The “secret Rapture” is a term often used to describe the Dispensational Premillennial view of the Rapture, where believers in Christ are suddenly and silently removed from the earth to meet Jesus in the air before a seven-year Tribulation period begins.
This view is called “secret” because proponents believe the event will happen without warning and will not be visibly or audibly perceived by the world.
Why Is It Called “Secret”?
Nature of the Event
According to proponents of this view, such as those influenced by John Nelson Darby and popularized by the Left Behind series, the Rapture happens instantly and only involves the Church. Non-believers remain unaware of the event itself, although they will notice its effects (e.g., missing persons, chaos).
Biblical Basis
Passages like 1 Corinthians 15:52 (“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”) and Matthew 24:40-41 (two people working together, one taken and the other left) are interpreted as evidence of the sudden and invisible nature of the Rapture.
Is “Secret” Meant to Be an Insult?
The term “secret Rapture” is not inherently meant to be an insult but has developed some polemical connotations depending on who uses it.
Neutral Usage
Many critics of Dispensational Premillennialism use the term descriptively to highlight their disagreement with the concept of a private or hidden removal of the Church from the earth, as opposed to a public, visible Second Coming of Christ.
Pejorative Usage
Some critics may use “secret Rapture” in a dismissive or mocking way, implying that the view is unscriptural or novel (it originated in the 19th century, which some see as a weakness in its theological pedigree).
Supporters’ Perspective
Those who hold to this view typically do not describe it as “secret” themselves. Instead, they emphasize its biblical foundation and often refer to it simply as “the Rapture.” They see it as a glorious event tied to God’s plan for the Church and would not view it as hidden from believers, only from the unbelieving world.
Do Those Who Hold to This View Speak of It as “Secret”?
Generally, no. Advocates of the Dispensational Premillennial perspective prefer to highlight aspects such as the Rapture’s imminence, suddenness, and purpose, rather than calling it “secret.” They would argue:
It is not secret to believers, as it is clearly taught in Scripture and expected by those who have faith.
It is hidden from the world, fulfilling Jesus’ warning in passages like Matthew 24:36-44, where His return catches the unbelieving world off guard.
Conclusion
While the term “secret Rapture” is often used descriptively, it can carry a dismissive tone when used by critics.
Supporters of the view typically avoid the term, emphasizing the Rapture’s biblical legitimacy and its role in God’s redemptive plan.
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