The secret rapture is the belief that Christ will return secretly and silently to gather believers, removing them from the earth before a seven-year period known as the Great Tribulation. The common explanation for the unwitnessed disappearance is that believers are instantly transported "in the twinkling of an eye." The concept of a pre-tribulation rapture is not universally accepted within Christianity.

1. Do the Scriptures Support the Secret Rapture?
   • "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left... But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into." Matthew 24:38-43
     • Jesus compares the events at his promised return to those which occurred during Noah's Flood.
     • But the ones that are taken away by the flood are those who were outside the ark. It was only Noah's family who were inside the ark who were saved.
     • He also compares His coming as a thief in the night. If the owner of the house had kept watch he could have prevented his house being burgled.
     • The owner of the house keeping watch negates the idea of a secret, unwitnessed disappearance of the righteous.
     • "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
     • Believers are changed from mortal to immortal in the twinkling of an eye, not instantly whisked away.
2. Jesus' Return A One Time Event and His Coming Will Be Visible:
   • "As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:27
   • "At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds." Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27
   • "Men of Galilee, This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11
   • "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God... And so we will be with the Lord forever." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
   • "The grace of God teaches us to live godly lives while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Titus 2:11-13
   • "Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Hebrews 9:28
   • "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 2:28
   • "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him." Revelation 1:7
   • Summation: The Second Coming of Jesus is a visible event and in now way supports the idea of a secret rapture.
3. Is Jesus' Millennial Kingdom Setup on Earth?
   • According to the secret rapture theory, Jesus comes to earth, unseen, and instantly transports believers to heaven, sparing them from the tribulation. He returns seven years later with the saints to establish His millennial kingdom on earth.
   • The contrasting view places this event post-tribulation when Christ will reign on earth with his saints following his Second Coming.
   • Jesus contradicts both these views. Standing before Pontius Pilate he was asked, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:33-36
   • What is the fate of the earth at Jesus' Second Coming? "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10
   • Heaven, not the earth, is where believers are taken during the millennium.
     • "My Father’s house has many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you... I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:2-3
     • For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command... and the dead in Christ will rise first. We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
     • But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth" 2 Peter 3:13
     • Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Revelation 21:1-5
   • These points contradict the idea of the so-called millennial kingdom of Christ on earth.
4. Revelation chapters 19 and 20 present an alternate view of events:
   • I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.
     Revelation 19:11
   • The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
     Revelation 19:14
   • Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. Revelation 19:19
   • But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf... The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Revelation 19:20
   • He [the angel having the key to the Abyss] seized the dragon, who is the devil, and bound him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:2
   • And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Revelation 20:4
   • When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth to gather them for battle. Revelation 20:7-8
   • But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. Revelation 20:9-10
   • Conclusion: The prophetic books use imagery and symbolism to convey their message, the understanding of which is open to interpretation and debate. I prefer rather to base my understanding of this important topic on other scripture, particularly the four Gospels and the apostle's letters to the churches.