Open Letter to Those Who Miss the Rapture
Open Letter to Those Who Miss the Rapture
Written by: Charles Gray Adams Jr
February 17th, 2022
Great deception will mark the time you find yourself in called, “The Tribulation.” Jesus warned of this deception in His discourse about the time called the “Day of the Lord (Matt 24:4).” This day is unlike any other, for it will last for seven years. Yes, the Day of the Lord is in fact a period of time referred to as Jacob’s trouble (Jer 30:7). God designed this season to bring judgment upon the wicked and salvation to all who will believe the truth. During this time, the enemy of God, Satan, is doing everything in his power to “deceive.” The good news is, at the same time, God is doing everything possible to help men “believe.” With this in mind, it is extremely important to understand your options in this perilous time. Therefore, this ‘Open Letter to those Who Miss the Rapture,’ should prove helpful.
Your greatest challenge, now that you realize that you are in this period, is determining what is true. After all, Satan is operating at break-neck speed to deceive and the restrainer has been moved out of the way (2 Thess 2:7). Therefore, the deception will be overwhelming, henceforth. The good news is, God does not change. This means his words to Isaiah are true, even in the Tribulation, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him (Isa 59:19b).”[1] Indeed, in such a tremendously difficult time, the only way to survive is to follow the instructions found in the Bible and a good place to start is found in the book of Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; lean not unto thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Prov 3:5-6).
The enemy rages and deceives, but the Lord still encourages to believe. This is evidenced by the fact that God sends two witnesses to testify in sackcloth. Yes, they will be physically located in Jerusalem, but the text indicates they will be seen by all people (Rev 11). This will be possible due to modern day communications. These witnesses will literally testify to the entire world. These two will also be performing true signs and wonders while they testify for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Eventually, they will be overcome by the beast that ascendeth out of the pit, but not a day before or after that which is appointed. Three and a half days later, God will breathe life into them and they will ascend into heaven with their enemies watching (Rev 11).
This narrative is important for two reasons. First, this will be a great sign that God is still God and everything He establishes will come to pass. After all, the Apostle John recorded this prophecy nearly two thousand years ago. Incredibly, this is just one of many signs given by God about the time in which you find yourself. Second, the fact that these two are witnessing is proof positive that you still have a chance for salvation. Why? Because, “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17).” Remember, deception will be rampant, it will be coming at you like a flood. Therefore, God has raised up a standard, in the two witnesses, and many others who are now living for Christ and sharing life giving truth.
The very fact that you can understand their message is cause for hope. Because, while it is true that God is sending strong delusion upon those who refuse the love of the truth (2 Thess 2); at the same time He is providing a way of escape through receiving the truth of the message of the two witnesses, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, and any other who has overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. The fact that God is still sending forth His word of truth signifies that you have hope. Therefore, do not delay, accept Christ today.
Deception is only successful when the truth is absent. This is why the enemy wants to isolate you. He will do everything possible to cause you to think you belong to him now. He will perform signs and wonders and he will even have his own cheering section who proclaim he is greater than God (Rev 13). He will blaspheme the Most High and he will even be able to oppress the saints who have come to believe in Christ (Dan 7:25). In fact, he will make war with the saints and overcome them (Rev 13:7). With all this in mind, how are you to overcome him?
First of all, it is vital that you counter the deception all around you with the truth. Finding a Bible will be increasingly more challenging as the Tribulation progresses. Indeed, the trend toward censorship was already on the rise before the rapture. Rejoice, however, because the very fact that you desire to seek the truth is proof that you have not come under the delusion sent by God as noted in 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 2. With this in mind, it is important to make the following point.
The enemy knows the Word very well. In fact, he quoted it several times, out of context of course, during the temptation of Christ (Matt 4:1-11; Mark: 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). He also twisted the Word when deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3). Undoubtedly, he will attempt to use God’s Word to inform you that you have missed the rapture and therefore have no hope of salvation. In fact, many today see this narrative in the aforementioned 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2. They believe if you miss the rapture, after having heard the gospel, you are eternally damned. However this belief is based on faulty understanding of the Word.
At first glance, the passage in question may seem to say what some imply. However, this interpretation is based on a process called ‘eisegesis’ which is the process of reading into the text what one wants it to say. Here is what the text actually says:
“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:8-12, emphasis mine).”
You can see that no mention of the rapture is involved in this narrative. This is where the problem arises with this faulty interpretation. The interpreter has to insert the idea of the rapture being the ‘end all’ of your hope. This is simply not true. Please know, this is not an attempt to cause you to delay your day of salvation, please accept Jesus right now. After all, none are promised the next second.
While this passage does say that God will send a strong delusion to those who do not believe the truth, it does not say the rapture is the point of no return. God does ‘mark,’ pun intended, the point of no return and it comes near the mid-point of the Tribulation period. This quote should help:
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus (Rev 14:9-12).”
Notice, this angel is speaking of an event found in the previous chapter of the Book of Revelation in which the false prophet will cause ‘all’ to receive a mark in the hand or forehead without which you will not be able to buy, sell, or trade (Rev 13:16-17). We already saw the technology necessary for this mark in our time. By now, you will know exactly what the mark is and you will not just be encouraged to take it, it will be mandated, sound familiar? Undoubtedly, you are remembering a recent past which started with a pandemic which brought forth ever-increasing mandates which ultimately led to the mark you are now being required to have just to participate in society.
Back to the point, receiving ‘the mark of the beast’ is the point of no return. Until you have done this, you have hope. Indeed, you may have great hope, since the very fact that you are reading this letter means that you are seeking the truth. Therefore, you have not rejected the love of the truth and God has led you to this letter which will point you to the Word of God which is the only absolute source of truth.
Perhaps the best way to understand 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2:10-12 is to see, ‘refusing the love of the truth’ as the point of no return. This is true because you will only take the mark if you have refused the love of the truth, of God’s Word, which tells you not to receive the mark. Said another way, refusing the love of the truth causes you to come under strong delusion, sent by God, which will cause you to seal your fate by taking the mark of the beast. While this warning is grave, it in no way implies that the rapture is the point of no return. In the truest sense, ‘refusing to love the truth’ is the point of no return and this can happen at any time, even before the rapture. This is seen in Paul’s instructions to the Romans:
Romans 1:18-32
“18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
“26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (emphasis mine).”
Notice that God was already giving people over to reprobate minds, before the rapture, as seen in this passage. Indeed, each of the inconveniences noted here have been happening for a very long time, as seen in the account about Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18 & 19). Underpinning this point is understanding that the highlighted verses 28 and 32 of Romans chapter 1 sound just like the narrative of 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2:10-12. Here are the two passages for comparison:
Romans 1:28; 32
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient… 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (emphasis mine). (Rom 1:28; 32).
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Realizing that the enemy will bring deception like that just discussed should help you understand what you are up against. This is just one of an innumerable number of ways the enemy will attempt to thwart your attempt to overcome. He will even attempt to mimic the actions of Nimrod who led the very first kingdom to exist at Babylon which started with the Tower of Babel.[2] Nimrod propagated the message of Satan by encouraging the people to detach from God or the need of having a God and attach themselves to the earth and those who dwell there as the only hope for the future.[3]
However, there is good news. You have stumbled upon this letter which you are not reading by chance. God has made a way, where there was no way (Isa 43). He has provided a link to pertinent knowledge you desperately need. Reading this indicates you are, in fact, on the right track and here is some very important information which may be scarce in your current situation.
John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God (emphasis mine).
Romans 10:8-17
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (emphasis mine).
Incredibly, just reading these passages and having a desire, in your heart, to put them into action, is proof positive that you have not come under the delusion of God (2 Thess 2:8-12). Remember, this does not mean the enemy will stop trying to deceive you into believing you have no hope. In fact, he will continue to deceive until he is cast in the lake of fire (Rev 20:7-10). Your best defense has already been mentioned, you must trust in the Lord with all of your heart and, very importantly, especially now that you are in the Tribulation, lean not unto your own understanding. If you do this, God will direct your path (Prov 3:5-6). If you think about it, He has already started by having you read this letter.
Conclusion
Through great deception, you are traveling. The enemy will be using every possible tactic to cause you to give up and fall for the false narrative of the last days. He will even use some who have good intentions but have only part of the truth that you need. Finding a Bible is your chief concern for in it are all the answers you could ever want. For instance, the prophets, have outlined what you will experience over the coming months and years. Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Joel, are a few of the Old Testament prophets. In the New Testament, Jesus, Paul, and John say a great deal about the last days in which you now live. In particular, the book of Revelation will be making perfect sense to you since you are experiencing the events contained therein.
Multitudes will be succumbing to the wiles of the devil and falling into place with those who think the earth is their only resource. They will even be deceived into taking the mark of the beast, sealing their fate. You, on the other hand, have a chance to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony and loving not your life even unto death (Rev 12:11). This may seem like a difficult existence, however, it is much preferred to the reality of those who do not have a love for the truth, for they will be damned by taking the mark of the beast which will make them the recipients of the wrath of God and torment in fire and brimstone.
With all of this in mind, it is vital to realize that today is the day of your salvation (2 Cor 6:2). Do not delay another second. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved (Rom 10:13). Read More
