I was a Plymouth brethren. John Nelson Darby was their prophet. Went to their bible college. I thought that if I went to school I’d be closer to God. Didn’t happen. Several years later as I wrestled with this dispensationalism etc. It was so deeply entrenched in my mind I had a hard time sorting it out. Now 30 years later its clear to me how false it is. There’s something about a system that is so appealing to our nature. Very much appreciate your article. Thank you.
Your article affirms what I’ve long believed about the rapture, though I’ve never told anyone that I don’t believe in it. After studying it time and again, I came to see it as an error—a teaching used to instill fear and exert control. It also never aligned with the love of God I was experiencing then, and still experience today: a love that embraces all humanity.
Thank you for writing this. Like many articles that I’ve read on the subject of the rapture, it is deeply affirming.
"I used to lie awake at night, terrified that the sky might rip open and my parents would vanish—raptured into heaven—leaving me behind to face the Antichrist. I had recurring nightmares. As a child, I remember running inside from playing outdoors, just to check if my parents were still home. It wasn’t wonder or worship that shaped my faith in those years. It was anxiety. Fear was the engine, and rapture theology was the fuel."
I have never heard anyone articulate this historical version of my young life so perfectly. I would call Mom sick and throwing up at school because the Baptist church across the street would be packed because they were having a program but I thought the rapture had happened and people were flocking to the church trying to get right because that's what the preachers said would happen.
At 50 years old in 2018 I finally had rest and relief from this debilitating anxiety when I was converted. Reading and listening to John Piper helped me understand the election of God. It's taken several years to toss the dispensational and premil garbage. The calmness that permeates my eschatology is absolutely beautiful.
Thank your for sharing your experience. Every time I share those memories I find they resonate with others, especially those 35-50 years old. We all felt so alone in our experience, we didn’t realize other kids were dealing with it as well.
I can relate so well to your “rapture Anxiety”. I was raised in a Pentecostal Pastor’s home. It was DRILLED in my head weekly. I reject the whole Dispensationalist/Rapture as 19th century fable. I do embrace the second coming of Christ and all that entails though.
I also had “Rapture Panics” as a kid. If mom and dad weren’t home when I expected them to be, I thought I’d missed the Rapture. I repeatedly believed I’d been orphaned by Jesus.
Rapture theology traumatizes children. So if by their fruit we know them, Rapture theology is a sin.
I first came to a change of mind about this dispensational view...when my sight was enlighten by the views of Dr. Michael Heiser and N.T Wright. This back and forth of Jesus's return didn't make sense. I'm grateful for your writing about this view. A lot of Christians already set their faith to believe the "rapture"...a lot of false teachings already gone out through the church age....only God!!
Great article. A dear friend and I differ on this topic, so for ‘fun’ last week, I asked AI to provide supporting arguments for both sides and include bible study questions for each. The results were fascinating and fuzzy 🤣. I’m glad it’s in God’s hands and not ours.
Such a great article. Isn't it funny there is no lion in the book of Revelation? Just Jesus, the lion of the tribe of Judah. Not an actual lion, a title.
Also, Revelation tells us who it was written to, the seven churches in Asia Minor. Not to us 2,000 years later. It was written to a specific people in a specific time. Yes, we can apply the lessons, but no, it was not to warn us about the rapture and the antichrist 2,000 years later.
Last but certainly not least, I think John does not name the beast for a reason. The goal is not to have one person who is the personification of evil that everyone can point to and say, "there goes the evil one." It's to see what of that evil is in our lives and how much of Babylon we have conformed to.
You got me preaching, sorry. Great article. Sorry for what it to come from those who feel threatened by it.
Oh man, I am so glad to see this resonate so deeply with you. I love everything you say here and agree. Now, go and preach it my friend! The good news is still the good news.
Finally. A way to see it all that actually adds up. I’ve spent my life being forced to “go on faith” and being discouraged from wrestling too much with the myriad loopholes and unanswerable dilemmas within dispensational theology.
There are more than half a dozen “theories” on end-times. All have points. All have problems. It will end the way God planned it. Believers should know we have more in common than things that separate us.
I was a Plymouth brethren. John Nelson Darby was their prophet. Went to their bible college. I thought that if I went to school I’d be closer to God. Didn’t happen. Several years later as I wrestled with this dispensationalism etc. It was so deeply entrenched in my mind I had a hard time sorting it out. Now 30 years later its clear to me how false it is. There’s something about a system that is so appealing to our nature. Very much appreciate your article. Thank you.
Your article affirms what I’ve long believed about the rapture, though I’ve never told anyone that I don’t believe in it. After studying it time and again, I came to see it as an error—a teaching used to instill fear and exert control. It also never aligned with the love of God I was experiencing then, and still experience today: a love that embraces all humanity.
Thank you for writing this. Like many articles that I’ve read on the subject of the rapture, it is deeply affirming.
—ruben goff
Thank you for taking the time to read. I’m glad it resonated with you.
Can you provide a link to Part 1 on this topic? I can’t find it
The series is on differences I have with the Church of God, the denomination I grew up in. Here is part 1:
https://www.danielrushing.blog/p/why-i-dont-believe-in-the-verbal
Oh thank you, I saw that but the title threw me off.
I can see how the title might throw you off. I will be writing a follow up to this blog, though, responding to the feedback.
"I used to lie awake at night, terrified that the sky might rip open and my parents would vanish—raptured into heaven—leaving me behind to face the Antichrist. I had recurring nightmares. As a child, I remember running inside from playing outdoors, just to check if my parents were still home. It wasn’t wonder or worship that shaped my faith in those years. It was anxiety. Fear was the engine, and rapture theology was the fuel."
I have never heard anyone articulate this historical version of my young life so perfectly. I would call Mom sick and throwing up at school because the Baptist church across the street would be packed because they were having a program but I thought the rapture had happened and people were flocking to the church trying to get right because that's what the preachers said would happen.
At 50 years old in 2018 I finally had rest and relief from this debilitating anxiety when I was converted. Reading and listening to John Piper helped me understand the election of God. It's taken several years to toss the dispensational and premil garbage. The calmness that permeates my eschatology is absolutely beautiful.
Glad you are on this journey.
Thank your for sharing your experience. Every time I share those memories I find they resonate with others, especially those 35-50 years old. We all felt so alone in our experience, we didn’t realize other kids were dealing with it as well.
Excellent
I can relate so well to your “rapture Anxiety”. I was raised in a Pentecostal Pastor’s home. It was DRILLED in my head weekly. I reject the whole Dispensationalist/Rapture as 19th century fable. I do embrace the second coming of Christ and all that entails though.
Absolutely beautiful.
I also had “Rapture Panics” as a kid. If mom and dad weren’t home when I expected them to be, I thought I’d missed the Rapture. I repeatedly believed I’d been orphaned by Jesus.
Rapture theology traumatizes children. So if by their fruit we know them, Rapture theology is a sin.
I first came to a change of mind about this dispensational view...when my sight was enlighten by the views of Dr. Michael Heiser and N.T Wright. This back and forth of Jesus's return didn't make sense. I'm grateful for your writing about this view. A lot of Christians already set their faith to believe the "rapture"...a lot of false teachings already gone out through the church age....only God!!
Thank you for reading. N.T. Wright is a major influence on my eschatology.
What if we screwed up on what the word “Rapture” actually means?
Yes! Thank you for laying it all out so clearly.
Great article. A dear friend and I differ on this topic, so for ‘fun’ last week, I asked AI to provide supporting arguments for both sides and include bible study questions for each. The results were fascinating and fuzzy 🤣. I’m glad it’s in God’s hands and not ours.
Check out the Augsburg Confession on this an related subject sometime, friend!
https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-christs-return-to-judgment/
Fascinating! I will.
Amen and amen.
Such a great article. Isn't it funny there is no lion in the book of Revelation? Just Jesus, the lion of the tribe of Judah. Not an actual lion, a title.
Also, Revelation tells us who it was written to, the seven churches in Asia Minor. Not to us 2,000 years later. It was written to a specific people in a specific time. Yes, we can apply the lessons, but no, it was not to warn us about the rapture and the antichrist 2,000 years later.
Last but certainly not least, I think John does not name the beast for a reason. The goal is not to have one person who is the personification of evil that everyone can point to and say, "there goes the evil one." It's to see what of that evil is in our lives and how much of Babylon we have conformed to.
You got me preaching, sorry. Great article. Sorry for what it to come from those who feel threatened by it.
Oh man, I am so glad to see this resonate so deeply with you. I love everything you say here and agree. Now, go and preach it my friend! The good news is still the good news.
Finally. A way to see it all that actually adds up. I’ve spent my life being forced to “go on faith” and being discouraged from wrestling too much with the myriad loopholes and unanswerable dilemmas within dispensational theology.
Dispensationalism doesn't add up. Literally. I am glad this resonated with you. We are not alone in our thinking.
BTW Great article!
There are more than half a dozen “theories” on end-times. All have points. All have problems. It will end the way God planned it. Believers should know we have more in common than things that separate us.
I concur. Some do more harm than others. I would put dispensationalism on that list.