S. Kuhl, a US Navy combat veteran of Vietnam, is currently an online seminary student at Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.
S. Kuhl, a US Navy combat veteran of Vietnam, is currently an online seminary student at Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.
From an Orthodox Christian perspective, I can say that our Church knows nothing about the popular concept of a Rapture for 2,000 years and counting, and is well-acquainted with grief and tribulation, so after some confusion is dissipated I can see how this book fits in and look into it as a warning.
23 Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not [a]spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from You to do [b]such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth [c]deal justly?”
26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will [d]spare the whole place on their account.”
27 And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have [e]ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.
28 Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
29 He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”
30 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 And he said, “Now behold, I have [f]ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place.
https://martintrench.com/victorious-eschatology-a-simple-summary/
All this posturing about what will happen when, is nonsense. If you believe in Christ, read His words on when He will return, and how we are supposed to act prior.
Let me break it down, Barney style:
1. Only the Father knows
2. Our job is to be ready
That’s all.
I have not read the book, yet.
I would simply hope that the author is not arguing that trying to prevent evil governments, and evil actions by government, is wrong, as one of the things he thinks humans are doing to “avoid trials and tribulations”. If so, then he is making an argument similar to Jehovah’s Witnesses - non-participation in government.
Somehow I do not think Yeshua expects us to stand by and watch wrong doing’s that are within the realm of possibility for us to correct.