So, I posted a somewhat snarky reel about The Rapture on my Instagram because I find it funny how often this nonevent comes around and people think, “Oh yes, this time for sure!” They then proceed to give away their belongings and money. They quit their jobs. They leave their families and friends. All while taking pleasure in the fact that the rest of us will be left behind. Then . . . inevitably . . . nothing happens.
After my giddy — somewhat childish — reaction subsided, I started to think that maybe there’s a reason why it never happens. Aside from it not being real — but let’s assume for a moment that it could be real. The idea is that the righteous among us will be lifted to heaven to have a playdate with Jesus. However, in the days leading up to this event, they take pleasure in the fact that others will be denied passage.
If the central commandment from Jesus is, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” then not treating others with the same compassion they would show themselves negates the expected reward. They’d be disqualified from actually being raptured. And since the rest of us simply don’t believe in such a thing, the result is no one is in fact raptured.
If you’d like to up your chances to get a first class ticket to the promised land, I’d advise — as I’ve done before — that everyone should forget their religious doctrines and simply follow The Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have done to you. A concept grounded in the idea that all people are worthy of love and kindness. Not just certain people. Empathy is not a bad word after all.
So, as I did on the anniversary of 9/11, I pose a challenge:
For a moment let’s forget about religions, politics, and philosophies.
For a moment let’s simply be kind, do good, and get better.
Let’s be ready for the next Rapture. Does anyone know when that is? I hear a deadline can be a very effective motivator.
Cheers!
Stephen
