Mockers of the Rapture and the Silence of the Modern Pulpit

The Prophecy of the Scoffers

In the third chapter of his second epistle, the Apostle Peter issues a chillingly specific warning regarding the Mockers of the Rapture that resonates more loudly today than perhaps at any other point in church history. He writes in 2 Peter 3:3, "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." While many readers instinctively project this image onto the secular world—the atheists and the profane—a deeper study suggests a more unsettling reality. These scoffers are often found within the religious community, those who sit in pews yet harbor a deep-seated resentment toward the literal fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

The Rise of the Mockers of the Rapture in the Last Days

One of the most glaring signs of the times is the profound silence regarding the Second Coming of Christ in modern evangelical and mainline churches. We live in an era where "relevance" is the supreme deity of the Sunday morning service. Sermons are meticulously crafted to provide "best life now" advice, psychological coping mechanisms, or social justice initiatives.

While these topics have their place, the foundational "blessed hope"—the physical, literal return of the Lord—has been relegated to the dusty basement of "fringe" theology. Statistics suggest that a staggering majority of modern pulpits avoid the Book of Revelation or the Olivet Discourse entirely. This omission is not accidental. To preach on the return of Christ is to preach on accountability, the end of the current world system, and the urgency of holiness. By remaining silent, the modern church has inadvertently cultivated a soil where the Mockers of the Rapture can grow and influence the congregation.

The Internal Attack on the Blessed Hope

Nowhere is this "scoffing" more evident than in the vitriol directed toward the doctrine of the Pretribulation Rapture. The idea that Jesus Christ could, at any moment, call His Church home to escape the coming wrath is not just debated—it is increasingly despised.

It is a strange irony that within the walls of the Church, one can find more passion directed against the Rapture than against the sins of the age. Critics call it "escapism" or "cowardly theology." Yet, for the early church, the Maranatha cry—"O Lord, come!"—was the heartbeat of their faith. Today, the Mockers of the Rapture occupy "intellectual" Christian circles, often offering eye-rolls or condescending lectures to anyone who believes the Word literally. This mockery fulfills the very prophecy it seeks to debunk. When people inside the church begin to sneer at the promise of His coming, they are simply playing the part Peter scripted for them two millennia ago.

Why the World Doesn't Care (And Why the Church Does)

We must clarify who these scoffers are. An atheist in a laboratory or a secular politician in a capital building is not "scoffing" at the Second Coming; they are ignoring it. They do not care about the "promise of His coming" because they do not believe in the Promiser.

Peter’s warning is directed at those who have the scriptures in their hands but have lost the fire in their hearts. The mockery is an internal betrayal. It comes from the "religious" person who wants the benefits of the Christian brand without the "interference" of a returning King. The Mockers of the Rapture have built kingdoms on earth—empires of influence, wealth, and social standing—and the thought of Christ returning to upend their comfortable, worldly existence is an intrusion they cannot tolerate.

The Motive Behind the Mockery: Walking After Lusts

The scripture provides the "why" behind this end-times attitude. Peter notes that these scoffers are "walking after their own lusts." This is the crux of the matter. Belief in the imminent return of Christ is the greatest motivator for a holy life. As 1 John 3:3 says, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

Conversely, if one can dismiss the return of Christ as a myth or a "fringe" theory, the internal pressure to live a sanctified life evaporates. The Mockers of the Rapture are often motivated by a desire to remain unbothered in their worldly pursuits. If the Master isn't coming home tonight, the servants are free to indulge in the world.

The sad truth is that many who claim the name of Christ today do not actually want Him to return. They are deeply entangled in immoral lifestyles, compromise, and the pleasures of the present age. They have made peace with the world, and Christ’s return represents the end of their fun. They mock the Rapture because they fear the Rapture; they scoff at the prophecy because the prophecy demands a purity they are unwilling to pursue. The Mockers of the Rapture prefer a Christ who stays in the history books rather than the King of Kings who arrives to judge the quick and the dead.

Conclusion: A Call to Watchfulness

As we see the "unseen world" beginning to manifest through the fulfillment of these warnings, the believer must not be discouraged by the mockery. Instead, the scoffing should serve as a confirmation. When you hear the Rapture ridiculed from a pulpit or mocked in a Bible study, remember 2 Peter 3:3. The very existence of the scoffer is proof that the day is drawing near.

While the majority may choose to walk after their own lusts, let us be those who love His appearing, who preach the "whole counsel of God," and who keep our lamps trimmed and burning. The Master is coming—whether the scoffers are ready or not.

Explore the Depths of the Unseen World

The rise of the Mockers of the Rapture is only one facet of the spiritual amnesia facing the modern world. To truly understand the gravity of the times and the character of the God who is returning, we invite you to explore these critical questions:

• Is Hell Real? An honest examination of the biblical evidence regarding the final destination of the soul and why the modern pulpit has largely abandoned the doctrine of eternal judgment. 
• Is Jesus God? A deep dive into the deity of Christ, exploring the scriptural proofs that Jesus is not merely a "good teacher," but the Alpha and the Omega manifested in the flesh. 
• Can A Murderer Be Forgiven? Tracing the limits of divine mercy to discover if the blood of Christ is sufficient to cover the darkest of human transgressions and offer a true second chance. 
• Can An Idolatrous King Be Redeemed? A study of God’s surprising patience and grace toward those in high places who have led others astray, yet find themselves at a crossroads of repentance.

Don't Let the Silence Continue

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"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." — Revelation 22:20