Billy Crone: Are You Ready For The Rapture? Part 1 of 15

In this first part of the Are You Ready for the Rapture? series, Pastor Billy Crone dives deep into Bible prophecy and the signs pointing to Christ’s return. With clarity and urgency, he addresses the reality of the Rapture, the deception of false religions and cults, the dangers of the occult, modern-day moral issues, and the impact of technology in the last days.

This channel is dedicated to equipping both believers and skeptics with solid, Bible-based teaching—helping you discern the times and prepare for what’s ahead.

Are You Ready For The Rapture? Part 1

How many of you have ever woken up with a gut feeling it’s going to be a bad day? Believe it or not, I found one of the worst days imaginable: waking up and realizing you’ve been left behind at the rapture of the church.

The Bible says there will be a moment when believers in Jesus Christ—both those who have died and those who are alive—will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. It will happen suddenly, without warning, in the twinkling of an eye. One moment you are here, the next moment you’re gone. But what if you wake up one morning and realize you’re still here, and others—your loved ones, your neighbors, your coworkers who trusted Christ—are gone? That would be a nightmare unlike any you’ve ever experienced.

That’s why we study these passages. That’s why we talk about the rapture. It isn’t a game, and it isn’t about stirring up fear for the sake of fear. It’s about being ready. Because if you’re not saved, you won’t go. And if you’re not ready, you’ll be left behind.

Tribulation Summary & Call to Salvation

All the islands and mountains are not just shaken—this time they’re gone. You can’t find mountains; you can’t find cities. That’s how massive the earthquake will be. Then comes a hailstorm with hundred-pound stones slamming into the earth. After that, the Battle of Armageddon—and guess what? God doesn’t lose. Scripture says the blood will rise as high as a horse’s bridle for 1,600 stadia—about four feet deep for 200 miles.

Then the angel harvest takes place. The righteous—the remnant of Israel and the Gentiles who survive and come to faith during the Tribulation—are gathered for entry into the Millennial Kingdom. But those who persist in rebellion, those who refuse to repent even after all of this, will be gathered by the angels and cast straight into hell.

That “weather report” sounds tame compared to the reality of what’s coming. And that’s the importance of the rapture. If you’re not saved, you need to get saved. This is not a game. The rapture is going to happen suddenly, and people will vanish from this earth. I hope you’re one of them. God has made a way—no matter what you’ve done, forgiveness is offered through Jesus Christ. That’s why it’s called a gift.

But why would anyone hesitate to receive a gift like that? Why gamble with eternity? The only reason is stubbornness and pride. God has given us advance warning. He has given us the way of escape. All you have to do is accept it before it’s too late.

Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, reminds us that the rapture was designed to comfort us. Believers at that time wondered what would happen to their loved ones who had died before Christ’s return. Paul reassured them: they would not miss out. In fact, the dead in Christ will rise first, and then those still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. We will be with Him forever. That’s why Paul says, Encourage one another with these words.

But there’s also a second comfort. The rapture reminds us that we will not experience the Day of the Lord, the time of God’s wrath poured out on this earth. That day is reserved for the wicked. Paul said it plainly: God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Day of the Lord involves wrath, vengeance, and judgment. The church is spared from all of it.

Reminders for the Living: Our Life on Earth

Paul’s tone is clear—even sarcastic at times: “Hello, McFly! Don’t you remember? I told you this already!” He was frustrated that the Thessalonians were falling for lies that they were already in the Tribulation. Paul reminded them: the rapture comes first. The Day of the Lord, the Tribulation, cannot begin until the Antichrist signs his covenant with Israel. Until then, the church will not see a second of it.

But here’s where Paul takes us deeper. The rapture isn’t just about comfort—it’s about mission. If you really believe the rapture could happen at any moment, it won’t make you lazy. It will light a fire under you. You’ll realize today could be the last chance you have to fulfill God’s plan for your life.

Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He prepared in advance for us. We’re not saved by works, but we are saved for works. And the primary work God has given us is the Great Commission: to share the gospel, to make disciples, to teach obedience, to baptize, and to spread the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Romans 11:25–26 gives us an incredible insight. The rapture will happen when the “fullness of the Gentiles” has come in. That means when the last non-Jewish person destined to be saved accepts Christ, the church age will end, and the rapture will take place. Imagine being the one who leads that last soul to Christ. You could be praying with someone, heads bowed, leading them in a prayer of salvation—and as you say, “In Jesus’ name, Amen,” suddenly you’re both caught up to meet the Lord. That moment could happen today.

But our message must be backed up by the way we live. Peter says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” If we don’t take sin seriously, why would anyone else? If we live like the world while preaching about judgment, no one will believe us. Holiness doesn’t save us—that comes through Christ alone—but holiness validates our message. It shows we’re serious about sin, that we’ve been forgiven, and that we want nothing to do with it anymore.

The seriousness of sin cannot be overstated. Hell is not a party. Scripture describes it as darkness, torment, isolation, and eternal punishment. Revelation 14:11 says, “The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day or night.” Matthew 25:41 says, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Those who reject Christ will face everlasting destruction, shut out from the presence of God.

That’s why our witness matters. That’s why holiness matters. People need to see that sin is serious, and they need to see that forgiveness is real. We don’t glamorize the past; we don’t look back with longing on the days when we lived without Christ. Those were days of emptiness and despair. Now we live in gratitude, determined to show others that there is hope, that there is salvation, and that there is a way out through Jesus.

Paul ties it all together in Titus 2:11–13: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

In that one passage we see the whole picture:

• Salvation is offered to all.

• We live holy lives as a testimony.

• We share the gospel faithfully until the rapture.

This is the doctrine of imminence. The rapture could happen at any moment. That reality doesn’t excuse us from responsibility—it compels us to greater responsibility. It drives us to urgency. It calls us to holiness. It pushes us out into the harvest fields to reach as many as possible while there’s still time.

So every morning we rise with this in mind: Today could be the day of the rapture. Who can I reach before it’s too late? How can I live as a positive witness for Jesus Christ? That is the purpose of the rapture: to comfort us, to motivate us, and to compel us into action until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and Christ calls His church home.