The Rapture—When Will It Happen, and What if I’m Left Behind? What the Bible Says

Posted July 10, 2025 | End Times Watch | River Wilde

For those studying the end times, believers everywhere are asking a simple question: When will the rapture happen? It’s not just curiosity—it’s a deep yearning to be with Jesus and to escape the judgment that is soon to fall upon this earth. While the Bible says no man knows the day or hour (Matthew 24:36 KJV), Scripture does give us clear signs and patterns that point to when the rapture is likely to occur—and it may be sooner than most think.

What Is the Rapture?

The word rapture isn’t found in the King James Bible, but the concept is absolutely there. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (KJV), we read:

“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.”

The Greek word translated as “caught up” is harpazo, which means to seize or snatch away suddenly. The Latin translation of this word is rapturo, from which we get the term rapture.

Will It Happen Before, During, or After the 7-year Tribulation?

This is the million-dollar question, and has generated a great deal of time spent towards understanding the timing of this event.

The Bible describes a seven-year tribulation (Daniel 9:27 KJV; Revelation 6–19), a time of unprecedented horror, war, and judgment. Many Christians have debated whether the rapture occurs before, in the middle, or at the end of this time period.

Remember, the intent of the rapture is for God to save His children from the wrath that He intends to pour out upon the earth.

For believers of a Pre-tribulation rapture, I must respectfully ask, “What is happening that requires God to save us at this time?” This will be a period of time that will begin with PEACE. The antichrist will appear onto the worlds stage, but he will initially be seen as a charismatic leader, solving the world’s problems.

Let’s again return to the scriptures to see what the Bible shows:

• Mid-Tribulation View: Revelation 11:15 tells us the seventh trumpet sounds and declares, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord.” Around this time, the two witnesses are resurrected (Rev. 11:11–12), and we see imagery of saints being taken up.

• Protection from Wrath: In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul says, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” This implies that before the wrath (second half of the tribulation), believers are removed.

• Jesus’ Warning: In Matthew 24, Jesus outlines the signs of the end. He says when you see the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15), that’s the halfway point—3.5 years in. He also says, “Then shall be great tribulation” (v. 21). So, there is a distinction between general tribulation and the Great Tribulation—the worst part. This is the time that God will pour out His wrath upon the earth.

Taken together, a strong biblical case can be made for a mid-tribulation rapture—after the rise of the Antichrist and before God’s final wrath is poured out; roughly at the 3.5-year mark of the tribulation.

We know that when God will pour out His wrath. Knowing this is key in the timing of the rapture. God’s wrath is not intended for His church, rather He intends to punish satan and his followers. Using this logic, His church must be gone from the earth prior to God’s wrath.

Who Will Be Taken in the Rapture? You want to make sure that you are included in this group, correct?

1. Those Who Are “In Christ”

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… 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…”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (KJV)

This teaches that both dead and living believers—those who have trusted in Jesus for salvation—will be taken.

2. Those Who Are Born Again

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Only born-again believers—those who have repented and put their faith in Christ—will go. Religious membership, works, or rituals can’t save someone. If you think that your works will get you into heaven, it is time that you understand the atonement of Jesus Christ, for it was Jesus Christ alone that gives us our salvation, not our works. Stop insulting Him by not accepting the atonement as “Enough.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
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.

Explanation:

• “By grace” means that salvation is given as a free and undeserved gift from God.
• “Through faith” means we receive this gift by trusting in Jesus Christ—not by earning it.
• “Not of yourselves” emphasizes that humans cannot achieve salvation on their own.
• “Not of works” means no amount of good deeds can earn salvation.
• “Lest any man should boast” prevents pride—no one can claim credit for their salvation.

This is one of the clearest verses showing that salvation is by grace through faith, not by human effort. It reinforces that God gets all the glory.

3. Those Who Belong to Jesus

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish…”
— John 10:27–28 (KJV)

Only those who know Jesus personally—His true followers—will be taken. Many who claim His name but never knew Him will be left behind.

4. Not Everyone Who Claims to Be a Christian

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven… Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me…”
— Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)

This is a warning. People who just “look religious” on the outside, but never truly trusted Jesus for salvation, will not be taken.

✅ Taken in the rapture:

• Those who are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9)
• Those who have a real relationship with Jesus, not just religion
• Those who are born again, sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14)

❌ Left behind:

• The unsaved, even if religious
• Those who trust in their own works, institutions, or traditions
• Those who rejected or ignored the gospel

So, what happens to those who are left behind, and are not taken up in the rapture?

All is not lost if a person is not taken in the rapture. According to many biblical interpretations—especially those that teach a pre-tribulation or mid-tribulation rapture—those who are not taken will still have a chance to be saved during the Tribulation period. But it will be much harder.

Here’s what the Bible says about those left behind:

1. They Will Enter the Tribulation Period

Those not taken in the rapture will live through a time of unprecedented global chaos, judgment, and persecution (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 6–19). It will be a time of:

• War, famine, disease
• The rise of the Antichrist
• Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13)
• Great deception

2. Many Will Still Come to Faith in Jesus

The Bible speaks of a great multitude who come to faith after the rapture:

“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
— Revelation 7:14 (KJV)

These are people who were left behind but chose to follow Jesus, even at great personal cost.

3. It Will Require Real Courage and Faith

For those who come to Christ during the tribulation:

• They may be martyred (Revelation 20:4)
• They must refuse the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:9–11)
• They must endure to the end (Matthew 24:13)

4. God Still Offers Mercy

Even during His judgment, God extends mercy. The gospel will still be preached:

• By the 144,000 sealed servants of God (Revelation 7)
• By the Two Witnesses in Jerusalem (Revelation 11)
• By an angel flying through heaven proclaiming the everlasting gospel (Revelation 14:6)

In Summary:

If someone misses the rapture, hope is not lost—but the time to repent will become more urgent, and the cost of following Jesus will be higher.

The best time to trust Christ is now—before that day comes.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)

Many of us have had to learn life’s lessons the hard way. But let’s not make that mistake when it comes to the end times. We want to be part of the rapture—caught up and lifted with Christ—not left behind to face the tribulation and come to Him the hard way.

I invite you to come to know Jesus Christ beyond the teachings of your church. Understand that you are SAVED by His grace, and not your works. There is no middle man between you and Jesus Christ. Your relationship needs to be directly with Him, for this is how it will be when this life has ended. Just us worshiping Jesus Christ…Our churches will be long gone.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20 KJV)

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