The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Partial Rapture Trauma

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Are you experiencing partial rapture trauma?

Nathan Jones: A fairly recent news story came out reporting that some Christians are coming down with what’s called “post-rapture trauma.” In other words, the person learns about the Rapture of the Church, but knowing about it ruins their lives because they spend their whole life worrying about whether they are actually going to be raptured or be left behind.

Christians know this errant doctrine to be called the Partial Rapture Theory. It’s this idea that only some Christians will be raptured up to Heaven while those not anticipating Christ’s return will be left behind to endure the Tribulation in some sort of purification ritual.

To find out if the Partial Rapture Theory is truly biblical doctrine, we are joined by Tyler, the host of the YouTube channel Generation 2434. Tyler is one of the new faces to Bible prophecy, and so new, in fact, Tyler, why don’t you tell us what Generation2434 means?

Tyler of Generation2434: Sure. Generation2434 comes from Matthew 24:34 where Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”

Back in early 2020, I felt like the Lord was calling me to get on YouTube, which is something I never thought I would do. Okay, well, I have to have a YouTube channel name, so what do I call this new ministry? After I had prayed, that’s the verse I felt the Lord had placed on my heart, and so I named my channel after Matthew 24:34.

Tim Moore: The importance of passing this message — that Jesus is coming soon — to the next generation is absolutely critical. Christians for the last 2,000 years have looked forward to Jesus’ return, and many of them are very faithfully looking and expecting Him to return at any moment.

The Rapture Defined

Nathan Jones: First, let’s define what the Rapture is for those who don’t know about the Rapture, and then let’s get into defining what is a Partial Rapture, if there’s even such a thing?

Tyler of Generation2434: In Jesus’ own last words in Revelation 22:7,12, and 20, He promises, “Behold, I am coming quickly!” Therefore, there are a lot of Christians out there who don’t even want you saying Jesus is coming soon. But, I would look at Scripture and say that when Jesus said, “I come quickly” the word “quickly” also means “soon.” Then people want to define “soon.” That’s where interpretations can get a little bit more fractured and murky.

Regardless, the Rapture is very clearly defined in the Bible, such as in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. In these passages, Jesus promises that He is coming to gather all of those who are His — believers who are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption — which I believe that day to be the Rapture. Christ is going to summon all who are called His children and take us to be with Him, as He says in John 14:1-3, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” This is what is clearly spoken of in the Bible — the Rapture.

I believe in what is called the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, meaning that the Rapture is going to occur before the prophesied Tribulation period begins. Titus 2:13 says that we are to be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” The Rapture is the blessed hope for every believer in Christ.

Rapture Anxiety Woes

Tyler of Generation2434: It saddens me to see something that we’re told should be used to “comfort one another with these words” in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 seems to be stressing some people out. CNN even wrote this article on Rapture fatigue titled “For some Christians, ‘rapture anxiety’ can take a lifetime to heal.”

This anxiety is very similar to the days when Jesus was first here. The Pharisees used the Mosaic Law to put their people under bondage. But then, Jesus came with His message of grace and faith. We know from Scripture that we are saved by grace, through faith, and not by our works, as it says in Ephesians 2:8-9. Therefore, Ephesians 4:30 is something that’s really important to understand — that when we are saved we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. That means that all of those who are His, whether you’re dead in Christ or alive, will be taken in the Rapture.

But then there’s this message out there which falls very much under the law of bondage. It declares that unless you are performing spiritually at a certain level, or unless your eschatology is correct, or that you’re actively anticipating the Rapture, then you’re just not going. The funny thing is, almost every time, it’s the ones who are saying that you have to be performing at a certain level are the same ones who also believe that they are the only ones meeting their requirements and so will be raptured. I’m concerned about that.

Tim Moore: According to Romans 4:5-8, for all who are saved, it’s not on the basis of our works. We are saved to then do good works. We still fall short every day. Romans 7:24 says: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Not, “What a wretched man that I was.” The author of Romans knew that due to his own fallen sinful nature, he would still tend to stray.

One of my favorite hymns goes: “Prone to wonder, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” And so, if I’m relying upon my own faithfulness, even as Scripture calls me to aspire to faithfulness, I’m still hopeless. My hope is not in my own faithfulness or my own understanding, rather my hope is in Christ and His faithfulness because He is always faithful.

I’ve got to tell you, one of the worst jokes I ever saw was played on a dear family member of mine. Her siblings decided that they would hide, and my wife and I would do the same so that when one of my daughters came home nobody would be there. She would end up thinking she’d been left behind. It ended up being rather traumatic for her for those few seconds until we realized she wasn’t realizing that this was just playing Hide-and-Seek. We had to come out of hiding and comfort her and assure her that she will not be left behind for she had put her trust in Jesus Christ.

I’m absolutely confident, more so than ever, that Jesus will be true to His word and return and take His Church up to Heaven.

Tyler of Generation2434: Amen! I get messages from people all over the world who are trying to turn the Rapture from being the blessed hope to a great anxiety. They’re saying, “Yes, Jesus is coming soon, but you may not be ready for it because you may not be performing well enough to have earned going.”

The Biblical Remedy

Nathan Jones: Tyler, what do you tell them? What is the Bible’s argument that it’s not just some Christians who will be raptured but all who are saved?

Tyler of Generation2434: I go back to Ephesians 2:8-9 which says that we are saved by grace through faith. Salvation is a package deal. First Thessalonians 4:13-18 says that whether you’re dead in Christ or one of those who are alive and currently remain, we will all be caught up together to meet Jesus in the air.

The only thing that makes you worthy of salvation and the Rapture is the shed blood of the Lamb of God. First John 1:7-9 is very clear on that. We place our faith in the blood Jesus shed on the cross. We are then covered by His righteousness alone. It’s never about our own righteousness. And so, if Jesus knows you, if you are His, if you’re covered by the blood of the Lamb, whether you’re dead or alive, when the moment the Rapture comes, you will be going up to be with Christ.

Tim Moore: John captured in John 3:16, “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It’s an “either-or” promise. Then, at the very end of that same chapter, in John 3:36 he says, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” That’s it! If you believe in the Son, you have eternal life. And, for the one who does not believe the Son, they will not see eternal life, for the wrath of God abides on them.

And so, to go back to your expressing people’s concern if they did enough to obey, well the obeying is in the believing. We obey in terms of trusting the Word of God — the testimony of God — knowing that the mechanism for our salvation is the blood of Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are now sealed and delivered unto eternal life. So, it’s either the wrath of God abides on you, or you have eternal life. That is truly our blessed hope!

Tyler of Generation2434: Yes, it’s so important to understand that salvation is not a merit-based thing, rather it’s a belief-based promise in Christ. The rapture is the very same. The Rapture is not a merit-based, performance-based event, rather it’s a belief-based event. It’s based on faith in Jesus Christ.

Nathan Jones: And if you take the Bride of Christ analogy to its full extent, when I married my wife, I didn’t marry half of her — the part that was anticipating our marriage. The other half didn’t need to stay behind and endure tribulation until it purified her to make her righteous, which is the argument for the Partial Rapturists who believe some Christians have to go through the Tribulation to purify themselves. No! “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” as 1 John 1:7 reveals. Jesus is going to take the entire Bride. He just doesn’t leave parts behind.

Tyler of Generation2434: In John 19:30, Jesus said while on the cross, “It is finished.” Therefore, Christians don’t need to earn anything more towards our salvation, or somehow purify ourselves in order to become saved. The shed blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that can make us pure and worthy to go to Heaven in the Rapture.

Tim Moore: Knowing the firm foundation on which we stand in Christ, we encourage people to be looking for our blessed hope. In other words, there’s a promise of blessing just in the anticipation of our Lord’s return. Paul talks about this in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” It’s considered righteousness for longing and anticipating Christ’s coming.

That eternal crown is not something that I deserve in and of myself, rather it is credited to me by God. Even as I receive it, I’m going to cast it back at Jesus’ feet as an act of worship. So, in all things, our works point back to Jesus Christ.

Nathan Jones: Put your hope in Jesus Christ alone. For those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior, one day you will be either raptured up to Heaven or you’ll die and be resurrected. Either way, you’ll be with your Lord and Savior. Nobody saved will be left behind to endure the Tribulation. You can count on that!

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ABOUT AUTHOR View all posts Author Website

Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

41 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • Soon after I was saved, in my mid 30’s, in 1997, a new friend was Praying about how excited she was for The Rapture. When we were done, I asked her what she meant. After she told me, I responded that I wasn’t ready…I had things to do & learn😳 Praise God, His timing is perfect and His Word is true, Maranatha, I learned that call of Praise, from David R, God Bless him!

    • Hello Brother Tim and Brother Nathan, I am confused with this article from CNN. The very idea a person could have a mental health problem upon looking on for the Rapture is weird to me. I understand that we are saved upon the very Blood of our Savior Christ Jesus. But the word says we must pray every day to count ourselves to be worthy to escape the things coming upon the earth.
      I would argue that we are in the very last days, and we should not let our guard down for a second , or satan will come down on us as a lion.
      I believe we should be as watchers on the wall at all times to watch and warn of danger.
      I had a experience that I can’t explain happen to me around the time covid was with us. I saw and felt the flames of hell. I was there !!!
      I always believed in Jesus Christ as was Baptisted once as a new beginner, the second to show my family what it was all about .
      When I saw hell I was filled with such fear as I never had experienced !! Color and all it was real ! Minutes later , I was out .
      I got down upon my knees crying and praying for God to forgive me and to show what it was about .
      After two weeks of crying and praying, I was shown , that I never had a true relationship with Jesus Christ !
      Since then, I pray many times a day and once on my knees at night , and in the morning.
      Some might think that’s extreme..
      But for me, it’s necessary for the days ahead of us and the things we don’t see going on around us !
      Some might think I’m being paranoid..,but I’ll live with that because we are seeing the last days around us.

      Thank you for all you do in Jesus’s name ! Ed

  • Sounds good, but what about what Jesus said in Luke 21:36–that we should be counted worthy to escape. The parable of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins would seem to say that many “believers” would be left behind. Also, those in the church at Laodicea were warned of being “spewed out”. R

  • Every article on this website is so clear and concise in explaining things, and always answers my questions in the most straight forward manner. I’ve always been a believer, and love reading articles about the Rapture and what a wonderful moment in time it will be!

  • Amen, all Spirit filled Christians are going once we are called up. If someone who attends church and is not Spirit filled, like a mouse in a cookie jar doesn’t make him a cooky, they will have to get Spirit filled the hard way.

  • Nathan,
    I didn’t see any reference to Luke 21:36 in this conversation. Would you comment on that scripture, please.

  • Nathan, you should read my book, “Unprepared: The Unsealing of the book of Revelation.” There is a chapter; What time the Rapture?” That explaines fully and without error, when and where the Rapture will occur. You should check it out. However, because you are a “Dr.” and “wise in your own estimation” I doubt you will. I will leave it to the Holy Spirit to move you. GOD BLESS.

  • Believers have been mislead by the pastors of their church. The truth in scriptures is Saints will have tribulations. Believers will not see the wrath of God. Bowls of Wrath are the 7th year of great tribulation

    • Who opens the seven seals from the very first Seal Judgment? Jesus, right. Where do the angels receive the seven Trumpet Judgments? Before the throne of God. Where do the seven Bowl Judgments come forth from? The heavenly Temple where God dwells. In each case, every one of the 21 Tribulation judgments come from God Himself, and therefore all of the Tribulation is God’s wrath, not just the last few years or months.

  • I have been taught in my new church that we recently started attending that some Christians will be left behind because of two things: No anticipation of the Rapture and not part of a local church which is the Body of Christ expressed in this earthly realm. It has nothing to do with merit except for those two stipulations. Then, there will be two tiers of Christians: some are part of the Bride and some who are the friends of the Bridegroom. For years, I did believe your position and now I’m not so sure. So many people give up their beliefs and walk away from faith when it looked like they were legitimately saved. It looks a lot like “easy believism” has messed them up. Anyway, we’ll all find out when we get there what exactly happens and I’m not going to stress about it too much. I’ve been watching and waiting literally for half a century, and I will continue to look with expectation and not worry about all the details… The Lord will sort those out for us of who is going and who isn’t.

  • Yes totally true but were not the bridegroom we are the body of Christ. The tribulation will be for the unrepentant world and Israel .During this time God will deal with Israel and purge them . Thus creating a spotless bride for the bridegroom., Reigning with Christ during the .millennium kingdom on earth as a saved person and part of the body of Christ my home will be in the heavenlys period. Praise the Lord.

  • Great article, as always. Who do you think the Bible is referencing when it talks of those who think they’re saved, but God will tell them He never knew them?

  • The plan of salvation is simple. Too many churches burden their members that works are required. How very sad. Thank you for this article.

    • I think possibly they are actually teaching “works” are expected NOT required. We are made FOR good works after all. And the works are not meant to be a burden. Jesus said “my yoke is easy” “my burden light”.

  • I, as a Jew, believe the rapture is on the Day of Trumpet new moon sliver in a Shemitah year or a Year of Redemption which 2023 is. Revelation 12:1 states: the Woman, Virgo, is clothed with the Sun and the moon below her feet, in Libra, occurs on the Day of Trumpet new moon every year. This year we have the Miriam Comet/asteroid and the “Child” asteroid, in the birth canal in Virgo along with Mars on the 15,16,17. So this rapture watch is something to watch for. Miriam asteroid is on the outside of Virgo near the knee of Virgo.

  • Jesus also said that when He returns, half the church will be false, according to the parable of the 5 foolish brides. Just because someone calls themself a Christian, doesn’t mean they know Jesus and is known by Him.

  • No. I disagree. And here is why. The rapture has nothing to do with your salvation. Everyone believing in Jesus is already saved. Rapture is about your inheritance. It’s different. It’s about being a first born son. Not about the church at all. The bride and church are assembled later afyer the 1000 years. I used to think this sme way that everyone born again would go in the rapture. It’s just not biblical. Read it all again. It is about being a first born son !!!! Just like Jesus. Which means we must be faithful to Jesus. Period.

    It’s not about works. Because the rapture is t about our salvation. Salvation. Is a free gift. We are all saved. But the ones going in rapture to rule and reign with Jesus to be kings and priests for God have to be faithful. It’s an individual walk. No groups are going. Like a church. There were 12 priests woth Moses. Who Jesus let out of Egypt. Only 2 got into the promised land. Why ? 10 dies in the wilderness. Because they were not faithful. Please read your bibles again and watch brenda weltner explain all this. It’s crucial.

  • Eternal security. I like many others don’t think that you can loose your salvation but unlike many others I do believe that you can that you can walk away from it. Case in point, “The Prodigal Son” chapter 15 of the book of Luke. We all know the story, the younger son of a loving Father walked away from that Father, his kingdom, and his protection to pursue his own interests, the Bible defined those interests as a riotous lifestyle. A life that is riotous is disorderly, chaotic, and loud. The Strong’s Concordance defines it as living “dissolutely” meaning living without restraint, shameless. Strong’s also states that this type of life can be related to being unsaved. Many will point and say ” ya see even Strong thinks that he was unsaved cause a saved person wouldn’t act in such a manner.” Really? Eternal security buffs are quick to say that if someone who returns to a former lifestyle after being saved from that lifestyle thus becoming a child of God wasn’t really saved at all because a person who is truly saved just wouldn’t do that. I give you Demas. Demas, served as part of Paul’s ministry team during Paul’s house arrest in Rome in AD 60—62 Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24 referred to Demas as one of Paul’s Christian companions. But 2 Timothy verse 10 makes for a sad end to the Bible’s description of the man because he forsakes Paul for the world. Demas is said to have loved this world more than his work as an evangelist. So, he left Paul and the other believers and went to Thessalonica. He walked away and back into this world never to be heard of again.
    The prodigal son left all that was decent and good the only thing that he had ever known to partake of all the debauchery that the world had to offer, he willingly walked away. I hear you saying, “Well that doesn’t prove that he was saved and then backslid!” I disagree, I think that this depicts a Christian that while in the Father’s care knows nothing of the goings on of the world, remember that the son had to go away into a far away country to lean of those things just as a Christian would have to, they would have to leave God’s Kingdom.You say, “that still doesn’t prove that he lost his salvation.” Ok, let me leave you with this final thought. In verse 24 upon his son’s return he describes to his older son the condition of the young man, he says, “my son is once “again” alive (meaning that somewhere along the trail he wasn’t), he was lost(ruined or destroyed physically or morally), but now he’s found” (to find is to recover something that’s lost)
    Can you loose salvation? Definitely not! Can you walk away from salvation? Definitely!

  • Thank you for having Tyler on your show. He has been such an encouragement and blessing to me.
    He never “sets dates” just points us to Jesus.
    He helps me “hang on” as we see all the wickedness increase around us.

  • Thanks to Lamb & Lion for preaching and instructing people on the True word of God to prepare them.
    Myself, I am just glad that I had the teachings of Christ to study and know exactly what to expect and to be saved before this Huge Dramatic event the Rapture. We should all be ready to meet Christ in the air, in the twinkling of an eye. (That is fast.)
    Matthew 24:38-42. For as the days that were before the flood, people were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark, And knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also be the coming of the Son of man be. Then two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken and the other left.
    42. Watch, therefore: for you know not what hour the Lord comes.

  • Nathan: I would like to add 2 scriptures in Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (The Faithful will find it. God keeps his word.)

    21. “Not everyone who says to me “Lord Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

    God knows the heart of each human being and what kind of fruit they bear. He knows his sheep and who is living the right way, if they are saved, and redeemed. There are always false prophets who try to discourage people from believing in Christ’s words and trying to blind the masses and minimize God’s truth.

    Matthew 7:21 Jesus exposed those people who sounded religious, (but had no personal relationship with him.) Everyone knows whether they have a personal relationship with Christ, its what keeps us devoted to the truth.

  • Revelation 3:10. (Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.) The 7 churches in Revelation 3 aren’t mentioned after the 3rd chapter of Revelation until Revelation 21:9….The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb, eating from the tree of life. They will receive the blessings that God promised, the salvation, redemption, and new life. Our pastor asked us, “What would you do if you knew this was your last day on earth?” Those who know the Bible, know what to expect.

  • Very Good Prophecy Conference with Lamb & Lion, Dr. Reagan, Tim, and Nathan. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. Mark 13:22 is part of the Olivet discourse. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and deceive, if possible, even he elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 22. But in those days, following that distress; the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Matthew 14:1-25:46 Jesus gives information about the signs of the times and provides glimpses into the future and the Tribulation.
    Jesus rebuked his followers for not knowing how to interpret the times.
    Luke 12:56. Hypocrite, you know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret the present time.

    Luke 12:35. Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for these servants when the master finds them ready.

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