A New Raptura

The term “rapture” for evangelical and fundamentalist Christians is taken from ancient Latin “raptura” and means to be kidnapped, snatched away, or seized, a term very unlike modern associations of joy, and intense pleasure.  Nope, those who believe in the Biblical Rapture believe all previous believers will be called into the clouds to meet Jesus, then all current believers will be snatched away to join that group in the clouds.  The Bible does not mention the term rapture, but the current fundamentalist concept began to take hold in the late 1800s.

I have often thought of that event held dear in the hearts of some believers, as a horrible event.  2,000 years ago there were no automobiles, airliners, battleships, aircraft carriers, International Space Station, satellite operators, or even amusement park employees, so the snatching of believers might have left some sheep unguarded but would not likely cause much death and mayhem.  In the current high-tech society, the disappearance of a large number of people who are snatched away would result in multiple deaths and a huge amount of emotional pain.  So, if a loving God intends to do such a thing he does not seem very loving to me at all.

What further bothers me, assuming the perspective of a believer, is that those who are snatched are willing to be snatched, leaving family, friends, and loved ones behind.  How selfish is that?  Why not hang around and help?

The expression, “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”  So, the long-range plan for humanity is to snatch up all the good men?  Duh.  That seems counterproductive.  Let’s leave all the nonbelievers, all the evildoers in charge while good folks consort in the clouds.

So, I propose a change in the way Christians view the rapture.  It should not be the seizure and elevation of believers but should be a casting down of the wicked.  God has done that before via the great flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Pharaoh's army, etc., etc.  Why not at the end times?

If we believed that the day would come that all non-believers, all evildoers, all liars, all criminals, all those who grossly sinned against their fellow man by placing power and money above all else, should be cast down rather than all the good guys being sucked up.  Think of the ways we could improve the human condition!

Folks like Trump, McConnell, Greene, Boebert, McCarthy, Cruz, Abbott, Hawley, etc., etc. would be cast down and quickly disappear leaving the good solid people who understand the New Testament and the US Consitution in charge.  Then we would have the ability to establish heaven on earth where no one goes hungry, without shelter, in need of medical attention, or education, is shut out when seeking asylum, or belittles other humans because of race, ethnicity, gender, gender preference, or wealth.  Those who will say and do anything to achieve personal power would be the first to go, and I would say good riddance.

It may take a reverse rapture for the current supporters of the vile to realize they are on the wrong side and have been lied to and have had their fears and angers ignited by the accelerant of bigotry.  And, Biden could appoint 5 or 6 judges when the others disappear. 

Time for a new raptura.