A Few Taken, Most Left Behind There are a few events foretold in Scripture, that are yet to take place, but none will be as immediately stunning (to those left behind) as the forthcoming event that theologians have labelled The Rapture (1). Unlike the Second Advent, that has a few preceding events leading up to it, the Rapture will take place instantaneously, and at a time when least expected. Matt. 24: 40 provides two simple examples of how the instantaneous Rapture will impact those left behind, when e-v-e-r-y born-again believer, who is alive on planet Earth at that time, will suddenly disappear, being taken up and away in the Rapture. “At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left (Matt. 24: 40 NASB2020).” In other words, on a day and time that seemed like any other day, with business and activity as usual, the Rapture will take place. Once it does, THEN the clock starts counting down, as the remaining prophecies unfold, leading up to the Second Advent seven (some teach 3 ½) years later. Imagine the chaos, when on a global level, when all the born-again believers in positions of leadership, military, news media, and public safety agencies instantaneously vanish. Or when all born-again believers operating, directing, or controlling the means of transportation on land, air, and sea simultaneously disappear. Imagine a born-again surgeon disappearing half-way through a procedure! Perhaps the most dumfounded group of all, will be the ones who considered themselves Christians, but were never born-again, and therefore are left sitting in the pews or standing behind the pulpits, should the Rapture take place during a worship service. As bad as this is, it is only the beginning of the horrific events that are going to take place over a seven (some teach 3 ½) year period, between the Rapture, when born-again believers on Earth are taken away, and the Second Advent when Christ and they return. It will not be until the conclusion of the 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom, that the present world is melted away (2), and a new Heaven and Earth is established (3). The relatively good news is that even during all these horrific post Rapture and pre-Second Advent events, the ones that were left at the Rapture will still have the opportunity to hear the Gospel being preached and be born-again. These born-again souls, are referred to as the Tribulation Saints, but many of them will be martyred. Anyone who publicly identifies himself or herself as a believer in Christ will be put to death by the ruling forces of the Antichrist during that period. Despite Man’s bent towards self-destruction, human history has another 1,007 (some teach 1,003.5) years to go, AFTER the Rapture takes place, mostly consumed by of the 1,000-year millennial reign of Christ. The bad news is that after the Rapture takes place, the human environment will go through the worst period of its history. It will be so horrific that it were not cut short by the Second Advent, no human life would even survive (4). As it is, millions (if not billions) of human beings are going to suffer and perish by way of the horrific events foretold in Revelation. No one in his right mind would want to be left behind when the Rapture takes place. The one-and only-way to avoid this, should the Rapture take place during one’s life span, is to be born-again BEFORE it happens. Being born-again BEFORE we die is what assures believers of eternal life and residency in Heaven (5), but being born-again BEFORE the Rapture takes place (should it take place in our individual lifetime) is what assures believers of not being among those who WILL be left behind to endure the Great Tribulation. Every day, the human race inches closer to the Rapture. If it happened today, Would you, be left behind?