You said — “I attended the Prophecy Conference with over 4000 people at each service, it was a most blessed event. I did not hear all the speakers, and did not hear anyone predicting the Rapture although I heard about the rapture in scripture.”
That’s wonderful that you were able to attend. Did you get the CDs of the series? I see the speakers were the following —
Paul McGuire – The Coming One World Religion
David Hocking – What’s About to Happen in the Middle East
Jack Hibbs – What Are the Last Days and Why Should You Care?
Ed Hindson – Is the Antichrist Alive Today?
Britt Merrick – Why God Has Given Us Bible Prophecy?
Mark Hitchcock – The Late Great United States
David Reagan – What Happens When You Die?
Bob McEwen – Freedom in Crisis, A World View
Tim LaHaye – Will You Be Left Behind?
Bob McEwen – Finding Hope in the Global Crisis
In terms of anyone predicting the Rapture, I have not heard anyone of these well-known and major prophecy speakers, preachers and teachers ever doing that. I’ve certainly heard of *others* do that, in which they gain a following for a time and get people excited and then they go away. These guys don’t do that.
The reason why is that they understand the “doctrine of imminence”, and you’ll hear them speaking about it. They say that no “signs” will precede the coming of Jesus Christ, in the air, for the church, the Rapture. They say that there are no prophecies to be fulfilled before the Rapture. That’s why they call it a “signless event”. It will be a surprise and people will not be expecting it.
At the same time, we have to realize that Jesus Christ’s “second coming” to set up the Kingdom on earth is not a “signless event”. For one example, we can say that 1,260 days will elapse from the time of the abomination of desolation (the Antichrist in the Temple and stopping the sacrifices) to the coming of Jesus Christ to set up the Kingdom on earth. This is a *definite* time that can be “counted down” to that point of when He returns. All someone has to do, at that point in time, is count the exact days, and when you get to day 1259 — you know that Jesus Christ is coming *tomorrow* — exactly and right on the money.
So, there’s a difference between a “signless event” where no prophecies have to be fulfilled (for the Rapture, hence the “doctrine of imminence”)— and — all the prophecies that have to be fulfilled before Jesus Christ sets up the Kingdom on earth. Those two things are two different events, at two different times.
Now, it has been said that when you see that the “timing” for the “second coming” of Jesus Christ seems to be *coming quickly* (and *that* is not a signless event, as said above) — then — you know that the Rapture is coming *even more quickly*... (which is a signless event).
It’s like saying — “I see Christmas items being put up in the stores — so — Thanksgiving must be *really, really close*...” LOL...
You could say, the same thing — that “I see the signs for the second coming of Christ (to set up His Kingdom) lining up in many different ways, so the Rapture must be really really close!”
AND SO..., *this* is the most that you’ll ever hear from these guys (like the ones you heard at that prophecy conference) — in that they’ll say, “We see the signs of Christ coming to set up His Kingdom and things are lining up dramatically — so — the Rapture must be really really close!” And that’s about it. There is *still* the “doctrine of imminence” that they all adhere to — which is different than the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to set up His Kingdom, here on earth.
It’s the same way with me — when I see the Christmas decorations going into the stores — I do know that Thanksgiving is really really close!” :-)
Excellent Post ST!
I heard David Hocking and Ed Hinson..The other’s could not get into to see... In addition most of the material were selling out like Hotcakes..I bought the Book from Ed Hinson
The Coming of the Antichrist and one on the Rapture of the Church of course..:)
I heard no predictions, just biblical prophecy and being prepared in these perilous times.
You are right the Signs in Matthew are the 2nd Coming..
The Rapture has no signs, just be prepared, because it definetly happens before Jesus comes to rein on earth and we definetly see those signs daily!
Good points.