Rapture anxiety

Rapture anxiety is a psychological phenomenon characterized by an overwhelming fear or general anxiety concerning the Rapture, an event in dispensational and premillennial Christian eschatologies where it is believed that Jesus Christ will return to Earth and raise faithful Christians into heaven before the apocalypse. ^[1]

In many popular depictions of the Rapture, Christians physically rise into the sky, sometimes leaving their clothes behind. Many children raised with the concept of the rapture report having fears that they will be left behind, or that they will be raptured before being able to live their full life. This anxiety can follow many into adulthood. ^{[2] [3]}

Background

Main article: Rapture

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that no one will know the day and time when the second coming will happen. ^[4]

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the father."

— Matthew 24:36

The concept of the rapture has been widely criticized. It is not accepted by either the Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Church, who purport that the calling of Christians into heaven as described in verses such as 1 Thessalonians ^[5] will not be a literal, physical ascension. They also dispute the exact timing relative to the second coming when this event will happen, or if it will even be a single event at all. ^{[6] [7]} Furthermore, historic Protestant denominations espouse eschatological positions, such as amillennialism or postmillennialism, which also do not accept the concept of rapture.

Despite this, many children fear that because of some minor sin or transgression, they will be left behind on Earth while their loved ones enter heaven. There are numerous reports of children coming home to empty houses, and fearing that they have been condemned. ^[2]

This fear may also be influenced by popular works of fiction such as the Christian book and film series Left Behind or the 1972 film A Thief in the Night, which both depict the collapse of society and suffering following the rapture. ^[2]

Many who suffer from rapture anxiety are hesitant to voice their fears due to their belief that only sinners should fear judgement. ^[2]

Selected predictions

• Charles Taze Russel predicted that the Rapture would come in 1874. ^[8]
• Hal Lindsey and Edgar C. Whisenant both wrote books predicting that the Rapture would come in 1988. Whisenant would later predict the Rapture would come instead in 1989 and later 1993. ^[9]
• Harold Camping claimed the Rapture would be on May 21, 2011. ^[10]
• F. Kenton Beshore claimed the Rapture would come no later than 2021. ^[11]
• South African preacher Joshua Mhlakela predicted the Rapture would happen on September 23, 2025. This rumor spread quickly over TikTok. ^[12]

See also

• List of dates predicted for apocalyptic events
• Predictions and claims for the Second Coming
• Religious trauma
• 2011 end times prediction
• Christian eschatology

References

1. Slade, Dr Darren M. (2022-09-29). "Rapture Anxiety: The Disgraceful History of Prophecy Pundits and Harmful Apocalyptic Hysteria". GCRR. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
2. Willingham, A. J. (2022-09-27). "For some Christians, 'rapture anxiety' can take a lifetime to heal". CNN. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
3. "Rapture anxiety is a thing". Washington Post. 2023-04-21. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2023-12-19.
4. "Matthew 24:36 - "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even..." Bible Study Tools. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
5. “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” —1 Thessalonians 4:17 ESV
6. "The Rapture". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
7. "Orthodox Christian Teaching on the Rapture: Is the Rapture in the Bible?". St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church Bellingham, Washington. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
8. "Charles Taze Russell". Encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
9. Suplee, Curt (December 17, 1989). "Apocalypse Now; the Coming Doom Boom" . The Washington Post . pp. b01. ProQuest   307244117 . Retrieved October 13, 2024.
10. Camping, Harold (1992). 1994?. Vantage Press, Inc. ISBN   0-533-10368-1.
11. Anderson, Troy (6 December 2012). "Bible Scholar Predicts New date of Christ's Second Coming". charismanews.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
12. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/us/rapture-tiktok-sept-23.html "The Rapture Was Predicted to Happen Today. TikTok Has Some Advice."