Margaret MacDonald / The origin of the Rapture

We go to church and we hear fabulous teachings of a Rapture, however when we get home we can’t find the word. That is because the Rapture is not in the Bible and does not come from any Bible reference. It comes from the ecstatic utterances of Margaret MacDonald in 1830.

In 1830 Margaret MacDonald had a series of visions that were picked up by John Darby, Edward Irving, and John Pusey.  [Here is her handwritten account of her revelation from Robert Norton’s Memoirs of James & George MacDonald, of Port-Glasgow (1840) pp. 171-176. Compiled with her account as it appears in shorter form in Norton’s the Restoration of Apostles and Prophets; In the Catholic Apostolic Church (1861).pp 15-18]

“It was first the awful state of the land that was pressed upon me.  I saw the blindness and infatuation of the people to be very great.  I felt the cry of Liberty just to be the hiss of the serpent, to drown them in perdition.

It was just ‘no God.’  I repeated the words, now there is distress of nations, with perplexity, the seas and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them for fear – now look out for the sign of the Son of man.  Here I was made to stop and cry out, O it is not known what the sign of the Son of man is; the people of God think they are waiting, but they know not what it is.  I felt this needed to be revealed, and that there was great darkness and error about it; but suddenly what it was burst upon me with glorious light.  I saw it was just the Lord himself descending from Heaven with a shout, just the glorified man, even Jesus; but that all must, as Stephen was, be filled with the Holy Ghost, that they might look up, and see the brightness of the Father’s glory.  I saw the error to be, that men think that it will be something seen by the natural eye; but ‘tis spiritual discernment that is needed, the eye of God in his people.  Many passages were revealed, in a light in which I had not before seen them.  I repeated, ’Now is the kingdom of Heaven like unto ten virgins, who went forth to meet the Bridegroom, five wise and five foolish; they that were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them; but they that were wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.’ ‘But be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is; and be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.’  This was the oil the wise virgins took in their vessels – this is the light to be kept burning -the light of God – that we may discern that which cometh not with observation to the natural eye.  Only those who have the light of God within them will see the sign of his appearance.  No need to follow them who say, see here, or see there, for his day shall be as the lightning to those in whom the light Christ is.  ‘Tis Christ in us that will lift us up – he is the light – ‘tis only those that are alive in him that will be caught up to meet him in the air.   – But I saw that the glory of the ministration of the Spirit had not been known.  I repeated frequently, but the spiritual temple must and shall be reared, and the fullness of Christ be poured unto his body, and then shall we be caught up to meet him.  Oh none will be counted worthy of this call but his body, which is the church, and which must be a candlestick all of gold.  I often said, Oh the glorious in-breaking of God which is now about to burst on this earth; Oh the glorious temple which is now about to be reared, the bride adorned for her husband; and Oh what a holy, holy bride she must be, to be prepared for such a glorious bridegroom.  I said, Now shall the people of God have to do with realities – now shall the glorious mystery of God in our nature be known – now shall it be known what it is for man to be glorified.  I felt that the revelation of Jesus Christ had yet to be opened up – it is not knowledge about God that it contains, but it is and entering into God – I saw that there was a glorious breaking in of God to be.  I felt as Elijah, surrounded with chariots of fire.  I saw as it were, the spiritual temple reared, and the Head Stone brought forth with shouting of grace, grace, unto it.  It was a glorious light above the brightness of the sun that shone round about me.  I felt that those who were filled with the Spirit could see spiritual things, and fell walking in the midst of them, while those who had not the Spirit could see nothing – so that two shall be in one bed, the one taken and the other left, because the one had the light of God within while the other cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven.  I saw the people of God in an awfully dangerous situation, surrounded by nets and entanglements, about to be tried, and many about to be deceived and fall.  Now will THE WICKED be revealed, with all power and signs and lying wonders, so that if it were possible the very elect will be deceived. – This is the fiery trail, which is to try us. – It will be for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus; but Oh it will be a fiery trial.  Every soul will be shaken to the very center.  The enemy will try to shake in every thing we have believed – but the trial of real faith will be found to honor and praise and glory.

Nothing but what is of God will stand.  The stony-ground hearers will be made manifest – love of many will wax cold.  I frequently said that night, and often since, now shall the awful sight of a false christ be seen on this earth, and nothing but the living Christ in us can detect this awful attempt of the enemy to deceive – for it is with all deceivableness of unrighteousness he will work – he will have a counterpart for every part of God’s truth, and an imitation for every work of the Spirit.  The Spirit must and will be poured out on the church, that she may be purified and filled with God – and just in proportion as the Spirit of God works, so will he – when our Lord anoints men with power, so will he.  This is particularly the nature of the trial, through which those are to pass, who will be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man.  There will be outward trials too, but ‘tis principally temptation.  It is brought on by the outpouring of the Spirit, and will just increase in proportion as the Spirit is poured out.  The trial of the Church is from Antichrist.  It is by being filled with the Spirit that we shall be kept.  I frequently said, Oh be filled with the Spirit – have the light of God in you, that you may detect Satan – be full of eyes within – be clay in the hand of the potter – submit to be filled, filled with God.  This will build the temple.  It is not by might not by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.  This will fit us to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb.  I saw it to be the will of God that all should be filled.  But what hindered the real life of God from being received by his people was their turning from Jesus, who is the way to the Father.  They were not entering in by the door.  For he is faithful who hath said, by me if any man enters in he shall find pasture.  There were passing the cross, through which every drop of the Spirit of God flows to us.  All power that comes not through the blood of Christ is not of God.  When I say, they are looking from the cross, I feel that there is much in it – they turn from the blood of the Lamb, by which we overcome, and in which our robes are washed and made white.  There are low views of God’s holiness, and a ceasing to condemn sin in the flesh, and a looking from him who humbled himself, and made himself of no reputation.  Oh! it is needed, much needed at present, a leading back to the cross.  I saw that night, and often since, that there will be an outpouring of the Spirit on the body, such as had not been, a baptism of fire, that all the dross may be put away.  Oh there must and will be such an indwelling of the living God as had not been – the servants of God sealed in their foreheads – great conformity to Jesus – his holy holy image seen in his people – just the bride made comely, by his comeliness put upon her.  This is what we are at present made to pray much for that speedily we may all be made ready to meet our Lord in the air – and it will be.  Jesus wants his bride.  His desire is toward us.  He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry.  Amen and Amen.  Even so come Lord Jesus.”

The Incredible Cover-up by Dave MacPherson pp 151-154

30 thoughts on “Margaret MacDonald / The origin of the Rapture

  1. Pingback: Futurism – What it does to your Faith | From the Congregation of Biet Sepher

  2. Pingback: Left Behind Hoax | Israel & The Church in the Last Days

  3. Pingback: Left Behind Hoax - Israel & The Church in the Last Days

  4. Darby wrote of his pre-tribulation rapture view 3 years before MacDonald’s “dreams”.

    • I am a seminary trained pastor and I read this account of Margaret MacDonald’s vision several times through. I just don’t see anything here that looks like a pre-tribulation rapture. If anyone here does see it in this particular passage, please share that with me. Was there another vision she had that gave the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture? If so, I appreciate additional information. Thank you.

      • Your facts about Maragaret is wrong. Sorry. Darby had 3 years prior to the vision and the word that Margaret had spoken, Darby came out with rapture garbage. I agree with Terry Price, Darby didn’t get it from Margaret Mc Donald. In fact Darby sent others to check her out and they came to the conclusion what she prophecies was of the devil. James Humphreys

      • This sentence makes her sound post-trib, “This is the fiery trail, which is to try us. – It will be for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus; but Oh it will be a fiery trial.”

      • Terry, May God Bless You. There is NO Rapture. We who are still here when Satan returns are the ones this theory is after! The Truth in in His Word; No Rapture! We will be required to stand in front of Satan and Let The Holy Spirit Speak through us in the REAL Tongues of Him. Every person who hears Hime Speak, Worldwide will hear it in their own language!

      • She said scripture that we will meet Him in the air.

        my comment:

        Not to come back to earth because He went away to prepare a place for us for where He is we shall be also. He is in heaven and we shall be there with Him during the 7-year tribulation period.

  5. The Margaret MacDonald “Rapture Theory” is just that, being unbliblical “THEORY”. It misleads the Believer in Christ and anyone else into thinking they will be removed from face of the earth prior to Tribulation, Great Tribulation. As Rev 1:7 biblical statement tell us, Christ’s return will not be secret, quiet, nor for merely the elect to witness. It is for every eye and ear to witness when Christ returns for his Bride. Read below scripture to know every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall WAIL because of him. Even so, Amen.

    Rev 1:7 King James Bible
    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

  6. * I find it absolutely amazing that rapture people, and now a pre-rapture have set themselves up as Judge of the whole human race saying they are the only ones that want go through tribulations of antichrist. You are committing the biggest sin of all and you think; even if there was rapture that you are only ones worthy? Examine your way!! Today’s churches/denominations in most; not all, are biggest den of serpents there is. 1 of my biggest pet Ps of church goers is their holier than thou attitude where they can pass judgement on GODS children. This is one of the gravest sins is to judge. GOD tells us HE doesn’t want your help in this, only HE is capable of judging HIS children.

    Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
    Why would the creator run from the created? CHRIST gave us power over serpents, when we are of GOD and GOD with us who can stand? Nothing to fear from a creation when we have a GOD with infinite power and wisdom with us.
    I beseech all brethren that have eyes to see and ears to hear what the WORD of GOD says and not listen to the traditions of men that make void the WORD of GOD. Nowhere in any language, in any Manuscript is there a mention of rapture! when True CHRIST returns around 8 billion souls, the good, the bad, the ugly will bow!!Come quickly LORD!! If you don’t know when that is; pinch yourself and if you still draw blood you are still in the flesh. Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
    Why? With the rapture theorist would you be the ones taking away while only the 7k Elect stay defending all of Christianity? I want to be 1 of the Elect who is left in the field working until true MESSIAH comes; standing against Satan. Prophets and disciples all wanted to be in these end times to fight the biggest fight that Christians and GODS children for 6k years have been waiting for. Why would we want to run? Eze 13:20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

    GOD in plain simplicity that anyone can understand: says I am against you who cover HIS out stretched arms telling them they will fly to save their souls. GOD created this earth and doesn’t run from anything and HE certainly doesn’t want Christians to run from a righteous fight we been waiting for 6k years . Us true Christians will stand and fight and will not back down!! I am so glad judgement begins at the pulpit 1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? for so many will lose their souls for the false doctrines of many churches who teach false doctrine for money.

  7. There are now 45,000 different denominations of Christian churches in the world… this is why I go to Bible … and don’t go to church! Respectfully submitted as my Scriptural understanding of the end times’ major problem – the “traditions of men” … a watchman of His Word … Peter

  8. Great Tribulation
    Read Matthew 24 in its entirety and pay attention to verse 34. Read Mark 13 in its entirety and pay attention to verse 30, Read Luke 21 in its entirety and pay attention to verse 32. Then read Revelation 1:1”The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,”
    ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
    https://bible.com/bible/100/rev.1.1.NASB1995

    pay attention to the words “ must soon take place”

    Remember we are told to look at the end of ages as examples for us .
    Ask yourself what took place in 70 AD as documented by Judean Historian and Roman Historians

    The Truth must be told!
    The Truth never changes!

  9. Pingback: Question the Narrative | 19th Century Reset: Cataclysms, Cover-Ups, and Collectivism - via NAMELY LIBERTY

  10. I see nothing of Rapture at all in her writing. Her message is consistent with Scripture in that it refers to “The Kingdom of God within” each believer. Spiritual discernment is the ONLY way to avoid the satanic deception released on the unredeemed through the parallel dark spiritual kingdom surrounding all humanity.
    Proverbs 20:27 l Corinthians 2:14

  11. I couldn’t get through her so-called vision. I do believe in heaven since I believe we all have souls that go somewhere. But this ‘rapture’ business is laughable and ridiculous…that Jesus would come and save his believers who would rise up into the sky while everyone else would be left behind on this hellish earth. It’s fairy tale stuff…childish beliefs for those who believe they will be favored. God doesn’t work that way. He is pure love for EVERYONE and would not choose some people to be rescued and let the rest suffer. The Bible is NOT the word of God…rather it is the word of MEN inspired by their belief IN God. So, the rapture is just a fantasy…no more real than Star Trek.

    • The Bible absolutely IS the word of God – breathed into a few chosen men to pen it. But NO, rapture is absolutely NOT biblical. It is based entirely upon a man’s ASSUMPTIONS, by twisting scripture to suit HIS desires. Pre trib rapture requires TWO second comings, TWO resurrections, TWO last trumpets – but Jesus said Himself that on THE LAST DAY, He would return. I believe Jesus, not John Nelson Darby.

  12. Pingback: when the time is right – Holly'sWorld

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.