The Gospel

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

[Paul, writing to Christians @ Corinth, 1 Cor. 15:1-4]

Friday, May 15, 2009

Forty Summers and Beyond

A blur that was

forty cycles of summer and rain,

and looking back to the length of days

and brevity of nights,

to try and regain lost ground,

lost to the onslaught of possibilities

of what we might have become

had the years been gentler

moving out

than coming in.

The SECRET PRE-TRIBULATION, PRE-WRATH RAPTURE theories

[These Satanic theories will lead many in the church to apostatize in the last days (2Thess.2:3) because these will never happen in the manner taught by Pre-Trib, Pre-Wrath Rapture proponents, so please prayerfully study these talking points and share this post with as many Christians as you can. God bless you.]

TALKING POINTS ON THE SECRET PRE-TRIBULATION,
PRE-WRATH RAPTURE THEORIES

Thesis: The SECRET Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture Theories are heretical lies

(by: efren dlc agbulos, Baptist preacher (Asia Baptist Bible College 1995) Manila, Philippines, 2000)

1] Purposes of the Thessalonian missives:
[1 Thessalonians] was written to give assurance to Christians at Thessalonica concerning the future of believers who die before the Lord Jesus returns (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

[2 Thessalonians] was written to dispel rumors (2 Thess. 2:1-2) that (1 Thess. ch. 4) has already occurred, because, according to Paul, (1 Thess. ch. 4) will not occur until the apostasy occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed (2 Thess. 2:1-4).
Definitely the Thessalonian missives are not in agreement with Pre-Tribulation Rapture advocates who erroneously claim that (1 Thess. ch. 4) will occur first before the revelation of the man of lawlessness.
Furthermore, every respectable Bible commentator prior to 1830, when the false Rapture Theory came out Scotland, treat both letters as describing the 2nd Coming, the PAROUSIA, of the Lord Jesus.

TALKING POINTS

1] Read: John 3:13; 2 Kings 2:1; Heb. 11:5

Title: No man hath ascended up to heaven

(The Lord Jesus argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)
Pre-Tribulation Rapture advocates cannot use Elijah or Enoch to prove their point because the Lord Jesus testifies that "no man has ever gone into heaven" (John 3:13).

It was impossible for anyone to have been taken into heaven during the time of Elijah and Enoch (since sin had not been taken away, but just covered) because the Final Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus, had not been offered.

Secondly, we must understand the word "heaven" as describing the skies, or lower heaven. They were taken to the clouds, out of sight, to places we have no knowledge of.

Was the Lord Jesus lying when he said, "no one has ever gone into heaven"?
Or was there a possibility that the Lord Jesus just missed Elijah and Enoch because heaven was such a large place? THE LORD JESUS IS TRUTH.

2] Read: 2Thessalonians 2:6; Daniel 10:13: Dan. 12:1

Title: What withholdeth

(The Restrainer can never be the Holy Spirit)

According to Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture advocates, the restrainer in (2Thess. 2:6) is the Holy Spirit; and they claim that the Holy Spirit would be taken away to heaven in the church seven (7) years prior to the Parousia, the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus at the end of the age.

If there be so absurd a statement in the history of Christianity, this holds first place.
To take away the Holy Spirit is to take away the Father and the Son as well because they are God. God is indivisible. God is one. God is omnipresent.

To take away the Holy Spirit from one section of the universe (earth) is to deprive that segment of God and the power to hold together what has been created, and since the cosmos is like one seamless piece of cloth, it would mean the disintegration of the entire universe. But if they would argue that only the influence of the Holy Spirit is taken away or set aside, that would be veering away from the original language of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory.

Who, then, is the restrainer? The archangel Michael (Daniel 12:1).

3] Read: Revelation 20:5,6

Title: First resurrection

(The resurrections argue against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)
(The Bible teaches but two [2] resurrections)

Pre-Tribulation Rapture (3 resurrections)
1) at the so-called Rapture, 7 yrs. before the end of the age
2) at the end of the age
3) after a thousand years

Pre-Wrath Rapture. (3 resurrections)
1) 3 1/2 yrs. before the end of the age
2) at the end of the age
3) after a thousand years

The Bible (2 resurrections)
1) (v.6) first resurrection, at the end of the age
2) (v.5) after a thousand years
The Bible speaks of only two (2) resurrections: first at the Parousia, as described by Paul in (1Thess. 4:15-17), at the end of the age; the second after a thousand years.

4] Read: Acts 3:21

Title: Whom heaven must receive/
He must remain in heaven

(The Holy Spirit through Peter argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)

(receive: G1209, to take hold of)

The Lord Jesus will not leave heaven until the "restitution" (G605, restoration of a true theocracy) of all things. This will happen at the end of the age, during the Parousia, the Second Coming, the day the Lord Jesus returns to earth to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful.
But Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory proponents believe and teach that the Lord Jesus will leave heaven to descend to the clouds and then return to heaven again seven (7) yrs. before/prior to the end of the age.
This lie is in contradiction to the teaching of Scriptures, that the Lord Jesus will not leave heaven until the end of the age, when the kingdom is to be established.

5] Read: Matthew 13:24-30; Matt. 13:36-43

Title: Let both grow together until the harvest;
The harvest is the end of the world/ end of the age

(To be read in conjunction with [John 6:39,40,44,54])

(The Lord Jesus in The Parable of the Tares argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture Theories)

From the time the Lord Jesus sowed the good seed, up to the End of the Age, there will only be one harvesting, and that is on the day the Lord Jesus returns to earth to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful, at the resurrection of the dead, during the Parousia at the end of this age.
But proponents of the so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture teach that there will be a resurrection seven (7) yrs. before the end of the age, a teaching that opposes the words of the Lord Jesus who testifies that he will raise all those who have trusted in him at the end of this age.

6] (Charles H. Spurgeon argued against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

What many Baptists do not know is that Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) rejected the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory that was being popularized at that time by John Darby (1800-1882).

Spurgeon believed that the Baptist faith was exactly the same as the early Church under the apostles. He believed that (1Thess. 4:15-17) and the Resurrection would happen at the same time after the Great Tribulation.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the prince of preachers to many, rejected the Pre-Tribulation and the Pre-Wrath Rapture theories.

7] [Baptist Articles/Confessions of Faith argue against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture Theories)

Proponents of these heretical teachings may have overlooked the fact that their doctrines are not even included in their Articles of Faith.

If they would just go back to the the texts of Baptist Confessions of Faith, even from the 1600s, the tenor of the declarations doesn't give any inkling that they believed in either a Pre-Tribulation or a Pre-Wrath Rapture.

What is declared, they must admit, is the Second Coming, the visible bodily return of the Lord Jesus to earth to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful; Parousia in Greek, and will occur at the end of the age.

Paul was in agreement with the Baptist Articles of Faith because he used the word Parousia (Second Coming) in (1Thess. 4:15), describing the events surrounding the bodily return of the Lord Jesus to earth, as described in verses (16,17).

The challenge is simple: if Rapture advocates truly believe that the Lord Jesus would secretly descend in the clouds to snatch away the church seven (7) yrs. before/prior to the Parousia (Second Coming) at the end of the age, they must indicate it clearly in their Articles of Faith.

8] Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Title: Not appointed unto wrath

(Paul argues against the Pre-Wrath Rapture theory)

WRATH -- SALVATION

Notice that in (5:9) "wrath" stands opposite "salvation," since Paul wanted to give emphasis to the TWO FINAL ESTATES of men, and will be obtained at the Parousia, the return of the Lord Jesus to earth at the end of this age, and more particularly explained in (2Thess. 1:6-10).

"Salvation" is here used with our final completed salvation in mind; in the same manner "wrath" is here referring to the wrath of God on the day of the Lord, the day the Lord Jesus returns to earth at the end of this age, and is not alluding in any way to the period of tribulation.

9] Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Title: Unto the coming (Parousia) of the Lord

(so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture is not the Second Coming)

(so-called PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE): The Lord Jesus will not come down to earth, but descend only to the clouds SEVEN (7) YRS. BEFORE THE END OF THE AGE

(SECOND COMING): The visible return to earth of the Lord Jesus AT THE END OF THE AGE to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful
Since the so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture or the Pre-Wrath Rapture is obviously not the Second Coming because of the disparity in time element and in the action of the Lord Jesus, advocates of these false teachings may not, can not, use the following verses that describe an event that will take place at the END OF THE AGE, not seven (7) yrs. before the end of the age; and they may not refer to the so-called rapture as the Second Coming. Again, whenever the Second Coming is mentioned in the Bible, the time element is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS the end of the age:
1) Matthew 24:3
2) 1 Cor. 15:23
3) 1 Cor. 16:17
4) 1 Thess. 2:19
5) 1 Thess. 3:13
6) 1 Thess. 4:15
7) 1 Thess. 5:23
8) 2 Thess. 2:1
9) 2 Thess. 2:8,9
10) James 5:7,8
11) 2 Pet. 1:16
12) 2 Pet. 3:4
13) 2 Pet. 3:12
14) 1 Jn. 2:28

Therefore, Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture advocates better find verses other than those listed above to prove their point, because those verses will be fulfilled at the END OF THE AGE.

10] Read: John 17:15,20

Title: I pray not

(The Lord Jesus argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)

It was the will of the Lord Jesus in his prayer to the Father before he suffered on the cross, that the church "not be taken out of the world but that the Father protect them from the evil one."

(Picture the Israelites under God's protection while the rest of Egypt is being devastated by plagues; and Noah and his family safe in the ark amidst the flood)

But some would argue that this applies only to the followers of the Lord Jesus during his time.

(John 17:20) would answer that argument, for the Lord Jesus himself declared that his prayer embraces all believers in all the ages to come, even up to this age in which we live.

11] Read: Revelation 19:7

Title: The marriage of the Lamb is come

(John argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)

One of the elements of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory and taught with zeal by its proponents is the wedding of the Lamb which, according to them, will occur in heaven once the church had been raptured in (Rev. 4:1), seven (7) years prior to the end of the age.

Is this teaching Biblical?

On the contrary, it is a heretical teaching because the Lord Jesus has revealed to John that the wedding of the Lamb will occur on earth in (Rev. 19:7) during the Parousia at the end of this age, when the Lord Jesus returns to earth to set up His kingdom, judge His enemies, and reward the faithful.

It is quite a distance between (Rev. ch. 4) and (Rev. ch. 19).

(Those who teach these heretical doctrines have failed to study them in-depth, their origins, as well as the context of both Thessalonian missives; and thus put in peril the faith of many believers)

12] Read: Matthew 28:20

Title: Even unto the end of the world/ to the very end of the age

[The Lord Jesus argues against the Pre-Tribulation/ Pre-Wrath Rapture Theories]

Can we agree that (Matt. 28:20) is the Great Commission given to the church by the Lord Jesus? Of course, we can!

(Matt. 28:20) is the appointed task given to the church by the Lord Jesus; and up to what point in time was the church charged to "go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you"? UP TO THE END OF THE WORLD/ THE END OF THE AGE.

Up to what point in time will the Lord Jesus be with the church as it fulfills its commission? UP TO THE END OF THE AGE.

Did the Lord Jesus forget to tell us about the Pre-Tribulation/ Pre-Wrath Rapture theories? No, He did not, because there are no such events!

(We should remember that Pre-Trib/ Pre-Wrath Rapture advocates teach that the church will be snatched out from earth 7 yrs./ 3 1/2 yrs. prior to the end of the age)

The Lord Jesus says that the church will be found on earth even up to the end of this age. And Paul also says that (1Thess. 4:15-17) will occur at the end of the age: "coming" (v. 15).

13] Read: John 6:39,40,44,54

Title: At the last day

[The Lord Jesus argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture Theories]

When will Christians who have died be raised?:

1) Pre-Tribulation Rapture: 7 yrs. before the end of the age

2) Pre-Wrath Rapture: 3 1/2 yrs. before the end of the age

3) According to the Lord Jesus: at the end of the age

Four times (for emphasis) in the sixth chapter of the gospel according to John, the Lord Jesus reiterated that it was the Father's will that all those who look to and believe in Him (the Lord Jesus) will be raised at the last day or the day of the Lord or end of the age, as that day is also referred to.

Now to believe in a Pre-Tribulation or Pre-Wrath Rapture would make the words of the Lord Jesus meaningless, if not deceptive. By any stretch of the imagination "all" means "all". With no exception, every believer who has fallen asleep in the Lord Jesus, from the inception of His earthly ministry up to the end of the age will be raised on that day, during the Parousia when He returns to earth to establish Him kingdom, the day of the resurrection.

Who are we to believe? None other than the Lord Jesus!

(And the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, Pre-Wrath Rapture Theories are teachings that cannot be supported Biblically)

(What about 1Thess. 4:15-17? The theme of both Thessalonian missives is the "coming," (4:15) the Parousia: the SECOND COMING, the return of the Lord Jesus at the end of this age to set up His kingdom, judge His enemies, and reward the faithful)

14] Read: Revelation 1:1

Title: To shew unto his servants

[THE BOOK OF REVELATION ARGUES AGAINST THE PRE-TRIBULATION, PRE-WRATH RAPTURE THEORIES]

The church will witness the entirety of the book of Revelation, the tenor of the first three (3) verses attesting to this, and for the obvious reason that the book was addressed to Christians, particularly to those living in this age: to show them what they have to prepare for and "overcome" [G3528: to conquer; subdue; to be victorious] (2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21). Here the word used by John carries the idea of "endurance until victory is achieved."

Still many would argue that (4:1) points to a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, which is an erroneous reading, since it is not clear whether John was bodily taken to heaven or only given a vision (sight by mind), the latter being most plausible; and that the purpose for the trumpet call was for revelation and not to provide an escape for John from tribulation.

Another area of interest Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture advocates have to clarify is: Why warn the churches and tell them to overcome (conquer, subdue, be victorious) in (chs. 2 & 3), and then prevent them from overcoming by taking them out of the scene in the next chapter (ch. 4), before all hell breaks loose?
Clearly the atmosphere and language of Revelation are pregnant with the idea of "endurance to the end."

NOTE: The church not mentioned until (22:16)? SEE: (6:11; 7:9,14; 19:10; 22:9)

15] Read: Daniel 9:25-27

Title: And he shall confirm

(The Lord Jesus, the Messiah, will confirm a covenant with the Jews in [9:27])

The modern mainstream interpretation of (Dan. 9:25-27) hinges primarily on the anti-Christ, when the traditional view of the first part or (v.27) points to Messiah.
The word "confirm" in (v.27) is the Hebrew word "gabar" (H1396), which literally means "to put strength to something existing". Obviously, only God had a prior covenant with the Jews, and was confirmed by the Lord Jesus during his 3 1/2-year ministry which culminated in his sacrificial death on the cross, and also signalled the end of the law and the sacrificial system of the temple; although there was maintained, after the veil to the holy of holies had been torn in two, animal sacrifices that were already an abomination to God.

(v.27b, will destroy) destruction of the temple in AD 70.

(The remaining 3 1/2 years?) Points to 3 1/2 years of tribulation before the Parousia, the bodily return of the Lord Jesus at the end of this age.

Addendum:
A literal temple has to be in existence for these verses to go the way of an "anti-Christ" interpretation. At present there is none, and no temple will be built for two main reasons (and there could be more): The priesthood has been abolished, and we are now the temple of God.

16] Read: Acts 14:22

Title: Through much tribulation

(Paul and Barnabas argue against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)

If the Lord Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered (Heb. 5:8), in the same manner that it is only through MANY persecution and tribulation that the Christian would enter the kingdom of God, and for various reasons: cleansing and affirmation of faith, for only those who would endure to the end are truly saved.

We have been promised tribulation (John 16:33) in this life, after the pattern of the life of the Lord Jesus, and we are no better than him that we should expect exemption from persecution. And since it has been promised, it is actually a blessing.

(The main error of Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theory proponents is in pegging their teaching to one verse [1Thess. 4:17], without considering the context of [1&2 Thess.] and their relationship to the rest of the Scriptures)

17] Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:4

Title: God's temple

The traditional rendering of this verse is a rebuilt temple in present-day Jerusalem, which doesn't hold substance if we are to consider the abolition of the Aaronic priesthood, which was absolute and with finality, and the destruction of records on Jewish lineage when the library, together with the temple, was plundered and burned in A.D. 70, making it impossible to trace ancestry to the patriarchs with any degree of certainty.

Without the priesthood, the construction of a new temple is not on the table.
God's temple is seen here as a people, a nation established to foster Christianity, a beacon on a hill as a testimony to the world, none other than the U.S.A.

At the appointed time, as President of the U.S.A., B.H. Obama will reveal his true identity: the counterfeit savior of the world.

18] Read: 1 Thess. 4:15,16

Title: The coming

If we could establish beyond reasonable doubt the timeline where this event would fall in the context of the verses themselves, we would be able to establish what Paul was referring to, whether an event occurring 7 or 3 1/2 YEARS BEFORE the End of the Age (Pre-Tribulation/ Pre-Wrath Rapture) or an incident that will transpire at the End of the Age (Parousia).

And the winner is: PAROUSIA (4:15), which will occur at the very End of this Age.
Coming = Parousia

Paul was describing the events at the End of the Age. Period. This is a single event, without a second phase.

19] Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Title: Unto the COMING of the Lord

(Adam Clarke [1760-1832] argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)

(Adam Clarke was a prolific scholar who wrote a commentary on the Bible which took him 40 years to complete, published 1810-1832)

Were the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories acknowledged teachings prior to the 1830s?

In consideration of the Commentary and Critical Notes by Adam Clarke, it seems unlikely that these teachings were even known in the church at that time. Clarke, in his notes on (1Thess. 4:15) wrote: "WE MAY SUPPOSE THAT THE JUDGMENT WILL NOW BE SET, AND THE BOOKS OPENED, AND THE DEAD JUDGEDNOUT OF THE THINGS WRITTEN IN THOSE BOOKS."

How in the world did a Bible commentator of Clarke's caliber and scholarship fail to mention a Pre-Tribulation or a Pre-Wrath Rapture event in conjunction with (1Thess. 4:15-17)? The answer is simple: he did not fail, because prior to the 1830s, when the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory came out of Scotland, it was unknown among the congregations and in Christian literature.

Clarke was justified in interpreting (1Thess. 4:15-17) as the Parousia, the Second Coming at the end of the age, and not a snatching away of the church seven (7) years before the end of the age.

20] 1 Thessalonians 4:15

(1 Thess. 4:15) argues against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory

A sound hermeneutical investigation of (1 Thess. 4:15) will lead an earnest student of Scriptures to the conclusion that Paul was pointing to the PAROUSIA or the Second Coming, the return of the Lord Jesus at the end of this age to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful, in this particular missive as in the follow-up letter (2 Thess.); a simple word study would have made that clear.
In inferring that there would be two phases to the Second Coming and that the Lord Jesus would be returning to heaven with the church after (v.17), Pre-Tribulation Rapture advocates have grossly erred by reading into the verses (eisegesis) what the passages don’t prescribe.

Nowhere in both Thessalonian letters was there an indication of a two-part PAROUSIA or the Lord Jesus returning to heaven after the events described in (1 Thess. 4:13-18). In fact, the word “meet” in (v. 17), “apantesis” in Greek, is used in the papyri of a newly arriving magistrate (Vine's Expository Dictionary), and “It seems that the special idea of the word was the official welcome of a newly arrived dignitary” (Moulton, Greek Test. Gram. Vol. I, p. 14). Judging by the meaning of the word and the context of (1 Thess. 4:13-18) the Lord Jesus is the dignitary whom the church would welcome while still in the clouds as he was on his way down to earth.
Simply put, the Thessalonian letters speak of one event only, the PAROUSIA, the Second Coming. Period.

21] [1 John 2:28] (The apostle John argues against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory)

John was looking forward to the PAROUSIA or the Second Coming, the return of the Lord Jesus at the end of this age to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful.

In the same way, the apostle Paul was describing the PAROUSIA in his Thessalonian missives, which makes them in total agreement as to the timeline of the Lord’s appearing, for it would have been an absurdity on the part of John to encourage believers to persevere until the PAROUSIA if there would occur an intervening Pre-Tribulation Rapture seven (7) years prior to the Second Coming.
Was John wrong in not mentioning a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, and instead look forward to the PAROUSIA only? Of course not! John and Paul were both looking forward to the Second Coming alone.
19) Revelation 22:7

22] (Rev. 22:7) argues against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory

If the church had been taken away and the Holy Spirit taken away as well as early as (Rev. ch. 4), to whom was the Lord Jesus speaking at this point (22:7)?
keepeth: (tereo) to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard (from loss or injury)
If we are to believe the Pre-Tribulation Rapture advocates, the Lord Jesus would not be speaking to Christians as this juncture, because they are no longer on earth, so what is written beyond (Rev. ch. 4) should not concern them; and obviously not to those left behind because without the Holy Spirit there would be no salvation and no understanding of the Bible because the Word of God is spiritually understood.
This instruction by the Lord Jesus to “guard” the entirety of the revelation contained in this book was addressed to his servants/Christians (1:1) as its custodian, to be a source of encouragement to those who would be witnesses to these events; to make use of the prophecy revealed in advance to the people of God to comfort them during days of darkness, trial, and persecution.

The book of Revelation is a divine communication from God to his servants from chapter 1 to chapter 22. The church would witness the unfolding of the prophecy contained in this book to its completeness; and it was written for her comfort and encouragement as she endures to the end.

23] (Heb. 9:28) argues against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory

The main error of Pre-Tribulation Rapture advocates is in ascribing to their arguments verses that are hermeneutically and contextually assigned to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, the Parousia, or the return of the Lord Jesus at the end of this age to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful.

If (Heb. 9:28) actually is the Second Coming, it will take place at the End of the Age. Where, then, shall we place the Pre-Tribulation Rapture? Of course, seven (7) years prior to the Second Coming; but the problem is that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory assigns to itself what (Heb. 9:28) declares will occur at the End of the Age. Granting, for the sake of argument, that the Lord Jesus would “bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” during the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, what is left to transpire at the Second Coming which (Heb. 9:28) describes?

There will only be two (2) appearances of the Lord Jesus:
1) at his birth 2) at the end of the age, at the Parousia

What the Pre-Tribulation Rapture advocates have done was to rob the Second Coming at the End of the Age of its substance and meaning and placed them upon their heretical teaching.

24] Read: Hebrews 9:28

Title: Appear the second time

(The book of Hebrews argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)

(v. 28) is to be understood as the Lord Jesus' glorious return to earth at the end of this age to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful; a.k.a. the Second Coming, a.k.a. the Parousia.

Paul used that word (1Thess. 4:15, "coming" = parousia) in describing the events surrounding the bodily return of the Lord Jesus to earth, as outlined in (1Thess. 4:15-17).

The Lord Jesus will appear only twice:
1) at his birth
2) at the Second Coming at the end of this age

Nowhere in Scriptures was it ever foretold, or even mentioned in passing, that the Lord Jesus will "secretly and quietly appear for the church" between his birth and his Second Coming at the End of the Age. The Bible doesn't mention such an intervening event.

25] Read: John ch. 14

Title: (v.28) I am coming back to you

(John ch. 14 argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)

Proponents of the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories have taken the first four verses of John and concluded that these are proof texts for their doctrine, without considering the entirety of the book and the 14th chapter in particular, the primary reference of which is the Parousia, the Second Coming at the end of the age.

Had they bothered to consult reputable Bible commentators, they would discover a common vein in interpreting (John 14:1-4) as occurring at the end of the age, the day the Lord Jesus returns to earth to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful.

These verses are in no way referring to an event that occurs seven (7) years before the end of the age.

26] Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Title: Coming

(1Thess. 4:15 argues against the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture theories)
A sound hermeneutical investigation of (1Thess. 4:15) will lead a diligent student of Scriptures to the conclusion that Paul was pointing to the PAROUSIA (coming: G3952, parousia) or the Second Coming, the return of the Lord Jesus to earth at the end of the age to set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful, in this letter as in the follow-up missive (2Thess.).

In inferring that there would be two (2) phases to the Second Coming and that the Lord Jesus would return to heaven with the church after (v.17), Pre-Tribulation proponents have grossly erred by reading into the verses (eisegesis) what the passages don't prescribe.

Nowhere in both Thessalonian letters was there an indication of a two-part PAROUSIA or the Lord Jesus returning to heaven after the events described in (1Thess. 4:13-17). In fact, the word "meet" in (v.17), "apantesis" in Greek, is used in the papyri of a newly arriving magistrate (Vine's Expository Dictionary), and "it seems that the special idea of the word was the official welcome of a newly arriving dignitary" (Moulton, Greek Test. Gram. Vol. I, p.14). Judging by the meaning of the word and by the context of (1Thess. 4:13-17), the Lord Jesus is the dignitary whom the church would welcome in the clouds, as he was on the way down to earth.

The Rapture Theory:
It's Surprising Origin
by Ernest L. Martin, Ph.D., 1976
Almost all Christians are interested in prophecy. This is especially so if the prophecies show what will happen to Christians themselves. There is nothing wrong in desiring such personal knowledge. Even our Lord gave a considerable amount of teaching about the circumstances to befall His people at the end of the age (Matthew 24:22-25). All of us share a common concern in wanting to know about the participants, the chronology, and the geography of those prophecies. To comprehend the full knowledge of them it is obvious that all relevant statements of our Lord and His apostles must be properly interpreted and placed into a coherent order. Many Christians have attempted to do this. As a consequence, the doctrine of the Rapture has arisen. So important has it become to many that the teaching is now sanctioned as the prime revelation from God to show what will happen Lo members of His church just before and during the second coming of Christ. Some even look on it as the heart and core of present Christian expectations! Because of this, it will pay us to review what the doctrine is all about.
The word "Rapture" is not found in the Bible. There is also no single word used by the biblical authors to describe the prophetic factors which comprise the doctrine. Its formulation has come about by means of induction. Certain biblical passages concerning the second coming (and the role that Christians will play in that event) have been inductively blended together to establish the teaching. The modern expression "Rapture" was then invented to explain the overall teaching and the term suits the subject well. The basic tenets of the doctrine are uninvolved. Simply put, it purports that Christ will come back to this earth in two phases. He will first return invisibly to rapture His church away from this world so that they might escape (or partially escape the prophetical tribulation to occur near the end of the age, then later Christ will return in a visible advent to dispense His wrath on the world's nations. This is the general teaching.
Many details concerning these prime factors, however, are hotly debated. There is especially much argument over the chronological features associated with it. Some think the time lapse between the two phases will be 3 1/2 years, others say 7 years. Some feel that the Rapture of the church occurs before the Tribulation, others about mid-way through, Many suggest that the church will be taken to heaven for protection, but a few have proposed a geographical area on this earth. There are those who feel that only part of the church will escape, while others say all will he rescued, These variations, along with others, have multiplied the interpretations to such an extent that many diverse secondary opinions exist among those holding the belief. But all are unanimous on one point: the central theme of the Rapture shows that Christ will return to earth in two phases.

The Newness of the Doctrine
It may come as a surprise to many Christians, but the doctrine of the Rapture is not mentioned in any Christian writings, of which we have knowledge, until after the year 1830 A.D. Whether the early writers were Greek or Latin, Armenian or Coptic, Syrian or Ethiopian, English or German, orthodox or heretic, no one mentioned a syllable about it. Of course, those who feel the origin of the teaching is in the Bible would say that it only ceased being taught (for some unknown reason) at the close of the apostolic age only to reappear in 1830 A.D. But if the doctrine were so clearly stated in Scripture, it seems incredible that no one should have referred to it before the 19th century. This does not necessarily show that the teaching is wrong, but it does mean that thousands of eminent scholars who lived over a span of seventeen centuries (including some of the most astute of the "Christian Fathers" and those of the Reformation and post-Reformation periods) must be considered as prophetic dunces for not having understood so fundamental a teaching. We are not denigrating the doctrine in mentioning these historical facts. That is not our intention. But we do feel that the Foundation should show the historical problems associated with the teaching. This lapse of seventeen centuries when no one mentioned anything about it must be a serious obstacle to its reliability.
Its Beginning
The result of a careful investigation into the origin of the Rapture has been recently published. The book is an excellent one which deserves to be read by all people interested in the subject. Its title: "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin" by Dave MacPherson. He catalogs a great deal of historical material which answers the doctrine's mysterious derivation. We wish to review the results of his research. In the middle 1820's a religious environment began to be established among a few Christians in London. England which proved to be the catalyst around which the doctrine of the Rapture emerged. Expectations of the soon coming of our Lord were being voiced, This was no new thing, but what, was unusual was the teaching by a Presbyterian minister named Edward Irving that there had to be a restoration of the spiritual gifts mentioned in I Corinthians 12-14 just before Christ's second coming. To Irving, the time had come for those spiritual manifestations to occur. Among the expected gifts was the renewal of speaking in tongues and of spirit-motivated prophetic utterances. Irving began to propagate his beliefs. His oratorical skills and enthusiasm caused his congregation in London to grow. Then a number of people began to experience the "gifts." Once this happened opposition from the organized churches set in. It resulted in Irving's dismissal from the Presbyterian church in 1832. His group then established themselves as the Catholic Apostolic Church and continued the teachings of Irving.
These events were the beginnings of what some call present day Pentecostalism. Indeed Irving has been called by some church historians "the father of modern Pentecostalism." What does all this have to do with the origin of the Rapture doctrine? Very much indeed. Let us look at what happened in the year 1830 -- two years before Irving's dismissal from the Presbyterian church. In that year a revival of the "gifts" began to be manifested among a few people living in the lowlands of Scotland. They experienced what they called the outpouring of the Spirit. It was accompanied with speaking in "tongues" and other charismatic phenomena. Irving had been preaching these things must occur, and now they were.
On one particular evening. the power of the Holy Spirit was said to have rested on a Miss Margaret .Macdonald while she was in a state of illness at home. She was dangerously sick and thought she was dying. In spite of this (or perhaps because she is supposed to have come under "power" of the spirit for several successive hours during which she experienced the manifestations of "mingled prophecy and vision." The message she received during this prophetic vision convinced her that Christ was going to appear in two stages at His second coming -- and not one! The emanation revealed that Christ would first come in glory to them that look for Him and again in a final stage when every eye would see Him. It was this visionary experience of Miss Macdonald which represents the prime source of the modern Rapture doctrine as the historical evidence compiled by Mr. MacPherson abundantly shows.
The Influence of John Darby
Many people have thought that John Darby, the founder of the Plymouth Brethren, was the originator of the Rapture doctrine. This is not the case. Darby was a brilliant theologian with outstanding scholarly abilities. Even those who have disagreed with his teachings admit that he, and many associated with him, helped to cause a revival in biblical learning throughout the evangelical world (which even has been perpetuated down to our own present day). All who love biblical research ought to be thankful for what Darby and especially his associates accomplished for biblical scholarship. They particularly helped pave the way for the renewal of modern lexical studies of the languages of the Bible. The doctrine of "dispensationalism" was also a teaching they brought to the attention of the Protestant world.
It had long been thought by many Christians that the Rapture doctrine originated with ,John Darby. It is now known that this is not true. Darby only popularized it. Scofield and others who took over Darby's mantle later helped to make it respectable, Today, many of those in the evangelical sphere of Christianity are so certain of its veracity that it is accepted as the absolute truth of God. The fact is, however, John Darby received the knowledge of the doctrine from someone else. The source was the Margaret Macdonald mentioned above.
The studies of Mr. MacPherson show that her sickness during which she received her visions and revelations occurred sometime between February 1 and April 14, 1830. And by late spring and early summer of 1830, her belief in the two phases of Christ's coming was being mentioned in praise and prayer meetings in several towns of western Scotland. In these meetings some people were speaking in "tongues" and other charismatic occurrences were in evidence. These extraordinary and strange events in western Scotland so attracted John Darby that he made a trip to the area to witness himself what was going on. Though he did not approve of the ecstatic episodes that he witnessed. it is nonetheless significant that Darby, after returning from Scotland, began to teach that Christ's second coming would occur in two phases. MacPherson shows good evidence that Darby had even visited Miss Macdonald in her home. There can hardly he any doubt that the visions of Miss Macdonald are the source of the modern doctrine.

A GUIDE IN PRESENTING THE GOSPEL

SIN (Gen. 3:1-7; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12)

LAW (Exo. 20:1-17; James 2:10; Rom. 10:5;
Gal. 3:10; Gal. 5:4; Rom. 3:19; Gal. 3:24)

PENALTY (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:22)

SOLUTION TO SIN:

1] Perfect Sacrifice
(Gen. 3:21; Lev. 5:17,18; 2 Cor. 5:21;

Heb. 7:25,26; 1Pet. 1:18,19)

2] Death of the Perfect Sacrifice
(1Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 5:6-11; Heb. 7:27;
Col. 1:22; 1Pet. 2:24)

3] Resurrection of the Perfect Sacrifice

(The Perfect Sacrifice must resurrect himself)
(John 10:17,18; John 2:19-21;

1Cor. 15:3,4; 1Cor. 15:14-17)

SALVATION IS A GIFT

(Eph. 2:8,9; Tit. 3:5; Rom. 6:23)

RECEIVING THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

(Rom. 3:23; Luke 18:13; Acts 3: 19; John 3:16;
Eph. 1:13,14; Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 16:30-34)

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

Step one - You must realize you are a sinner.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." I John 1:10

Step Two - You must realize you cannot save yourself.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-10

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the king-dom of God." John 3:3

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:5

Step three - You must realize that Jesus, the Christ came into the world and gave His life to save sinners.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19

But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 1 John 3:5

Step four - You must repent: be sorry and change your attitude toward sin.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsa-keth them shall have mercy." Pro 28:13

Step five - You must confess (tell) your sins to God, who alone has power to save and to cleanse from sin through the blood of Jesus.

"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Psalm 32:5

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

Step six - You must call upon Jesus, the Christ in sincere and earnest prayer.

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13

"And call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me" Psalm 50:15

Sinner’s Prayer

Dear Father,

I now believe that Jesus, the Christ is Your only begotten Son, that He came to our earth in the flesh and died on the cross to take away all of my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ then rose from the dead on the third day to give us eternal life.

Lord Jesus,

I now confess to You all of the wrong and sinful things that I have ever done in my life. I ask that You please forgive me and wash away all of my sins by the blood that You have personally shed for me on the cross. I accept You as my Savior and Lord. I now ask that You come into my life in the person of the Holy Spirit, and live with me for all of eternity.

Father, Jesus - I now believe that I am truly saved and born again.

Thank You Father.
Thank You Jesus.

Step seven - You must believe and by faith receive Jesus so He can control your life.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12

Open your heart now, receive Jesus Christ, and take up your cross daily and follow Him. You are now a child of God, cleansed by the blood, and adopted into His family.

All of your life has been affected: "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are passed away behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). You will want to keep close to the Father by reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping together with other Christians. Then you can walk daily with Jesus, and enjoy His presence and peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Biblical Sketches and Love Poems

Friday, May 15, 2009

Forty Summers and Beyond

Followers