As much as I find the idea appealing that the Lord will return and take believers out before the trials of Daniel’s 70th week and especially before Antichrist is revealed (since this begins a more widespread and unholy reign of terror and persecution against believers), I find that the passages referenced say the opposite.
It is clear that the return of Christ for the church coincides with the onset of a time referred to here as “the day of the Lord” or the “day of Christ”. It is also clear that this day does not arrive until AFTER the apostasy and the revealing of Antichrist in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week. This is the main point of II Thessalonians 2.
While I welcome being corrected either now by the Word of God or later when the Lord returns, I believe it will unfortunately be a tragic correction of those expecting His return to provide for their escape from tribulation, and as such this error will lead many to despair when they find it does not happen as they have been incorrectly taught.
there are strong arguments for BOTH thoughts on when the rapture wil take place- your ‘day of the Lord’ has been argued convincingly BOTH ways-
Bottom line is, the faithful will either have to endure harships never before imagined, and will be mostl likely strengthened by the Lord during htis time, or we will be taken before the hardships take place- God has said He will provide for htose who are saved during the tribulation, and there’s no reason to think He won’t provide for those who were already saved before the tribulation as well IF we indeeed must undergo a short period
Good attitude...I agree. Christ is what it is all about
But.... He is coming to take His church(His body) first.. (the rapture) It's all about restoring Israel in the seven year tribulation to be ready for the 1000 year reign of Messiah (Christ) when he returns (Zech 12-14, Isa. 11).
God's Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:3-16) will take over for the Body of Christ.
” I believe it will unfortunately be a tragic correction of those expecting His return to provide for their escape from tribulation, and as such this error will lead many to despair when they find it does not happen as they have been incorrectly taught.”
Amen. The despair and consequent loss of faith will be the fruit of the error.
Unlearner, you come across as a teachable, or at least open kind of guy. I’m back in law school after spring break, but in between times, I’d love to share with you on this subject I find most fascinating and relevant. As I think you or someone else pointed out, it is not central to our faith but is relevant as we grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
No matter what the adversity, the solution is through faith in Christ.