Author Claims To Debunk Rapture Theory Popularized By 'Left Behind'
by Allie Martin
May 5, 2004
(AgapePress) - A Christian author says the popular "Left Behind" books are filled with biblically inaccurate teachings.The cornerstone of the best-selling book series by authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins is "the rapture." That term describes God's removal of true Christians from the world as the initial event that many Christians believe will usher in a seven-year period of tribulation leading to the visible return of Jesus Christ.
But in his new book End Time Delusions (Destiny Image, 2004), Steve Wohlberg asserts that the idea of a rapture before Christ's second coming is not biblical. "There's three major verses used in the New Testament to prove the doctrine of disappearing Christians," he says, citing 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and Matthew 24:40. But he says the pre-tribulation rapture theory is not borne out in these scriptures.
"I have studied every one of those of those verses in the Bible and also in the light of history," Wohlberg says, "and I have discovered clearly that every one of them does not apply to a secret rapture before a seven-year period of tribulation; but they all apply definitely to the visible, loud, glorious second coming of Jesus Christ at the very end of the world."
A poll by Barna Research Group (barna.org) found that one in every ten Americans has read a book from the popular Left Behind series. However, Wohlberg feels the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture as described and dramatized in the popular books is a dangerous notion.
The author says the problem with that idea is that it could cause many people to put off seeking salvation. He explains, "Some people think -- Well, let's say they've heard the rapture idea, they've read Left Behind, and they think, 'Okay, if this is all really true, and I see Christians just disappear all over the world, then I'll know it's right, and then I'll become a believer. Then I'll give my life to God because I'll have a second chance during those seven years of tribulation."
Wohlberg says people who espouse this "dangerous philosophy" might be led to put off a decision for Christ because they think to themselves, "Well, it might be hard, but I'll overcome the Anti-Christ and I'll take a stand, because then I'll know it's true."
Many evangelicals disagree with Wohlberg's understanding of scripture, however. For instance, besides LaHaye and Jenkins, respected Bible teacher and pastor Dr. Adrian Rogers subscribes to the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture and supports it in his newest book Unveiling the End Times in Our Time (Broadman and Holman, 2004).
