A Town Called Rapture

What if we're all headed toward an inevitable conclusion that's so fundamentally obvious we all should have seen it? What if God really isn't the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33)? What if His Word is real and His promises true?

When you choose to dismiss the warning, what excuse(s) will you hide behind? That there was no evidence for the Bible? There's an answer for that (see here, here, here). That "no one knows" so why bother? There's an answer for that (see here and here). That there's simply too many schools of Christian thought to discern the truth? There's an answer for that, too (see here and here).

Scripture is self-verifying. It's clear and unequivocal. Confusion comes when you allegorize it without warrant. Allegorize it and no two people will agree; accept it for what it plainly says and it will be virtually impossible for us to disagree. Jesus has fulfilled at least 356 prophecies, and has promised to fulfill many more. The LORD said Israel would be regathered a second time in unbelief (Ezek. 20:33–38; 22:17–22; Zeph. 2:1–2), and it was. The LORD said the Gospel would be preached to all nations before the end, and it has. The LORD said it would be "as it was in the days of Noah," and it is. And God's Word declared that a literal astronomical sign would preface Christ's return, and this sign has transpired.

The Great Sign was preceded by a total solar eclipse 33 days prior that passed over seven cities called "Salem." This eclipse, filled with meaning from the Sovereign God who predetermined its occurrence before time began, took place during Trump's first presidency—the very president who won the election and was inaugurated in Jewish year 5777, winning the Electoral College by exactly 77 votes. He was born 700 days before Israel was reestablished on May 14th, 1948 and was 777 days old, 77 days after Israel's 1948 rebirth. Upon inauguration (January 20th, 2017), Trump was exactly 70 years, 7 months, and 7 days old. The names of the new President and Vice President were a homophone for "trumpets" (Trump + Pence) in the very year that the Revelation 12 Sign appeared on the Feast of Trumpets.

But Trump's first stint in office is over and his second is very likely on the way. The first Trump and "the last [T]rump" (cf. 1 Cor. 15:52). An American president can, after all, only hold office twice. What happens at the last trump according to God's unfailing Word? The rapture.

[I]n a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. (1 Cor. 15:52, LSV)

. . . because the LORD Himself, with a shout, with the voice of a chief-messenger, and with the trumpet of God, will come down from Heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are living, who are remaining over, will be snatched up together with them in [the] clouds to meet the LORD in [the] air, and so we will always be with the LORD. (1 Thess. 4:16–17)

. . . and if I go on and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you to Myself, that where I am you also may be. (Jn. 14:3)

Because you kept the word of My endurance, I also will keep you from the hour of the trial that is about to come on all the world, to try those dwelling on the earth. (Rev. 3:10)

And now that "Trump" has secured the nomination, and is, by virtually all metrics, racing toward a win for the second time, there is a second total solar eclipse over America in the seventh year after the first. This second eclipse forms an "X" with the 2017 eclipse. X marks the spot, as they say. In Paleo-Hebrew script, "X" is also the shape of the last letter in the Aleph-Bet: the Tav. And it's the shape of the Greek letter Chi, the first letter in "Christ" (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ) and one of two letters that form the Chi Rho, or Christogram—one of the earliest symbols representing Christ as Messiah.

But there was also a rare annular solar eclipse this past October 14th, exactly seven days after Israel was attacked by Hamas and entered a massive and protracted conflict in Gaza and, quite frankly, throughout the entire Middle East with Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and various other proxy groups. When overlaid with the 2017 and 2023 eclipses, the 2024 eclipse also forms an Aleph in Paleo-Hebrew—the first letter in the Hebrew Aleph-Bet. In other words, an Aleph and Tav, the first and last letters in the language of the Old Testament—the language of Israel and the Bible—will be completed on April 8, 2024.

I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and End—the First and the Last. (Rev. 22:13)

—Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords

Moreover, the April 8, 2024 eclipse comes exactly 7 years, 7 months, 7 days (2,777 days) after an annular solar eclipse across Africa on September 1, 2016; and counting inclusively, exactly 7 years, 7 months, 7 days (2,777 days) following the April 8th eclipse lands on the day of a total solar eclipse over Central America. To top it off, next month's eclipse falls exactly 6 years, 6 months, 6 weeks, 6 days after the first Great American Solar Eclipse, and Good Friday this year comes exactly 6 years, 6 months, 6 days after the Revelation 12 Sign and is an inverse/bookend (9/23 vs. 3/29). You can verify these counts yourself here, here, here, and here.

Now very close to that tiny little square where the 2017 and 2024 eclipses meet, where "X" marks the spot, stands the largest freestanding timber structure in the world—a full-scale replica of Noah's Ark called the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. It experienced approximately 90 percent of the magnitude of the 2017 eclipse and will experience 98 percent of this year's. The Ark will be clothed in darkness in the middle of the day.

Just seven days prior, a film that was released in theaters for two days only will be extended to a third day so that it can be seen nationwide one more time. On April 1st, The Ark and the Darkness will be rereleased. So seven days before a full-scale Ark is covered in darkness, people at theaters nationwide will see the following title and poster as they stroll to their seats obliviously. (Notably, Gone with the Wind will be back in theaters on the very day of the eclipse, rereleased for its 85th anniversary; three days prior to the eclipse, The First Omen premieres, a movie about the birth of the Antichrist; and four days after the eclipse a profound theme emerges: Civil War, Sting, The Absence of Eden, and Flames all release; and eleven days after the eclipse, The Night of the Harvest releases.)

Many other cities, however, will be completely covered in darkness, situated directly along the path of totality: Nineveh, Indiana, Nineveh, Ohio, and Jonah, Texas. It was Jonah who preached to the people of Nineveh, warning the lawless city that only 40 days remained until judgment befell it. The people repented. It seems that another solar eclipse in 763 BC coincided with Jonah's preaching, which may have been seen by the Ninevites as a divine and foreboding omen. Lucky for them, they heeded the prophet's words.

But there is one other city of particular interest that will find itself in the path of totality next month. This town also found itself immediately adjacent to the path of totality during the 2017 eclipse. In other words, it is almost right within the little spot where the two eclipses meet. But it isn't just within the path of totality in 2024—it's actually right next to the very center of the path of totality. If the eclipse might be likened to a treasure map or a spectral hand with pointing finger in Daniel 5 fashion, then the "X" on the map and pointed finger seem to be pointing directly at this tiny little town; and in actuality it's more a hamlet than a town. While it once had 20 or so families, this unincorporated speck on the map has only a single resident, who, according to CNN, is a self-professed atheist.

But why would CNN, in an article from 2011, dedicate a report to a tiny dot on the map and this unincorporated town's sole resident? Because the name of the town is:

RAPTURE

Rapture, Indiana. Population 1. And in 2011, a certain Harold Camping was predicting the rapture and end of the world. CNN reached out to Rapture's only resident, David Tanner, to get his opinion on the matter. He didn't think much of it.

Now after hearing about this town, I decided to do some internet sleuthing to see if I could find out more, and either confirm or deny statements that have been made about it. As it turns out, Rapture, Indiana is a very real place and scouring the internet and checking Google Maps and numerous other databases, there is no other city called "Rapture" in the whole world (not even in another language, from what I can tell). It started out in 1838 as a town called Winfield. Later, a wealthy resident and landowner named Dr. James Athenian Cooper obtained a horse; the equine's name was "Rapture"; and apparently, the horse developed some notoriety and Winfield quickly became known as "Rapture" in its honor. Rapture even had its own post office that remained standing for nearly a decade, emblazoned with the name "Rapture" from August 10, 1893 to July 14, 1902—3,259 days. Strong's 3259 in Hebrew is "to meet, gather, assemble, appoint," and is used to describe God's meeting together with and gathering together of His people in His presence. In the New Covenant context, such a meeting awaits believers when we shall "meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4:17).

Taken from From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History (source).

Rapture also happens to have an elevation of 436 feet above sea level. Isaiah 43:6 seems all too pertinent:

I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth. (NIV)

 

God will first gather His believing Jew and Gentile children from the ends of the earth to meet Christ in the air; and then, in the fullness of time, He will turn His attention to Israel and gather her scattered remnant back to the Land of Promise.

As I kept digging, I came across a picture of Dr. James Cooper's gravestone and found a picture of his obituary from 1924. He was 94 years old, and at least from what I can gather, he never professed faith in Christ. His wife even consorted with mediums and may have taken part in occult practices.

It is a sobering reminder that death takes us all, and billions are gambling with their eternity, making excuses for why they don't need to take the God thing seriously. But time is quickly fading and Jesus is on the way. He's the only ticket out; the only opportunity for grace in a sea of philosophies and religions that preach merit, impossible standards, and man-centered delusions. Christ preaches love and freedom: the story of a God who swoops in to rescue the princess and make her His bride; who takes the fatherless children, lost and abused, and makes them His very own. But the story is almost over and not all are His bride and not all are His kids. Which will you be?

The forgiveness of all of your sins, reconciliation with God, sonship, eternal life, heavenly glory, and assurance of salvation are yours for the taking.  All you must do is believe it and receive it.

 A dmit that you're a sinner.

 B elieve that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again.

 C all on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.

There is only one means of forgiveness and only one way to Heaven.  The way is just as available to thieves and prostitutes as it is to those with extreme religious zeal.  The way is simple and the knowledge of this path is available to all—whether wise or unintelligent, old or young.  Yet the way is exceedingly narrow.

Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

—Matthew 7:13–14

So what is the one, solitary, exclusive way into Heaven?  How can children of wrath, destined for destruction, obtain salvation and eternal life?  Answer: Through Jesus, by means of what He, alone, accomplished.

I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

—John 10:9

Jesus is the gate.  Jesus is the door.  Not right living, positive karma, abstract notions of love, or even the Torah.  No achievement however great, no religion however admirable, and no amount of moral attainment however virtuous, will ever bridge the gap of sin between you and a resplendently holy God.  Jesus is the [one and only] way. The little town of Rapture, with a population of one, is an important reminder that your preparedness for what's about to transpire is ultimately a decision for you and you alone. When the trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ rise, and believers are changed, will you be among them?

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Addendum:

There is quite an interesting lineup before us. Purim, Good Friday, and Easter all fall in the same month—a relative rarity. Purim coincided with Palm Sunday. This Friday is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter. Eight days later is the second Great American Solar Eclipse, which falls on the Feast of Annunciation.

As a help to those researching this, I've compiled a list of towns which have relevant names that are fully in the path of totality, experiencing 100% magnitude. The full list can be found here, and some highlights are noted below:

6 towns starting with "Adam" in the name (Adams, Adams Center, Adamsville, etc). Adam was the first man; 6 is the number of man.

Advance, IN

Alert, OH

Angelica, NY

5 towns called Antioch. Antioch is where we were first called Christians; it was also one of the first places Jews and Gentiles came together in the Body of Christ. 5 is the number of grace; we're in the Age of Grace at the tail end of the Church Age.

Arkadelphia, AR (combination of "Arkansas" and "Philadelphia")

Arkwright, NY

Bethany, IN

2 towns called Bethany

2 towns called Bethlehem

Boaz, IL

Branch, AR

Canaan, VT

Champion, NY

Champion Heights, OH

2 towns called Christiansburg

4 towns called Corinth (think 1 Cor. 15:51–53)

Crete, IN (Acts 27)

3 towns called Cross Roads

Crossville, IL

Crown Point, NY

Crystal City, TX

Cyclone, IN

Damascus, AR

Dawn, OH

Daylight, IN

Domino, TX

2 towns called Eagle

Eagle Bay, NY

Eagle Pass, TX

4 towns called Eden; Eden had the four rivers...

Edom, TX

Egyptian Hills, IL (in the Little Egypt region, as noted by many)

Eminence, MO

Enoch, TX ("Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.")

Enochsburg, IN

Eulogy, TX

Exchange, MO

Fair Haven, NY (Acts 27:8)

Fishers, NY ("Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.")

Fishers Landing, NY

Fort Branch, IN (Isa. 4:2; 11:1; Zech. 6:12)

Freedom, OH ("It is for freedom that Christ has set us free...")

Gabriels, NY

Galatia, IL

Galilee, NY (Isa. 9:1–2)

Garland, TX (Note "garland" is a better translation of many instances of "crown" in Revelation)

Godley, TX

Halfway, IL

Harper, TX

Heavener, OK (Are you heaven-bound?)

Herald, IL

Herod, IL

Hideaway, TX (I have driven through here many times)

Highgate, VT

5 towns starting with "Hope" in the name (Hope, Hopewell, etc; 5 is the number of grace)

Jacob, IL

3 towns called Jericho

Jonah, TX

Joppa, TX (Acts 9:36–43)

2 towns called Jordan (crossing into the Promised Land)

Joshua, TX

Junction, IL

King, IN

Lamb, IL

Lebanon, IN

Lordstown, OH

Mesopotamia, OH

Midway, IL

Moriah, NY

2 towns called Mt. Carmel

Mt. Moriah, AR

Mt. Tabor, IN

Mt. Victory, OH

Mt. Zion, IN ("But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.")

2 towns called New Haven (Heaven is the new haven of the Saints!)

3 towns called New Hope

Nimrod, AR

2 towns called Nineveh

Olive Branch, IL (the wild and natural joined together: Rom. 11)

Omega, IL ("I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.")

3 towns called Palestine

Paradise, IN

2 towns called Philadelphia (Rev. 3:8–10)

Poetry, TX (it's written in the stars!)

Rapture, IN

Retreat, IN

3 towns called Rising Sun (Mal. 4:2)

Samaria, IN

San Gabriel, TX

Sardis, AR

Shepherd, IN

Shiloh, OH

2 towns called Smyrna

Snake Run, IN (yes he will!)

2 towns called St. John

2 towns called St. Joseph

2 towns called St. Mary

St. Paul, IN

St. Peter, IN

Star, TX ("a star shall come forth out of Jacob...")

Story, TX ("it is written...")

2 Temples

Trinidad, TX (Spanish for "Trinity")

Trinity, IN

Utopia, TX ("This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through...")

Victor, AR ("To the one who is victorious...")

Victoria, IN

2 towns called Victory

Waycross, IN

Welcome, AR

3 towns called White Rock (Rev. 2:17)

Winter Haven, TX (Acts 27:12)

Wise, TX

Wonderview, AR (yes it will be!)

Zion, MO

And now... for the big one: There are NINE SALEMS (two Jerusalems and seven Salems proper):

Jerusalem, AR

New Jerusalem, OH

New Salem, KY

North Salem, IN

Salem, AR

Salem, IN

Salem, IN #2

Salem, KY

West Salem, IL

In the immediate vicinity of Rapture, Indiana quite a story is told as well:

Now, the very first place on earth to see the eclipse will be Isla Socorro. "Socorro" is Spanish and Portuguese for "help," "relief," or "aid." Our help is on the way! The small island's highest point is Mount Evermann at 3,770 feet above sea level. Strong's 3770 is the adjectival form of ouranos ("heaven"), and thus means "heavenly," "in heaven," "belonging to heaven," "from heaven," etc.

The very first place on the North American mainland to see the eclipse is La Piedra, Mexico. La Piedra means "the stone." "La piedra" is the exact phrase used in the various gospel accounts of the stone being rolled away from Jesus' tomb when He rose again (see Lk. 24:2 in Spanish here or Mt. 28:2 here).

The very last towns on earth to see the eclipse, all in Newfoundland, tell an equally amazing story. See below.

The eclipse of course occurs on April 8th (4/8). Consider Exodus 4:8 as an intriguing parallel and foreshadowing:

Then the Lord said, 'If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign [GASE 2017+R12S], they may believe the second [GASE 2024].'

According to this article, the maximum duration of totality of the upcoming eclipse is 4 minutes and 28 seconds, which is substantially longer than the 2017 eclipse's totality. Consider Jeremiah 4:28:

Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above grow dark, because I have spoken and will not relent, I have decided and will not turn back. (NIV)

Moreover, totality in Rapture, Indiana ends at 3:20 PM. Consider Revelation 3:20:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.

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