Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation

by Jonathan Welton

In this revised and updated edition of Raptureless, Jonathan Welton has taken a bold step in confronting one of the greatest "sacred cows” of our day: end time theology!

Added to this edition is the supplemental book called The Art of Revelation, where the author uses the same thought-provoking, well-studied, forthright, and optimistic arguments as before as he examines thoroughly the book of Revelation. He once again shows his scholarship and ability to communicate on issues pertinent to the issues facing today’s Church.

The fear created by the expectation of a coming antichrist and a great tribulation are keeping many believers in bondage. Many believe that defeat is the future destiny of the Church. As Jesus said, men’s traditions make void the Word of God. In his easy to read presentation, Jonathan dismantles many of the popular ideas in the Church about the end times.

His arguments are Scriptural, lucid, simply and powerfully presented. In addition, Jonathan provides fresh historical background for a number of the historical sources that he has quoted. Read it and be challenged. With this much evidence, the reader must make a decision.

Chapter titles include:

RAPTURELESS:
How Did We Get Here?
The Rapture
The Great Tribulation
The End of the World
Melting Elements
The Antichrist
The Persecution Mindset
The Israel of God
The Kingdom Transition
The Kingdom Without Wrath
The New Covenant of Light
The Kingdom Now
The Kingdom Advancing
The Big Three
The Apostolic Mission

THE ART OF REVELATION:
The Introduction
The Seven Churches
The Seven Seals
The Seven Trumpets
Followers of the Lamb or the Beast
The Seven Bowls of Wrath
The Babylonian Harlot
The New Heavens and New Earth
The Epilogue

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology, Christian

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

A fifth generation believer, Jonathan Welton is propelled by a powerful Christian heritage. Exhibiting extraordinary wisdom as a teacher, he helps individuals discover fresh experiences of kingdom realities. Even those who have grown up in the church are challenged afresh as they hear the unique perspective that Jonathan carries.

With a duel calling of both teacher and seer, Jonathan raises the standard for walking in wisdom, character and power. Carrying a revelatory forerunner anointing, he trains and equips believers to use their spiritual senses to see in the unseen realm. Jonathan has earned two Masters Degrees, one in Biblical Studies and the other in Practical Ministry, as well as the National Herald of Christ award. Jonathan is the author of four books. The School of the Seers, Normal Christianity, Eyes of Honor, and Raptureless. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Theology and lives in Rochester, NY

Reviews

[Marc Arlt · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are many points of disagreement for me with Weltons perspectives on eschatology. His belief that Jesus didn't take Gods wrath, but rather Jerusalem did, is a case in point. Furthermore, his insistence in placing everything into the category of "this happened in 70AD in the destruction of Jerusalem" is too black and white and leads him to have to interpret some passages in strange ways (the wheat and tares parable for example as having already been fulfilled). He seems to be in too much of a hurry as he pieces together his theology. There are better books in my opinion which give a better perspective on partial preterism.

[Nancy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely outstanding!! I've studied the bible and "the end" times for almost 50 years and this is the first book that has explained all the scriptures completely and concisely!! Always before there were thoughts about the "end times" that just didn't fit and had to be manipulated to be explainable. And then re-explained through the years as time went by. Because we as a generation have had such a narrow and limited knowledge of Jewish history we just did not know certain things. This book makes sense of it ALL! Even Victorious Eschatology which was a very good book did not explain things as clearly and well as this book. I wish everyone would read this book with a prayerful and open mind!!

[Erwin Van deutekom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book i have ever read about the 'end-times'.
It is so clear and gives so many insights that you didnt even know where there.

It really sets you free from thoughts that bind you in a negative way...

A must read for every christian if you want to live in truth!

[Shiloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will turn your theology upside down, but not without scriptural, cultural, and historical basis. I recommend it and you can also download a free copy at raptureless.com.

[Jonathan Brenneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Raptureless" was the second book that I read on "Partial Preterist Eschatology". I had already embraced this viewpoint after reading Eberle and Trench's book "Victorious Eschatology", because it made far more sense than anything I had yet heard.

Raptureless does a great job of presenting partial preterism in an easy to understand way, and also of explaining why our eschatology is important. Some friends who are less familiar with theology seemed to think that it was a little easier to understand than "Victorious Eschatology". In my opinion, either one of these books is a great introduction to a view of eschatology that makes more sense.

[Cinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creates a paradigm shift. I need to do some more reading since it's such a change in thinking. Jesus is still coming back so I'm ok with no rapture. Being pro-Israel is no longer just about the people living in the "promise land" - it's being for all believers - God's people.

[Dee Dillion]

AWESOME!!! EYE OPENING TRUTHS!! I'm glad he's takent the time and loves to study history and the greek original words and break it down for us laymen!!!

[Matthew B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing eye opening information about the end of the old covenant the start of the new covenant. Tells about what took place and what was fulfilled when the destruction of Jerusalem took place in 70AD. Excellent read !

[Wayne Koski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Remember the admonition to "Study to show thyself approved unto GOD"

Dr. Welton brings forward useful information, the chapter on the "Secret Rapture" needs to be studied further (chapter 12) The church has been inundated the last few years with false information regarding the Rapture (Harpadzo). When studying church history you'll find that the early church fathers wrote about and taught and believed the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Other books are available for your information that fully explain the Scriptures. Don't stop with this book, read further to get the best information. Other books, "The Rapture, Don't be deceived" and "The Seals" both by Pastor Billy Chrone. Pastor Chrone can be seen on YouTube and his Fellowship in Las Vegas NV.

[J.C.L. Faltot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very refreshing read for me. I've always felt my spirit pinged by the persecution mindset, or the "doom and gloom" of a future that is supposed to get worse rather than better. Welton tackles a lot of the Rapture theology by presenting a strong case for prophecy fulfilled in the Bible as well as putting a handle on what it means to live out the ever-expanding Kingdom. The book is somewhat self-aware too in that Welton knows that not many churches are talking about this history. For those who view Christianity as an apocalyptic religion, I would encourage you checking this book out.

[Darrell Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth considering

This presents an entirely different view of the passages commonly taught as “end times”. This view is far more consistent with other interpretations of prophetic language. It is far more straight forward, requiring none of the mental gymnastics of the modern ideas. It may have missed a few key points, especially in regards to modern Israel in the appendix. I think the author had a point but also misses some key concepts there. But all told the scholarship is worth considering.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! No matter what your beliefs or expectations going in, you will be challenged, surprised, and perhaps even offended. I encourage you to read the entire book anyway, though. Whether you're a Christian highly focused on end-time prophecies, a Christian who's never given the end-times a second thought, or even a non-Christian who just wants to know what all the hype is about - this book is worth reading. Full of facts drawn from scripture as well as other historical documentation, the author lays out a surprisingly logical and positive view of the "end of the world."

[Robert J Gyurik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly interesting, yet biased in important parts

His critique of dispensationlism (re: John Nelson Darby) is correct. But this is obvious to me and other Christians I know. Better is Leo de Sequiera's trilogy for this topic as it has more in depth Biblical exegesis. Welton's antisemitic rants are hard to take, and built on straw men, argumenta ad absurdum, and misinterpretation.

[Jordan Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the final nails in the coffin of futurism and dispensationalism

This book is absolutely incredible. I’ve studied eschatology for several years and actually came to the same conclusions Dr. Welton does in Raptureless, but due to living in the Bible Belt I’ve kept my beliefs to myself. This book is a breath of fresh air.

[Luc Duguay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow !!
Finalement un livre qui explique les passages bibliques tel que Mathieu 24 sans inventer des passages et sans faire des liens qui ne prennent pas en considération ''qu'est ce que l'auteur disait à ceux à qui il écrivait''

Pour vrai, quand on lit, on a déjà pleins de concepts formatés dans notre tête et il faut nous prendre avec des gants blancs pour nous amadouer si ça sonne pas exactement comme on pense déja... qui en passant, nous a été enseigné.

[Bill Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Raptureless is a good read

I never really bought into the teachings that the churches future was all doom and gloom and this book helped me fully understand what I knew from my own study was correct. I would recommend this book to everyone, but most won't read it because they have been brainwashed so deeply with the belief that our future is supposed to be bleak at best.

[Orion Maple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read on eschatology

Walton explains so much in this book, it's absolutely necessary. The way he goes about presenting his view is amazing, to present it by saying"ok where do all of these views get their start". And then he walks you they that.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have we been fed a wrong interpretation?

This explanation makes the most. I recommend sense. The qoutes from the Bible, in the correct context, back the interpretation perfectly!
I suggest all pastors read this book with an open mind.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evangelicals need alternatives to all the dispensational insanity. This is a reasonable start.

[Steve Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book dealing with the topic of “the rapture” and the faulty theology from which it comes. Fascinating reading and theology busting stuff.

[Garrett Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thinker for sure...

This is essentially a change in doctrine for many Christians, but one that is well founded and must be considered at least once in development of faith.

[Frans Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

its nicely written, sometimes a bit to short around the corner ;)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been debating how to review this book. Definitely encouraging and much food for thought. As this is my first dive into this idea, I think I need to reread it after looking into other theologians' (who I respect) input on the topic. On occasion there were ideas that I wasn't sure about it, but again, I think it requires more research on my part to land on what I believe ultimately. Definitely a good introduction and one I'd recommend.

[Squire Whitney: Hufflepuff Book Reviwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Raptureless, I am now 150 to 200 percent convinced that the rapture doctrine is B.S.—which is something that I have long since felt on an instinctual level but never knew exactly how to go about arguing for scripturally. On top of sounding silly, the doctrine of the rapture simply seemed to contradict every theme in scripture—that following Jesus might come at a tremendous cost and that God will not necessarily magically deliver us believers from hardship. And I am likewise probably about 80-90 percent convinced that other end-time beliefs common in evangelical circles, such as those pertaining to a seven-year tribulation and the rise of the anti-Christ in our future, result from a demonstrable misreading of texts that pertain to 70 AD, as well. But, as for the rapture, this doctrine seems to contain such a flimsy Biblical basis that it rather blows my mind that anyone would believe in them. Every single verse that is often used to support the doctrine requires either exegetical leaps that transcend reason or ripping verses entirely from their context—or, more often, both.

Welton does a prenominal job at teaching the reader about the massacre of Jerusalem in an approachable and friendly manner and illustrating how such Biblical prophecy relates to this historical ransacking rather than the end of the world. And he also succeeds at encouragingly reminding the reader how inspiring it can be to ruminate on the idea that the world is merely destined to get better according to scripture (in fact that the world lately has been improving steadily on the whole for two millennia now, even if Evangelicals seem not to notice this). Welton poignantly illustrates the potential dangers involved in believing that the world is only ever destined to steadily worsen into tragedy and believing that one might not even be destined to live out a complete lifetime before the rapture occurs.

My foremost gripe with Raptureless would be that a rather large portion of the book consists of Welton quoting The Destruction of Jerusalem by Peter George Holford word-for-word, except with an occasional author’s notes sprinkled in. This struck me as rather lazy writing. And, since I had just finished reading Holford’s piece, I craved a more novel way of acquiring such information. I was also disappointed in Welton’s assessment of all Israel being saved as referring to merely the church as Israel, which has always struck me as a deeply lacking interpretation contextually. And, lastly, I am not entirely convinced by the author’s repeated claims that the biblical authors understood the end times as referring merely to the end of the old covenant system and the destruction of Jerusalem. While the entire Bible seems to harmonize under this light, I do not get the impression that most of the biblical authors clearly understood this. While God likely inspired them to use the word "ge" instead of "cosmos," the Biblical authors at least seem to have imagined a prompt end to the entire world as they knew it. These critiques aside, Raptureless makes for a must-read for Christians everywhere!

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what the statisics are like on how different views of the end-times ong Christians split up, but it's fair to say that there are a reasonably large number of people who are convinced that we're living in the last days of the world, a whole bunch of Christians are going to be raptured off the planet and there's going to be a great tribulation for those who left.

Jonathan Welton's highly readable book puta forward the far more optimistic case that the Bible's talk of the end times actually refers to prophecies made about the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70 AD.

While I would need to read some more in-depth books to nut out the fine details, he makes a compelling and well thought-out case. It's not the final book on the subject but given that I've been avoiding reading up on this because it all sounds too complicated to get into, I appreciate Welton's efforts to simplify the matter. (And all of this without taking a sledgehammer to his opponents, which I can't always say for all theological writers.)

[Richard Monyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read for Every Believer!!

I wanted to read this book to get a better understanding of all the things in the Bible regarding end-time prophecies. I come away now with such clarity and they whole Word of God has come alive for me and I have a brand new perspective! Read at least the Introduction and Chapter One to see if it's worth investigating the sheer amount of data supporting this popular belief. Well, popular with the first century Christians up until the 1800's when Darby and Scofield polluted the church with their new theology accepted as facts today. Read the first edition online at http://www.raptureless.com

[Esther Etouke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an eye-opening book, as the author deals with the "sacred cows" of Christian religion. This is a well-studied and well-searched study. It uncovers many lies as it caused me to be willing to doubt, test and prove those beliefs I had always held as true and unquestionable. Indeed, only the knowledge of the truth has the power to set us free to live the fullness of life we were always intended to.

[airrunkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welton addresses several misconceptions that are commonplace in the study of eschatology, using logical historical and well documented supports for each topic.

I've read the previous versions of this book as well, and this edition is well organized but a bit overwhelming at first. The other editions eased into things a little slower.

I highly recommend this book!

[Marvin Breshears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging

Weston's interpretation of some of the most confusing and contentious portions of scripture with a logical explanation that does justice to the integrity of God's Word is really refreshing. Some of the chart wielding prophecy gurus need to get off of their soapbox and read this with an open mind and heart.

[Paul Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not far into the book when I felt like the author must be an amillennialist. He never uses that term but his beliefs align with that view. Being an amillennialist myself, it strengthened my belief and encouraged me to be about the work of growing God's kingdom long term. Generational thinking is critical and time is one resource we cannot recover.