Section 4: Key Beliefs Re-examined, Article 1 Can We Expect a Rapture? “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15.
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			veryone seems to love a secret! Surprises are fun. It’s great to plan a surprise party for someone, and even better if you succeed in pulling it off. It’s (usually) delightful to be surprised. Perhaps some of this fascination with secrets and surprises lies behind the expectation of a Secret Rapture of
Yehuveh’s children before trouble gets bad on this planet.         Rapture is simply the concept that people will be taken from this planet and conveyed to heaven where they will live in blissful prosperity and peace. This “safely-out-of-here before the trouble” concept greatly appeals to nearly every group of believers. Some view this departure as taking place when Yehoshua (Jesus) returns with all the angels in an event they call the Second Coming or Second Advent. Although they do not call this expected departure a Rapture, essentially it is. The difference between the two groups is only in regard to their view as to the time and manner of departure.          The belief in a Secret Rapture has become exceedingly popular within the past decades. The Left Behind books and movies graphically portray the expected Secret Rapture experience. They have enjoyed wide acceptance. But believing doesn’t make ideas into reality. We need to examine this belief very carefully. Do the Scriptures support a “safely-out-of-here” Secret Rapture? On what Scripture is this belief founded? Is Scriptural research sound? Yehuveh has told us to measure every belief: “to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Is there evidence for this expected rapture in Torah and the history of Yehuveh’s people? Isaiah 8:20. Scriptural Support for a Secret Rapture          Most of the support for the Secret Rapture of Yehuveh’s people comes from the following “secret” verses:          “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”                    Matthew 24:36.          “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Master doth come.”                     Matthew 24:42. .         “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”                     Matthew 24:44.          “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”                     Matthew 25:13.          “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither                      the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32.          “He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath                     put in His own power.” Acts 1:7.          “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath                      determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” Acts 17:26.                             Gael Bataman          Originally Written:     23 October 2005 Latest Update:           29 April 2010                                                   Complete Study Guide to Article 1                                                          The Secret        The Rapture                Return to Zadok Home                Continue Article 1 . . .                    Go to Section 4: Beliefs   Go to Historical Calendar     Go to Daniel 11-12    Go to Revelation   Go to Years of Returning (Darius)