Jack Hibbs: Will Backsliders Be Raptured?

Will backsliders be taken in the Rapture or left behind? It’s a question many believers wrestle with—and one that deserves a biblical answer. In this message, Pastor Jack Hibbs opens Scripture to address what the Bible truly says about backslidden Christians and the hope we have in Christ’s return.

Will Backsliders Be Raptured?

Hey you guys, here’s a very important question that every single one of us is going to want to hear the answer to from the Bible: If a person is backslidden, will they go up in the Rapture or be left behind? Let’s get into it right now.

If the Lord came back in the Rapture, and someone was like the prodigal son—backslidden, not paying attention, even living in sin at that very moment—would they go up in the Rapture?

Here’s the answer: If that person is born again, they will go up.

1. There is no verse in the Bible that says you can be “unborn again.”

2. In fact, Scripture overwhelmingly declares that once we are truly born again, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.

Read Ephesians chapters 1 and 2, along with many other passages. When the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) takes up residence in the believer, you are sealed. That is God’s agreement—between Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit—regarding your entrance into heaven.

So don’t be confused. Ask yourself: Am I born again?

If you are, then even if you backslide, you’ll be miserable in your sin. You can’t even enjoy it anymore. You know you shouldn’t be there, and the Holy Spirit convicts you. That’s what a backslidden Christian experiences.

Paul even addressed this. In 1 Corinthians 5, there was a man in the church having sexual relations with his stepmother. Paul told the church to remove him—cast him out. And then he said something shocking: “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 5:5)

That’s right. God, in His mercy, would rather take that man home early than allow him to continue ruining his witness. That’s what happens when believers refuse to repent—God may step in and bring them home prematurely.

Now, 1 John 2:28 says, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”

John is writing to believers. This is about the Rapture. If you’re walking in obedience, you’ll have confidence. If not, you’ll be ashamed when He appears. Notice: It doesn’t say you’ll lose salvation or be left behind. It says you’ll be ashamed.

So will backsliders be raptured? Yes. Will they be ashamed when it happens? Yes. Should a backslider repent right now? Absolutely!

Repentance means turning away from sin, not just confessing it. If you claim to be a Christian and live in unrepentant sin without any conviction, you may not be saved at all. True believers hate their sin because the Holy Spirit within them hates sin.

Let me close with a personal story.

Back in the late 70s and early 80s, Lisa and I were part of the College and Career group at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. We were the only married couple in the group. Among our friends was a young man I’ll call “Don.”

Don came from an alcoholic family. God saved him, and he became part of our fellowship. But when Don got his eyes off Jesus, he slipped back into drinking. One weekend, we couldn’t reach him. On Sunday, we learned he had died in a head-on collision while drunk.

It was heartbreaking. But we all knew—Don belonged to Jesus. God had taken him home early rather than let him destroy his life further.

Here’s the truth: If you can “lose” your salvation, you’ve already lost it. But if you’re truly born again, you cannot lose it. God doesn’t commit abortions in His family.

So yes, a backslider will be raptured—but don’t live in that condition. Repent now. Return to Jesus. He loves you and will restore you.