyn Lew on August 16, 2020 at 6:18 am said:

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Rev 1:7

Thank you Ps Lenny for joining this group. May the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit guide you into all truth. It is by studying the scriptures for the truth that the Holy Ghost/Spirit opens our minds to the truth. Ps Lenny, I believe if you are seeking truth and truth has come to you, you will have to ask the Holy Spirit to give you the tact of how to present it to the congregation. Saul/Paul had to take a radical stand for Jesus. Are you ready and willing to? Jesus will make a way for you, where there is no way but you must trust him.

The truth is; there are only two sets of people in this world. Many times it appears like the world is made up of several sets of believers or nonbelievers. The truth is there are;
1. those who love the Lord.
2. those who hate him.
The bible also speaks about the second coming and the third coming of Jesus. What I read was some confusion about the second coming and what will happen to the righteous as well as what will happen to the wicked. The third coming and what will happen to the righteous and what will happen to the wicked.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I always say, when Jesus comes he will not ask me what does the original Greek or Hebrew bible says, he will ask me 'what did the English bible says because I speak English, as well as what did the Holy Spirit who was sent to be my guide, what did he said to me.

As Christians, the bible told us clearly how to study it to avoid confusion. Isa 28:9-13.

We agree that there is no secret rapture of God's people. Where in the bible did we ever read of Jesus doing anything secretly?
Why will he choose to take his people home secretly?

1. Acts 1:11. talks about the way Jesus went back to his father.
2. 1 Cor 15:50-56- what will happen to Christians at Jesus second coming.
3. 1 Thess 4:13-18- Paul also stated, but I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep as well as those who are alive. (what will happen to Christians when Jesus comes the second time)

The third coming of Jesus- we can study Rev chap 20-22. That is when the wicked shall be destroyed by burning in hellfire but not for eternity. Christ is coming to take his glorious church/his bride home to present us to his and our daddy. What a glorious day that will be!!

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