The sea rarely gives up the dead, or that’s what Phil Harris thought when he tried to throw former business partner Glenn Coggeshell overboard.

 

The Rapture Is a Cult of Fear: Why God Calls Us to Faith, Not Escape

By The Artist ONE

There’s a lie that’s been preached from pulpits, printed in bestsellers, turned into movies, and swallowed by millions—hook, line, and fear.

It’s the lie of The Rapture.

Let me be clear: The rapture is a cult. Not just a belief, not just a doctrine, but a fear-driven, confusion-based distraction from the true gospel. It’s built on emotion, not scripture. It relies on fear, not faith.

Fear is the fuel

Fear drives people to believe this lie. A lack of faith pushes them deeper into it. Yet we are not called to live in fear, but in boldness, in truth, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
—2 Timothy 1:7

If the Spirit we carry is of sound mind and not fear, why do so many cling to a doctrine of escape? Why are so many convinced that God—who formed us in the womb, who sent His Son to redeem us, who walks with us through fire and flood—would suddenly pull a “vanishing act” on His people before the storm?

That’s not God’s nature.

Who Escaped Death?

In over 6,000 years of written human history, according to the Bible, only two men escaped death: Enoch and Elijah.

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
—Genesis 5:24
“And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
—2 Kings 2:11

That's it. Two out of billions.

Everyone else? They lived, served, suffered, and died—waiting for the Resurrection.

Even Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, endured death. So who do we think we are, demanding an escape route when even our Savior endured the cross?

Why Are You Living in Fear?

I serve a God who sent His Son and gave us everything we need to stand, to endure, and to overcome in this world. So why are you hiding? Why are you preaching escape instead of equipping the saints?

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
—Ephesians 6:11

We were never guaranteed tomorrow, or even our next breath.

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
—Proverbs 27:1

Not even Jesus knows the exact hour of our gathering:

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
—Matthew 24:36

So who gave these "rapture experts" the authority to teach what even Christ refused to declare?

But What About Thessalonians?

Many love to quote 1 Thessalonians 4:17:

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air…”

But they ignore that Paul wrote again in 2 Thessalonians to correct their misunderstanding:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”
—2 Thessalonians 2:3

It’s like people who misheard Jimi Hendrix singing, “’Scuse me while I kiss the sky,” and thought he said “kiss this guy.” Hendrix never changed the lyric—but people kept hearing it wrong. Just like Paul never taught a pre-trib rapture, but people keep reading it into his letters.

If I Were the Devil…

If I were Satan, I would teach the rapture.

Because the first lie Satan ever told was, “Ye shall not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4)

Sound familiar?

Rapture theology is the same lie: “You won’t die. You’ll escape.” But Jesus said:

“He that endures to the end shall be saved.”
—Matthew 24:13

Confusion and Division: Tools of the Enemy

Pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib… the arguments are endless. Confusion reigns. But who is the author of confusion?

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.”
—1 Corinthians 14:33

So if the Devil shows up and you’re still here, guess what? You’ve been lied to. Deceived. And the Enemy will mock you: “See? I told you God left you.”

And what will you say to the millions of believers who have suffered under persecution, dictatorships, genocides, and martyrdom?

“God didn’t like you enough to rapture you?”

That’s not the gospel. That’s not the heart of God.

Suit Up, Soldier

We are told to suit up in armor, not pack a suitcase for a quick getaway.

“Therefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day…”
—Ephesians 6:13

We’re not meant to hide from tribulation—we're meant to testify through it. To be lights in the darkness. To speak for the King during the time of great deception.

Jesus said:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33

God Leaves No One Behind

Today I saw an article about an AI-powered “rapture device.” And of course, rapture believers are posting it everywhere, saying, “See? It’s happening!” But every word of it is meant to distract, confuse, and steal the peace of the Lord.

God never leaves anyone behind. The Bible says:

“The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
—2 Peter 3:9

He will reveal Himself to every single person in His timing and in His way. If you’ve been baptized and received His Spirit, you’ve been adopted into the family of God.

And your Father? He doesn’t abandon His children.

So Rejoice, Not Escape

The prophets longed to see the day we are living in:

“Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see…”
—Matthew 13:17

So rejoice that you are here. Declare to God, “Use me. I will do Your will.”

And if you don’t wake up tomorrow, know this: He wanted you home. No rapture needed.

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Stop living in fear. Stop setting dates. Start reading your Bible.

The truth has never been about escape—it’s always been about endurance, obedience, and love.

—The Artist ONE