The Remaining: Raptured or Captured?

The Remaining: Raptured or Captured?

If you are looking for a movie to watch with your family to stimulate conversation about the “rapture” then this is one with a twist. Unlike movies like “Left Behind” who interprets the rapture as taking the whole dude or dudette and leaving a pile of clothes; this interpretation of the rapture leaves the body and just takes the soul. The evidence of being taken is a steel icy blue coloring of the eyes after the soul is snatched from the body.

The movie is called, “The Remaining” and it challenges other interpretations of the “rapture” and what could possibly transpire when the Most High does not find your name on the VIP list in the third heaven. Before delving into the movie we must discuss the word rapture because to my knowledge that word is not in the Bible. Please correct me if I am wrong about this!

Where exactly did the “rapture” come from then? Well, ahem, a man and it was not Divinely inscribed into the Scripture as from the prophets. So in my humble opinion this means it is up for debate and quite frankly this is a divisive topic. The credit for the rapture goes to John Nelson Darby (18 November 1800 – 29 April 1882) who was an Anglo-Irish Bible teacher, one of the influential figures among the original Plymouth Brethren and the founder of the Exclusive Brethren.

Matthew 24:37-41

37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left

He is considered to be the father of modern Dispensationalism and Futurism in the English vernacular. He produced a translation of the Bible based on the Hebrew and Greek texts called The Holy Scriptures: A New Translation from the Original Languages by J. N. Darby. It was his interpretation of Matthew 24:37-41 which led him to believe the true believers and followers of Christ would be whisked away before all hell breaks loose on earth.

Controversy surrounding the teachings of John Nelson Darby

Does that make him correct? Well, that remains to be seen. If you think about synthesizing many of the Scriptures in regard to the “rapture” excluding the above mentioned Scripture it could paint a different picture. Remember when Christ returns we will meet him in the clouds? How can this be if we are already raptured? Also, it says there will be a new heaven and a new earth where we will all reside there for a 1,000 years before Satan is released for a time and he is finally chucked in the lake of fire for good.

John Nelson Darby (18 November 1800 – 29 April 1882) was an Anglo-Irish Bible teacher

Malachi 4:1 tells us the “evildoers” will be burnt to stubble on the Day of the Lord. Which is a kind of an inverse-rapture for the wicked with a very bad ending for them. My point is maybe it is plausible the evildoers will be taken and we will be here? I am certainly not sure about any of this and I do not know how anyone really can be. This is why I find movies like “Left Behind” and “The Remaining” so fascinating.

Movies like these challenge the generally accepted thought paradigms of potential scenarios of the end of days as stated in the Bible. In my opinion, too much emphasis is placed on the “rapture” interpretation because it has caused a deep divide amongst many people. I have been told on Facebook I could only join a group if I only read the King James version of the Bible and believed in the pre-tribulation rapture. They also wanted a certified letter signed by a notary . . . okay, I made this part up but you get the point.

Honestly, this is all rather confusing to me because there appears to be several plausible scenarios based on interpretation of man. . . just like John Nelson Darby. Heck, he could be very well right or he could be very wrong. The point is you choose to believe Jesus Christ was real, believe in Him, and practice His teachings. Then you will know Him and really what is there to worry about after that? Of course, I am open for correction and discussion on this very controversial subject; but, it is movies like “The Remaining” that will help stimulate these discussions.

With that being said, let us jump into this movie and please stop reading now because this will be full of spoilers. The movie starts out with beautiful looking twenty-somethings; meaning attractive faces and no back fat. The director makes sure to illustrate people caught up living their lives having “fun” with no particular emphasis on the Most High or Jesus Christ. It quickly resonates Matthew 24:38 where people will be marrying in the last days and caught with their spiritual pants down when the angels blow the trumpets.

I thought it was extremely creative when the “rapture” occurred because the human bodies dropped dead while the Most High was only interested in taking the soul.  This was a clear Biblical interpretational shift away from taking the whole body and leaving a pile of clothes. From this point it was clearly up to artistic Biblical interpretation on how the tribulation would unfold and with today’s special effects the sky is not even a limit.

Even the alien theme was briefly addressed but this was clearly a Biblical event because trumpets were sounding and fiery meteors and hail fell from the dark skies, as stated by prophecy.  Then the demons came and snatched up people like giant humanoid bats with bone crushing fury. Ironically, many survivors ran to church only to find the pastor to greet them at the door! It was a clear dig at the church today and how even the shepherds do not have a relationship with Christ. As is today where it is really all about the “benjamins.”

What was also interesting was the ideology and mercy of the Most High when it came to those who realized this is all about The Most High. This will all come down to the Most High searching your heart to validate if you are purely submitting and loving Him. People always point to sky when it comes to the Lord but Christ told us the Kingdom is within. The pastor in the movie was left behind because he truly did not know Christ. Meaning he did not have a relationship with Him.

There are many of us here today in the same boat where we can quote Scripture and passionately speak of Christ but our actions prove otherwise. The question is: Do you have a relationship with Him? Are you truly honoring His teachings and is that evident in your behavior? We all fall short because of sin but are you striving to walk the narrow path? These are tough questions and behaviors to maintain but He needs us to not try but to do. I bit that from Yoda.

Zephaniah 1:18

Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath.” In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.

If you are a doomsday prepper this movie is not for you because it will make you realize your investment will not be worth a wooden nickel. There is no where to hide when the Most High allows demons to have free reign over the earth. The demons do not accept cash, credit, or gold. The only way out is through Christ who strangely enough was not mentioned in this movie . . . only God.

I found the acting to be a bit mediocre and the special effects were not spectacular but did the job. I would recommend watching it because my three sons had plenty of questions. I try to be an extremely honest dad with them like when they ask my questions like, “Are monsters real?” I always reply, “Yes, they are!” Seriously, though I made sure they know no matter what happens to our physical bodies Christ promised us a new body and a home with Him in His Kingdom.

My eight year old asked me, “Will it hurt?” and I said, “Even if it does not for long and then you will be with Him.” Christ has a special place in His heart for children and I can only imagine the love He would share with them. If you have time to watch “The Remaining” you will challenge many interpretations to share with other Believers. I do not think this movie should create fear because as long as you “know” Him, He will know you! What I do respect about this movie is it makes it clear choose Christ because the promise of eternal life is the real deal. Amen.


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Michael Erevna

Michael is the Editor-in-Chief of RevelationNow.net fulfilling his true passion of researching and writing about Biblical scripture, ancient text, and esoteric mysteries. His book "Thy Sun, Thy Rod, and Thy Staff" is available on Amazon.com. He has appeared on "In Search Of..." with Zachary Quinto and other radio appearances.
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