The Doctrine of Imminency

The concept of an imminent rapture in Christian eschatology holds that Jesus Christ could return at any moment to gather His church with no specific signs or events required to precede it. This belief is grounded in various biblical passages, some of which are listed below. These passages emphasize the unexpected nature of Christ’s return and the need for constant readiness among believers. The doctrine of imminency suggests that Christ’s return is always near, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and urgency within the Christian community. We must be careful to note that the rapture is an entirely different event from the second coming of Christ. The following chart may be helpful to distinguish the two events. When we speak of imminency, we are referring to the rapture, not the second coming.

Words: 3729 / Time to read: 20 minutes

Rapture	Second Coming
Imminent	Follows 7-year Tribulation
Saints removed from the earth	Saints left on the earth
Christ not visible to those left behind	Christ will be visible to all
World continues in sinful ways	Righteousness is established
Day of Wrath commences	Peace and Justice commences
Satan increases power and influence	Satan is bound in the Abyss
Israel persecuted	Israel is exalted, covenants fulfilled.
Church removed from the earth	Church returns with Christ

Here are several passages on which the doctrine of the imminent rapture is built upon:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and 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 14:1-3

“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
Revelation 3:10

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
Revelation 22:20

“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 the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, 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

“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. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,”
Titus 2:13

We know that the rapture is the first event of the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is a series of events which extend through the seven year tribulation and Millennial Kingdom and doesn’t end until the Great White Throne Judgment. With that in mind, some of these following verses connect other events that follow the rapture. The point that we won’t know when it will start is vivid and clear. Take note:

Matthew 24:36“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Matthew 24:42“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Matthew 24:44“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Matthew 25:13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Mark 13:32“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Mark 13:33“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”
Luke 12:40“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Acts 1:7“He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.'”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
1 Thessalonians 5:3“While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
2 Peter 3:10“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. 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.”
Revelation 3:3“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”
Revelation 16:15“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Matthew 24:50“The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.”
Luke 21:34-35“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.”
Luke 17:26-27“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.”
Luke 17:30“It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”
James 5:8“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
1 Peter 4:7“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”

These verses emphasize the unpredictability of the Lord’s return and the importance of vigilance and readiness for believers.

The doctrine of imminence has practical implications for Christians, encouraging them to maintain a state of spiritual preparedness and live lives marked by faithfulness, holiness, and active service. This readiness is not merely a theoretical stance but a daily practice influenced by the belief that Christ’s return could occur at any time. It fosters a sense of urgency in evangelism and personal holiness, reflecting the transformative impact of this confident hope.

Predicting the Exact Day is Foolishness

Predicting the exact timing of the rapture is considered problematic for several reasons. Equally false is the idea that the rapture won’t happen until this or that occurs, which would effectively force Christ to wait until that certain event occurred before coming for his bride, the believers of our age. Such a situation does not exist. Christ is free to come at any time as has been true since the day he ascended from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:6-11). Jesus explicitly stated that no one knows the day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:36), reinforcing the concept of imminence. Attempts to pinpoint the timing contradict this teaching and have historically led to disappointment and disillusionment when predictions fail to materialize. This has been evidenced by numerous failed predictions throughout church history.

We are warned that many false teachers will appear to distract and lead astray people from the truth (2 Peter 2:1-3). It is common that these false teachers will use legitimate Bible passages or seemingly logical theories and deductions to attempt to validate their subterfuge. These false teachers may use a variety of methods to draw false conclusions which are sometimes believed by those who lose sight of the plain truth revealed in Scripture. We must be especially diligent to expose those who use Bible history or passages out of context to pervert the truth. Here are ten examples of famous leaders who predicted the rapture or the end of the world on a specific date, only to be discredited after that date passed:

William Miller (October 22, 1844) – Founder of the Millerite movement, which predicted the Second Coming of Christ in 1844. This event became known as the Great Disappointment when it did not occur as expected. His followers regrouped as various Adventists denominations.
Harold Camping (Multiple dates, including May 21, 2011, and October 21, 2011) – A radio evangelist who made several high-profile predictions about the rapture and the end of the world, all of which failed to materialize.
Charles Taze Russell (Multiple dates in the late 19th and early 20th centuries) – Founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who made predictions about Christ’s return and the end of the world that did not come to pass as anticipated.
Edgar C. Whisenant (1988) – Author of the book “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988,” which gained significant attention but ultimately led to disappointment when the predicted event did not occur.
Ronald Weinland (Multiple dates, including 2008 and 2012) – Leader of the Church of God Preparing for the Kingdom of God, who made predictions about the end times and Christ’s return that were not fulfilled.
Pat Robertson (1982 and 2007) – Televangelist and founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) who made predictions about the end of the world on various occasions that did not come true.
Joseph Smith (Multiple dates in the 19th century) – Founder of Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), who made predictions about the return of Christ and the end times that were not realized.
Ellen G. White (Multiple dates in the mid-19th century) – Co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who made predictions about the imminent return of Christ that were not fulfilled as expected.
David Berg (Multiple dates in the 1970s and 1980s) – Founder of the Children of God (later known as The Family International), who made predictions about the end of the world and the rapture that did not come to pass.
Hal Lindsey (Predicted the rapture would occur in the decade of the 1980’s) – a prominent Christian author and evangelist known for his book “The Late Great Planet Earth,” published in 1970, made multiple predictions regarding the timing of the rapture and the return of Christ that did not come to pass as anticipated.

These individuals and movements gained attention and followers with their predictions but faced significant criticism and loss of credibility when the prophesied events did not occur. Their failed predictions underscore the caution against setting specific dates for eschatological events, as emphasized in the New Testament’s teachings on the uncertainty of the timing of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32).

Here are some common methods used by false teachers or misguided Christian teachers who attempt to come up with a formula to place a date on the rapture. Attempts to set a date for the rapture have repeatedly failed, reinforcing the biblical teaching that the timing of Christ’s return is known only to God (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). Careful and faithful believers can use this list as a red-flag warning when one of these methods is presented.

Numerical Analysis and Date Calculations:

Example: William Miller calculated the return of Christ based on his interpretation of the 2,300 days mentioned in Daniel 8:14. He believed these days represented years and concluded that Christ would return between 1843 and 1844.

Failure: The predicted dates passed without the anticipated event, leading to the “Great Disappointment.”

Interpreting Astronomical Events:

Example: Some predictions are based on interpreting astronomical events, such as solar and lunar eclipses, as signs of the end times.

Failure: Harold Camping used the date of a solar eclipse to support his prediction that the rapture would occur on May 21, 2011. The date passed without incident, discrediting his prediction.

Biblical Numerology and Prophetic Timeframes:

Example: The idea that significant biblical numbers, such as “70 weeks” from Daniel 9, “1260 days” from Revelation, or “1000 years” from Revelation 20, can be used to calculate the date of the rapture.

Failure: Edgar C. Whisenant’s book “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988” used numerology and timelines derived from prophetic texts. The year 1988 passed without the rapture.

Aligning with Historical Events:

Example: Some predictions align the rapture with significant historical or geopolitical events, such as the establishment of Israel as a state in 1948.

Failure: Many interpreters suggested that the generation witnessing the formation of Israel would see the rapture within 40 years (by 1988), which did not happen.

Calculating from Jesus’ Life and Ministry:

Example: Some have attempted to calculate the rapture date based on timelines related to Jesus’ birth, crucifixion, resurrection, or ascension.

Failure: Such calculations have repeatedly failed as no specific timeframe given by Jesus or the apostles supports these interpretations.

Interpreting Current Events as Fulfillment of Prophecy:

Example: Viewing contemporary political or natural events as direct fulfillments of biblical prophecy to predict the rapture.

Failure: Predictions tied to events like wars, natural disasters, or political changes have never lead to the rapture occurring within the predicted timeframe.

Visions and Personal Revelations:

Example: Some individuals claim to have received visions or divine revelations specifying the date of the rapture.

Failure: High-profile failures include Harold Camping’s multiple predictions based on his claimed divine insights, all of which failed to materialize.

Interpreting Feasts and Jewish Calendar:

Example: Using Jewish feast days, such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, or Yom Kippur, to predict the timing of the rapture based on their prophetic significance.

Failure: Numerous predictions linked to these dates have passed without the occurrence of the rapture.

Patterns in Historical and Secular Dates:

Example: Identifying patterns or significant anniversaries in secular history and aligning them with prophetic timelines.

Failure: Dates based on historical cycles, such as the end of a millennium or century, have passed without the expected events.

Claims of Scientific Evidence:

Example: Some predictions attempt to use scientific discoveries or technological advancements as evidence of the rapture on or by a certain date.

Failure: These predictions, often tied to technological milestones or discoveries, fail as they lack biblical support and the events do not occur as expected.

Heed the Advice from the Faithful

Careful believers must focus on the Word of God and the guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them. Instead of fixating on the timing of the rapture, Scripture repeatedly instructs believers to live lives of faithfulness, readiness, and obedience to Christ (Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:35-40; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11). The emphasis is on spiritual preparedness and engagement in serving others in love rather than on speculating about signs of the rapture. It takes discipline on the part of believers to resist being carried away in the error of placing a date for the rapture. It is helpful to resist those leaders who sensationalize current events and use other methods to sell books and gain popularity on social media. Instead we must rely on authors and leaders who affirm sound doctrine in the tradition of those humble and faithful servants of God who have gone before us.

It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
than to listen to the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:5

Theological leaders like Charles Ryrie and John Walvoord have argued against date-setting, emphasizing that the New Testament encourages readiness rather than speculation. Ryrie noted that focusing on the imminence of the rapture should inspire preparedness rather than attempts to calculate its timing. Walvoord highlighted that such speculations distract from the core biblical message and often lead to unnecessary confusion among believers.

Billy Graham, a renowned evangelist, echoed this sentiment by urging Christians to live faithfully each day, regardless of when the rapture might occur. He emphasized that the certainty of Christ’s return should motivate a life of spiritual vigilance and readiness. This approach aligns with the broader New Testament teaching that prioritizes living in a manner that reflects the hope and holiness associated with the anticipation of Christ’s return.

John MacArthur, a well-known contemporary pastor, theologian, and author, has written extensively on eschatology, including the topic of the rapture. Here is a quote from John MacArthur regarding the rapture:

“Because we believe the Bible teaches the imminent return of Christ, we should be ready at all times. Scripture never tells us to sit down and figure out when He’s coming. It tells us to live holy and godly lives while we look for His return.”

His quote underscores a proper Christian outlook in the imminent return of Christ and the importance of living a life of readiness and holiness, while resisting the urge to set dates on God’s timeline.

Additionally, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and mystery in matters of eschatology is crucial. Acts 1:7 reminds believers that the exact times and dates are set by the Father’s authority and are not for humans to know. C.I. Scofield highlighted the importance of trusting in God’s sovereign plan, suggesting that attempts to predict the rapture overlook the divine mystery and control inherent in God’s timetable for history.

“The New Testament consistently presents the rapture as an imminent event, which means it could happen at any moment without preceding signs or events. Attempting to set dates for the rapture goes against the clear teaching of Scripture and leads to unnecessary speculation.”
— John F. Walvoord, The Rapture Question

“Speculating about the timing of the rapture distracts from the primary biblical message of readiness and living in expectation of Christ’s return. The New Testament consistently teaches that believers should be prepared for His coming rather than trying to calculate when it will occur.”
— Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology

“Our focus should be on living each day in faithfulness and readiness for Christ’s return, not on trying to predict when it will happen. The Bible teaches us to be vigilant and spiritually prepared at all times.”
— Billy Graham, World Aflame

“God’s plan for the end times is sovereign and beyond our complete understanding. Attempting to set dates for the rapture disregards the mystery of God’s timing and His sovereign control over history.”
— C.I. Scofield, Scofield Reference Bible

Conclusion

Predicting the timing of the rapture is considered problematic due to the biblical emphasis on imminence, the diversity of interpretations, historical failures of predictions, the call to focus on readiness and faithfulness, and the acknowledgment of God’s sovereign control and mystery. As such, Christians are encouraged to live each day in anticipation of Christ’s return, maintaining a posture of spiritual readiness and engagement in fulfilling His purposes, rather than engaging in speculative efforts to determine when specific end-time events will unfold.

The doctrine of the imminent rapture emphasizes the unpredictable and ever-present possibility of Christ’s return, encouraging believers to live in a state of readiness and active faith. The teachings of theologians like Walvoord, Ryrie, Scofield, and MacArthur, along with the cautionary insights of leaders like Billy Graham, underline the importance of focusing on preparedness rather than prediction. By embracing the imminence of the rapture, Christians are called to a life of expectancy, faithfulness, and trust in God’s sovereign plan, anticipating the blessed hope of being gathered with Christ at any moment. And while it’s true that we are moving closer to the rapture each day, this situation has not changed since the New Testament was written in the first century. So we can be hopeful, ready and expectant, but our focus must be grounded in the Word, and we must remain unwavering in our faith and undistracted by evil developments in the world.

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
1 John 2:18-27

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11-14

All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.