Posted on 01/15/2005 6:23:07 AM PST by RaceBannon
If a Person Rejects Christ Before the Rapture, Can He Be Saved After the Rapture?
There are some who teach that those who do not get saved prior to the Rapture have no hope of being saved after the Rapture. This view is based upon a misunderstanding of 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12: "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." They understand this passage to mean that if a person rejects the truth prior to the Rapture, he will be deluded and unable to believe following the Rapture. Who then will be saved during the Tribulation? They teach that those saved during the Tribulation will be only those who never heard the Gospel prior to the Rapture.
What does the passage really teach? These verses in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 are not talking about people who reject the truth before the Rapture. They are referring to people who reject the truth during the Tribulation. These are people who willfully decide to follow the devil's man (see the context of 2 Thess. 2:3-9). These are people who reject the truth and receive the LIE that the man of sin is to be honored as God and worshiped. These are those who deliberately choose to take the mark of the beast and worship this evil man. According to Revelation 14:9-11, those who take the mark cannot be saved. Their destiny is Hell. Thus, during the Tribulation, those who willfully identify with the devil's man are doomed and damned (2 Thess. 2:12). In that day the issue will be very clear: worship God (Rev. 14:6-7) or worship the devil's man (Rev. 14:9-11). One's choice will determine one's eternal destiny.
If a person refuses to believe on Christ prior to the Rapture, there is still hope that he will trust Christ after the Rapture. His earlier rejection was not final and not fatal. God still reaches out to men in grace during the Tribulation. However, it is always dangerous to reject the truth, no matter when you live. The time to be saved is today, not tomorrow. If a person refuses to be saved today, what guarantee does he have that he will be willing to be saved in the future?
If a person refuses to trust Christ today when it is easy (for many, little or no persecution), why should this person be willing to trust Christ tomorrow when it will be very difficult (great persecution for believers during the Tribulation). Those who reject the Gospel today are in danger of rejecting the Gospel tomorrow. The person who rejects the Gospel before the Rapture could very well be one of those who will worship the man of sin during the Tribulation. Those who are unbelievers today will probably be unbelievers tomorrow.
God can certainly save a person who at one time strongly rejected the truth. Remember Saul of Tarsus. Remember how you yourself once rejected the truth before you were saved! During the Tribulation, God will be willing and able to save all those who will turn to Him. The same is true today: "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25).
The time to believe is now. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). It is never safe to delay such a decision. The time to be saved is now, prior to the Rapture.
Isaiah summed up the duty of man regardless of what dispensation he lives in: "Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: (7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon Him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Please note: The following letter was written to a former professor of mine, a dearly beloved brother in Christ and a faithful servant of the Lord. He is also a very humble and teachable man, as seen from his response:
Dear Dr. ------, It was good to hear from you. I thank the Lord for you and your faithful teaching ministry. I still have many fond memories of my Greek classes with you as well as Daniel and Revelation and some other courses you taught. I did not realize that my position on 2 Thessalonians was in conflict with what you and others have taught. I’m sorry if what I wrote stirred up a hornet’s nest. If the editors had so suggested, I would have gladly omitted that part. I appreciated very much your use of my article in your journal and I never dreamed that I was presenting a position contrary to what you and some of your colleagues have believed and taught. What you sent me was the best defense of the other position that I had ever read. It caused me to re-think my position. Let me share with you some of the reasons why I hold the position that 2 Thessalonians 2 describes a group of people who reject the truth during the tribulation not prior to the rapture (although their rejection of the truth could certainly have started before the rapture). 1) The context of verses 8-9 is the tribulation period, not the time prior to the rapture. The man of sin has been revealed (v.8) and it will be an unprecedented time of Satanic miracle working resulting in the deception of many. It’s true that the rapture is referred to in the chapter (v.7, v.1?), but the immediate context of verses 8-9 put us in the tribulation. 2) The deceivableness and delusion mentioned in verses 10-11 is linked to verse 9 (note especially the phrase "lying wonders"). I understand this passage to be saying that these people will be deceived by means of the Satanic miracles which will be taking place during the tribulation in connection with the man of sin. Again this is a post-rapture context, not a pre-rapture context. 3) The greatest evidence, in my mind, has to do with the teaching of Scripture elsewhere. In other words, where in the Bible are we told of a group of people who reject the truth in such a way that it will be impossible for them to be saved? I don’t know of any passage that says such a thing of a group of people prior to the rapture. But Revelation 14 (especially 9-11) teaches very forcefully that during the tribulation there will be such a group. These are those who take the mark of the beast. According to this passage, taking the mark is equivalent to going to hell. It is impossible for someone who has taken the mark to ever be saved. Also Revelation 13:8 teaches that those who worship the beast (i.e.-take his mark) are doomed forever. 4) I agree with you that the verbs in verses 10 and 12 are past tense. They received not the love of the truth and they believed not the truth. I believe that their rejection took place during the tribulation, for most during the first part of the tribulation. We know that this will be a time when the gospel will be clearly announced (by the two witnesses, by the 144,000, by angels, etc.). We also know that no one will take the mark of the beast until the last 3½ years. Indeed, some of their rejection of the truth could have even begun prior to the rapture as they rejected the clear gospel message that they heard then. 5) When will God shut the door? The exact time that God shuts the door, according to Revelation 14, is the moment the tribulation unbeliever takes the mark of the beast. For each individual this may occur at any time during the last 3½ years. Once this final and public act of rejection takes place, there is no hope of salvation. 6) What is "the lie" (verse 11)? This same expression is also used in Romans 1:25 which speaks of the terrible lie of giving worship to a mere creature as if that creature were God. The absolute culmination of "creature worship" will be in the tribulation when men will worship the man of sin as God (and this is mentioned in the very context, 2 Thess. 2:4). These tribulation unbelievers will be supernaturally deluded into believing that this mere man, Satan’s man, is actually God and they will worship him and take his mark. If this is the correct understanding of "the lie," then we are again in a tribulation context and not a pre-rapture context. 7) Although I believe that the hopeless unbelievers described in this passage are tribulation unbelievers and not pre-rapture unbelievers, yet I still believe that those who reject Christ prior to the rapture will most probably reject Him after the rapture. But although the salvation of these people is improbable, I do not believe it is impossible. (Just like the first century Christians would have thought the salvation of Saul of Tarsus was improbable, but they learned it was not impossible). These are my main reasons for holding the view that the unbelievers represent tribulation unbelievers (and by the way, many of these tribulation unbelievers would probably also include the majority of those who rejected Christ prior to the rapture). It is the taking of the mark that will seal their doom. It is God’s delusion that will make them take the mark. It is their wicked unbelief, in spite of very clear gospel testimony, that will bring about God’s delusion. Simply stated, they willfully and knowingly rejected the truth of God. And I even believe that some of this rejection could have started prior to the rapture. But the culmination of it will take place when the unbeliever takes the mark. The sealing of their doom does not take place at the time of the rapture; it takes place at the time they take the mark of the beast. Thanks again for helping me to better understand the other position and causing me to re-think my position. Your brother in Christ Note: The response that I received was as follows. Dear Brother, I have great reason to write and express my appreciation for your very kind and understanding response to my earlier letter regarding the 2 Thessalonians' teaching. Your words prompted me to do what I should have done before. I went back to the Word and looked at it again, and what I saw there this time has convinced me that your teaching was right, that the "unpardonable sin" there is indeed tied to the "Mark of the Beast" rather than to the rapture. To keep busy in the Word I have been spending much time refreshing my translating of the Greek N.T. I had done all of John's writings up to Revelation 13 when I got your letter. Chapter 14 seems to be providentially arranged by the Lord to come next after your comments, and its discussion of the Mark of the Beast ties in so closely with the 2 Thessalonians statements that I am convinced of the position you stated. Thanks again for your very helpful and gracious letter. Sincerely your brother in Christ, ----- Final Note: Regardless of whether my understanding of 2 Thessalonians 2 is correct, it was refreshing to receive such a humble response from a man, well up in years, who was willing to amend his thinking in favor of God's truth. May we too search the Scriptures daily to see if these things be true!
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Examining an Ancient Pre-Trib Rapture Statement
by Thomas Ice
http://www.according2prophecy.org/ancient.html
All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins.
-Pseudo-Ephraem (c. 374-627)
Critics of pretribulationism sometimes state that belief in the rapture is a doctrinal development of recent origin. They argue that the doctrine of the rapture or any semblance of it was completely unknown before the early 1800s and the writings of John Nelson Darby. One of the most vocal and sensational critics of the rapture is Dave MacPherson, who argues that, "during the first 18 centuries of the Christian era, believers were never 'Rapture separaters' [sic]; they never separated the minor Rapture aspect of the Second Coming of Christ from the Second Coming itself."1
A second critic, John Bray, also vehemently opposes a pretribulational rapture, writing, "this teaching is not a RECOVERY of truth once taught and then neglected. No, it never was taught-for 1800 years nearly no one knew anything about such a scheme."2 More recently, pre-trib opponent Robert Van Kampen proclaimed, "The pretribulational rapture position with its dual parousias was unheard of in church history prior to 1830."3 In our previous issue of Pre-Trib Perspectives, I noted that pre-wrath advocate Marvin Rosenthal has also joined the chorus.4
Christian reconstructionists have also consistently and almost universally condemned premillennialism and pretribulationism, favoring instead, postmillen-nialism. One sample of their prolific and often vitri-olic opposition can be seen in Gary North's derisive description of the rapture as "the Church's hoped-for Escape Hatch on the world's sinking ship," which he, like MacPherson, believes was invented in 1830.5
How to Find the Rapture in History
Is pretribulationism as theologically bankrupt as its critics profess, or are there answers to these charges? If there are reasonable answers, then the burden of proof and historical argumentation shifts back to the critics. Rapture critics must acknowledge and interact with the historical and theological evidence.
Rapture critic William Bell has formulated three criteria for establishing the validity of a historical citation regarding the rapture. If any of his three criteria are met, then he acknowledges it is "of crucial importance, if found, whether by direct statement or clear inference." As will be seen, the Pseudo-Ephraem sermon meets not one, but two of his canons, namely, "Any mention that Christ's second coming was to consist of more than one phase, separated by an interval of years," and "any mention that Christ was to remove the church from the earth before the tribulation period."6
Pseudo-Ephraem's Rapture Statement
I vividly remember the phone call at my office late one afternoon from Canadian prophecy teacher and writer Grant Jeffrey.7 He told me that he had found an ancient pre-trib rapture statement. I said, "Let's hear it." He read the following to me over the phone:
All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins.
I said that it sure sounds like a pre-trib statement and began to fire at him all the questions I have since received many times when telling others about the statement from Pseudo-Ephraem's sermon On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World.8 Grant's phone call started me on journey through many of the substantial libraries throughout the Washington, D.C. area in an effort to learn all I could about this historically significant statement. The more information I acquired led me to conclude that Grant is right to conclude that this is a pre-trib rapture statement of antiquity.
Who is Pseudo-Ephraem?
The word "Pseudo" (Greek for false) is a prefix attached by scholars to the name of a famous historical person or book of the Bible when one writes using that name. Pseudo-Ephraem claims that his sermon was written by Ephraem of Nisibis (306-73), considered to be the greatest figure in the history of the Syrian church. He was well-known for his poetics, rejection of rationalism, and confrontations with the heresies of Marcion, Mani, and the Arians. As a poet, exegete, and theologian, his style was similar to that of the Jewish midrashic and targumic traditions and he favored a contemplative approach to spirituality. So popular were his works that in the fifth and sixth centuries he was adopted by several Christian communities as a spiritual father and role model. His many works, some of doubtful authenticity, were soon translated from Syriac into Greek, Armenian, and Latin.
It is not at all unreasonable to expect that a prolific and prominent figure such as Ephraem would have writings ascribed to him. While there is little support for Ephraem as the author of the Sermon on the End of the World, Caspari and Alexander have demonstrated that Pseudo-Ephraem was "heavily influenced by the genuine works of Ephraem."9 What is more difficult, though secondary to the main purpose of this article, is determining the exact date, purpose, location of, and extent of subsequent editorial changes to the sermon.10
Suggestions on the date of the writing of the original sermon range from as early as Wilhelm Bousset's 373 date,11 to Caspari's estimation of sometime between 565 and 627.12 Paul Alexander, after reviewing all the argumentation, favors a date for the final form similar to that suggested by Caspari,13 but Alexander also states simply, "It will indeed not be easy to decide on the matter."14 All are clear that it had to have been written before the advent of Islam.
Pseudo-Ephraem's Sermon
The sermon consists of just under 1500 words, divided into ten sections and has been preserved in four Latin manuscripts. Three of these date from the eighth century and ascribe the sermon to Ephraem. A fourth manuscript from the ninth century, claims not Ephraem, but Isidore of Seville (d. 636) as author.15 Additionally, there are subsequent Greek and Syriac versions of the sermon which have raised questions regarding the language of the original manuscript. On the basis of lexical analysis and study of the biblical citations within the sermon with Latin, Greek, and Syriac versions of the Bible, Alexander believed it most probable that the homily was composed in Syriac, translated first into Greek, and then into Latin from the Greek.16 Regardless of the original language, the vocabulary and style of the extant copies are consistent with the writings of Ephraem and his era. It appears likely that the sermon was written near the time of Ephraem and underwent slight change during subsequent coping.
What is most significant for present-day readers is the fact that the sermon was popular enough to be translated into several languages fairly soon after its composition. The significance of the sermon for us today is that it represents a prophetic view of a pre-trib rapture within the orthodox circles of its day.
The sermon is built around the three themes of the title On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World and proceeds chronologically. The fact that the pre-trib statement occurs in section 2, while the antichrist and tribulation are developed throughout the middle sections, followed by Christ's second coming to the earth in the final section supports a pre-trib sequence. This characteristic of the sermon fits the first criteria outlined by William Bell, namely "that Christ's second coming was to consist of more than one phase, separated by an interval of years." Thus, phase one is the rapture statement from section 2; the interval of 3 1/2 years, 42 months, and 1,260 days, said to be the tribulation in sections 7 and 8; the second phase of Christ's return is noted in section 10 and said to take place "when the three and a half years have been completed."17
Why Pseudo-Ephraem's Statement is Pretribulational
After learning of Pseudo-Ephraem's rapture statement, I shared it with a number of colleagues. My favorite approach was to simply read the statement, free of any introductory remarks, and ask what they thought. Every person, whether pre-trib or not, concluded that it was some kind of pre-trib statement. A few thought it was a statement from such pre-trib proponents like John Walvoord or Charles Ryrie. Most noted the clear statement concerning the removal of believers before the tribulation as a reason for thinking the statement pre-trib. This is Bell's second criteria for identifying a pre-trib statement from the past, namely, "any mention that Christ was to remove the church from the earth before the tribulation period." Note the following reasons why this should be taken as a pre-trib statement:
1) Section 2 of the sermon begins with a statement about imminency: "We ought to understand thoroughly therefore, my brothers, what is imminent [Latin "immineat"] or overhanging."18 This is similar to the modern pre-trib view of imminency and considering the subsequent rapture statements supports a pre-trib scenario.
2) As I break down the rapture statement, notice the following observations:
"All the saints and elect of God are gathered . . ." Gathered where? A later clause says they "are taken to the Lord." Where is the Lord? Earlier in the paragraph the sermon speaks of "the meeting of the Lord Christ, so that he may draw us from the confusion. . ." Thus the movement is from the earth toward the Lord who is apparently in heaven. Once again, in conformity to a translation scenario found in the pre-trib teaching.
The next phrase says that the gathering takes place "prior to the tribulation that is to come. . ." so we see that the event is pretribulational and the tribulation is future to the time in which Pseudo-Ephraem wrote.
The purpose for the gathering was so that they would not "see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of their sins." Here we have the purpose of the tribulation judgments stated and that was to be a time of judgment upon the world because of their sin, thus, the church was to be taken out.
3) Finally, the Byzantine scholar Paul Alexander clearly believed that Pseudo-Ephraem was teaching what we call today a pre-trib rapture. According to Alexander, most Byzantine apocalypses were concerned with how Christians would survive the time of severe persecution by Antichrist. The normal approach given by other apocalyptic texts was a shortening of the time to three and a half years, enabling the survival of some Christians.19 Unlike those texts, this sermon has Christians being removed from the time of tribulation. Alexander observed:
It is probably no accident that Pseudo-Ephraem does not mention the shortening of the time intervals for the Antichrist's persecution, for if prior to it the Elect are 'taken to the Lord,' i.e., participate at least in some measure in beatitude, there is no need for further mitigating action on their behalf. The Gathering of the Elect according to Pseudo-Ephraem is an alternative to the shortening of the time intervals.20
Conclusion
Regardless of what else the writer of this sermon believed, he did believe that all believers would be removed before the tribulation-a pre-trib rapture view. Thus, we have seen that those who have said that there was no one before 1830 who taught the pre-trib rapture position will have to revise their statements by well over 1,000 years. This statement does not prove the pre-trib position, only the Bible can do that, but it should change many people's historical views on the matter.
ENDNOTES
1 Dave MacPherson, The Great Rapture Hoax (Fletcher, NC: New Puritan Library, 1983), 15. For a refutation of MacPherson's charges see Thomas D. Ice, "Why the Doctrine of the Pretribulational Rapture Did Not Begin with Margaret Macdonald," Bibliotheca Sacra 147 (1990): 155-68.
2 John L. Bray, The Origin of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Teaching (Lakeland, FL.: John L. Bray Ministry, 1982), 31-32.
3 Robert Van Kampen, The Sign (Wheaton, IL.: Crossway Books, 1992), 445.
4 Thomas Ice, "Is The Pre-Trib Rapture A Satanic Deception?" Pre-Trib Perspectives (II:1; March 1995):1-3.
5 Gary North, Rapture Fever: Why Dispensationalism is Paralyzed (Tyler, TX.: Institute for Christian Economics, 1993), 105.
6 William E. Bell, "A Critical Evaluation of the Pretribulation Rapture Doctrine in Christian Eschatology" (Ph.D. diss., New York University, 1967), 26-27.
7 For more information on the Pseudo-Ephraem statement see Grant R. Jeffrey, Final Warning (Toronto: Frontier Research Publications, 1995). Forthcoming, Timothy Demy and Thomas Ice, "The Rapture and an Early Medieval Citation" Bibliotheca Sacra 152 (July 1995): 300-11. Grant R. Jeffrey, "A Pretribulational Rapture Statement in the Early Medieval Church" in Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy, ed., When the Trumpet Sounds: Today's Foremost Authorities Speak Out on End-Time Controversies (Eugene, Or: Harvest House, 1995).
8 Grant Jeffrey found the statement in Paul J. Alexander, The Byzantine Apocalyptic Tradition, by (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985), 2.10. The late Alexander found the sermon in C. P. Caspari, ed. Briefe, Abhandlungen und Predigten aus den zwei letzten Jahrhunderten des kirchlichen Altertums und dem Anfang des Mittelaters, (Christiania, 1890), 208-20. This German work also contains Caspari's commentary on the sermon on pages 429-72.
9 Paul J. Alexander, "The Diffusion of Byzantine Apocalypses in the Medieval West and the Beginnings of Joachimism," in Prophecy and Millenarianism: Essays in Honour of Marjorie Reeves, ed. Ann Williams (Essex, U.K. : Longman, 1980), 59.
10 Paul J. Alexander, "Medieval Apocalypses as Historical Sources," American Historical Review 73 (1968): 1017. In this essay Alexander addresses in-depth the historical difficulties facing the interpreter of such texts. To these difficulties, issues of theological interpretation and concern must also be added.
11 W. Bousset, The Antichrist Legend, trans. A. H. Keane (London: Hutchinson and Co., 1896), 33-41. An early date is also accepted by Andrew R. Anderson, Alexander's Gate: Gog and Magog and the Enclosed Nations. Monographs of the Mediaeval Academy of America, no. 5. (Cambridge, MA.: Mediaeval Academy of America, 1932):16-18.
12 Caspari, 437-42.
13 Alexander, Byzantine Apocalyptic Tradition, 147. This leaves the possibility that the work may have been altered or revised prior to the date of the extant manuscripts.
14 Ibid., 145. Earlier, he writes: "All that is certain, is as Caspari pointed out, that it must have been written prior to Heraclius' victories over Sassanid Persia, for the author talks repeatedly of wars between Rome and Persia and such discussions do not make sense after Heraclius' victories and the beginning of the Arab invasions" (144).
15 Ibid., 136-37. The only critical edition is Caspari's which suffers a lack of objectivity in that he relied upon only two of the four extant manuscripts.
16 Ibid., 140-44.
17 Caspari, 219. English citations are taken from a translation of the sermon provided by Cameron Rhoades, instructor of Latin at Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX.
18 Ibid., 210.
19 Alexander, 209.
20 Ibid., 210-11.
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LITERATURE TO CONSIDER --
Morgan Edwards: An Eighteenth Century Pretribulationist
By Frank Marotta
In this well documented 28 page treatise, Marotta factually refutes the claim that the pre-tribulation doctrine originated in the 1800's from the evil sources of either a Jesuit priest or an evil occult influenced woman.
Marotta cites the printed pre-tribulation beliefs of the 18th century Philadelphia Baptist pastor Morgan Edwards as validation that the pre-trib. View existed prior to the 18th century, showing that Edwards undoubtedly arrived at his pre-trib. conclusions through his own independent study of the Scriptures. Marotta also provides some interesting insights concerning the prophetic interpretations of other prominent Baptists in the 17th-18th centuries.
In an appendix which covers several pages, Marotta succinctily discredits the anti-rapturist follies in Dave MacPherson's books The Rapture Plot and The Great Rapture Hoax, documenting MacPherson's numerous misrepresentations. $2.00, plus $1.50 for P&H charges; Present Truth Publishers, 411 Route 79, Morganville, NJ 07751.
http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/morganedwards.htm
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE TAUGHT IN 1742
Republished April 29, 2004 (first published May 16, 1997) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The following article by E.L. Bynum is from the Plains Baptist Challenger, September 1995 (P.O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX 79452) --
John L. Bray, a Southern Baptist Evangelist, has been publishing little booklets for years, in which he ridiculed the pre-tribulation rapture of the saints. He believes the saved will go through the tribulation period.
For several years he has offered $500 for anyone who could produce a documented statement that anyone taught the pre- tribulation rapture before 1830. Since no one claimed the $500 many supposed that he might be right. Of course, he is not the only one to make such preposterous claims. Others have done so as well.
In his newsletter of May 25, 1995, he announced that an amazing thing had been discovered. Here are his own words:
"We have uncovered some startling information: For some number of years many thought that a 15-year-old girl by the name of Margaret MacDonald in Scotland was the originator of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture teaching back in 1830.
"Then my own research indicated that it was Emmanuel Lacunza, a Jesuit Catholic priest, who in the 1812 book The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty, first taught this theory. And for 13 years, in 114,273 books which contained the offer, I offered $500.00 to anyone who would give a documented statement earlier than Lacunza's time which taught a two-stage coming of Christ separated by a stated period of time.
"No one ever rightfully claimed that $500.00 offer until recently. Now I have the photostat copies of a book published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1788 but written in 1742-1744 in England, which taught the pre-tribulation rapture before Lacunza (the book was published just two years prior to Lacunza's finished manuscript of 1790); before Margaret MacDonald was every born; before The Morning Watch ever published the teaching; before J.N. Darby ever came to his first view on the subject in 1827; before Darby ever developed his ideas; and before Darby ever came to America with his teachings.
"The author of this book was a pastor of the Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1761-1771) and his book was published in Philadelphia in 1788" (John L. Bray, newsletter, May 25, 1995).
WHO WROTE THE PRE-TRIB BOOK?
Morgan Edwards (1722-1795) was one of the most influential Baptist preachers of his time. In 1795 the Minutes of the Philadelphia Association carried a notice of his death. He was the founder of Brown University, the most influential Baptist school of that day. The Baptist Encyclopedia says of him: "Morgan Edwards was a man of refined manners, and shone to peculiar advantage in good society." It further states, "His attachment to Baptist principles was intense, and no man since the days of the Apostles ever showed greater love, or made more costly sacrifices for them than he did."
If Morgan Edwards wrote a book in 1742-44, teaching the Pre-Trib Rapture, then many people must have read it. If he was one of the most prominent Baptists in America, then he must not have been considered an heretic by his peers. No doubt there must have been other preachers who read the same Bible that Edwards did, and preached the same truth.
I wonder if John L. Bray will offer $500 to anyone teaching the Pre-Trib Rapture before Morgan Edwards? I hope he does. Of course Paul taught it, but the enemies of the Pre-Trib Rapture will never accept that. They just explain it away. Of course, the Apostle John taught it in the book of Revelation, but those birds spiritualize the book of Revelation away.
Some day all of these people will know the truth. I only hope none of them have to go through the Tribulation. [It is the unsaved who] will experience the Tribulation.] (Plains Baptist Challenger, September 1995, P.O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX 79452).
http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/pretrib.htm
THE RAPTURE: A Timely Question!
By Robert J. Sargent
Associate Pastor, Bible Baptist Church, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277
baptist@whidbey.net
[All rights are reserved by the author. Copies of this article in booklet format can be ordered from Way of Life Literature, Bible Baptist Church, 1701 Harns Road, Oak Harbor, Washington 98277.]
When will the Rapture occur?
Will the Rapture take place before, after, or during the Tribulation?
The on-going controversy about the timing of the Rapture of the saints is making its rounds throughout Christendom once again. The fact that this subject has been an issue among Bible-believing people for so long indicates that it belongs to the province of "things hard to be understood"--2 Peter 3:16.
Indeed, there is no one verse or passage which categorically answers the question conclusively. The true teaching of Scripture on this subject must be searched out through patient study and careful application of the laws of Bible interpretation.
There are several theories concerning exactly when and how the Lord Jesus Christ will return. The major so-called `Rapture Positions' are usually termed: Pre-tribulational, Post-tribulational, Mid-tribulational, Pre- Wrath, and Partial Rapture. The prefixes `pre,' `post,' `mid,' etc. basically fix the timing of the Rapture with respect to the Tribulation (which more accurately should be called the "70TH Week" of Daniel 9).
Books, books, and more books have been written on this subject--proposing and defending these opinions, or criticizing others. It is not within the scope of this article to completely exhaust the matter, and what follows is a brief explanation of the PRETRIBULATIONAL RAPTURE of the saints, with some of the Scriptural reasons for why we believe this to be so.
We must begin this limited study by stating some basic premises. These propositions may be challenged by some, but their defense will have to wait for another time. It should be noted that they are all basically accepted by PREMILLENNIALISTS regardless of their view of the Rapture.
PREMISE #1--The Lord Jesus Christ will return some day in a personal, visible, and bodily manner (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 22:12, etc.).
PREMISE #2--The return of the Lord Jesus Christ, though prophesied as a singular event, has two distinguishable phases: when Jesus comes for His saints (2 Thessalonians 2:1), and when Jesus comes with His saints (Jude 14,15). This is not unusual, since Old Testament prophecies of the first advent of Christ focused upon the cradle (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2) and the cross (e.g. Isaiah 53:3-10; Micah 5:1)--two phases of His first coming.
PREMISE #3--There is a future period of time, lasting approximately seven years, which begins with a covenant and concludes with a consummation. This is prophesied in Daniel 9:27 and will be referred to hereafter as "Daniel's 70TH Week." The covenant is made between the Jews and a `coming prince' (the Antichrist); the consummation refers to the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory to "bring in everlasting righteousness."
PREMISE #4--The so-called `Rapture' refers to the resurrection, glorification, and translation of deceased and living believers which occurs at the coming of Christ (I Corinthians 15:51,52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
PREMISE #5--Daniel's 70TH Week will experience a major change at its central point: Satan will be cast down to the earth (Revelation 12:7-9,12), and Israel's [false] Messiah will become the "abomination of desolations" (Revelation 13; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4,8- 11).
PREMISE #6--Although the events predicted to occur during Daniel's 70TH Week consist of the climactic outpouring of the judgments of God, there will be many (both Jew and Gentile) who will turn to Christ and be saved within this period (Revelation 7:4,9,14; 20:4).
PREMISE #7--Believers of this present age are "not appointed...to wrath" (I Thessalonians 5:9), but will be "kept from the hour...which shall come upon all the world" (Revelation 3:10).
While Bible believers on all sides of the Rapture question generally accept these premises, the fundamental question arises out of the second premise which says that there are two phases to Christ's return--the Rapture and the Revelation. The Post- tribulationalist sees these events happening concurrently, believing that Christ comes to the air to "catch up" the saints and then immediately descends with them to the Mount of Olives on the earth (Zechariah 14:3,4). The Pre-tribulationalist believes that the Rapture and the Revelation are separated by Daniel's 70TH Week or by approximately seven years. The Mid-tribulation and Pre-Wrath Rapture advocates also consider their position to be pre-tribulational inasmuch as they view the Great Tribulation (or the Day of Wrath) as comprising only a part of Daniel's 70TH Week--namely the latter part.
The implication of one's position on this matter (while certainly not a matter of Heaven or Hell) is nevertheless significant. All would agree that if one is truly a blood-washed, born-again child of God, participation in the blessed hope is certain--whether it happens to be pre-, post-, mid-, or whatever!! (Praise the Lord, He isn't bound by the theories of man!) Nevertheless this issue does raise the very practical question: "Will living Christians enter Daniel's 70TH Week?" Yes! says the Post- tribulationalist, but God's special providence will protect them. Yes! says the Mid-Tribulationalist, but the Rapture will remove them prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. Yes! says the Pre-Wrather, but the Rapture will remove them prior to the final outpouring of the Wrath of God. No! says the Pre- Tribulationalist; the Rapture will signal the beginning of Daniel's 70TH Week.
Before proceeding with a consideration of this great issue, there is a need to insert three more propositions. These will not be as readily accepted by the vast majority of Premillennialists, but they need to be stated nonetheless. These premises deal with some cardinal errors found in practically all the preaching and writing on the subject of Bible prophecy--whatever the position held. Not only do they have a bearing upon this study, but they should alert Bible-believing Baptists to the danger of jumping onto the interdenominational bandwagon they usually reflect.
PREMISE #8--It is unscriptural to speak of the `Rapture of the Church.' This terminology comes from the error of believing in a "universal, invisible, mystical body of Christ, `Church'"--something which is not found in the Bible! There is NO SUCH THING as `The Church' to be found in the New Testament (except where it is speaking generically)--only churches, which are assemblies (thus visible and local) of baptized believers organized according to the New Testament pattern to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19,20). This teaching belongs to a triad of errors--joining itself with the "Pentecost Birthday of `The Church'" theory and the "Holy Spirit Baptism" theory (that all believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the universal `body of Christ'). Most prophetic studies and writings are mangled in their ecclesiology.
A more Biblically sound term would be "The Rapture of The Saints."
PREMISE #9--The pure, preserved Word of God in the English language is the Authorized, King James Version. Arguments which must turn to the `original' Greek to prove a point or correct any Bible passage are in error. The same applies to arguments which depend upon the statements of `Church' Fathers, apocryphal writings, or other good, godly men. There must be only one authority--the pure, preserved Word of God in the English language!
PREMISE #10--Successfully refuting one particular position on the Rapture does not necessarily prove another. For example, when a Pretribulationalist scripturally demolishes an argument put forward for a Post-tribulational Rapture, he does not automatically prove that Pretribulationalism is the correct view. This fact is pointed out because many assumptions are often made which, although correct, have not been arrived at through sound Bible study methods.
TRIBULATION AND THE LORD'S CHURCHES
One of the common arguments for the belief that Christians will enter Daniel's 70TH Week is the mention of the saints and the elect within references to the Tribulation. For example, Daniel 7:25 refers to the saints being worn out by the Antichrist (see also Revelation 13:7,10; 16:6); Matthew 24:22,24 refers to the elect as being very clearly in the Great Tribulation. Because present-day believers are referred to as `saints' (Philippians 1:1) and the `elect' (Colossians 3:12), the inference is then made that Christians must be present in the Tribulation. This is an error.
We bring this point up because it focuses on one of the major foundations of the Pre-tribulational Rapture interpretation as well as highlighting a fundamental difference between this position and all the other views. The Pre-Tribulational Rapture position makes a clear and consistent distinction between prophetic groups. 1Corinthians 10:32 speaks of the Jews, the Gentiles, and the church of God. (New Testament churches are made up of baptized believers--Jew and Gentile!) It is absolutely vital to maintain these distinctions, especially when studying Bible prophecy. God's covenants and dealings with Israel cannot be transferred to New Testament churches or believers of this present age. The fact is, Jews are also called saints (2 Chronicles 6:41) and elect (Isaiah 65:9,22), and the references to the saints and the elect within Daniel's 70TH Week cited above do not refer to Christians, but to Jews.
This is a crucial matter in the interpretation of Biblical prophecy. Additionally:
- The prophecy of the 70 Weeks found in Daniel 9:24-27 is related to "thy [Daniel's] people"--the Jews, and to "thy [Daniel's] holy city"--Jerusalem. (See: verse 24). Therefore, the 70TH Week of the future is Jewish in prospect. Jeremiah 30:7 refers to it as a "time of Jacob's [Israel's] trouble."
- The prophecy of unprecedented trouble in Daniel 12:1 is twice said to refer to "thy [Daniel's] people," and that Daniel was instructed to seal the Book which detailed this period of tribulation until "the time of the end."
- The Book of The Revelation (notably Chapters 6--19) unfolds this period as Jesus Christ Himself opens the seals (Revelation 5:1,6,7; 6:1). Therefore, this portion of The Revelation must be taken as referring to the Jews unless it clearly states otherwise (e.g. Revelation 7:9).
- The teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24, although spoken to His disciples, is set in a Jewish context (23:37--24:2), deals with a Jewish subject (24:15), and uses Jewish points of reference (Juda--verse 16; Sabbath--verse 20).
Having said all of that, the point is this: Since the Lord's churches have been promised tribulation (John 15:18- 23; 16:32,33; etc.) and have experienced tribulation (I Thessalonians 3:4) and have been subject to some of the most horrific tribulation (Hebrews 11:36-38 in the context of Baptist history) for the past 1,900+ years, for what stated purpose would the Lord then have them enter into an end-time period which is specifically said to be a Jewish tribulation (Ezekiel 22:17-22)?? It is not that God would be without a witness during this time, because the Bible says He will raise up 144,000 JEWS as His servants (Revelation 7:3-8) along with His 2 witnesses (Revelation 11:3--usually identified as Moses and Elijah, 11:6).
Furthermore, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 contrasts those tribulations which have been experienced by Christians from the time of John the Baptist to the present with the Tribulation coming upon the earth in Daniel's 70TH Week. Present-day persecution and tribulation (verse 4) is said to be a token (verse 5) of that which God will recompense to those who trouble His churches (verse 6).
It is interesting that in the Book of The Revelation there is no mention of a New Testament church in the 6 through 19 section. Chapters 2 and 3 are addressed to New Testament churches ("the things which are"--i.e., present tense), and in Chapter 4 we see the apostle John experiencing a rapture--preceding the unfolding of the sealed book and the events which follow. Compare Revelation 3:22 with Revelation 13:9. In this Rapture experience of the apostle John, we notice there is a trumpet-like voice, a call to "come up hither," and an immediate entrance into Heaven's glory (Revelation 4:1,2). The only other place in the Book where the call "come up hither" is extended is found in Revelation 11:12, where the two witnesses are raptured after they rise from the dead and show themselves to an astounded world. This event occurs in the middle of the 70TH Week.
Also, when John is ushered into glory, he sees the 24 elders seated around the throne of God (Revelation 4:4). These elders may be identified from Scripture as being representative of the Lord's churches. Why? Because in Revelation 5:10 they affirm that the Lamb has made them "kings and priests"--the same promise given earlier in Revelation 1:6 which is clearly addressed "to...the churches..." (1:1). No other group of people is given that unconditional promise, and the fact that these elders are clothed in white raiment (i.e. glorified--Revelation 3:5) before the opening of the seven-sealed book further demonstrates that the Rapture occurs before the 70TH Week unfolds.
In addition to all of this, the promise given to the Lord's churches in Revelation 3:10 not only relates to a future period of testing (thus differentiating it from the tribulations experienced during this present age), but also targets this `hour' upon the earth and in particular those "that dwell upon the earth"--begging the fact that there will also be those who are not on the earth, as Revelation 3:11 explains. The expression `earth dwellers' is peculiar to Daniel and The Revelation--see: Revelation 6:10; 11:10; 13:8,14; 14:6; 17:8. Those who would take present-day saints into Daniel's 70TH Week and see martyrdom for many of them in Revelation 7:14 deny this promise! It is only by the most uncomfortable of grammatical contortions that the plain sense of "I also will keep thee FROM the hour of temptation" can be made to mean that God will bring His churches through this unspeakable time of horror. Such a scenario doesn't line up with Scriptures such as Daniel 7:21 and Revelation 13:7.
Coming back to the question: If the Lord's churches are destined to pass through a part or all of Daniel's 70TH Week, what is God's plan and purpose in that? He has a clearly stated purpose for bringing the nation of Israel through that time--their national salvation, Ezekiel 20:34-38; Zechariah 13:9! He has a clearly stated purpose for pouring out His righteous judgments upon the heathen--Isaiah 2:10-12; 13:11. But what of the churches?? Is it the Bridegroom's purpose to sanctify and cleanse His virgin bride by allowing her to pass through up to seven years of unspeakable wrath and tribulation? Not according to Ephesians 5:26,27--the spots and wrinkles will be removed by the "washing of water by the word [not wrath]"!!
In 2 Corinthians 5:11 the Bible speaks of the "terror of the Lord" as it applies to believers. But what is the context of this? It is referring to the Judgment Seat of Christ (verse 10), where every saint will personally answer to the Master for his service through his church--I Corinthians 3:9- 15--after the Rapture!
THE DAY OF CHRIST AND THE MAN OF SIN
The church at Thessalonica was well acquainted with the teachings of God's Word on the subject of Christ's second coming. In each chapter of both Books, reference is made to the return of Christ. The believers there had been taught all about the Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) which was hitherto a `mystery'--I Corinthians 15:51. (The New Testament mysteries were truths which had not been revealed to the writers of the Old Testament--Romans 16:25,26.) They already knew about the "times and the seasons"--5:1, and the "day of the Lord"--5:2; these things were taught in the Old Testament.
However, it is also evident from 2 Thessalonians 2 that they had been confused and deceived by false teachers. Two early first century `Rapture Wrongs' were: one, that there is no Rapture--an error taught to the church at Corinth (I Corinthians 15:12&c); and two, that the Rapture had already taken place (2 Timothy 2:18). Evidently, it was this second heresy which had shaken the Thessalonian church. False scriptures had been received stating that the "day of Christ is at hand"--2:2. Since the Day of Christ refers to events in Heaven immediately following the Rapture--notably the Judgment Seat of Christ, 1Corinthians 1:7,8; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6,10; 2:16--to say it was at hand (i.e. next) was the same as saying they had missed the Rapture! No wonder they were shaken and troubled!
But think about it: if those members of the church at Thessalonica had been taught that they might very well enter Daniel's 70TH Week, and had been led to believe that it was actually about to happen, why in the world were they shaken and troubled?? Certainly it would not be a pleasant time to endure, but it did mean that within seven or 3 1/2> years it would all be over. Well, the answer is obvious. They were shaken and troubled because they were looking for the Rapture. They had already been taught that the Day of the Lord would not overtake them (I Thessalonians 5:4); that they had not been appointed to this time of wrath (5:9).
In writing to correct this misunderstanding, the Apostle Paul first reminded them again of their blessed hope (2 Thessalonians 2:1). He explained that such a scenario could not be so (2:3); for if the Day of Christ was about to happen in Heaven, they would have already witnessed on earth a "falling away" and the revealing of the Antichrist.
This "falling away" refers to the wholesale and sudden removal of all godly restraint in the world--2:6-8. (The word "let" in verse seven means `hinder,' as in tennis.) According to 1John 4:3,4 it is the indwelling Holy Spirit of God Who overcomes the spirit of antichrist in this present age. The believers in the church at Thessalonica knew Him ("ye know"--verse 6), since "Christ in you"--Colossians 1:26,27, a mystery, is peculiar to all believers of this age (John 14:17). How else, then, can the Holy Spirit be taken out of the way except those who are indwelt by Him are removed? (This does not mean the Spirit's ministry will cease on earth, only that His restraining ministry, exercised through the Lord's churches and the present- day saints (Matthew 5:13-16), would end.) Immediately after the Rapture, the wicked will break the bands and cords of godly restraint--Psalm 2:3--and the world will be plunged into its darkest hour.
The revealing of the Antichrist also occurs at the beginning of Daniel's 70TH Week. He confirms the [Abrahamic] covenant with the Jews (Daniel 9:27) as he poses as their Messiah. With the opening of the first seal (Revelation 6:1,2), this imitator of Christ is depicted riding on a white horse as a victorious conqueror. He has a bow without arrows--indicating a peaceful (diplomatic) conquest with perhaps the threat of war. This will be the moment of apparent peace (Jeremiah 8:11; 1Thessalonians 5:3); Israel will be dwelling in unwalled (undefended) villages (Ezekiel 38:11). However, the next seal unfolded brings war (Revelation 6:4). Ezekiel 38 & 39 describes the invasion of Palestine by the Northern confederacy and Arab states. The resultant carnage is such that five-sixths of the armies from the North are destroyed, and Israel will spend seven years cleaning up. In this conflagration and the ensuing famine and death, one quarter of the world's population will perish. Peace has left the earth completely, and the Day of Wrath has begun (Revelation 6:5-8,12-17).
Remember, the Judgment Seat of Christ in Heaven (the Day of Christ) cannot begin until there is a precipitous falling away in the world and the Antichrist is revealed--and, that the Antichrist cannot be revealed until the present-day restraining ministry of the indwelling Christ in believers is taken out of the way.
THE DAY OF THE LORD
Because Mid-Tribulationalists and Pre-Wrath Rapturists usually agree with Pre-Tribulationalists that present-day believers and churches are "not appointed unto wrath," the issue between these sides reduces down to the question of exactly when does the Great Tribulation and/or the Day of Wrath begin?
The Mid-Tribulationalist points to Matthew 24:21 as the beginning of the Great Tribulation, concluding therefore that the Rapture must occur just prior to this point (thus sparing believers from the wrath to come).
The Pre-Wrath Rapture proponent points to the opening of the seventh seal (at a point of time within the last half of Daniel's 70TH Week) as the beginning of the Day of the Lord or the Day of Wrath, and therefore the time of the Rapture.
Therefore, we now concern ourselves with the question: "When does the Day of the Lord begin?"
I
First, it should be established that the Day of the Lord and the Day of Wrath are synonymous--see: Zephaniah 1:14,15.
Second, we can establish that the Day of the Lord is in fact an extended time period which also encompasses the millennial reign of Christ (Zechariah 14:1-4,8,9,20) and ends with the dissolution of the present heavens and the earth after the Great White Throne judgment (2 Peter 3:10- 13; Revelation 20:11-15). According to Isaiah 2, "that day" encompasses all the earthly prophetic events from the time when the Lord "ariseth to shake terribly the earth" (verses 19,21) to the Millennial kingdom of the exalted Christ (verses 2-4).
Third, the Pre-wrath Rapture innovation of distinguishing the Day of Wrath (a period of God's wrath) from the Great Tribulation (a time of man's wrath and Satan's wrath) has no Biblical warrant, simply because Matthew 24:21 states that the "Great Tribulation" (which begins with the
desecration of the Temple by the Antichrist in the middle of Daniel's 70TH Week) will be as bad as it gets! There is nothing worse to come ("...no, nor EVER SHALL BE.") See also: Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7. If the Day of the Lord is a separate period which follows the Great Tribulation, then, according to these Scriptures, it could not be so terrible! Furthermore, the Book of The Revelation makes it clear that divine judgments are in fact poured out with the opening of the seals (Revelation 6:7,8), as well as with the sounding of the trumpets (Revelation 8:7&c) and the pouring out of the vials (Revelation 16:2&c)--in other words, throughout all of Daniel's 70Th Week.
The Pre-wrath Rapture scheme of things also requires the Great Tribulation to be shortened in length to accommodate the Day of Wrath inside Daniel's 70TH Week. Support for this requirement is found in Matthew 24:22--"...except those days be shortened..." This verse does not teach that the Great Tribulation part of Daniel's 70TH Week will be made less than 3 1/2 years--it is stating that this world deserves far more of God's wrath and righteous judgment (to the point that no flesh be saved), but in His wonderful mercy (and for the sake of His elect--the Jews) God has already decreed this Great Tribulation to be of a short duration.
II
An apparent problem surfaces, however, when trying to establish the actual commencement point of the Day of the Lord. This is because Scripture passages such as 1Thessalonians 5:2,3 clearly state it will come unexpectedly and in a time of apparent peace, whereas other Scriptures such as Joel 2:31 with Matthew 24:29 would seem to place its beginning at the final battle of Armageddon and the return of Christ to the earth, preceded by visible signs.
As already noted, the only point in Daniel's 70TH Week when there will be apparent peace and safety on earth is when the Antichrist makes his appearance. This time of world peace will be short-lived, however, and from that time forth the earth will experience nothing but destruction, plagues, unrestrained wickedness, martyrdom, etc., to the end. Thus we see with the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6:12-17 that men recognize the "great day of his wrath is come"! Extending the `seal judgments' into the second half of Daniel's 70TH Week cannot be supported because the seventh seal introduces the `trumpet judgments'--Revelation 7:1,2&c--and the seventh trumpet sounds in Revelation 11:15 which occurs in the middle of the Week (see: Revelation 11:2; 12:6,14 where 42 months = 1,260 days = time + time + half a time = 3 1/2 years.)
This apparent problem is resolved when we consider three things:
ONE, the Old Testament seers, who spoke much of the Day of the Lord, were looking far off into the future and therefore did not always perceive the time perspective. This is analogous to looking at far-away mountains; we see the peaks, but not the distances between the peaks or the valleys in between. Remember, the Old Testament prophets did not see the `mysteries' of such things as a universal, invisible, spiritual kingdom of God (Mark 4:11), the indwelling Holy Spirit, or New Testament churches (Ephesians 5:32). Neither did they see the Rapture--I Corinthians 15:51! Old Testament prophecies looking far ahead to the Day of The LORD often see events as [apparently] concurrent.
TWO, the coming of the Day of the Lord is likened to childbirth--I Thessalonians 5:3. (See also the double prophecy of Isaiah 13:6-11, especially verse 8, and Jeremiah 30:6.) Labor in childbirth usually comes in waves of increasing intensity. The 70TH Week may begin with a hopeful peace, but quickly turns to travail. That this travail comes in waves may be discerned by studying the poured-out judgments in Revelation 6 through 16. There is mercy in God's wrath (Isaiah 60:10; Habakkuk 3:2) but with each ebb it seems man will not repent--Revelation 9:20,21. The climax of this travail comes when a new-born nation of Israel is delivered at the return of Jesus Christ (Zechariah 12:2,3,8-11; 13:1,6,8,9; Romans 11:26,27).
THREE, the celestial changes mentioned in Joel speak of the "great and terrible" day of the Lord, indicating this climactic point to be the final phase of that momentous travail. By the way, it is an error of interpretation to equate the `cosmic disturbances' of Revelation 6:12,13 (in the first half of Daniel's 70TH Week) with those of Matthew 24:29 (at the end of Daniel's 70TH Week). It is quite evident that there are at least three episodes of `cosmic disturbances' during this time--see: Revelation 8:12.
III
The Bible declares that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly (like a thief) at a time of apparent world peace, and will break upon the children of darkness (I Thessalonians 5:2-7). In this passage there is a series of contrasts between present-day believers ("ye," "we," "us," and "you") and those who will enter Daniel's 70TH Week ("they" and "them"). Paul clearly states that the members of the church at Thessalonica are "not of the night"--verse 5, and would not be overtaken by such a terrible day. It cannot be argued that present-day Christians could enter Daniel's 70TH Week and be cognizant of what was taking place because Jesus Himself taught His disciples that not only would the Day of the Lord come unexpectedly, but His coming for His own (the Rapture) would also be when least expected--Matthew 24:44; 25:5,6,13; Revelation 3:3.
The Rapture, in fact, heralds the beginning of the Day of the Lord (on earth) and the Day of Christ (in Heaven).
IV
Mid-Tribulationalists make much of the "last trump" in 1Corinthians 15:52, pointing out that the sounding of the seventh trumpet judgment occurs in Revelation 11:15 in the middle of Daniel's 70TH Week--thereby establishing the timing of the Rapture at this point.
This conclusion fails to note any obvious differences between the Rapture trumpet (called the "trump of GOD"--I Thessalonians 4:16) and the trumpets of judgment sounded by angels (Revelation 8:2). The last 3 trumpets, of which the seventh is part, bring woe to the inhabiters of the earth--Revelation 8:13. This seventh trumpet/third woe is explained in Revelation 12:12, and finishes the mystery of God (the "mystery of iniquity"--2 Thessalonians 2:7,8)--Revelation 10:7.
Only by gross spiritualization can the resurrection of the two (literal, 3 1/2-day-dead, visible) witnesses be made to represent the Rapture of the saints.
V
Post-Tribulationalists make much of the parable of the "Wheat and Tares" in Matthew 13:24-30, citing the statement, "Let both grow together until the harvest" (verse 30) as proof that there will be a single-phase coming of Christ at the climactic end of Daniel's 70TH Week.
Aside from the fact that it is dangerous to make doctrine out of the details of parables, suffice it to say that the harvest is a staged event--Christ the firstfruits (I Corinthians 15:23a), the Rapture being the main part of the first resurrection (I Corinthians 15:23b). The second resurrection actually occurs after the Millennium! In the parable the tares are separated "to [future] burn," but the wheat is gathered into the barn. The Rapture will cause a separation between the wheat and tares. The saved will be taken home to the `barn' and the tares will be bound for a future burning.
IMMINENCY
This brings us to the next important consideration--imminency. By the imminent return of Christ we mean that the Lord Jesus Christ could return at any moment, that there are no specific prophetic events which must come to pass before the Rapture can happen. It does not mean that Christ will come soon, only that He may come soon. (Naturally, those who believe the Rapture will occur at some point within Daniel's 70TH Week reject this view of imminency, because if churches and present-day believers were to enter this period there would be numerous signs of His coming.)
The first sign of Christ's coming (Matthew 24:3f) is the "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15) which occurs in the middle of Daniel's 70TH Week. As already noted, this portion of Scripture is set in a distinctively Jewish context; furthermore, it is always the JEWS who require a sign--I Corinthians 1:22a, not the churches. There are no signs associated with any clear Rapture passage--only the instruction for the believer to be ready!
In the latter portion of Matthew 24, the Lord speaks of His return as it relates to present-day saints. Here, we are instructed to watch (verse 42), be ready (verse 44), and be busy (verse 46). Watch for what? The Antichrist? The False Prophet? No!!--the BLESSED HOPE and GLORIOUS APPEARING of our Lord Jesus Christ--Titus 2:13. The members of the church in Thessalonica were busy serving the Lord as they waited for--the wrath to come? No!--God's Son to return. We are instructed to OCCUPY until He comes--Luke 19:13.
It is interesting to note that whenever the Apostle Paul wrote of Christ's return for His saints, he included himself in the expectation of an any- time, any-moment Rapture (for example, see: 1Corinthians 15:51,52; 1Thessalonians 4:15,17 where Paul uses the "we" in contrast to the "they" and "them" believers who had already gone home to be with the Lord). He said, "We shall not all sleep." What a contrast our hope is with the hope of those embroiled in the horrific events of Daniel's 70TH Week given in Revelation 14:13--"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth"!
One of the common arguments raised against an imminent Rapture is the fact that when Paul was saved on the Damascus highway, God prophesied that he would preach to Gentiles, kings, and Jews--Acts 9:15. Therefore, it is contended, it would have been impossible for the Rapture to take place before Paul had completed his life's work. Yet Paul's own testimony was that he was looking for the Rapture--Philippians 3:20. And while he was looking for the Rapture, he was also expecting to die at any time--I Corinthians 15:30,31. The fact is, Paul's great object in life was to do the will of God. He did not have a "to do" list of things which had to be accomplished before Christ could come--everything he planned was "God willing"--Acts 18:21; Romans 1:10,13; 1Corinthians 4:19a; etc. Besides, how long did it take for him to fulfill Acts 9:15 anyway?? He preached to Jews straightway--Acts 9:20. It is quite possible that he preached to Aretas the king--2 Corinthians 11:32. He also preached to Grecians (Gentiles) in Acts 9:29, not to mention those in Arabia--Galatians 1:16,17--all of this long before he came to Thessalonica. (Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians is considered to be his first letter.)
The same answer applies to the argument of the Lord's prophecy concerning the Apostle Peter in John 21:18,19. Peter himself instructed believers in his day to "hope to the end" (I Peter 1:13). He never taught them to `hope for his death'! Besides, within days of receiving this prophecy, Peter's life was in peril. (See: Acts 4:3; and Acts 5:18.) When Peter's death seemed imminent (Acts 12:1-5), do we find the members of the church at Jerusalem rejoicing that the way for the Rapture to occur was about to be cleared? No! They were praying that God would spare Peter.
Imminency, when fully comprehended, has a profound effect upon the life of a Christian (I John 2:28-3:3). When we truly believe that at any moment of time we could be in the very presence of our Lord and Saviour, our lives will be effected radically. On the other hand, if one expects to enter Daniel's 70TH Week, that too would have a profound effect; but in this case the Christian would be better off looking for the Antichrist and preparing for an almost certain death (Revelation 6:11; 13:7,15). One might wonder if there will be any "which are alive and remain" when Christ finally would come! Jesus Himself, in Matthew 24:48,49, warned of the danger of believing that His coming might not be today. We are to have our `loins girded' in preparation for this moment--Luke 12:35-40. That means: ready to go, brother!!
What instructions would you give to someone if you knew they were to enter this period of unparalleled tribulation? Would you tell them to stock up on food stuffs (Revelation 6:6; 13:17)? Would you advise them to find a hiding place (Revelation 13:14)? Would you beg them not to believe anything they heard or saw (Revelation 13:14)? Would you warn them to expect death by beheading (Revelation 20:4)? In contrast, what instructions does the Bible give the churches of Jesus Christ "till he come"? Consistently, they are instructed to be faithful in their service, to watch, and to be ready at all times--Philippians 3:20; 1Thessalonians 1:9,10; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:28. They are never told to prepare for the worst, just to be ready for the best.
There are a number of Scriptural illustrations of a PRE-Tribulational Rapture. For example, we could look at Enoch and Noah--one raptured, the other preserved through the judgment of God and emerging to a new world order. We could consider the story of Lot--removed from Sodom before God's judgment could fall (Genesis 19:22). Rahab, the converted harlot, was spirited out of her house on Jericho's wall before the city's destruction--Joshua 6:22,23. We see Daniel, conspicuous by His absence as the three HEBREWS went through the fire kindled by a forerunner of the Antichrist.
We must never lose sight of the fact that our Lord is returning. Despite the words of many doubters and detractors (2 Peter 3:4), His promise is sure! Only the longsuffering grace of God prevents the dawning of that day (2 Peter 3:9), but one day Christ will come! In the meantime, you and I who are Christ's must be busy doing the will of God--getting others ready by preaching the Gospel to every creature.
[Way of Life Literature, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277]
http://www.wayoflife.org/articles/rapture.htm
END-TIME APOSTASY IS A BIBLE DOCTRINE
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Copyright 1996. These articles cannot be stored on BBS or Internet sites and cannot be sold or placed by themselves or with other material in any electronic format for sale, but may be distributed for free by e-mail or by print. They must be left intact and nothing removed or changed, including these informational headers. This is a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal is not devotional but is TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. If you desire to receive this type of material on a regular basis, e-mail us, give us your name, address, and the name of the church you are a member of, and request to be placed on the list. Please note that this is not a free service. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and each subscriber is expected to participate. To unsubscribe or to submit a change of address, send your name and the request to fbns@wayoflife.org. This is not an automated list. Changes in the database often require two to four days to activate. Some of these articles are from O Timothy magazine. David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 13th year of publication. Subscription is $20/yr. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site -- http://www.wayoflife.org/.]
September 1, 1996 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - End-time apostasy is not a figment of a Fundamentalist's imagination; it is a Bible doctrine. New Testament prophecy describes two separate streams of "Christianity" operating side by side throughout the church age. First, there will be true apostolic churches, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They will be persecuted, hated, despised, yet they will continue century by century until Christ's return. The Lord Jesus promised His faithful ones: "Lo, I am with you alway, EVEN TO THE END OF THE WORLD" (Matthew 28:20). Second, there will be apostate churches, which will increase in number and grow worse and worse as the centuries pass. Consider the following Scriptures:
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. ... And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. ... For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:4,11,24).
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29,30).
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming" (2 Thess. 2:3-8).
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth" (1 Timothy 4:1-3).
"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13).
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not" (2 Peter. 2:1-3).
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 3-4).
"And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration" (Revelation 17:1-6).
The parables of Christ in Matthew 13 depict the course of this present "church age," and they describe a progression of apostasy. ["Apostasy" refers to falling away from the true Faith.] The parable of the leaven, for example, depicts a woman putting leaven into three measures of meal, "till the whole was leavened." Leaven in Scripture stands for sin and error (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9). Thus the parable tells us that the error which was introduced by false teachers even during the days of the Apostles will gradually increase through the centuries until the entire religious system is leavened. The ultimate fulfillment of this is in Revelation 17.
The apostasy began during the lives of the Apostles and has steadily increased through the centuries. John wrote, "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1 John 2:18). John taught that there will be a future antichrist, singular; but he is preceded by many antichrists, plural. We believe the antichrist, singular, refers to the man of sin who will rule the end-time kingdom described in Daniel 9-11; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:3-12; and Revelation 13. The antichrists, plural, refer to all who reject apostolic truth in favor of satanic deception and man-made tradition. Thus the "antichrist" is both a man and a system; it is both one man, and many men. It is in this latter sense that the popes throughout history are identified with antichrist.
Another passage which teaches the same truth is 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." In the days of the Apostles the "mystery of iniquity" was already working, and it will culminate in the promotion of the man of sin, the Wicked One, the Antichrist, who will assume the throne of this world for a brief span. We are told that the culmination of this will not occur until just prior to the return of Christ, because the Wicked One will be destroyed "with the brightness of his coming." The "mystery of iniquity" is that program of evil whereby the devil is attempting to corrupt the churches of Jesus Christ by sowing tares and apostasy. It is associated with "Mystery Babylon the Great" in Revelation 17.
We see the direct fulfillment of these prophecies in the Christian world today. It is evident in heretical bodies such as the Roman Catholic Church and the liberal World Council of Churches denominations, none of which are founded directly and exclusively upon the apostolic Faith or the apostolic church pattern. It is also evident in the ecumenical movement, which is calling for unity in diversity at the expense of Biblical truth and which is breaking down the walls of separation between truth and error.
David Cloud dcloud@wayoflife.org http://www.wayoflife.org/
1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Kinda depends on what you believe!
That's easy--the answer is
If that was a yes, then you are correct! :)
Some Baptists do not believe they can.
Why can't they? Jesus did say the he would not leave us nor forsake us until the end of time. Time has not ended until the day of judgement. Those who are left after the rapture, whether pre, mid , or post, will have another opportunity tio get saved. Some will spend eternity in heaven while others will be in hell.
I agree with you, those who take the mark will be condemned. There will be not turning back. In the book of rev( i am still looking) it talks about god sealing about 144,000. of his people. Correct me if I am wrong.
That's true, there is a lot more than that going on... :)
What I am looking at is revelations 7:3.
Saying, hurt not the earth ,neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Yes, people will get saved after the rapture.
Hmm, that is an intersting passage to add as proof they can, and to refute the Baptists that say they can't, I never thought of that before, thanks!
It might be in the article, I dont remember!
Any time, I am here to learn too.
If a person received the mark in his right hand, could Matt 5:30 provide a remedy?
If they received the mark, it would be because of what they chose, not what they did so much...
Receiving the MARK will be a deliberate choice, knowing what it means to receive, to reject Jesus.
There is enough Bible knowlege out there to see that receiving this mark means to receive the anti-Christ.
I do not think so,
Mth 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from here: for it is profitable thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
I believe this is talking about sin and what could be tempting us. Remove what is tempting us. Feel free to coirrect me if I am wrong.
Remember, we cannot fool God, no matter how hard we try. We wind up fooling ourselves.
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