Page 65 - Eschatology - Masters revised

The Effects of the Rapture on the Earth

According to Wikipedia, as of 2015 there were more than 2.4 billion believers in Christ out of a world
population of about 7.5 billion people. Of course, many of these “Christians” are cultural Christians. In
the US alone, there are about 213 million people who claim to be Christians. In Zambia, the number is
around 13 million. xxviii

Of course, Wikipedia includes about every denomination or religious system that is remotely connected
with Christ, including Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and all the protestant churches and denominations.
Only about 20% of the population of the earth, or about 1.5 billion people would be classified as “born-
again” Christians.

Let’s assume that only half of those professing to be authentic Christians have really experienced
salvation by faith in Christ. That would mean, conservatively, at the rapture that 750 million people on
earth would disappear instantly. What effect would this have on the world?

That number represents more than thirteen times the number of people who die annually in the world.

The first great effect would be psychological. Consider the emotional devastation for people who
suddenly and irretrievably lose a spouse, children, parents, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and other
loved ones. There will be no long illnesses during which one can get prepared, no dead bodies to
identify, no human way to find closure.

Consider the horror that will be experienced by millions of people who long described themselves as
Christians but suddenly realize that they were not included in the Rapture, people who realize that they
never actually received for themselves the free gift of forgiveness and salvation offered by Jesus Christ.
Consider how sickened they will feel when they realize that despite having gone to church and perhaps
having occasionally read the Bible and done good works and been “religious” in some way, they never
really understood or accepted God’s simple plan of salvation.

The economy of each nation would basically collapse. There would be massive panic and looting as
cities throughout each country would be thrown into utter chaos. Law enforcement will not be able to
contain the lawlessness. Car accidents would be everywhere, and hospitals would be flooded with those
injured. Airplanes would fall out of the skies. Highly valuable and experienced military commanders
and business leaders and medical professionals will disappear, perhaps in the middle of critical projects
or medical procedures. Grocery stores and business will be raided. Anarchy will explode on the planet.
The impact will be catastrophic.

Imagine what will happen when millions of homeowners suddenly disappear, never to make another
mortgage payment again. What will happen when millions of business owners are suddenly no longer
around to pay their bills? Or pay their employees? Or continue delivering vital goods and services? What
will happen to the governments when millions of taxpayers are no longer providing their countries their
much-needed revenues? What will happen when nonprofit agencies and medical clinics and hospitals
that care for the poor and needy and are run by and funded by believers suddenly stop operating? What
will happen when humanitarian relief organizations and adoption agencies and other charitable
organizations that are run by and funded by believers in Jesus Christ stand empty?

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