Will only the Church of Philadelphia be Raptured?
As the the Psalm of David says, “[t]he fool says in his heart, ‘[t]here is no God….'” (New International Version, Psalm 14:1). I genuinely became sold on the idea that Richard Dawkins and other “brilliant” scientists were correct.
In reality, God did create the universe out of nothing, He did create us from dust which includes the mind-boggling design of the human eye, and He certainly can make His creation disappear. He knows every single atom in the entire universe, and is currently sustaining all of life, via these atoms. How could an infinitely powerful God that is beyond time itself, and has always existed, not be able to do such a thing?
The disappearing of believers may very well be the most controversial issue in Eschatology which is better known as the “Rapture of the Church.” Most debates on this topic are about the timing of the Rapture, not who gets Raptured.
Though I won’t discuss my entire reasons as to why I believe in a Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church in this post, I will express who I believe (in general) will get Raptured and how it further supports a Pre-Tribulational position on this topic.
If you want to read about why I believe in a Pre-Tribulational Rapture of Church:
Is the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church true?
Can an all-powerful God make people suddenly vanish? If He made everything around–and including–us out of nothing, then why does it seem impossible? I mean, He knows about every single hair on the heads of over eight billion people. The fact is it’s absolutely nothing for God to Rapture people and it will happen according to the inerrant God-breathed Bible that is totally accurate just based upon the prophecies that have already been fulfilled, among other reasons.
Do you believe every single person at the church you go to, if you go to church, will be Raptured? I sure don’t.
I will explain why I believe the Church of Philadelphia is the only church that will get Raptured―that is, individuals who compose the Church of Philadelphia:
The Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation are seven literal churches described when John the apostle was writing Revelation. During this time period, they were seven actual churches but they still have meaning today.
Some think the seven different churches differentiate seven different periods of time within the history of the church. However, this really does not make sense considering all throughout the church history there has been a mixture of these types of churches (“What Do the Seven Churches in Revelation Stand For?”).
Therefore and though I could be entirely wrong on this, my current understanding is the Seven Churches are a mixture of seven types of churches that have existed for thousands of years; they are not to be separated into distinct time periods. In other words, the period we are living in right now is not just one distinct church period―such as the Laodicean age.
As we know, there are currently a mixture of different types of churches and not just one type. Maybe the Seven Churches aren’t even all of the churches as we have “woke churches.” Then again, maybe they don’t even count as churches at all and are just masquerading themselves as churches.
It seems to me the Seven Churches back in the day represent characteristics of individual believers in Revelation, and the line of delineation will become increasingly clearer as everything is being unveiled or revealed.
Notice how God, who is talking to the Seven Churches, seems like He is talking to us as individuals during some parts. For example, He says, “[w]hoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” He also uses words like “you” and the “one” in which it is as if He is talking to specific believers.
Now, does the entire church (a physical church location) represent, say, the Church of Philadelphia? For example, if you go to a church that speaks the truth is that the Church of Philadelphia? No, in that not every single individual that goes to that church aligns with what the Church of Philadelphia is saying in Revelation.
Maybe the church as a whole aligns with the Church of Philadelphia, but not every single person does. The church is composed of individuals and they obviously aren’t all on the same page. And, as just stated, they were seven physical churches back in the day that no longer physically exist (other than the ruins).
Therefore, at this time, I believe the Church of Philadelphia is one of the Seven Churches that exist in our society today and it, along with the other six churches, represents individuals more than the physical church itself.
If most individuals at a church belong in this camp, then maybe that actual, single church could be considered more like the physical Church of Philadelphia back in the day, but it is still down to the individual level as the church is composed of individuals and each of us will be accountable for our individual actions. That doesn’t negate the fact that we are still suppose to be the Body of Christ.
Just because someone is lukewarm that goes to the same church as you, doesn’t mean you as an individual meet the description mentioned for the Church of Laodicea in Revelation. Is my redundancy helping you understand my viewpoint?
Here is what it says in the Book of Revelation:
Revelation 3:7-13
New International Version
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 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.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Notice verse 3:10. What does it say?:
This is the only one of the Seven Churches which says this and this verse is mentioned before the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, and Seven Bowls (the seven year Tribulation). It sounds like this verse is insinuating God will not have this church type experience the “hour of trial.” The “hour of trial” sounds like a reference to the Tribulation, or does it not?
It ultimately comes down to this:
Unbelievers will clearly not be Raptured, but within the church itself, only the Church of Philadelphia appears to be the one that is Raptured? Could this really be true or maybe it is that every single individual that is part of any of the Seven Churches (and possible others that don’t fit into one of the Seven Churches) will be Raptured?
If you look at some of the other Seven Churches, it doesn’t seem like they will get Raptured. For example,
Revelation 2:10, which is talking about the Church of Smyrna, mentions the following:
Maybe this is just a reference to the “ten days” that refers to the ten persecutions that began with Nero and with Diocletian at the end of the third century (“What does Revelation 2:10 mean?”). Maybe, however, when looking at Revelation 2:10 in comparison to the Church of Philadelphia, which implies a Rapture, and the other Churches that imply death, or possible death, it has more significance.
Most agree that the Church of Smyrna was the other church out of the seven that didn’t receive any rebuke. Maybe people belonging to this church are destined for martyrdom, have not been waiting as patiently as the Church of Philadelphia (the Church of Philadelphia’s patience will keep them from the “hour of trial”), and/or do indeed need more refining? I’ve even heard people say they won’t overcome the Synagogue of Satan, as the Church of Philadelphia does, until death.
We all could speculate all day long so whatever it may be, God is just so it will all work out in the end. Look at how Noah–who was a righteous, obedient man–and his family were spared from the global flood. He wasn’t perfect, but He did closely follow God.
Why also are these Seven Churches mentioned right before the Tribulation in the Book of Revelation (including Revelation 3:10)? Maybe they aren’t meant to be interpreted just symbolically but rather literally. It is said to always take the passage literally unless there is a reason to not.
I know the Book of Revelation has plenty of symbolism, but this may need to be literally interpreted as specific events that will happen to specific individuals at a specific time (during the Book of Revelation) based upon all of the seven letters written to literal churches back in the day.
So, even if the Church of Philadelphia is not the only church to be Raptured, we must all aspire to follow the characteristics of this church and Smyrna. Given the expectations of God and how much He hates sin, it makes even more logical sense that only a small percentage of people who really belong to the “church” will be Raptured.
At the same time, if the entire church is exempt from God’s Wrath, which I believe starts at the first seal, it wouldn’t make as much sense that those who fall into the “Church of Philadelphia” category are the only ones to get Raptured. But, maybe the other churches don’t meet the Rapture qualifications so they get left behind?
Here are some questions to help try to find answers:
Why does it sound like only the Church of Philadelphia will be Raptured in the book of Revelation?
— Trenton Tracy (@Jesusisthe1king) August 16, 2024
And if we are just living in the Laodicean age, why doesn't that church sound like it will be Raptured, but the Church of Philadelphia does?
Why does Revelation mention Seven…
Again, my current interpretation of what the Church of Philadelphia means in Revelation may be completely wrong. This part of Revelation seems to be heavily open to interpretation with people arriving at all kinds of viewpoints. It may completely change with further insight and as time progresses, we may all get an answer from God Himself.
For more information about the Seven Churches:
What are the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation?
What are the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation? Here is a summary of the Seven Churches.
Works Cited
“What Do the Seven Churches in Revelation Stand For?” GotQuestions.Org, 12 Apr. 2004, www.gotquestions.org/seven-churches-Revelation.html.
“What Does Revelation 2:10 Mean?” BibleRef.Com, www.bibleref.com/Revelation/2/Revelation-2-10.html.