My father is a retired pastor and now travels and preaches on Biblical End Times theology known as Eschatology. He has always talked about issues around bible prophecy, the pre-tribulation rapture, the tribulation, and Jesus’ return. Because of this, I have also always been very interested in this topic.
There are many rapture movies. Here are a few of the best Christian movies about end times.
Left Behind (Kirk Cameron’s version 2000) (Nicolas Cage’s version 2014) (Kevin Sorbo’s Version 2023)
I was in college when the Left Behind book series based on the book of Revelation by Tim Lahaye came out. I slacked on my studies every time a new book was released. The Christian bookstore was a five-minute walk from my dorm building, and I was the first in line to get each book as it was released.
So, when the Left Behind movie came out in 2000, I was very excited. My husband was a youth pastor at the time, and we were happy to show the movie to our youth group.
Since I didn’t grow up with a TV I missed the stage of teen idol Kirk Cameron, but I became a fan of his as I watched this movie. Chelsea Noble, Kirk’s wife is also in the movie.
The movie was made well for a 2000 movie. At the time I was very impressed with the acting and directing, today it has the feel of an early 2000 movie. The movie is very spiritually uplifting and motivates you to accept Christ before it is too late.
It is followed by the sequels Tribulation Force, and World at War.
In 2014 Nicolas Cage was part of a remake of Left Behind. I saw this film in the movie theater, while the special effects were great, and the acting was good, there seemed to be something missing.
It felt as though the cast, the crew, and the director didn’t believe the message they were portraying.
I could not put my finger on what it was that I didn’t like about this movie, but it felt as if a non-believer was trying to preach a gospel, they didn’t believe it.
In 2023 Kevin Sorbo released a modern version of the Left Behind Series.
Kevin not only produces this movie but also plays Rayford Steele, the main character in the movie. He does an amazing job as an actor in this movie. There are some changes to the plot of the original book, and as a fan of the book series that was disappointing.
The movie is also very low budget and so the plot is changed to avoid scenes where special effects would be needed. However, the great acting makes this movie worth watching. Not only is Kevin great in this movie, but Neal McDonough who plays the anti-Christ is the perfect person for the movie.
Unlike the Anti-Christ in the original Left Behind who is so evil, Neal McDonough draws you in, and you know why people follow him.
While the Christian community often debates this video series, in my opinion, you will enjoy the 2023 updated version.
Revelation Road (2013) The Sea of Glass and Fire (2013) Black Rider (2014)
This series is available on Pure Flix. My recommendation is to get some pizza and chips and spend a Saturday binge-watching the whole series.
David A.R. White stars in this movie series, and plays the character Josh McManus, a traveling salesman running from his past. In the first film When Josh stops a robbery a biker gang makes him a target.
Josh is trying to stay alive when the rapture happens, and he is thrown into the battle of the end of the world. It is the beginning of the end.
While Revelation Road is about the events of the rapture, the message of the movie is salvation. David A.R. White who is known for his role in the God’s Not Dead series, does an amazing job portraying a man searching for truth and redemption.
In part two The Sea of Glass and Fire, The story is continued. It is the day after the rapture. Josh is trying to return home to his wife and daughter. The gang is still trying to kill him. Josh is forced to choose if he will be a man of war or a man of peace.
Josh is also trying to help a young girl who was left behind after the rapture when her Christian family is raptured without her.
In part three Black Rider, Josh is looking for a man they call the Shepherd. Is he a man of God, or an evil man who must be stopped? It has been two years since the rapture of God’s hand of protection has been taken from the world, and evil seems to be winning.
In this third movie in the series, we see a post-apocalyptic world. Josh has to learn how to identify a false prophet. You will be drawn in as you try to figure out who is the hero and who is the villain. There is talk about a fourth film in the series, but it is not yet in production.
The Mark (2012) Part 2 Redemption (2013)
In The Mark, Chad Turner is the first person to receive the mark of the beast. The One World government and the anti-Christ are about to force the chip on the world.
Chad’s younger brother a Christian young man helps Chad see the path God has for him to save humanity while they await the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The question you will be asking yourself is, what does God want me to do? How do I know if God is calling me to do something big for him?
In part two Redemption, The tribulation has started and Chad is faced with a world of chaos. Along with his female friend, a flight attendant named Dao, played by Sonia Couling, Chad is on the run to escape from a team of mercenaries working for a secret society.
Gary Daniels plays the ultimate bad guy and does an amazing job in this role.
In the Blink of an Eye (2019)
The pure flix movie, In the Blink of an Eye, tells the story of Detective David Ramsey caught on a nightmare trip on a private yacht. What was supposed to be a vacation of a lifetime turns when it becomes clear the owner of the yacht is involved in criminal activity.
And then, David’s wife and friends suddenly disappear. This is one of many Rapture films that have been released in the last few years. It is a bit different than you would expect, with many twists and turns, and you are not sure what to expect next.
The opening scene is a near death experience that leads David to believe in miracles. You will be intrigued trying to figure out what is happening to David. But the message is clear. Accept Christ today, before it is too late. This is a low-budget film that is interesting.
Pure Flix has become the leader in the faith-based films genre, and with each movie, their production quality is improved. This is a 2019 movie and it is very well done.
Final: The Rapture
This movie tells the story of four separate lives around the world impacted by the Rapture. most movies about the end of the world show the events from the point of view of Americans. I enjoyed this movie because it showed the Rapture in Tokyo, Los Angeles, London, and Buenos Aires.
The special effects are not great, however, the movie does not shy away from the raw, hard point of view of a person with a hardened heart. This separates the film from the Rapture films put out by Pure Flix. It isn’t a movie to watch with young children.
This is kind of the Christian answer to horror films. As I watched this film I could not help but look around at the world today. I can see already much of what is depicted in this film.
We as a society are already being programmed through our media to accept the lies Satan will force on the world to explain away the rapture.
This made me think about my family and friends I have you have not accepted Christ. This a reminder to pray they will come to Christ before it is too late.
Jerusalem Countdown (2011)
Based on Pastor John Hagee’s book, Jerusalem Countdown starring David A.R.White tells the story of world events leading up to the rapture. My husband and I loved watching the series 24, and this movie has a similar feel. This movie is a constant roller coaster of action, and you will be on the edge of your seat.
The acting in this movie is the best part. Jaci Velasquez does a great job in this movie, I love her Christian music and didn’t realize she was an actress as well. She was fantastic in this movie.
David A.R. White is in many Christian films, and I think this might be the best one so far. The call to believers to accept Christ and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Apocalypse: Caught in the Eye of the Storm (1998)
I watched this movie about the second coming of Christ when I was in college. I enjoyed it at the time. It has the late ’90s vibe but is a good movie. This Religious apocalypse movie is the story of two journalists Bronson and Helen who are war correspondents covering the nation of Israel.
When biblical prophecies begin to be fulfilled Helen realizes she has missed the rapture and is living in the middle of the tribulation. When I went back to re-watch this film I was surprised at the use of journalism to promote the new world order.
This is something we know is happening today in 2023, but in the late 90s, most of us were still in denial and believing what we heard from the news desks. This isn’t the best movie about end times, but if you want a 90s throwback with religious themes, this is a movie to try.
New World Order (2013)
Two friends are trying to survive without The Mark in the movie New World Order. This movie came out in 2013 and shows the world being taken over by a new world leader.
This end times movie is a story of a young woman and her friend who are forced to choose between the Mark, worshiping the image of the beast, and Jesus Christ.
Demi and her best friend Christen are abended by their family when they refuse to take the mark, and then they are hunted by the new world government. The girls team up with a group of underground Christian survivors.
The acting and film production in this movie is not very good, yet there is still a story that draws you in and leaves you wanting to know what happens next. As you leave the movie you will be motivated to sacrifice everything to please God.
Sunday Morning Rapture (2017)
I saw a Sunday morning Rapture clip on Facebook and decided to watch this movie while I was preparing supper. This is a story of the congregation of a church. We see the different people with separate stories who attend church and learn who is prepared and who is not prepared for Jesus to return.
The common theme among the families in the church. While some are examples of what it means to be a devout Christian, a true born-again Christian others are playing church, or bored with the church altogether.
The question the audience is asked is this, do you have true faith? You may know the good news of Jesus Christ, but have you accepted it? As the movie comes to an end the audience is called to repentance before they face the final judgment.
This movie reminded me of a church play and is an evangelical Christian film that is not the best movie but will leave you thinking about your life.
