Chuck Missler: The End Times Scenario - Session 2

Many believe we are entering a unique phase of human history. Some are fearful, others predict cosmic doom, while many make astonishing claims. But what does the Bible actually say?

Eschatology—the study of “last things”—is one of the most challenging areas of theology, even for the most seasoned scholars.

In this session, Dr. Chuck Missler explores key prophetic questions:

• What are the real End Time events?

• What is the most preposterous doctrine in Christianity?

• Will the Church go through the Great Tribulation?

• Which Kingdom do we pray for in the Lord’s Prayer?

• Is there truly a “Battle of Armageddon”—and why?

• What Scripture did Jesus deliberately leave out in Nazareth?

• Who is the Antichrist—and could he be alive today?

• Should we expect a literal Babylon on the horizon?

Join Dr. Missler for a thought-provoking overview of the controversies, insights, and biblical truths surrounding the End Times.

The End Times Scenario - Session 2

Well, again, I want to welcome you to the End Time Scenario, Session Number Two. Shabbat Shalom. Let’s bow our hearts for a word of prayer.

Father, we thank You for this day and for Your presence here. We pray, Father, that You would anoint this time with Your Holy Spirit, that we might have our lives and hearts open to Your Word. We pray that You would guide us into truth and keep us from error, but in all things keep us focused on our precious King. In His name we commit this day and ourselves—in the name of Yeshua, our Lord, our coming King, our Savior, Jesus our Messiah indeed. Amen.

Okay, we are in Session Two. We’re going to start right off with one of the most controversial subjects in the Christian lexicon. We’re going to talk about this thing that in Greek is called harpazo, commonly called the Rapture.

Candidly, it’s the most preposterous doctrine in evangelical Christianity—a bizarre, strange viewpoint. We need to acknowledge that, no matter how we feel about it. It is indeed a strange perception. So let’s hit that head on.

When I travel to other churches, I usually find out in advance what the pastor’s attitude is. If he’s not comfortable with this topic, I don’t bring it up—not because I want to avoid controversy, but because I don’t want to leave a wake of confusion behind. In this setting, however, we should tackle it directly.

We’ll start with the scriptural basis. Where does this idea come from? It wasn’t cooked up by internet bloggers—it goes way back. We’ll talk about alternative views, and also about a doctrine you won’t find explicitly stated in those terms, but which is widely taught: the doctrine of imminence. What does that mean? We’ll explore that.

It may surprise you that I believe there are allusions to the Rapture even in the Old Testament. Most conservative scholars, even at places like Dallas Theological Seminary, will argue that the Rapture doesn’t appear in the Old Testament. But I’ll show you three passages and let you decide for yourself.

So, let’s dig in. The word rapture actually comes from the Latin rapio. In Greek, the word is harpazo, meaning “to be forcibly caught up, taken away.” That’s the idea. We’ll look at the promise of it, the process by which it occurs, and the purpose behind it. Collectively, this is what Paul calls “the blessed hope” in Titus.

We’ll examine its prophetic profile, and some of the problems people have with it. And yes—if you’re seminary-trained, you’ll notice I’ve even alliterated the points.

The Jewish concept of prophecy is that “pattern is prologue.” To understand this subject, we need to understand the Jewish mindset.

Let’s start with the promise. Believe it or not, it begins in John 14, right in the middle of what’s called the Upper Room Discourse (John 13–17). Jesus says:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

That’s an incredible promise. And if you study carefully, you realize He’s not describing His second coming in judgment, but rather something else entirely.

To understand this better, we need to look at the model of the ancient Jewish wedding. It began with a betrothal—the bride was purchased with a price, set apart, sanctified. The bridegroom would then depart to his father’s house to prepare an addition for his new family. The bride, meanwhile, had to be ready at any moment for his return. Often, he came at night, in a surprise gathering. Then followed the wedding and, afterward, the marriage supper, which traditionally lasted seven days.

Do you see the pattern? Jesus paid the purchase price at the cross. He departed to His Father’s house to prepare a place for His bride. We, the bride, are called to live in constant readiness for His imminent return. And one day, at a time unknown, He will come to gather His bride.

Paul describes this in detail in 1 Thessalonians 4:

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.”

That’s breathtaking. That’s the Rapture.

And Paul emphasizes again in 1 Corinthians 15 that this will happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” Not a blink, but an instant—the smallest measurable unit of time.

The point is clear: there is coming a sudden, supernatural event when Christ will call His bride to Himself.

Now, is this the same as the Second Coming? No. The Rapture and the Second Coming are distinct events. At the Rapture, believers are caught up to meet Christ in the air. At the Second Coming, Christ returns to the earth, in power and judgment, with His saints. At the Rapture, only believers see Him; at the Second Coming, every eye will see Him. At the Rapture, the focus is rescue; at the Second Coming, the focus is reign.

The church is promised exemption from the time of God’s wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10). That’s why the doctrine of imminence is important—we are told to live in constant expectation of His return. Not looking for signs, but looking for the Savior.

Now, throughout history, many have fallen into extremes—either “rapture-itis” (becoming so focused on the Rapture they neglect daily faithfulness), or “rapture-mania” (setting dates, despite repeated warnings in Scripture that no one knows the day or the hour). Both extremes miss the point. Jesus told us to “occupy until I come.”

The Rapture is not escapism. It is hope. It is promise. It is the blessed assurance that Christ will not leave His bride to endure the wrath reserved for a rebellious world.

And so the question remains: is He coming for you?