I Wish We had All Been Ready: Or Why I Do Not Want to Watch Left Behind

Last Friday yet another movie based on the book Left Behind was released onto the masses. I have not seen it. I did not see the previous one. I never read any of the books either, but I had a roommate in Bible college who did. I am not bragging or anything. Do not feel bad if you enjoy this storyline. Maybe I would enjoy it too. It is just that I think the whole premise is wrong, and that is hard for me to look past when choosing things I read and watch. Joseph Butler, in his piece entitled “Why I Want to be Left Behind,” shares a problem with Left Behind’s premise. He notes that many of the biblical passages that speak of people being “taken” (e.g. Matt 24:37-41) often refer to people being taken up into judgment like being taken up in the great flood of Noah’s day. Noah’s family members were the ones who were left behind, and that was a lifesaver for them. Good thing they were prepared and ready.
In contrast, the Left Behind story as told in the books and movies of the past twenty years is a possible account of the kinds of things God has revealed about the last days where being left behind after a secret rapture is bad news. Such a story is popular among Christian audiences, as are other resources available about what to make of how and when Jesus will return. Unfortunately, in their quest to figure out the end times, I have found that people can sometimes lose focus of God’s bigger picture.
The Bible’s main story is that of creation, rebellion, redemption, and new creation. The center of that story is the person and work of Christ who took on our humanity and joined it to God, offering God’s people adoption into God’s own family by faith in him and a place in his kingdom on earth. There is one people of God headed up in Christ. There is one promise from Christ that he will return, so his people must be alert and prepared for it. We prepare by proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. We do not have to worry about building the kingdom or extending it. Rather, we wait for it, seek it, and declare its coming. We prepare by sharing the gospel with others, by performing deeds in our community, by speaking the truth in love, and by gathering to worship regularly and joyfully.
I am not sure how well we can prepare for Christ’s return by obsessing over the timelines of things that are outside our control and often outside our understanding. With all the talk of eclipses, wars, and the downfall of society, people think the world is primed for Jesus’ return. They have thought that way for centuries; even Paul wondered out loud in his writings if Jesus would return before his death. That’s why the preparation Jesus commands us to follow is timeless. No matter what you read on the Internet, watch on television, or browse on your computer screen, you can always be alert and prepared for Jesus to return by being obedient to him.
Go ahead and watch Nic Cage be a pilot during the rapture. I will not mind, although I hear it is not that great of a movie. Alissa Wilkinson has a helpful follow-up piece to this review that discusses the greater role of Christian movies in today’s economy and culture.