no one will be left behind

No One Will Be Left Behind!

by: Ivie Powell

A series of books entitled Left Behind has sky rocketed in sales into the millions throughout this country. Then entire series is based on the doctrine of premillennialism. The prefix "pre" means "before," and "millennial" means a thousand. Thus, the doctrine of premillennialism has reference to a literal thousand year reign of Christ on the earth. A doctrine which cannot be supported by the Scripture!

Regarding the so-called rapture, it is interesting to note that the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible! That's correct! Bumper stickers across the country can be seen which state, "In case of the rapture, this care will be vacated." The theory is when the Lord returns He will take His people somewhere in the air for seven years. This disappearance of people will be a great mystery. Graves will be opened and those who occupied them will be gone. Automobiles will be left in the street with the driver gone. There will be a period of great tribulation on the earth during this time. Those "left behind" will be given opportunity to become Christians.

Friends, listen, all of this is based on the imagination and assumption of men and not on the Bible! That which is truly "Left Behind" in this series is the Bible! Here are some Biblical facts which cannot be successfully denied:

The theory of the rapture has too many comings of the Lord. Only a second coming of the Lord is presented in the Scripture (Hebrews 9:28).
All of the human race, not just a portion, will see Jesus when He comes the second time (Revelation 1:7).
When Christ returns, all good and bad shall come forth from the graves (John 5:29).
All will meet God at judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).
At the "last day" (one day) the resurrection of the good and bad will occur and judgment will take place (John 5:28-29, 6:39-54, 12:48).
Some have attempted to make 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 teach the rapture. However, this is not the case. Paul is discussing the righteous dead and the righteous living at the time of Christ's second coming. He is not discussing the righteous and unrighteous dead.
2 Peter 3:10-14 sets forth at Christ's second coming the earth will be destroyed by fire. The idea that the earth will be renovated for all those among the 144,000 is destroyed by this passage.
No one knows when Christ will return the second time (Mark 13:32).
At Christ's return he will deliver the kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Mankind will not be given a second chance to obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

So what shall we do unto our Lord returns? "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Mark 13:37). That is, be in a state of preparation for His return! If not a Christian, obey the gospel. If an unfaithful child of God, then repent and return to the Lord. Are you ready for "that day"?