Watchman River / Tom Cote: Rapture? John Nelson Darby? What are you Talking About?

Did Darby Invent the Rapture? Let’s go straight to Scripture—not seminaries or soundbites. Tom (Watchman River) responds to the “Darby invented the secret rapture in 1830” claim and shows the biblical foundation for the rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18, 1 Corinthians 15:50–52, John 14:1–3, Revelation 3:10. Plus, a rapid Bible-prophecy news roundup.

In this video:

• Debunking the Darby myth with Scripture (not traditions of men)
• The comfort and promise of the rapture (1 Thess 4:16–18; 1 Cor 15:50–52)
• Jesus’ promise to receive us to Himself (John 14:1–3)
• Kept “from the hour of trial” (Rev 3:10)
• News brief: Damascus explosions; Saudi envoy to Palestinians; Hezbollah threats to Galilee; chemical-weapons concerns; reports on Iran’s nuclear ambitions; Russian troop movements; China’s “indefinite” laser weapons claim; global wildfires (Hawaii, Canada, Oregon, Houston); CSU’s raised hurricane forecast; Gen Z’s turn to “Christian witchcraft”
• Encouragement: refuse fear—trust Jesus
• Gospel invitation: why salvation is by grace through faith in Christ’s finished work

Scriptures referenced:
1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 1 Corinthians 15:50–52; John 14:1–3; Revelation 3:10

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Tell us in the comments: Which Scripture most settles your heart about the rapture?

Maranatha!

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Rapture? John Nelson Darby? What are you Talking About?

We’re Doing It Today—Let’s Talk Darby

We’re doing it. Today we’re going to talk about Darby. We’ll also bring up some news headlines and comments of the day, and we’ll hang out.

My name is Tom. You’re watching the Watchman River Channel. As I do every single day, I remind you: I’m not a prophet, I’m not a pastor, and I’m not even a great teacher. I’m just a dude who loves the Lord. I love talking about the Lord, and I love hanging out with you.

So get comfortable. Grab something to eat and drink—maybe coffee or tea. Ooh, have some Ovaltine and rye toast! Or grab whatever you like to enjoy when you’re hanging out with an old friend and a fellow servant of the Lord. Let’s get busy.

My Head Will Explode

I’m going to say this because it has to be said—if I don’t, my head’s going to explode. This has been building up for years. If I don’t bring this out and talk about it, I’m going to make a mess out of this car.

Have you ever heard someone sum up all their political beliefs with one line—like a CNN headline? I knew a guy who’d say, “The Republicans are for the rich and the Democrats are for the poor, so I’ll always vote Democratic.” I’d ask him to elaborate, and he’d just repeat the line. That was his whole argument.

John Nelson Darby

We’ve got the same thing in the church world with this line (prepare for my “scrunched-lip” voice): “John Nelson Darby invented the secret rapture in 1830.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that, I’d be living high on the hog somewhere in the mountains. It’s in the comments almost every day: “Oh, you believe in the rapture? You should look up John Nelson Darby. He made up the secret rapture in 1830.”

I’ve even seen headlines: “Rapture doctrine invented by John Darby in 1830,” “The origin of rapture false doctrine—John Darby, 1830,” “The rapture did not exist before John Darby invented it in 1830.”

Okay—can I please go to Scripture?

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Did John Nelson Darby write this? No—Paul wrote this 2,000 years ago.

1 Corinthians 15:50–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Another Darby quote? No—again, Paul, 2,000 years ago.

John 14:1–3 (Jesus’ words)

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.

Revelation 3:10

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Did Darby write these? No. It’s Scripture. That’s what makes my head want to explode—people insisting a guy in 1830 made this up, when the Scriptures are right here.

It’s like someone saying, “Jesus dying on the cross is a made-up doctrine Billy Graham invented in 1967.” What are you talking about? Let’s stick to Scripture. The problem is, for decades many seminaries have taught that Darby invented a “secret rapture.” Not all, but a lot of them are not biblically grounded anymore.

When someone says, “Let me tell you something—you believe in the secret rapture, but have you researched John Nelson Darby?” my eyes roll back. Please—if you don’t want to believe in the rapture, at least use a stronger argument than that.

News Headlines of the Day

Massive Explosion Near Damascus
From Israel Today: Syrian sources report a massive explosion near Damascus, where Israeli planes are believed to have struck a Hezbollah arms depot early Sunday morning.
From the Jerusalem Post: Explosions were heard near Damascus early Sunday, according to state media (SANA). The cause was being verified. Footage reportedly showed explosions and fires northwest of Damascus. You have to wonder how much longer this goes on—so many strikes on Damascus recently.

Message to Israel—Saudi Arabia Appoints First Ambassador to the Palestinians
The Saudi ambassador to Jordan presented credentials to Palestinian leaders and a top advisor amid reports of an impending normalization agreement with Riyadh’s demands for significant Israeli concessions toward the Palestinians. It’s the same daily refrain: “We’ll be friends—after you give up land and money.”

Hezbollah Threats
From The Times of Israel: A senior Hezbollah commander warned the next war will be in Israel’s Galilee and that IDF posts will become “graveyards.” Four days earlier, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant toured the northern border and warned Hezbollah not to make a mistake: “If conflict develops here, we will return Lebanon to the Stone Age.” Hezbollah claims it will destroy IDF posts and cause soldiers to flee. They have one massive problem—the hand of God is on Israel. Israel may go through hard times, but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has that nation.

Possible Chemical Weapons
Reports indicate Hezbollah could attempt chemical weapons attacks in a future war. The group has access to a Syrian research site tied to non-conventional weapons. Israeli officials previously said Syria purchased chemical substances and attempted to produce deadly nerve agents at the CERS facility; a secretive unit, Branch 450, was tasked with the project.

Iran and Nukes
From the Jerusalem Post: European intelligence reports (2023) say Iran is close to possibly testing a nuclear weapons device and has sought illicit technology for its active atomic weapons program.

Channel 13 (Israel) Notes on Internal Divisions
Reports highlight Iranian and Israeli internal divisions, calling this a dangerous moment as relations with America weaken and factions within Israel intensify their disputes. Many hostile actors think, “This may be our time.”

Am I saying the rapture must happen this year? I think it might—but I’m not saying it has to. I see all the signs and I’m looking up every day. Could it be today? Yes. Tomorrow? Yes. Every day? Yes.

Russia
From WW3 info: “Something big will happen soon.” A huge echelon of the Russian army was reported in Omsk, near the Kazakhstan border—similar movements occurred weeks before the Ukraine invasion. We’ll see.

All this news doesn’t worry me 1%. I belong to Jesus. He loves me—don’t ask me why, but He does—and I rest in Him. He’s not nervous about a single thing in this world. I’m His, so I refuse to worry. Scripture tells us not to worry. Put your family, your grown kids who don’t know the Lord, in His hands. Keep praying. Tell the Lord, “They’re yours.”

China—Laser Weapons
South China Morning Post reports: China claims a breakthrough in cooling systems for high-energy lasers, allowing them to fire indefinitely without overheating—gas-cooling to remove excess heat. Sounds like tech that’ll fit right into the seven-year tribulation.

Wildfires
Hawaii: The death toll rose to 96; at least 1,000 are unaccounted for—likely more. The videos are hard to watch and much seems… off. I’ve lost trust in leadership across the world in the past three years.
Canada: Massive wildfires in the Northwest Territories; thousands evacuated. Communications failing—similar to Lahaina. Fires are breaking out globally. Whether the Lord is allowing it and the enemy is pushing it, or men are doing it—or both—we’re seeing it everywhere.
Oregon: Level 1 and 2 evacuations for the Bedrock fires.
Houston, TX: Large mulch fire on the northwest side of the city.
Hurricane season: Colorado State University upped the 2023 named storm forecast again—from 13, to 15, now to 18. We’ll see.

End-Times Culture
Gen Z is swapping traditional faith for magic spells. One woman credits spells for her job, raises, making a boss like her more, and “bagging” the love of her life. She keeps a “honey jar” with herbs, a petition, and a Corona bottle cap. She calls herself a “Christian witch.” There are thousands like her. Doesn’t surprise me—we are in the very last days, and Jesus is about to rapture the church.

Nothing shocks me anymore. Nothing. You could show me a video of aliens flying out of a cow’s butt and I’d say, “Who knows?”

Comments of the Day

Robert Armstrong:
“I can feel the point of the sword of Jesus through the Holy Spirit—convicting, calling, and warning all unbelievers to repent. I am a child of God through Jesus Christ, and I feel the power getting stronger every day. Keep preaching the Good News, Tom.”
Thank you, Robert!

It Might Be Mahabir:
“Jesus can’t be struck again with the wrath of God. We who are in Him and are now His body cannot and will not be struck by God’s wrath. Hallelujah.”
Amen. We have the Holy Spirit in us. God is not going to pour His wrath on His own Spirit dwelling in us. That’s why the church is not here for the seven-year tribulation. The church is given no instructions for what to do during the tribulation.

Just Anna:
“Soon, beauty unfathomable awaits. Peace and understanding await. We go from misery to bliss in a single moment. Lord, please come soon.”
Yes—looking forward to that moment!

J. Church:
“Excellent, Tom. Yes, the Lord weaves His plan throughout the ages. Praise His holy name.”
He’s the Master Weaver. The way the Old Testament unfolds into the New—and the New is enfolded in the Old—is beyond miraculous.

Chris Caswell:
“North from south is finite; east from west is infinite. That’s how powerful Jesus’ love and salvation are for those who trust and believe in Him.”
Amen—beautiful.

Betty Mukami:
“Powerful way of explaining the striking of Christ the Rock—He was struck once and for all. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit; He dwells in us. God would be going against His Word by striking Christ twice, for He is embodied in us through the Holy Spirit.”
Thank you, Betty—straight Scripture.

Deborah Erskine:
“Every day I pray, ‘Lord, come quickly,’ and every day I follow with, ‘Please tarry as long as possible so many more may come to know You.’ May we be obedient to share His love and grace with all we meet—even strangers in the grocery store. We may be planting or watering seeds, and our interaction may cause them to listen to the Holy Spirit.”
Thank you, Deborah. So true. Little phrases like “God bless you” can echo in someone’s heart for months. Plant seeds. Pray the Lord waters them. Never underestimate the power of prayer and of God.

The Path to Destruction vs. The Way of Salvation

God doesn’t want anyone to perish. But wide is the path to destruction, and most say “no” to the miracle of the cross.

I’m not talking about a religious system or check-box Christianity. I’m talking about the God of the universe sending His Son to solve the problem of sin.

God is holy and pure. He cannot look upon sin. We’re all sinners. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins—with His own blood.

Jesus put on human flesh, entered time, and lived perfectly—100% God and 100% man. He was brutalized, marred beyond recognition, because He loves you. On the cross He shed blood powerful enough to remove sin—as far as the east is from the west—washing us white as snow.

He was buried. He rose again. He’s coming back. That’s the gospel. The problem of sin has been dealt with—but you must respond. Will you say, “I don’t need that,” or “I don’t believe in Jesus—it’s a myth”? Don’t do that.

If you show up on Judgment Day with your sins exposed, you will be led off to hell. But in Christ, your sins are gone—paid for, remembered no more.

Turn to Jesus. Do it soon. Time is running out.