[Firm Foundation, Vol. 114, No. 11, November 1999, pp. 9-11] A young Christian mother came into my office with her two children and said, “Will you please explain to my children what the Rapture is?” Her children had been exposed to the Rapture through some of their friends and they were confused. Most of us have seen bumper stickers that refer to the Rapture, saying something to the effect “In Case of Rapture, This Car Will be Empty.” Those who have not been indoctrinated by the proponents of this doctrine scratch their heads in wonder. Denominational programs on television present the Rapture as a doctrine all should believe. Although there are variations in the belief about the Rapture, we will discuss the commonly held view. Not a Bible Subject Many are surprised to learn that the word Rapture is not in the Bible. It is not a Bible subject. The Scriptures say nothing about it. It is a concept that has been around for some time, popularized by Hal Lindsey in his book, The Late Great Planet Earth. According to the proponents of the theory, at the end of the “church age” Jesus will raise the righteous dead and take them, along with the righteous who are living, to a special place, presumably like heaven, for seven years where they will be given rewards and positions. That is supposed to be the Rapture — but there is no mention of anything like that in the Bible. Proponents of this mistaken idea teach that