Don’t pack your bags for Heaven just yet….
A South African pastor on TikTok pushed out a video stating the “rapture” will occur today or tomorrow. Will it? Let’s see what the Bible says!
Although the word “rapture is not in the Bible, the word “harpazo” which means “to be snatch away violently” is, and the English word “rapture” is derived from the Greek word “harpazo.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Acts 8:39, Jude 1:23, and Revelation 12:5).
Still others call the Rapture, the Great Catching Away. Whatever term you use, there is a promise in the Bible that G-d will remove His people from the earth before the 7 Year Tribulation begins.
The Bible specifically says several things about the rapture. First, it says that no man knows when it will happen, so for a man to state that he has some inside knowledge contrary to the Word of G-d, is highly suspect. (Matthew 24:36)
God also says to ignore those who give prophechies that conflict with the written Word, so I am ignoring the South African pastor. (Jeremiah 23:16, Matthew 7:15)
Second, there remains at least one other prophecy to be fulfilled before the rapture (Ezekial’s War) that has not yet taken place. Think of that as WW III. (Ezekial 38-39)
Scripture clearly states a pre-tribulation rapture event (ask me for verses as to why, if you are interested) and even if I am wrong, we are clearly not in the middle of the Tribulation period, nor are we past it so a rapture today under those two prinicples would not be possible.
As bad as things are right now, we are still not yet where the Bible says we will be as a society before the Rapture.
For example, the Bible specifically says the antichrist only arrives on the scene (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:1-10) when there is world wide war and famine, and also, after there have been massive earthquakes around the world, volcanoes ripping off — things that have not happened yet (the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11).
Rather, the antichrist arrives during utter chaos and death as a mock savior with ideas about how to save all mankind. People are hurting and desperate and so put their hope in him. He pretends to rule the world in peace to woo mankind. (1 Thessalonians 5:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, Daniel 8:25, Matthew 24:24)
Aside: Contrary to other internet myths, the antichrist has not been revealed yet either, and won’t be until he signs a specific peace treaty (Daniel 9:27). Until then, anyone who tells you they know who the antichrist is incorrect.
We have had a lot what the Bible calls “labor pains” and I do believe we are getting closer (especially with what is happening in the Middle East and Asia) to the Rapture, but if it happens today, it would be purely a coincidence and not because the Bible gave us some secret code about the exact date.
If the rapture was truly happening today, how would you spend your last day on earth? The answer is a great spiritual thought experiement, because that is how Believers are supposed to live every day of their life….. as if He comes today!