Rapture Trauma

I hear the words; "rapture trauma" these days as many people are worried about whether or not they are going up in the rapture. They are disquieted by the terrible things going on in the world and want to know but can never find out, whether or not they will escape any of it.

I have spoken to people who don't even profess to be Christians who think they are going up in the rapture. I wondered how many people are like this, believing they are going up without ever confessing their sinfulness or being changed into a new creation by Christ?

In the parking lot of a local hardware store, I met a man who was excited about going in the rapture and just had to tell me about it. He wanted to know if I had heard of it.

As we visited awhile I realized this man had no idea what it was to be born-again or what it meant to be a Christian. As I explained to him that no one would go in the rapture who didn't know Jesus Christ. His face fell as he recalled that he had never repented of his sin and had never had a desire to be changed by Christ.

Thankfully he didn't argue with me and just listened. As we parted I reminded him that Jesus Christ was the only way to heaven. He seemed a little in a state of shock not knowing what to say in response.

Then is when I realized there are probably many who have heard of the rapture who have decided they are going up because they wanted to, without any salvation experience or a proper understanding of the phrase to "be born-again."

There is no "rapture trauma" for those who are born-again and walking with Christ. The idea of the rapture does not frighten us, it encourages us, makes us joyful and gives us delight in pondering our home-going.

We live in a world full of lies and deceptions, one of which is that as long as we believe something it is automatically seen as truth. All anyone has to do is pretend they are going to do something and that is enough to claim the counterfeit bluff, that alone makes it a fact, comforting themselves with the lies they make up in their own heads.

It is astounding that in our world today many people claim things rational and reasonable people knew were not true just a generation ago. When an attempt is made to correct the wrong thinking we are met with anger instead of curiosity.

The anger is generated from a spirit of intense pride that someone dared to tell them they were wrong.

Proverbs 12:1-2 "1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. 2 The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.…"

Psalm50:16-17 "16 But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws

or take my covenant on your lips?

17 You hate my instruction

and cast my words behind you."

Those who hate instruction and love their lies will not see heaven nor will they repent from their filthiness, they will remain as they are until they are thrown into hell.

It takes a humble broken spirit in someone to confess and admit their sinfulness to God Whom they cannot see. Desiring to be cleansed by God is an inner expression of a contrite (broken) heart that wants God to cleanse them and change them into a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17

"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

In order to gain heaven in the rapture one must be broken in spirit desiring to be changed by Christ, this is the born-again experience.

My hope is that those reading this who are not yet born-again will ask God to show them their own filthiness and ask Him to change them into a new creation.