First, let’s define what the Rapture is.  According to the Concise Bible Dictionary the Rapture is, “A term often applied to the ‘catching up’ in the clouds of the saints, including both those raised from among the dead, and those who will be alive on the earth at the time, to meet the Lord in the air at His coming according to 1 Thess. 4:16-17.  This preliminary detail in the coming of the Lord is of great interest to the church, which is set to wait for him.”

Is the word ‘Rapture’ found in the Bible?  1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  In this verse, the Greek word, “harpazo” is translated into two English words: “caught up”.  In the latter part of the 4th century, there was a Latin translation of the Bible produced that is called the Latin Vulgate.  In this translation, the two words, “caught up” are translated “rapio” from which we get the word “rapture.”  So, while the word rapture is not found in our English translation, it was in the Latin translation of the Bible.

So, will those who are left behind after the Rapture have a second chance to be saved?  Let’s see what the Bible says about this.  2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 tells us, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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.”

This ‘wicked one’, who operates ‘after the working of Satan’ will exhibit much power, signs, and lying wonders before those who are ‘left behind’ after the Rapture of the Church.  He will deceive those “that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”  Here we learn that it is those who have heard and rejected the truth of the Gospel that will have no chance for salvation after the Rapture.  For them, it is too late!  I often think of those in foreign countries who have never heard the true Gospel proclaimed and have not had an opportunity to put their faith in the Lord Jesus because they have not heard the Word of God that will produce faith in their hearts. We learn from Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Then again, I’m sure there are many in the United States who have never heard a true, clear Gospel message.  So many so-called preachers today teach a false Gospel of works, but we know from Ephesians 2:8-9 that, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Let’s continue and read 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “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.”  This may seem hard to understand because we know that God, “cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2).  How could God send a delusion so that these rejecters of Christ would believe this lie?  The thought here is that the Lord ‘allows’ this delusion to go out and people will believe this lie.  When people reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior, there is nothing else but lies.  Of course, we know that Satan is the father of lies as we read in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” 

In Revelation 7, we read of 144,000 Jews that will be sealed during the Tribulation period (after the Rapture) who will go forth with the Gospel to all throughout the earth.  We read in verses 9-10, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

So, we see that people will be saved after the Rapture, but there will be those who rejected the Lord and “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”  These people, according to what we just read, will not have another opportunity to accept the Lord and be saved.  How urgent it is that sinners come to the Lord today before it is forever too late. “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2).  (CC)  (647.2)