Can We Predict When the Rapture Will Happen?

Direct Answer

No, we cannot predict the timing of the Rapture.

Les Feldick emphasizes that we don't know the Lord's timetable, and no date can be set. The event is imminent, potentially happening at any moment, but its exact timing rests on God's plan. Even the last person being saved determines when the Body of Christ is complete, but we do not know when that will be.

Key Scriptures

1 Corinthians 15:51 — This verse reveals the mystery that not all believers will die, but all will be changed, which is central to the Rapture.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible reveals the Rapture as a mystery: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51). This indicates that a group of believers will be alive when the event occurs. In 1 Thessalonians 4, it is described how the Lord Himself will descend with a shout and the dead in Christ will rise first, then those alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Timing of the Rapture?

Les Feldick teaches that the Rapture is imminent, meaning it could happen at any moment, but its exact timing is unknown. He personally felt it could happen before the end of 1993, but he also said, 'We don't set dates,' and his faith wouldn't be shaken if it didn't happen. He believes the Rapture will occur when the last person is saved, completing the Body of Christ, based on Romans 11:25 about the fullness of the Gentiles. However, no one knows when that will be.

What did Paul teach about the Rapture?

Paul revealed the Rapture as a mystery, never before made known. In 1 Corinthians 15:51, he says, 'Behold, I show you a mystery,' indicating that believers will be changed in a split second. This was a secret that is now revealed and is part of the out-calling of the Church.

Is the Rapture an imminent event?

Les Feldick states that the Rapture has always been imminent, even in Paul's day. Paul admonished believers to be prepared for the Lord's sudden coming. Today, we don't know when, but it could happen at any time.

What role do the saved and the dead play in the Rapture?

When the Rapture happens, the dead in Christ will be raised incorruptible, and those alive will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. All believers, not just the especially spiritual, will be transformed.

Should believers set dates for the Rapture?

Les explicitly says, 'We don't set dates.' Even though he personally felt close, he acknowledged that if his predicted time passed, his faith would not be shattered. The Rapture's timing is unknown and not for us to determine.

From the Teaching

Rapture Defined

Les defines the Rapture as the 'departure' or 'out-calling' of believers, noting the word isn't in the King James but is a coined term.

Imminence of the Rapture

Les teaches that the Rapture is imminent and has been since Paul's day; believers must be prepared at all times.

Date Setting Rejected

Les states that we do not set dates and that the timing is based on when the last person is saved, fulfilling Romans 11:25.

Mystery Revealed

Les explains that the Rapture is part of the mystery revealed to Paul, emphasizing the sudden transformation of believers.

Paul's Secret

Les connects 1 Corinthians 15:51 with the mystery of the Rapture, showing that not all will die but all will be changed.

Catching Up

Les quotes 1 Thessalonians 4 to show the catching up of believers, contrasting it with Christ's later return to earth.

Not All Die

Les emphasizes that the Rapture is a mystery that some believers will never experience death.

Completion of the Body

Les teaches that the Rapture occurs when the Body of Christ is complete, after the last person is saved.

Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 15:51: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

This verse reveals that the Rapture is a mystery and that not all believers will die, but all will be changed at the event.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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.

This passage describes the sequence of events at the Rapture, with the dead rising first and the living being caught up together.

Romans 11:25: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Les uses this verse to suggest that the Rapture occurs when the fullness of the Gentiles is complete, meaning the last person is saved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we know the exact date of the Rapture?

No, we cannot. Les Feldick teaches that we do not set dates and that the Lord's timetable is unknown. Even though he felt it could happen soon, he emphasized that his faith would not be shaken if it didn't.

Will the Rapture happen when the last person is saved?

Les believes this is likely, based on Paul's statement in Romans 11 about the fullness of the Gentiles. When the Body of Christ is complete, God will take it out. However, no one knows when that last person will be saved.

Is the Rapture a secret?

Yes, Paul calls it a mystery, something never before revealed. It is part of the secret revealed to Paul, that believers will be changed in a moment.

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Source Video

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