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What Will
Happen to America
After the Rapture?
by Heidi
Swander
August 15,
2012
Have you ever stopped to
think about the implications to America and the world at the moment of the
Rapture (and it doesn't matter which Rapture theory you subscribe to as you
contemplate this)? Many of us undoubtedly have seen movies and read novels
speculating about the effects of the most catastrophic biblical phenomenon
predicted since the flood of Noah, but the worldwide implications, honestly, go
far beyond those limited portrayals.
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Did many people disappear?
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I've just finished reading
Joel Rosenberg's latest non-fiction book, Implosion, and one of the chapters gets
down to brass tacks about what America and the entire world is in for at the
moment this event takes place.
I learned a lot and
appreciated so many things Joel shared in this book, from two plans that exist
to stanch America's financial collapse, to the story behind America's
recognition of the State of Israel in 1948, to the optimistic and pessimistic
views of where our country sits today, from the standpoint of total implosion.
(There are two distinct opinions on this and it's very intriguing to read about
why the optimists are so confident.) But for my money -- and because I, as a
pre-tribulation adherent, wait daily to hear the trumpet -- the most dynamic
part of Joel's book was this
fascinating look at the ramifications of the Rapture on America (and the
world).
The chapter is part of a
four-chapter set outlining possible scenarios for America's implosion:
- The Financial Implosion Scenario
- The War and Terrorism Scenarios
- The Natural Disaster Scenarios
- The Rapture Scenario
In "The Rapture Scenario,"
Joel asks, "What will happen to America after the Rapture?" He recollects all
the changes that have taken place in our lives since 9/11, when three thousand
Americans lost their lives. There was the devastating emotional impact -- not
just to the families and friends of those lost, but to our country at large. But
there were also changes in travel, foreign policy, economics and our government
institutions.
"Now," Joel says, "Try to
imagine the U.S. losing a million people in the blink of an eye. Or 5 million
people. Or 25 million people. Or more.
There's the mental picture
we're all used to: "If you're riding in a car driven by a believer who suddenly
disappears, that car very well could crash. If you're on a plane flown by
believers who suddenly disappear, that plane also could crash." But then there
are some mental pictures less prolific: "Highly valuable and experienced
military commanders and business leaders and medical professionals will
disappear, perhaps in the middle of critical projects or medical procedures. The
impact will be catastrophic."
Think about the emotional
ramifications for those left behind who have suddenly lost loved ones. There's
no closure; they're just gone. And what about so many people who have long
considered themselves to be Christian but are left behind to their utter
dismay?
But here are some of the
larger ramifications that I, personally, have never considered:
"If you think U.S. banks
have a foreclosure problem now as millions of Americans cannot afford to pay
their mortgages, imagine what will happen when millions of American homeowners
suddenly disappear, never to make another mortgage payment again.
"What will happen when
millions of business owners are suddenly no longer around to pay their bills? Or
pay their employees? Or continue delivering vital goods and services?
"What will happen to the
federal government when millions of taxpayers are no longer providing Washington
much-needed revenues?
"What will happen to state
governments?"
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Implosion by New York Times Best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg -
Tyndale House Publishers
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And then Joel explains,
"The foreign-policy implications for the U.S. must also be considered. With such
an immediate, enormous, and unprecedented shock to American society and economy
from the loss of millions of people, it is difficult to imagine how the U.S.
could remain a super-power. How could we quickly replace all our Christian
intelligence and foreign-policy officials who would suddenly be gone? How could
we quickly replace all the officers and NCOs throughout the ranks of the
military who are born-again believers? With all the resulting chaos and
dislocation caused by the Rapture, how could the U.S. move rapidly and
effectively to defend a threatened or invaded ally or defend our vital interests
around the world? How could we defend our own homeland?"
I've never thought of all
these consequences. Have you?
Jack Kinsella, one of my
favorite writers on Bible prophecy through his daily Omega Letter
Digest newsletter, considers that America will likely be the hardest hit by
the Rapture, because -- with all of her faults -- America can still be
considered the world's most "Christian" nation. Ergo, when the Rapture takes
place, our country will probably be the hardest hit of any on the planet. He's
not alone in thinking this.
Jack Kelley of Grace Thru
Faith, says, "The effects of this on US world leadership,
our military strength, and our economy are difficult to calculate, but suffice
it to say that it would cause those left behind to be more concerned with
putting the nation back together than with external matters."
There are many Bible
scholars who have stated this in one way or another. These are just
examples.
As Joel outlines in his book, there are a
number of scenarios  for America's implosion. Could America implode before the
Rapture? It could. But to date you will notice that against all odds, our
economy is hanging together, when by rights it shouldn't. "Against all odds"
could be another way of saying, "God is holding it together." Why? Only He
knows.
No matter which scenario
eventually causes the collapse of America as a super-state, we know she
eventually must fall, because she isn't mentioned by name in Scripture as an
integral part of end-time events. I think, personally, that regardless of when
the Rapture happens -- before or after implosion -- the Rapture will indeed be a
death blow to our nation.
This country has been home
to many of us and so that is, indeed, a grievous thought. But be encouraged,
because there's a much better world coming and I, for one, am looking forward to
it!
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