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I Changed My Mind On The Rapture | Jack Hibbs Life Here

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Summary of Main Points (Jack Hibbs Life Here: “I Changed My Mind On The Rapture”)

  • Personal origin story and foundation in prophecy teaching (1977 onward): Jack Hibbs describes becoming a Christian at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa on June 20, 1977 (his first church experience). He credits early exposure to Bible prophecy teaching—especially through figures like Greg Laurie—and says the environment was deeply Bible-centered, with extensive regular services and strong teaching on the book of Revelation.

  • Early premillennial / pre-tribulational “literal futurist” framework: Hibbs says the church culture taught a premillennial, pre-tribulational, literal/futurist interpretation. He argues that people’s theology is often shaped by the denomination/church they grew up in, and emphasizes the need to judge teachings against Scripture (citing Acts 17:11).

  • Shift influenced by Keith Green and the “post-trib” challenge: Over time, Hibbs became influenced by Keith Green, who moved Hibbs toward a post-tribulational rapture view. Hibbs recounts Green’s provocative claim that those who hold a pre-rapture view might not be willing to die for Jesus, which Hibbs says emotionally challenged him because he believed he would endure martyrdom rather than “escape” hardship.

  • Struggle to make passages fit (and perceived doctrinal problems): Hibbs says his post-trib position lasted about three years, during which he felt he was:

    • wrestling instead of having peace,
    • arguing over interpretations,
    • struggling to distinguish between different groups in Scripture (e.g., church-age believers vs. tribulation saints),
    • forcing passages to match his conclusion.

He also describes a creeping interpretive error he associates with replacement theology—the idea that references to Israel are actually the church—saying that twist contributed to his discomfort and dissatisfaction.

  • Key turning point: John 14 (mansions / “prepare a place”): His decisive reevaluation comes through a Bible reading plan as he focuses on John 14 (“Let not your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place… I will come again and receive you…”). He argues that in his post-trib framework he couldn’t logically explain how believers “get up there” to the heavenly Father’s house / mansions, which he connects to the rapture concept (being caught up to meet the Lord).

  • “Purging” resources and returning to a pre-trib view: Hibbs describes radical steps—pushing away teachers, commentaries, and books—to re-center on the Bible alone. He says he returned not only to a pre-tribulational rapture view, but also to what he describes as a more “masculine” futurist premillennial approach: not passive, but actively prepared.

  • Reframing pre-trib as active, not “escape”: Later, in public ministry settings (including speaking in Washington, D.C.), he says others were surprised he was pre-trib because they assumed pre-trib believers are disengaged or merely “waiting to be taken away.” Hibbs argues his view produces urgency plus engagement:

    • being ready for Christ’s return and
    • continuing to occupy / serve / plan for the long term (including investing in future generations of leadership in his church).

  • Conclusion: alignment with Scripture through “no private interpretation”: Hibbs ends by stating his belief that the pre-tribulational rapture view—when “rightly understood” and derived directly from Scripture without private interpretation—best aligns with the biblical text.

Presenters / Contributors

  • Jack Hibbs (main presenter/author of the commentary)
  • Greg Laurie (mentioned as early evangelist/teacher connected to Hibbs’ church experience)
  • Chuck Smith (mentioned as Calvary Chapel pastor/teacher)
  • Chuck Missler (mentioned as a Bible teacher at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa)
  • Randy Ziegler (mentioned as Saturday night/concert-related contributor)
  • Jimmy Kempner (mentioned as Saturday night/concert-related contributor)
  • Tim LaHaye / Tim Lehei (mentioned as a prophetic speaker at times)
  • Keith Green (major influence in Hibbs’ shift toward post-trib)
  • Harry Ironside (Dr. Ironside; author/commentary teacher mentioned)
  • Dr. John Wolver / John Wolver (mentioned as an associate related to Ironside)

Original video