RE: What Does The Bible Say? I want to thank you for your excellent and encouraging article about what the bible does and does not say!! I have lately been reading and watching programs which have been stating that “lukewarm” Christians will not be caught up in the rapture. They say that many who believe they are Christians, in fact the majority, will be left behind. This greatly worries me for so many!!! Could you please provide your thoughts on this?
If the programs you’ve been watching are defining those who call themselves Christians but are not born again as being lukewarm, then they are correct. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). In spite of that, a great many church goers belong to liberal denominations where they are taught that church membership is all it takes to receive the eternal blessings of God.
However, if they are referring to born again Christians who in their opinion are not giving appropriate evidence of their status through their works, then they are incorrect. Participation in the rapture is based on what we believe, not on how we behave (Ephesians 1:13-14). The minimum standard is to believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day (1 Cor. 15:1-4). In other words, to be born again.