Why is it that I keep having different people tell me that there will be Christians left behind at the time of the rapture? I was never taught this and don’t understand it. I don’t believe it, but I don’t know how to answer them. Thank you for your help.
The partial rapture is a faith plus works concept has been around for a long time. It’s based on the false notion that even though we’re saved by grace, only those who through their exemplary Christian life have earned the right to be taken in the rapture will go. The rest will be left behind to endure part or all of the End Time judgments.
A more recent adaptation of this idea this holds that all believers will be taken in the rapture, but only those who’ve properly sanctified themselves will be allowed to enter the Kingdom. The others will be sent to the outer darkness for 1,000 years of additional preparation before being allowed to enter into the kingdom.
There isn’t a shred of Biblical support for either of these views. In fact they contradict the Bible’s statements that by the Lord’s once-for-all-time sacrifice we have been made perfect forever (Hebr. 10:12-14) and are now a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). We have a righteousness that comes from God apart from the Law (our behavior) through our faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-22).
Everyone who is born again is part of the Church and as such will be taken in the rapture and brought into the New Jerusalem to dwell with the Lord forever (John 14:2-3)