About the rapture…I don’t think there will be one.

For many modern Christians, the concept of the “rapture” — where believers are suddenly taken to heaven before a period of tribulation — is a foundational part of their understanding of the end times. However, a closer examination of Scripture and history reveals that the idea of the rapture is a relatively recent theological innovation, unsupported by biblical evidence. While I firmly believe in the promised return of Christ, I remain agnostic about the specific details of how that will unfold. In this article, I’ll explore the origins of the rapture doctrine, its lack of scriptural support, and different perspectives on Christ’s millennial reign, including premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism.

The concept of the rapture as it’s commonly understood today originated in the early 19th century. It gained prominence through the teachings of John Nelson Darby, an Irish Anglican priest and one of the founders of the Plymouth Brethren movement. Darby’s interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 and Matthew 24:40–41 suggested that Christ would return secretly to take believers to heaven before the Great Tribulation.

This theology, known as dispensational premillennialism, was popularized in the United States through the Scofield Reference Bible (1909). Scofield’s annotated Bible presented Darby’s ideas as an integral part of Christian doctrine, making them widely accepted among evangelicals. Later, books like The Late Great Planet Earth (1970) by Hal Lindsey and the Left Behind series (1995–2007) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins cemented the rapture in the cultural imagination.

But while the rapture may feel like an ancient Christian belief, it is, in reality, a product of 19th-century theology, not the early church.

Despite its popularity, the rapture doctrine lacks robust biblical support. Proponents often cite passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, which describes believers being “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air. However, this passage doesn’t imply a secret removal of believers from the earth. Instead, it speaks to the resurrection and glorification of believers at Christ’s final return.

Similarly, Matthew 24:40–41, which speaks of one being taken and another left, is often used to support rapture theology. However, the context of these verses suggests judgment, not a secret rapture. Those “taken” are likely the ones judged, paralleling the days of Noah, where the flood “took” the ungodly away (Matthew 24:39).

The overarching biblical narrative points to a single, visible return of Christ at the culmination of history. Nowhere does Scripture clearly describe a two-stage return of Christ — one secret and one visible.

My critique of the rapture doctrine isn’t a denial of the second coming of Christ. Scripture is unequivocal that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, establish His kingdom, and restore creation (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20). What I question is not if Jesus will return, but how those events will unfold.

The Bible intentionally leaves many aspects of the end times ambiguous. This ambiguity invites humility and faith rather than speculative dogmatism.

The millennium — the thousand-year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20 — has been a subject of significant debate in Christian theology. Here are the three primary perspectives:

Premillennialism holds that Christ will return before the millennium to establish a literal thousand-year reign on earth. This view often pairs with rapture theology, particularly in its dispensational form, which sees Christ’s return in two stages: a secret rapture followed by His visible return to rule.

Amillennialism interprets the millennium symbolically, viewing it as the current church age during which Christ reigns spiritually through His people. The “thousand years” represent the completeness of Christ’s reign, which began at His resurrection and will culminate in His visible return and final judgment.

Postmillennialism holds that Christ will return after the millennium, which is understood as a golden age of Christian influence on earth. Postmillennialists are optimistic about the power of the gospel to transform society, envisioning a future where Christ reigns through His people in preparation for His ultimate return.

While I personally lean toward postmillennialism — appreciating its optimistic view of the gospel’s transformative power — I remain agnostic about the exact details of Christ’s return. The Bible’s teaching on the end times is intentionally complex, and I believe it is wise to hold our interpretations loosely.

What matters most is not deciphering every detail of eschatology but living faithfully in anticipation of Christ’s return. Jesus calls His followers to vigilance, obedience, and trust, regardless of when or how He returns (Matthew 24:36–44).

The doctrine of the rapture, though popular, is a recent and unbiblical innovation that distracts from the core message of Christ’s return. Rather than fixating on speculative timelines, Christians should focus on living out the gospel, trusting in God’s promises, and preparing for the day when Jesus returns to make all things new.

Ultimately, the end times are not about escaping tribulation but about Christ’s victory over sin and death. Whether the millennium is literal or symbolic, whether Christ returns sooner or later, one thing remains certain: He will return.