03/08/2026

 

Samuel Clifford

 

1. Psalm 90:10

 

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10 KJV

 

It seems the people who believe a secret Jewish rapture believe the last phrase “we fly away” indicates a Jewish Rapture. However, this is not the meaning of the passage. In context, the psalmist said, “we are consumed by thine anger,” (v. 7) because God sees man’s sins, even “secret sins” he sees (v. 8). Since man is a sinner, all his life is spent under the wrath of God (v. 9) and is limited, according to verse 10, to 70 years (which 70-80 is about the average lifespan of humans today much less during this time). And therefore life flies away in death like a fleeting bird (cf. Job 20:8). 

 

In summary, because life is brief, and because it is spent under God’s wrath on sin, the psalmist, representing God’s people, implored God for wisdom in numbering their days (cf. 39:4), that is, realizing how few they are. This passage doesn’t reveal a secret Jewish Rapture. This passage is about the flight of death, not a rapture. 

 

2. Matthew 24:25

 

Those who favor a Jewish Rapture state that Jesus revealed a Rapture before and this is based on Matthew 24 which they believe is the Rapture. However, Matthew 24 is not about the rapture but the second coming. It seems those who favor a Jewish Rapture very much have a distorted view on the Second Coming. Here’s what Matthew 24:25 states: 

 

“Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:25 KJV

 

What did Jesus tell them before? The answer is found in the preceding verse:

 

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24 KJV

 

This has nothing to do with a rapture. It is purely twisting what the scripture is saying. False Christs and False Prophets would arise and show signs and wonders. Jesus had already said that some of His disciples would abandon the truth under persecution (Matthew 24:10-11; cf. Matthew 26:31). Therefore, Jesus was in no way even indicating he was speaking of a Secret Jewish Rapture.

 

3. Matthew 25:1-13 

 

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 25:1-13.

 

Those who favor a secret Jewish rapture state this verse shows a Jewish rapture because it is to the Jews and it isn’t until later in the passage we learn about the Second Coming. First let’s understand the meaning of the parable given here on the ten virgins. 

 

1. The context is the Second Coming (Matthew 24 and 25). The Church comes back with Christ and isn’t awaiting like the virgins.

 

The coming of Jesus for the Church is imminent, without preconditions — but here there are preconditions: 

 

1. Global persecution and betrayal of Christians (Mat. 24:9). 

 

2. Abomination of Desolation (Mat. 24:15).

 

3. Signs in the heavens, the sun and the moon (Mat. 24:29)

 

Therefore, this isn’t the Church. 

 

In order to understand the parable you must understand Jewish Weddings. A Jewish wedding is described in Psalms 45. Look at verse 14:

 

“She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: The virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.”

Psalm 45:14 KJV

 

The virgins follow the bride but they aren’t the bride. The church is the bride. Therefore, the Church isnt the virgins. 

 

Instead, we should consider these individuals to be believers in the Tribulation awaiting the Second Coming of Christ. The parable isn’t about the wedding itself but the wedding feast afterwards. The private portion of the wedding has already taken place before the return of the Groom (Rev. 19:7 cf. Rev. 19:14).  The presentation of the bride to the bridegroom would be made in a private inner chamber. At the conclusion of the presentation ceremony, the assembled guests would eagerly await the appearance of the bridegroom with his bride. In the Lord's parable ten virgins had been invited as guests and were awaiting the appearance of the bridegroom with his bride. This is just like the second coming in which the believers at the end of the tribulation await the return of Christ with his bride.

 

The reasoning given as to why this isn’t about the Second Coming is that Matthew 25:31 is about the Second Coming which means this takes place before the Second Coming. However, this isn’t a chronological sequence of events. Both passages are a reference to the Second Coming. This is shown by the context itself! The end of the parable  speaks of the coming Son of Man (v. 13) and this is further more referenced in verse 31. Nowhere does the passage indicate this is a sequence of chronological events. Therefore, the parable in Matthew 25 is about the Second Coming and this is shown by its context and description.

 

4. Luke 12:36-37 compared to Revelation 19:9 

 

 

“And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Luke 12:36-37 KJV

“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:9 KJV

 

Those who believe a secret rapture believe Revelation 19:9 is about Jews invited to the wedding. This is hardly true. 

 

1. The Jews rejected the invitation according to Matthew 8:10-12: 

 

“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:10-12 KJV

The “sons of the kingdom” are the Jews. They are the ones who were initially invited to the marriage supper, but refused to come. Therefore, the invitation went out to all nations (Matthew 22:2-14). The blessed in Revelation 19:9 are the ones who accept the invitation, not refuse it. 

 

2. So, who are the people invited?

 

The bride needs no invitation so it’s not the Church but instead are a seperate body who are not apart of the Church. They are those either saved before Pentecost or those who came to faith after the Restrainer was removed who went to heaven without a rapture. Once again, this verse does not indicate a Secret Jewish Rapture.

 

Now they try to compare Revelation 19:9 to Luke 12:36-37, however, Luke 12:36-37 specifically states “when he will RETURN from the WEDDING,” which is distinct from Revelation 19:9 since the wedding is still going on and they are invited. Luke 12:36-37 is about the Second Coming after the Rapture. 

 

5. Acts 7:55

 

“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,” Acts 7:55 KJV

 

They state that Jesus standing means he was about to Rapture the Jews. However, this is merely an assumption. Likely, Jesus was standing to welcome Stephan home. This is not proof of a Jewish Rapture by a long shot. 

 

6. Romans 11:25-26

 

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:” Romans 11:25-26 KJV

 

Finally, is the last argument they make. Their argument is that Romans 11:25-26 shows Jesus comes back and saves Israel by rapturing Israel. However, this verse isn’t about the rapture but instead, once again, the Second Coming. Verse 26 is a reference to Isaiah 59:20-21:

 

“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.” Isaiah 59:20-21 KJV

 

The quotation from Isaiah 59:20-21 not only confirmed Paul’s assertion but also hinted at the time this revival will take place. It will happen when Messiah will come out of the heavenly Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22). This will be at His second coming (Zechariah 12:10).

 

In conclusion, there is no secret Rapture for the Jews. There is a Rapture for the Church, a Seven Year Tribulation, a Second Coming of Christ, and a 1-000 year millennium.