A GRANDFATHER’S MESSAGE TO PARENTS IN THE GREAT BASIN

A Hypothetical Story

This message presents an urgent spiritual truth through a hypothetical story. While the events described are imagined, for billions of people worldwide, a day will soon come when they are no longer hypothetical. This parable below offers a way to explore a difficult subject, aiming to bring peace through clarity, without making any claims about specific dates or times.

Imagine a small group of people meeting in a conference room in St George, Utah.

Good evening. Thank you for being here....

I know why you’re here. I know what’s keeping you up at night. I know what you’re seeing on your phones, on the news, in the Middle East. I know about the peace plan announced this week. I know about the viral videos, the prophecy discussions, the arguments at kitchen tables and in church parking lots.

And I know the question that stops you cold:

“What about the children?”

My name is Craig Rogers. I’m 64 years old. I’m retired now, but I spent 30 years working with families right here in the Great Basin Region. I ran Christian treatment centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes, boarding schools. I worked with over 5,000 families - many of your neighbors, maybe some of you. I saw trauma. I treated trauma. I watched families in crisis, and I helped them find their way through.

I’m also a grandfather. And I’m a Christian who loves the Bible - really loves it. I study it every day. It’s not my job anymore. It’s my joy.

So when I started seeing the panic online, when I heard about parents lying awake terrified about their children, when I saw the confusion and the fear spreading like wildfire through our communities here in Utah, Nevada, Idaho - I was compelled internally to say something. I must share, and soon, you will know why.

I must share when I have some answers, and I know where all the answers are stored waiting for us to find.

The Bible.

So let me tell you a story.

THE SCENE

Imagine it’s a regular Tuesday afternoon. You’re at work, or running errands, or picking kids up from school. Your phone buzzes. Then buzzes again. Then starts ringing.

Text messages flooding in: “Turn on the news.”

You pull up a news app. Breaking news everywhere. Something impossible just happened. Something that shouldn’t be possible.

Children are missing. All over the world. Instantly. Simultaneously.

Every nursery - empty cribs.

Every elementary school - vacant desks.

Every playground - abandoned swings still swaying.

Infants. Toddlers. Young children. Gone.THE RESTRAINER IS GONE.

Not just Christian children. Not just children of believers. All of them.

The panic is instant and global. Parents screaming. Teachers in shock. Hospital nurseries echoing with silence.

And then adults start reporting what they saw: lights in the sky. A sound like a trumpet. And in that instant - the children vanished.

THE QUESTION

Now let me ask you: In that moment, what would matter more to you than knowing where your child is?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

You wouldn’t care about politics. You wouldn’t care about your job. You wouldn’t care about your mortgage or your retirement plan or what anyone thinks of you.

You would tear the world apart to find your child.

And that’s exactly the question parents are asking right now, tonight, before this hypothetical event even happens:

“If the Rapture is real, if it happens, if my child is taken and I’m left behind - what then?”

WHAT I’M NOT HERE TO DO

I’m not here to debate theology with you. I’m not here to argue about when the Rapture might happen or whether it’s next week or next century. I’m not here to convince Latter-day Saints to leave their church, or evangelicals to change their eschatology, or atheists to suddenly believe.

I’m here to answer one question, using the Bible alone:

What does Scripture say about children and the kingdom of heaven?

Because whatever you believe about end times, whatever your religious background, if you love your kids, you need to know what the Bible says about them.

WHAT JESUS SAID

Let me take you to a moment in Jesus’ ministry. People are bringing children to Him - probably lots of noise, kids running around, parents hoping Jesus might bless their little ones.

The disciples - these are Jesus’ closest followers, mind you - they start pushing the families away. “Jesus is too important for this. He’s got serious ministry to do. Stop bothering Him with children.”

And here’s what happened:

Mark 10:14 - “But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant.”

That word matters. Jesus wasn’t mildly annoyed. He was indignant. Angry. Upset that His own disciples would keep children away from Him.

And then He said something that should change how we think about children forever:

“Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Not “will belong.”

Not “might belong.”

Not “belongs if they grow up and make good choices.”

Belongs. Present tense. Right now.

Then He said something even more stunning:

“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Let that sink in.

Adults MUST become like children to enter the kingdom. Children are the standard. They’re not trying to get in - they’re already there. We’re the ones who need to become like them.

THE AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

“But Craig,” someone might say, “what about sin? What about accountability? Don’t children need to accept Jesus?”

Great question. Let’s look at what Scripture shows us.

Deuteronomy 1:39 - When God judged the rebellious generation in the wilderness, here’s what He said:

“Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it.”

Adults who rebelled? They died in the wilderness.

Children who had “no knowledge of good or evil”? They entered the Promised Land.

God made a distinction based on moral awareness.

Isaiah 7:16 talks about “before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good.”

Jonah 4:11 - God showed mercy on Nineveh specifically because of “more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand.”

The Bible recognizes that children, before a certain developmental point, are in a different category than accountable adults.

FOR THOSE WHO STUDY PROPHECY

I know some of you in this room have spent years studying eschatology. You’ve read the commentaries, debated pre-trib versus post-trib, argued about the timing of the Harpazo. You might be sitting here thinking, “This guy’s oversimplifying. This is more complicated than he’s making it sound.”

You’re right - I am simplifying. On purpose.

Because when a parent is terrified their child might be left behind to face tribulation, they don’t need a seminary lecture on dispensationalism. They need to know what Jesus said.

And here’s what Jesus said - not what scholars say about what Jesus said, but Jesus’ actual words:

Matthew 18:14 - “So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of THESE LITTLE ONES perish.”

That’s not complicated. That’s not ambiguous. That’s Jesus stating God’s will regarding children.

Now, some of you might argue: “But what about Romans 3:23 - ‘all have sinned’? Don’t children need to repent and believe?”

Fair question. Let’s use Scripture to interpret Scripture.

1 Peter 1:14 calls believers “obedient children” - using the Greek word tekna.

1 Peter 2:2 says “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word” - using the Greek word brephe (infants).

Peter uses infant and child imagery to describe what believers should be like.

But here’s the key: 1 Peter 5:10 tells us believers are “perfected, confirmed, strengthened and established” through suffering.

Adults undergo transformation through trials. We “die to self.” We’re being sanctified. Paul says in Romans 8:17 “if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

Children don’t need that transformation process - they already are what we’re being transformed into.

That’s why Jesus said we must become like them.

Again, let me make the most important point, children are not the ones who need to change. We are. How does a child become a child, when he or she is a child? Let that sink in.

THE TYPOLOGY YOU’RE MISSING

For those who love typology (and I know some of you do), consider:

Noah’s Ark - Genesis 7:1 says “Enter the ark, you and all your household.” Who entered? Noah’s entire family, including his sons. Did Ham turn out righteous? No - but he entered the ark under his father’s covering.

The Passover - Exodus 12:3-4: “a lamb for a household.” The blood on the doorpost protected everyone inside - including children who couldn’t apply the blood themselves.

Lot’s Escape from Sodom - Genesis 19:12: “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters…bring them out of this place.” God’s rescue extended to Lot’s entire family.

Rahab’s Household - Joshua 6:23: They “brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had.” One person’s faith secured an entire family’s physical deliverance.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Craig, those are physical deliverances from temporal judgment, not eternal salvation.”

Correct. But they establish a pattern: God’s rescue operations include households, especially children under covering.

And here’s the deeper typology: What is the Harpazo? It’s a rescue operation.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 says Jesus “rescues us from the wrath to come.”

When God rescues His people from coming wrath, He doesn’t leave innocent children behind.

PETER’S ACTUAL TEACHING ON THE DAY OF THE LORD

Since we’re looking at 1 and 2 Peter specifically, let’s examine what Peter actually wrote about Christ’s return:

2 Peter 3:9 - “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

“Not wishing for ANY to perish.”

2 Peter 3:10 - “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.”

Notice: It comes “like a thief” - unexpectedly, to those unprepared.

But for those watching, it’s not unexpected.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 - “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.”

So here’s the synthesis: God doesn’t wish for any to perish. The day comes unexpectedly to the unprepared. But for those watching and ready, it’s not unexpected.

And children - who already belong to the kingdom - would be included in the rescue.

A CHALLENGE TO THE SCHOLARS

I respect your study. I really do. But let me ask you something:

Has all your theological knowledge made you more like a child, or less?

Has it increased your simple trust in Jesus, or complicated it?

Matthew 11:25 - “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”

Sometimes we can be so smart we miss what’s simple.

Jesus said the kingdom belongs to children. That’s the starting point. And, that’s the ending point. Everything must align with that, not the other way around.

KING DAVID’S BABY

Here’s a story that breaks my heart every time.

King David committed adultery with Bathsheba. She got pregnant. The baby was born, but then became sick. David fasted and prayed desperately for seven days, begging God to heal his infant son.

The baby died.

And here’s what David said - 2 Samuel 12:23:

“But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

David had absolute confidence that he would see his baby again. David is with the Lord. We know this from Scripture. Which means David’s infant is with the Lord.

That’s the hope every parent can have. When children die young, they’re safe with Jesus.

SO HERE’S THE ANSWER

If the Rapture happens as many Christians believe it will - if Jesus returns for His bride, if believers are caught up to meet Him in the air - what happens to children?

Based on everything we just looked at:

Jesus said the kingdom belongs to them

God’s will is that little ones not perish (Matthew 18:14)

Children have angels that continually see the Father’s face (Matthew 18:10)

They’re the standard adults must become like to enter

Those without knowledge of good and evil enter God’s promises

David knew he’d see his infant again

Children would be included.

They already possess what adults must become like to gain.

THE REAL QUESTION

So parents, here’s what you need to understand:

The question isn’t whether your children will be ready.

The question is whether you will be.

Your 9-year-old? Safe.

Your 6-year-old? Safe.

Your 3-year-old? Safe.

Your infant? Safe.

But are you ready?

NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS “LORD, LORD”

Jesus told a parable about ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom. All ten were called “virgins” - meaning all ten were believers. But five were prepared with oil, and five weren’t.

When the bridegroom came, the prepared ones went in to the wedding feast “and the door was shut.”

The unprepared ones arrived late, knocking: “Lord, lord, open up for us!”

And Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”

Think about that. All ten were virgins. All ten were waiting. But only five were ready.

Matthew 7:21-23 - Jesus said:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

Religious activity doesn’t guarantee readiness.

Church attendance doesn’t guarantee readiness.

Knowing Bible verses doesn’t guarantee readiness.

Childlike faith in Jesus does.

FOR MY LDS NEIGHBORS

I’ve lived in the Great Basin my whole adult life. I’ve worked with hundreds of LDS families. I have deep respect for your family values, your dedication, your service to community.

But I need to ask you a question from Scripture:

Galatians 1:8 - “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”

Paul warned that even if an angel appeared with a different gospel, that gospel is false.

Joseph Smith said the angel Moroni gave him a restored gospel because the Bible had been corrupted.

So here’s the question: Is the gospel Moroni gave Joseph Smith the same gospel Jesus and the apostles preached?

The biblical gospel is this:

Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Not grace plus temple ordinances.
Not grace plus priesthood authority.
Not grace plus anything we do.

Just grace. Just Jesus.

I’m not attacking you. I’m asking you to check what you believe against what the Bible says. For your children’s sake.

FOR CULTURAL CHRISTIANS

Maybe you grew up in church. You know the stories. You can quote John 3:16. You’ve been baptized. You consider yourself a Christian.

But Jesus isn’t Lord of your life - He’s just part of your cultural identity.

Revelation 3:15-16 - “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”

Lukewarm Christianity won’t save you.

The good news? You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be genuine.

Remember the thief on the cross? Luke 23:42-43 - He had no baptism, no church membership, no good works, no religious resume. He just said:

“Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

And Jesus replied: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Simple, childlike faith.

IF YOU’RE LEFT BEHIND

Let’s say the worst happens. Let’s say Jesus comes, your children are taken, and you’re still here.

First: Your children are safe. Just like King David knew he would see his infant son again, you can know your children are with Jesus.

Second: There’s still hope for you.

Revelation 7:9, 14 describes “a great multitude which no one could count…who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

People get saved during the tribulation.

Revelation 20:4 describes those “who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus…and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

You can still be reunited with your children.

But here’s what you must do:

Do not take the mark of the beast - no matter what (Revelation 13:16-18; 14:9-11)

Hold to the testimony of Jesus even if it costs your life

Refuse to worship the beast or his image

Those who do this will be resurrected and reign with Christ.

You can see your kids again. But why wait?

THE SIMPLE GOSPEL

Let me make this as clear as I possibly can:

Romans 3:23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

Romans 10:9 - “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”

Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast”

That’s it. That’s the gospel.

Not: Jesus plus your church.
Not: Jesus plus your good works.
Not: Jesus plus anything.

Just Jesus.

WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW

Here’s what I want you to do tonight when you go home:

1. Check your own heart.

Not your religious activity. Not your church attendance. Your actual relationship with Jesus.

Do you know Him? Does He know you?

Is He Lord of your life, or just a religious figure you acknowledge?

2. Pray this prayer if you mean it:

“Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I confess You as Lord. I’m not trusting in my church, my works, or my religious background - I’m trusting in You alone. Save me by Your grace. Make me ready for Your return. Protect my children. I trust You completely. Amen.”

3. Live like He’s coming tomorrow.

Because He might be.

Whether it’s next week, next year, or next century - live ready.

A WORD SPECIFICALLY FOR DADS

Gentlemen, I need to talk to you directly. Man to man. Father to father.

I’ve been in ministry a long time. I’ve counseled thousands of families. And I’ve noticed something about fathers:

We think our job is to provide and protect.

And you’re right - it is. But here’s what I’ve learned: The greatest provision you can give your children isn’t a college fund. The greatest protection you can offer isn’t a security system.

It’s making sure you’ll be with them when Jesus returns.

THE WEIGHT OF HEADSHIP

Ephesians 5:23 says “the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church.”

That’s not about authority to boss people around. That’s about responsibility.

Christ laid down His life for the church. That’s headship.

So here’s my question for every father in this room: Are you prepared to lead your family into the kingdom, or are you preparing them to face tribulation without you?

Because here’s what I learned in 30 years of family counseling: Children take their cues from dad.

If dad is spiritually lukewarm, kids notice.

If dad treats church as optional, kids remember.

If dad’s relationship with Jesus is just religious performance, kids see right through it.

But if dad genuinely loves Jesus? That shapes everything.

THE FATHERS WHO FAILED

Let me show you some biblical examples of fathers who didn’t lead their families well:

Eli the Priest (1 Samuel 2-4) - His sons were corrupt. He knew it. He gave them a weak rebuke. And God held Eli responsible: “For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them.”

His sons died. The ark was captured. Eli fell and broke his neck. His family line lost the priesthood forever.

David and Absalom - David was a man after God’s own heart, but he failed his son Absalom. When Absalom rebelled and died, David wept: “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Too late. He should have fought for his son’s heart before the rebellion.

The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22) - He called Jesus “Good Teacher.” He kept the commandments. He was religious. But when Jesus said “sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me,” he “went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.”

Imagine if that man had children. Imagine him being left behind while his kids are raptured because he couldn’t let go of his wealth.

THE FATHERS WHO LED WELL

Now contrast those with fathers who led their families to God:

Abraham - Genesis 18:19: “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD.”

God chose Abraham specifically because He knew Abraham would lead his household in God’s ways.

Joshua - Joshua 24:15: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Not “I’ll serve the Lord and hope my family comes along.” No - “my house WILL serve the Lord.” That’s leadership.

Job - Job 1:5: “When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, ‘Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did continually.”

Job interceded for his children constantly. That’s a father’s heart.

The Philippian Jailer - Acts 16:31-34: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” He immediately ensured his entire household heard the gospel. That night, “he was baptized, he and all his household…and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.”

That’s what a father does - he makes sure his family hears the truth.

WHAT YOUR CHILDREN NEED FROM YOU

Dads, your children need you to:

1. Be genuine, not religious

They can spot fake Christianity a mile away. They need to see you actually love Jesus, not just perform church activities.

2. Lead, don’t just attend

Taking your family to church is good. But that’s not enough. Are you leading family devotions? Praying with your kids? Talking about Jesus at home?

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

That’s not the youth pastor’s job. That’s your job.

3. Model repentance

Your kids don’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be real. When you mess up, admit it. When you’re wrong, say so. When you sin, repent.

Show them what it looks like to walk with Jesus authentically.

4. Prepare them

If you believe we’re in the end times, are you preparing your children? Have you talked to them about what’s coming? Do they know how to refuse the mark of the beast? Do they understand what persecution might look like?

Or are you keeping them ignorant to “protect their innocence”?

THE CONVERSATION YOU NEED TO HAVE TONIGHT

When you get home tonight, I want you to gather your family. And I want you to have this conversation:

“Kids, I need to tell you something. I believe Jesus is coming back soon. I believe we might be living in the end times. And I want to make sure our family is ready.

I’ve made a commitment to Jesus Christ - not to religion, but to Him personally. And I want you to know that if the Rapture happens, I’m going to be ready. Not because I’m perfect, but because I’m trusting in Jesus alone.

Your mom and I have talked about this. We’re both getting right with God. And we want you to understand what the Bible says about these things.

You don’t need to be afraid. God loves you. Jesus loves you. But we need to be prepared as a family.”

Then pray together. Out loud. As a family.

THE ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTION

Let me ask you something that might make you uncomfortable:

If the Rapture happened tonight, would your children be shocked that you were left behind?

Or would they be shocked that you were taken?

Think about that.

If your kids would be surprised you made it, you need to change something today.

FOR FATHERS WHO FEEL UNWORTHY

Maybe you’re sitting here thinking, “Craig, I’ve blown it. I’ve been a terrible spiritual leader. I’ve failed my kids. It’s too late.”

First, join the crowd. Second, let me tell you about the thief on the cross.

This man had done nothing right. He was a criminal being executed. He had no time to make amends, no opportunity to prove himself, no chance to be a better man.

But in his final hours, he said: “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.”

And Jesus replied: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

It’s never too late while you still have breath.

2 Corinthians 6:2 - “behold, now is ‘THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,’ behold, now is ‘THE DAY OF SALVATION’”

You can start leading your family today. Right now. This moment.

Your kids don’t need a perfect dad. They need a dad who’s genuinely pursuing Jesus.

THE CHOICE

Dads, your children are going to be fine if the Rapture happens. Jesus already said the kingdom belongs to them.

But what about you?

Are you ready to lead your family into the kingdom?

Or are you preparing them to face tribulation without their father?

The choice is yours. Today.

ONE LAST THING

I’m a grandfather. I’ve got grandkids I love more than my own life. And I’ll tell you something: The thought of them being raptured while I’m left behind is the most horrifying thing I can imagine.

Not because they’d be in danger - they’d be perfectly safe with Jesus.

But because I’d miss them. Because I’d know I wasn’t ready when I should have been. Because I’d have to face the tribulation knowing my failure to be prepared separated me from the people I love most.

Don’t let that be your story.

Your children are going to be fine. Jesus already said the kingdom belongs to them.

The question is: Will you be fine?

CLOSING

I’m not a prophet. I’m not setting dates. I’m not claiming to know when Jesus is coming back.

I’m a retired grandfather who loves the Bible and loves families in the Great Basin Region.

And I’m telling you: Whatever you believe about end times prophecy, whatever your religious background, you need to make sure you’re ready.

Not for your sake.

For your children’s sake.

Because if the Rapture happens and your kids are taken, you want to be taken with them.

2 Corinthians 6:2 - “behold, now is ‘THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,’ behold, now is ‘THE DAY OF SALVATION’”

Today. Right now. This moment.

Get right with Jesus. Not religion. Not church. Not works.

Jesus.

For your children.

Would anyone like to pray together before we go?

END OF STORY

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