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10 Reasons Why the Rapture Must be Left Behind
Is the rapture fact of fiction?
In this new book by author and theologian S. D. Morrison, find out why he believes the rapture must be left behind for good. Written to offer hope for the end times, this book seeks to dismantle the rapture, revealing it for the heresy it is.
Thoughtful and clear, this book promises to challenge your understanding of the end times, and give you the courage to leave the rapture behind.
In this new book by author and theologian S. D. Morrison, find out why he believes the rapture must be left behind for good. Written to offer hope for the end times, this book seeks to dismantle the rapture, revealing it for the heresy it is.
Thoughtful and clear, this book promises to challenge your understanding of the end times, and give you the courage to leave the rapture behind.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2015
68 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Stephen D. Morrison
19 books72 followersStephen D. Morrison (MA, Luther Seminary) is a prolific author and theologian whose work online and in print focuses on making modern theology accessible. He is known for the Plain English Series, which includes his latest work, "Paul Tillich in Plain English."
Stephen is currently a PhD student at the University of Aberdeen studying Karl Barth’s theology of resistance. He is the author of fifteen books, as well as several academic articles and book reviews. He is also a video essayist on YouTube with over 5k subscribers and 320k lifetime views. For a full CV and to learn more about Stephen, visit his website: SDMorrison.org.
Stephen is currently a PhD student at the University of Aberdeen studying Karl Barth’s theology of resistance. He is the author of fifteen books, as well as several academic articles and book reviews. He is also a video essayist on YouTube with over 5k subscribers and 320k lifetime views. For a full CV and to learn more about Stephen, visit his website: SDMorrison.org.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 7, 2016
Great little book. Excellent primer on why the rapture is so detrimental to the message of Jesus. Many Christians as of late are fretting over the nature and veracity of Scripture, the duration of hell, sexuality, and other topics akin to these. However, in my opinion, dispensationalism is more harmful than any other possible error. If we can get this right and dismiss escapist theology, I think Jesus followers can see tremendous improvement in their witness to the world. It is free for kindle on Amazon.
January 15, 2017
A good beginning and a good ending. Great exegesis on Matthew 24, Luke 17, 1 Thess 4 and the Book og Revelations. A good case for partial preterism, even though Im still not convinced about every part of it. Some of the points the author makes for his case is reaaaaally weak, But some of them are quite strong as well. The part with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem is uncotroversial and good. Rapture theology is heresy, and the first 3 chapters explained it well.
July 31, 2016
He believes the Bible contradicts itself, he says it on page nine. He also believes the world is getting better. I'm not sure which world he is living in. I was thinking that he was leaning toward post millennialism but turns out he is partial preterist. I agree with some
of what he says but just cannot give it a very good rating.
of what he says but just cannot give it a very good rating.
December 5, 2016
A must read!!! I have always hated the doom and gloom being preached at me. This was very refreshing to know that the rapture will NOT happen but it will be more a day of rejoicing and resurrection.
July 5, 2021
Nice introduction for those interested in the topic
The author of this book does a nice job laying out the framework from which people can work and be introduced to the idea in a non-threatening Way. As someone who grew up in a church of biblical literalism and near fundamentalism I made this belief change years ago and it is nice to see people writing about it.
The author of this book does a nice job laying out the framework from which people can work and be introduced to the idea in a non-threatening Way. As someone who grew up in a church of biblical literalism and near fundamentalism I made this belief change years ago and it is nice to see people writing about it.
June 23, 2016
Twisting what is really in the written work of God.
In the KJV of the Bible it says there will be false teachers and preachers. We are not to be deceived. The Bible is the inherent word of God. He says in the last days there will come false teachers and I believe the Bible as truth. It is the devil that comes to steal kill and destroy. He will cause confusion on whatever anyone trying to teach is truth. Be not deceived and also there is the leading of God we should rely on by reading His Word and asking for His guidance. By itself everything will have it's own interpretation and Satan will cause it to be twisted so we won't know what God wants us to hear and see with His eyes and ears, spiritually. Pray that God shows you the truth, not rely on someone else to tell you what you should believe in. God is not the author of confusion.
In the KJV of the Bible it says there will be false teachers and preachers. We are not to be deceived. The Bible is the inherent word of God. He says in the last days there will come false teachers and I believe the Bible as truth. It is the devil that comes to steal kill and destroy. He will cause confusion on whatever anyone trying to teach is truth. Be not deceived and also there is the leading of God we should rely on by reading His Word and asking for His guidance. By itself everything will have it's own interpretation and Satan will cause it to be twisted so we won't know what God wants us to hear and see with His eyes and ears, spiritually. Pray that God shows you the truth, not rely on someone else to tell you what you should believe in. God is not the author of confusion.
November 26, 2015
Whilst I didn't grow up in this misunderstanding (it's clear that this is largely, but I'm sure not exclusively, an American christian heresy) this book is really well written, opening up on many lines of reasoning just how unbiblical and incorrect the rapture theory is. I'd recommend this to anyone still unsure (or still fearful of the rapture!) as well as those who know better, as it will better help you explain what the errors are and therefore help others be free from this fear giving problem. It's short too, which makes it easy to read with clear sections. Recommended!
Best of all its free nearly everywhere - well, everywhere once Amazon follow suit.
Best of all its free nearly everywhere - well, everywhere once Amazon follow suit.
September 28, 2016
Short, simple, but great thought summary
It is quite short read, feels almost like a sermon or seminar, but summarizes most of what I believe about rapture. Great intro text for ordinary people who know the rapture theology and wonder why you don't believe it.
It is quite short read, feels almost like a sermon or seminar, but summarizes most of what I believe about rapture. Great intro text for ordinary people who know the rapture theology and wonder why you don't believe it.
February 23, 2019
Actually, I change my mind; lowering the stars to two. The author did a quick and effective job of disproving the rapture theory but he's making a colossal error and I can't even tell if it's an honest mistake or deliberate. He starts by describing how people who believe in a looming rapture live in "fear" and how awful it is. If a person believes they're getting raptured, why would they be afraid? It seemed he was actually describing the fear of people who believe in the looming end times in general.
Then he proves that there's no sound basis for a (pre-trib) rapture, and from that he leaps to the conclusion that the end times aren't coming at all. ??? I'm just not following that leap of logic there. In the beginning and in the end he conflates the 'rapture' with the end times in general, and in the middle he disproves the 'rapture' specifically. And admits that he's a (partial) preterist.
He claims to take the Bible seriously but then completely ignores that the Bible explicitly is all doom and gloom about the end times.
Then he proves that there's no sound basis for a (pre-trib) rapture, and from that he leaps to the conclusion that the end times aren't coming at all. ??? I'm just not following that leap of logic there. In the beginning and in the end he conflates the 'rapture' with the end times in general, and in the middle he disproves the 'rapture' specifically. And admits that he's a (partial) preterist.
He claims to take the Bible seriously but then completely ignores that the Bible explicitly is all doom and gloom about the end times.
October 14, 2019
The only good chapter in the book was chapter 1. The author’s exegesis on 1 Thessalonians 4:17 was very informative and made me think. Sadly after chapter 1 ended, the book was very hard to enjoy. The author argued with a very condescending and arrogant tone. The author tried to fit the evidence to his conclusion rather than looking at the evidence and coming to a conclusion. Some of the author’s arguments were flat out incorrect. If you are interested in this topic, just read chapter 1, and a few pages of chapter 2. The only thing you need from chapter 2 is that rapture theory originated in the 18th century.
April 6, 2019
Not well argued
Although I agree with many of Morrison's objections to the rapture and some of his conclusions, I did not appreciate this book. Morrison does not always fairly characterize his opponents and engages in fighting straw men. He also tends to to oversimplify the issues (especially in regards to literalism). Most of the points he has are solid points worth engaging with, but I think he needed to be much more thorough in order to really make his case. I don't see this being persuasive to many who are not inclined to agree with him already.
Although I agree with many of Morrison's objections to the rapture and some of his conclusions, I did not appreciate this book. Morrison does not always fairly characterize his opponents and engages in fighting straw men. He also tends to to oversimplify the issues (especially in regards to literalism). Most of the points he has are solid points worth engaging with, but I think he needed to be much more thorough in order to really make his case. I don't see this being persuasive to many who are not inclined to agree with him already.
October 15, 2018
Excellent book, and extremely important.
I think this book should be a mandatory read for anyone studying eschatology. Stephen carefully takes the reader through factual, historical and logical explanations in each of the points he makes. My only complaint after reading for a second time is that it may leave you with more questions it is however, a book of hope that, if nothing else (but there is more it does)shows and celebrates the true loving nature of God!
I think this book should be a mandatory read for anyone studying eschatology. Stephen carefully takes the reader through factual, historical and logical explanations in each of the points he makes. My only complaint after reading for a second time is that it may leave you with more questions it is however, a book of hope that, if nothing else (but there is more it does)shows and celebrates the true loving nature of God!
July 23, 2023
Clearly written with a positive attitude
A short exegesis that leaves many points unspoken. This may be thought of as an introduction to the partial-praterist position from a Calvinist believer. I wish more Bible verses had been quoted, but the author give several recommendations for other authors whom I take will fill in more on this interesting study!
A short exegesis that leaves many points unspoken. This may be thought of as an introduction to the partial-praterist position from a Calvinist believer. I wish more Bible verses had been quoted, but the author give several recommendations for other authors whom I take will fill in more on this interesting study!
June 9, 2019
Ace
Great read for anyone uncertain about where they stand when people bring up something called "the rapture". Here and there (very few times!) I would add a pinch of salt to take with the sentence. All-in-all, this book is wonderful!
Great read for anyone uncertain about where they stand when people bring up something called "the rapture". Here and there (very few times!) I would add a pinch of salt to take with the sentence. All-in-all, this book is wonderful!
October 20, 2020
I agree with its perspective. 4/5 stars only because it may not persuade everyone. Lots of work to be done to dialogue with those who strongly believe in this perspective of rapture theology to help them reconsider...
November 14, 2019
Decent summary
It’s a bit brash at times, but he gets his point across. Worth your time, though his other books are better.
It’s a bit brash at times, but he gets his point across. Worth your time, though his other books are better.
January 18, 2020
More research is needed.
Lacks the necessary depth to actually persuade and change a person's mind on a subject of such importance. I enjoyed the read though.
Lacks the necessary depth to actually persuade and change a person's mind on a subject of such importance. I enjoyed the read though.
April 26, 2020
Left Behind - NOT
Destruction (of the world) is a one-sided view of the (necessary) precursor to creation (of heaven on earth). Good book
Destruction (of the world) is a one-sided view of the (necessary) precursor to creation (of heaven on earth). Good book
October 11, 2020
OK. Not as good as "Raptureless".
August 28, 2023
An excellent short book exposing how untenable the dispensationalist idea of a rapture is.
November 9, 2017
"Spinoza’s method required an exhaustive account of the history and philological points of each text, after which discussion Spinoza proceeds basically to tell his readers that such an attempt is impossible."
Morrow, Jeffrey L. Three Skeptics and the Bible: La Peyrère, Hobbes, Spinoza, and the Reception of Modern Biblical Criticism (Kindle Locations 3412-3414).
How should the Bible be interpreted? Much of modern interpretation is based on the ideas of "enlightenment" scholars like Spinoza. Spinoza was considered an atheist in his time.
Postmillennial preterist S.D. Morrison offers his critique of the rapture. The author denounces rapture believers for "literalism." Then he turns the tables and says they don't understand the Olivet discourse literally enough, especially the word "generation." So how many of the church fathers interpreted the Olivet Discourse like Mr. Morrison? Read the "Catena Aurea" to find out. The answer would be none, and they also had the writings of Josephus. Here are quotes from third-century father Origen and fourth century Chrysostom.
Origen: 'The uninstructed refer the words to the destruction of Jerusalem, and suppose them to have been said of that generation which saw Christ’s death, that it should not pass away before the city should be destroyed. But I doubt that they would succeed in thus expounding every word from that, “one stone shall not be left upon another,” to that, “it is even at the door;” in some perhaps they would succeed, in others not altogether.'
Chrysostom: 'All these things therefore mean what was said of the end of Jerusalem, of the false prophets, and the false Christs, and all the rest which shall happen down to the time of Christ’s coming, That He said, “This generation,” He meant not of the men then living, but of the generation of the faithful; for so Scripture uses to speak of generations, not of time only, but of place, life, and conversation; as it is said, “This, is the generation of them that seek the Lord.” [Ps 24:6]'
One of Morrison's criticisms is that the rapture doctrine is less than 200 years old. How old is postmillennial preterism?
"It was, really, this mistake of Luther and his contemporaries in applying to Rome the prophecies concerning the Antichrist which is responsible, we believe, for the whole modern system of post-millennialism."
Pink, Arthur W.. The Antichrist (Arthur Pink Collection Book 1). Prisbrary Publishing. Kindle Edition.
The postmillennial outlook was articulated by men like John Owen in the 17th century. It is only a couple of hundred years older than Dispensationalism. If the rapture is baby doctrine, then postmillennialism is a toddler.
So is the world becoming a better place? Postmillennialism was a much more popular belief in the 19th century. What happened? Here are deaths from wars by century.
16th 1.6 million
17th 6.1 million
18th 7.0 million
19th 19.4 million
20th 109.7 million
That's why so many left postmillennialism. There have been over 32,000 Islamic terrorist attacks since 9/11/01, and Islam is the world's fastest-growing religion. Does that mean the world is getting better?
Postmillennialism wants to build God's kingdom here on earth. Such a kingdom consists of less war, more peace, less poverty, more financial stability, less hunger, and more justice. Injustice is poverty, hunger, social injustice, sex slavery, the environment, government corruption, and war. This is a totally materialistic kingdom. Materialism is a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. It appears that God's kingdom could be built by atheists as easily as Christians.
Morrow, Jeffrey L. Three Skeptics and the Bible: La Peyrère, Hobbes, Spinoza, and the Reception of Modern Biblical Criticism (Kindle Locations 3412-3414).
How should the Bible be interpreted? Much of modern interpretation is based on the ideas of "enlightenment" scholars like Spinoza. Spinoza was considered an atheist in his time.
Postmillennial preterist S.D. Morrison offers his critique of the rapture. The author denounces rapture believers for "literalism." Then he turns the tables and says they don't understand the Olivet discourse literally enough, especially the word "generation." So how many of the church fathers interpreted the Olivet Discourse like Mr. Morrison? Read the "Catena Aurea" to find out. The answer would be none, and they also had the writings of Josephus. Here are quotes from third-century father Origen and fourth century Chrysostom.
Origen: 'The uninstructed refer the words to the destruction of Jerusalem, and suppose them to have been said of that generation which saw Christ’s death, that it should not pass away before the city should be destroyed. But I doubt that they would succeed in thus expounding every word from that, “one stone shall not be left upon another,” to that, “it is even at the door;” in some perhaps they would succeed, in others not altogether.'
Chrysostom: 'All these things therefore mean what was said of the end of Jerusalem, of the false prophets, and the false Christs, and all the rest which shall happen down to the time of Christ’s coming, That He said, “This generation,” He meant not of the men then living, but of the generation of the faithful; for so Scripture uses to speak of generations, not of time only, but of place, life, and conversation; as it is said, “This, is the generation of them that seek the Lord.” [Ps 24:6]'
One of Morrison's criticisms is that the rapture doctrine is less than 200 years old. How old is postmillennial preterism?
"It was, really, this mistake of Luther and his contemporaries in applying to Rome the prophecies concerning the Antichrist which is responsible, we believe, for the whole modern system of post-millennialism."
Pink, Arthur W.. The Antichrist (Arthur Pink Collection Book 1). Prisbrary Publishing. Kindle Edition.
The postmillennial outlook was articulated by men like John Owen in the 17th century. It is only a couple of hundred years older than Dispensationalism. If the rapture is baby doctrine, then postmillennialism is a toddler.
So is the world becoming a better place? Postmillennialism was a much more popular belief in the 19th century. What happened? Here are deaths from wars by century.
16th 1.6 million
17th 6.1 million
18th 7.0 million
19th 19.4 million
20th 109.7 million
That's why so many left postmillennialism. There have been over 32,000 Islamic terrorist attacks since 9/11/01, and Islam is the world's fastest-growing religion. Does that mean the world is getting better?
Postmillennialism wants to build God's kingdom here on earth. Such a kingdom consists of less war, more peace, less poverty, more financial stability, less hunger, and more justice. Injustice is poverty, hunger, social injustice, sex slavery, the environment, government corruption, and war. This is a totally materialistic kingdom. Materialism is a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. It appears that God's kingdom could be built by atheists as easily as Christians.
April 21, 2016
Abounding in error
The author does believe Christ will come again but there is a lot of error here. The rapture will happen in my view although it will be post trib. This author doesn't believe in any rapture at all! The resurrection of the dead will happen first . He gets that right. Then he goes on to describe those who are still alive at Christ's coming, who will simply be resurrected to continue in the kingdom of God. He doesn't seem to like the phrase " in the air" . Well Mr Morrison the scripture does say that the alive ones will meet Him in the air. End of. So there's going to be a rapture ie" raptus" from the Latin Vulgate , subsequently interpreted as " caught up " . So there's no way any Christian can avoid the interpretation of being caught up in the air. Most Christians believe that there's going to be a rapture or a " caught uppedness " at Christ's coming . Now as to whether the coming of Christ is pre ,mid or post tribulation this author doesn't go into that. I think that such a book should not leave that out. Why? Christ Himself says that " immediately after the tribulation of those days ,the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven . And then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. An he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice : and they shall gather his elect from the four winds ,from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. " ( Matt 24) . So there's a tribulation of some sort obviously . The author doesn't want to deal with this and many other aspects of Christ's coming. He instead wants to talk more about the coming kingdom. This was a good part of his book as many commentators in eschatology seemingly skip over the kingdom aspect . However he sees the rapture as almost a devilish doctrine heralding judgement . This is heresy . The author doesn't like the rapture because it seemingly brings judgement . Well Christ is presented in the scripture particularly in Revelation as coming to avenge his saints and while it might not make for pretty reading in some love abounding christian fellowshipping it does exist . Christ isn't coming as a little baby next time . The author prefers the lamb image and the lion image is portrayed as a victorious crucified resurrected one. Fair enough but the lion can also be fierce and some Christians might not like that image but it has to be considered. Look at the times Christ is portrayed with a sword in his mouth or as avenging the saints in the end . Not nice ? Yes but literally true . Yes love must conquer all for the gospel,yes the coming kingdom must be preached but there must also be room for the Christ we might not like to read about in the book of revelation, in the full message of Matthew 24 and in other passages of the Bible .
The author does believe Christ will come again but there is a lot of error here. The rapture will happen in my view although it will be post trib. This author doesn't believe in any rapture at all! The resurrection of the dead will happen first . He gets that right. Then he goes on to describe those who are still alive at Christ's coming, who will simply be resurrected to continue in the kingdom of God. He doesn't seem to like the phrase " in the air" . Well Mr Morrison the scripture does say that the alive ones will meet Him in the air. End of. So there's going to be a rapture ie" raptus" from the Latin Vulgate , subsequently interpreted as " caught up " . So there's no way any Christian can avoid the interpretation of being caught up in the air. Most Christians believe that there's going to be a rapture or a " caught uppedness " at Christ's coming . Now as to whether the coming of Christ is pre ,mid or post tribulation this author doesn't go into that. I think that such a book should not leave that out. Why? Christ Himself says that " immediately after the tribulation of those days ,the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven . And then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. An he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice : and they shall gather his elect from the four winds ,from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. " ( Matt 24) . So there's a tribulation of some sort obviously . The author doesn't want to deal with this and many other aspects of Christ's coming. He instead wants to talk more about the coming kingdom. This was a good part of his book as many commentators in eschatology seemingly skip over the kingdom aspect . However he sees the rapture as almost a devilish doctrine heralding judgement . This is heresy . The author doesn't like the rapture because it seemingly brings judgement . Well Christ is presented in the scripture particularly in Revelation as coming to avenge his saints and while it might not make for pretty reading in some love abounding christian fellowshipping it does exist . Christ isn't coming as a little baby next time . The author prefers the lamb image and the lion image is portrayed as a victorious crucified resurrected one. Fair enough but the lion can also be fierce and some Christians might not like that image but it has to be considered. Look at the times Christ is portrayed with a sword in his mouth or as avenging the saints in the end . Not nice ? Yes but literally true . Yes love must conquer all for the gospel,yes the coming kingdom must be preached but there must also be room for the Christ we might not like to read about in the book of revelation, in the full message of Matthew 24 and in other passages of the Bible .
September 8, 2016
Demonstrates that the notion of the rapture is a 19th Century invention that has no basis in Bible. Bad theology, bad hermeneutics, and contradictory reading of a small number of verses strained to reach preconceived notions. Careful study would show that these "end times" writings were fulfilled in AD 70 with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.
October 12, 2016
I'm not saying his ideas are bad or even wrong, but a book like this isn't enough to convince.
February 7, 2021
A must read for everyone, you will find a lot of jems in this book
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews