A Secret Rapture is Purely Fiction by Rick Ramdon

The following are Facebook comments by Rick Ramdon which I found to be very important!

The Bible does not support the idea of a secret rapture. That is purely fiction.

All the scriptures used to support a secret rapture are either misapplied or taken out of context. The one that Jesus used, where He said there will be two people, one taken and one left, that is the main text used to support the secret rapture. That is taken out of context and actually contradicts the rapture idea completely. Remember, Jesus was using the Flood as the example. During the time of the flood, the one that's "taken" by the flood was lost not saved! The secret rapture idea says that the person who is taken will be saved. Well, that's not what happened during the flood. It was the ones who remained in the boat, Noah and his family, who were saved. All the rest were taken by the water and were lost. The Bible says, "He who ENDURES to the END shall be saved."

You should check out the origin of this false doctrine. It was conceived by the Jesuit priest Francisco Ribera centuries ago. At the time every Bible student who studied Revelation correctly understood that the Man of Sin, or the Antichrist, mentioned in Revelation referred to the Papacy. In fact every Protestant church believed this, and rightly so. Rebiera wanted to deflect this understanding from the Papacy so he invented the secret rapture lie to say that the Antichrist will come AFTER the Church has gone to Heaven, thus, shifting the Antichrist, the Papacy way into the future. He was successful, because 99.99% of all protestant churches embrace this false teaching and have abandoned the truth of Scripture.

All you have to do is read the context and it will tell you very clearly what Jesus meant. First of all, Matthew 24 is speaking about the end times. So, let’s look at it. Verse 3 is clear that it’s talking about the end times:

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Notice that Jesus said that believers should endure until the END, which is His second coming.

Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Here He says that there will be tribulation for God’s people. The Secret rapture doctrine says that the church will be raptured secretly and that only the lost will be in the tribulation. If so, then what is the purpose for the tribulation? It’s to cleanse God’s Church, His people. In Daniel 12:1, it say that this time will be such a great time of trouble that there’s nothing so far to compare it to. In fact, in Revelation 13, it say at this time, you will either receive the Mark of the Beast or the Mark (seal) of God. And unless you receive the mark of the beast, you won’t be able to buy or sell. Who won’t be able to buy or sell? The SAVED, not the lost. This will be a time of trouble and tribulation for God’s people. But I thought at this time the Church is already raptured? Clearly not. The Bible is clear that the Church will still be on Earth until Christ comes for her in the clouds of Heaven. Just look what Paul says in IThs. 4: 16, 17:

1Th 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 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.”

The saved will look up and declare:

Isa_25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

See, if the church is already raptured and in Heaven, then just who does Jesus return for? The lost? Absolutely not.

Ok, let’s get back to Matthew 24.

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Jesus said that His coming will be a visible event, not a secret. In fact, we just read in I Ths. Above that Jesus will come with a “Shout” and a loud trumpet that will wake up the dead in Christ!

Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Jesus said that all the tribes of the earth will see His coming. This will not be a secret.

Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Here we go again with a noisy trumpet. At this time, the dead in Christ are raised from the grave and those who remain alive and are among the save will be translated from life to eternal life!

Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Look up at the verse above and see what Jesus said about the flood. He said it came and TOOK THEM ALL AWAY! Indeed, those who were TAKEN were lost, NOT SAVED. Jesus Himself said that, not me. The doctrine of the secret rapture contradicts this passage completely.

Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Jesus was simply making the point for the believer to be prepared, not to be living a life of sin and then hoping to change at the last minute, because you could actually die before he comes too, and if you die in your sin you’ll be lost. This was the point He was illustrating here when He mentioned one taken and one left. If this is literal, then that would mean exactly 50% of all people will be saved, which is clearly not the case.

Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

“That one taken and one left is not referring to being taken..”

In Matthew 24: 37-39, Jesus said exactly the opposite of what the Secret rapture teaches. He stated that those who were taken were lost, not saved. He clearly said that the flood came and TOOK THEM ALL AWAY. What does that mean? Those who the flood took away drowned. Even the very context tells you that it’s talking about those who were lost. It says that they were caught up with the cares of this life (eating and drinking, marrying, etc.) and was not paying attention to the signs of the times, so they were unprepared and were lost.

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Let me answer the question about Jesus returning to the Earth and reigning. In I Ths. 4; 16, & 17, the Bible says that when Jesus comes, He will raise the dead who are saved (this is the first resurrection of the dead, those who are saved) and save both them and the living who remain alive when He comes. All the saved will be given immortality at that time and taken to Heaven. Here is what the Bible says:

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 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 will spend the millennium in Heaven, not on this earth. Then, after the millennium, then we will return to the earth, along with the New Jerusalem (See Rev. 21: 1-4). The wicked dead, who had been dead for the millennium, and those who had died long ago, are now raised in the second resurrection to be consumed by fire. This is the hell fire that the Bible talks about, which is entirely another study. The earth is then made new (See Revelation 21: 1) and saints and God Himself and Jesus will dwell with us for all eternity (“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”). What a glorious promise this is. It will be like the Garden of Eden all over again, right here on this earth, along with God the Father and Jesus.

This is just one of the many false teachings that has crept into the church through the backdoor while God's people are slumbering. This is serious stuff.

You would be shocked to know that there are many more false doctrines, especially popular ones that we all hold as being true. The devil has done a lot to try and dilute the potency of God's word. I am a Bible believing Christian and I study a lot to get closer to Christ through the plain truth of His Word. It's the only way to go, especially when there is so much confusion today. Only the Word of God can lead the Child of God the right way, nothing else. Unfortunately, the traditions of man has come to replace many Bible truths, and that's very sad.

Below are comments another made in quotes, followed by my comment:

“Well, I have heard many Bible scholars explain the Rapture as a Pre Trib event and I'm still going with their philosophies.”

While I do support some of what scholars say, it’s always safer to go with Scripture. The Bible says there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end leads to destruction. When you do the actual study on the origin of the secret rapture, you’ll see just where this false teaching came from. Like I said, it came right from the Catholic Church toward the end of the dark ages. Some people also like to credit this spurious and dangerous doctrine to John Nelson Darby in the 1830’s, but it came right out of the Roman Church (Papacy) in order to shift attention from themselves as the seven-headed beast power of Rev. 13 and the man of sin, whose number is 666.

“Why would the Bible say that Jesus will keep us from the hour of testing if he isn't going to take us before the Tribulation?”

This is why Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). Why would Jesus promise to be with the church until the end of the world if He intended to come seven years before the end to take them out of the world? And just when is the “end of the world?” Of course when Jesus is seen coming in the clouds. This is mentioned in Mat. 24: 3, where the Bible uses the second coming to mean the same thing as the end of the world. Read it below:

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

“Also, how do you explain that we will meet Jesus in the clouds the first time (the rapture) but Jesus will land on the Mt. of Olives the second time. (the 2nd Coming) He has TWO appearances and not everyone will see him at the Rapture but they WILL see him at the 2nd Coming.”

There is only one return of Christ prior to the millennium and that is to get his people, all those alive and those who are dead in Christ. Listen to what the Bible says:

Jesus said of the dead in Christ, "And I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40). Again, this is the second coming. If the dead is already in Heaven seven years before, then who is Jesus raising up in the first resurrection when He comes the second time? Here is a breakdown, according to Scripture, of the events that transpire when Jesus returns the second time:

According to I Cor. 15:51-53 the following will take place at the second coming:
A. Jesus will be seen coming in the clouds, visibly to everyone, everywhere on earth.
B. Jesus does not touch the earth.
C. The dead saved are resurrected and meet Christ in the air.
D. The living saved are translated and meet Christ in the air.
E. The dead and the living saved will be changed and put on immortality.
F. All the saved go to Heaven with Christ for 1000 years to participate in the judgment.
G. The living UNSAVED are killed with the brightness of Christ glory and the glory of the angels and remains dead until the 1000 years are up.
H. Devil is “bound or chained” for 1000 years. This is simply a metaphor to say that he is “Bound” by his circumstances. He will have no one else to tempt for 1000 years.

Then after the 1000 years are up, the following will occur:

I. When the 1000 years are up. Christ returns with the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
J. The unsaved dead are raised (the second resurrection).
K. The devil is “loosed.” Now he can deceive the lost one last time, because they have just been resurrected.
L. The unsaved and the devil try and capture the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
M. Fire comes down from God and devours them. This is the “hellfire” that the Bible refers to.
N. The earth is made new.
O. The holy city descends from God and lands on the Mount of Olives.
P. No more death, pain, suffering, etc.

“Why is the church mentioned in the Bible up until Chap. 4 of Revelation and then not again until Chap. 19 when we return to rule and reign with Jesus?”

You’re mistaken here. The church is mentioned in pretty much all the chapters all the way to the end of Revelation. Pretty much the entirety of Rev. 12 is about the Church. Rev. 13 talks about the church (God’s people) avoiding the mark of the beast and won’t be able to buy or sell. And some of God’s people will lose their life for the sake of the Gospel. Rev. 14 tells of the Church preaching the Three Angels Messages, the everlasting gospel, a final warning message, to the world before Jesus comes.

“Why would Jesus have his bride BEAT UP during the Tribulation before he rescues her for the wedding ceremony?”

In the Bible we read a multitude of examples where God’s people were prosecuted. Look at Daniel. Jesus didn’t save Him from the lion’s den or fiery furnace, but was with him in there. Jesus said “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.” Read Daniel chapter 12: 1. It says that this time will be a time of trouble unparalleled to anything else, BUT Jesus will stand up and deliver His people.

“What is the point of Christians having FAITH without SEEING if we are going to have to go through the same punishments as the NON BELIEVER during the Tribulation?”

Christians will have to have faith to go through the time of trouble. They will have to believe that God will provide for their every need. When you can’t buy or sell, you will have to trust God that your bread and your water will be sure. Christians will NOT experience the same “punishment” as the wicked. The wrath of God in the form of the seven last plagues will fall on the unsaved, but the saved will not experience this. Remember the Bible said in Psalms 91:

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

“That just doesn't make sense... You people can believe what ever you want and put your own meanings to what you think the Bible is saying, but you won't change my mind. If I'm wrong, I'm still saved so it doesn't matter.”

This makes perfect sense and this is actually what Jesus taught and the Bible supports. I am sorry to say that when the time comes, those who subscribe to the doctrine of the secret pre-tribulation rapture will be deceived and lost. The Bible says that the devil will impersonate Jesus shortly before He returns. Remember Jesus said:

Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Most Christians today believe this doctrine and WILL end up in the Middle East when this false Christ appears there. Do you know that the Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, AND most Christians ALL believe that someone will come back to this earth and be a Massiah, and they are ALL waiting for that to happen? The devil is preparing a grand deception that will end up deceiving billions. Don’t fall into this trap. Jesus is NOT coming back secretly at anytime. Why does Jesus need to sneak up on anyone? He is the maker of all that exists. The “thief in the night” scenario, if you read it in its proper context, is actually referring to those who are lost, not the saved. It’s simply contrasting them with the saved and saying that we should not let His coming find us idle and sinning and not being ready, that His coming should NOT catch us unaware.

The danger that I mentioned regarding the pre-trib rapture is not in imitating Christ coming in the clouds, but someone appearing in the Middle East, working miracles and claiming to be Christ. Yes, God took Moses, but He raised him from the dead, and Elijah went up visibly as did Jesus. These events were all visible events, not secrets. The church is absolutely mentioned in Revelation, in many other chapters after chapter 4 and before 21. Who do you think preaches the Three Angel's messages in Rev, 14:1-6? In Rev. 13:7 it says that the the beast power will make war with the saints, that "...it was given unto him to make war with the SAINTS, and to overcome them." Just who do you think these saints are? This is nothing but the Church of Christ. These are the same ones who will refuse to accept the mark of the beast and and be persecuted. I really don't believe that we have the option to privately intrepret the Scriptures the way we want. The Bible says that there is only one way to interpret it and that is to "rightly divide" the Word of truth. Two views that contradict each other cannot be accurate. One, or both, must be wrong, but the two cannot be correct. There is just no Biblical precedent at all to even suggest that will take away anyone invisibly. This just helps to further fictionalize the truth of the gospel.

The return of Christ will be a visible event just like the first coming was. All of it will be very real events, including when the saints are being taken up in the clouds to meet Christ. I tell you the truth, the Left Behind silliness has done a tremendous disservice to the cause of Christ. Because of this series, along with the secret rapture doctrjne, many people now find it difficult to relate to the event, because it's so unrealistic, even to anything that has ever occurred before in the Bible.

Regarding Noah, he did not sneak or secretly enter into the ark, but went in with his family and the animals in a very obvious and visible way. There was nothing secret about that event. Who will rise up to meet the Lord in the air, both dead and those alive, when mentioned in 1 Ths. 4:16 & 17? It says, "For the Lord shall decend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first: 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." This text is proof beyond absolutely any doubt that only WHEN Jesus appears in the clouds are the dead raised and the living saints are translated and taken to Heaven.

Please take a very close look at this text and consider what I have said.