"PRE-TRIB. OR PRE-WRATH?"
Study 1
INTRODUCTION
In the past few years, there have been many who have taken in hand to write on the
subject of "The Second Coming of Christ." So someone will say, "Why do we need
another book on the subject? I must say that I do not consider myself to be an authority
on the subject, but on the other hand, I believe that I can understand the Word of God as
well as any other. However, that still doesn’t answer the question as to why I am writing
this book? The answer is I have some questions I would like to raise and possibly cause
someone to think about this all important doctrine. Even if they draw a different
conclusion than I, it will still be worthwhile. This is a teaching that will effect the lives of
so many and could very well have a direct effect on you. I am not interested in changing
your mind about anything but it is my prayer that anyone reading these pages will examine them in the light of the Word of God.
The theology of many has in these last days done much to obscure and hide many Bible truths. There is probably no area of the Word of God that has been effected more than in the area of eschatology (the study of last things; the return of Christ, etc.). The Bible has much to say about the last seven years before the return of Christ to the earth. This time is called "The time of Jacob’s trouble," and "The seventieth week", in the
book of Daniel. Jesus told of this time of tribulation in Matthew 24; Mark 13; and Luke
21. The entire book of the Revelation is largely centered on this period of time. Much of
the books of Daniel and Ezekiel are dealing with this last seven years of earth’s history as
we know it. The second coming of Jesus Christ which is the blessed hope of every child
of God is most definitely tied to this seven years. All Bible believing people that I know
anything about believe that Jesus will come again during this time of the history of
mankind. The rapture, the resurrection, and the second coming of Jesus are all tied
together and cannot be separated. None of God’s people differ on the first 2,000 years
since Jesus went back to heaven with the promise, "I will come again and receive you to
myself, that where I am there you may be also." It is only about this last seven years that we cannot seem to agree. We don’t argue "If Jesus is coming, for we all know He is
coming, we just can’t decide "When". I would add that all this confusion may indeed
have a message in and of itself. Our Lord did say, "No one knows that day or that hour"
and the great truth of the Second coming is not to learn "When" but "BE READY
WHENEVER HE COMES". If you are not living for Jesus on a day to day basis, you will not be ready for His return, no matter when it comes.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT HERESY!
When we come to our conclusions, or when we examine the Scriptures and discover this view or that one to be contrary to what we believe is proper interpretation, we much be careful not to brand those with whom we disagree heretics, or their doctrine heresy.
Now, please don’t misunderstand me. When the person and work of Christ are
involved we need to take a ridged stand on truth. I cannot have fellowship with anyone
who denies the deity of the Lord Jesus or who does not believe in the inspiration of
Scripture, etc. However, we should not separate with brethren that happens to share a different view than our own in areas of personal interpretation.
It is regrettable that this has not always been the case but that, on the contrary, fellowship has been broken between brethren who differ on such matters. There are far to many things that should join us together to let things like this divide us. Members of the same family should be able to disagree without being disagreeable.
So, the only thing I could ask of the reader is that they read this prayerfully and with an open mind. If at the end of this study, you say, "I don’t agree with this" – we will still be fellow members of the Family of God.
CHAPTER 1
PRE- TRIBBER Or PRE- WRATHER?
VIEWPOINTS ABOUT THE RAPTURE:
There seem to be four viewpoints as to what the Scripture teachs in relation to the
rapture of the church in respect to the Tribulation. They can be described in the following
terms:
(1) Pre- Tribulationism. which teaches that our Lord will come for His own, the
dead in Christ and a living generation of believers, before the tribulation begins.
(2) Mid-Tribulation~ that teaches that the rapture will take place half way
through the tribulation or three and one half years into it.
(3) Post- Tribulationism. that teaches that Jesus will come and the resurrection will
take place at the blowing of the seventh trumpet which is toward the end of the
Tribulation.
(4) Partial-tribulation or Split- Tribulation. which holds that only a portion of the
saved will be taken up before the Tribulation (the faithful) while the balance will be left
to suffer through this time of trouble.
It should be noted that there are a variety of views which combine portions of these four views. I heard one preacher talk about the "Elevator Theory" which have them coming and going all through this period of time.
Now with these things in mind, let me say, "It is my understanding of Scriptures
that the church will go into this time of trouble. This is stated with all respect to those
who do not agree with this position (and there are many fine Bible scholars who do not).
However, one must always remember that we are bound to teach only that which is on the page of Scripture regardless of what others believe or say. The wise man said long ago, "Truth is not determined by how many people believe it."
The fact that Jesus will come again for His people at the end of the tribulation is so
obvious that, to my knowledge, no fundamental Bible believer differs with this teaching.
The Scriptures is abundantly clear that this is the case (e.g. Matt. 24:29-31; Mark13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28; Matt. 13:36-43; 2 Thess.2:8; Rev.19:11.14).
There are those who believe that prior to this coming there will be another coming. It will take place at the beginning of the seven year period. Believers will be raptured out of this world and go to heaven and be with Jesus for seven years while this earth and its inhabitants suffer through the tribulation. I know that the Bible teaches a rapture, or resurrection of the saints, and a catching up to meet the Lord in the air (I Thess. 4:13-18). However, I am not sure I see any Scripture in the Word of God that supports this teaching. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Scripture teaches a coming of the Lord at the end of the Tribulation but where does it teach that He will come before the Tribulation. Let me list the passages that teaches the coming after the tribulation. (Matt. 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21: 25-28; Rev. 11:15-18; Rev. 20:4-6.
IS IT POSSIBLE?
There is only one proper way to study and meditate on the Word of God and that is
to come to its pages with an open mind and allow it to speak to us from its timeless truths.
This brings up one of the biggest problems we have as students of God’s Word. There is a great temptation to come to the Bible already believing a particular thing and then gather information to prove our position. The honest Bible student must admit that this has been the case far to often. I will openly admit that I have done this. We come with preconceived ideas of what we want the Bible to teach. We then search out those passages that seem to prove our position.
I suppose it would be impossible to ask a person to come to the Bible with a clear
mind from any and all teaching that they had previously heard about the second coming.
However, just for the sake of considering its possibility, let’s say we are going to do just
that. We are now coming to God’s Word with no preconceived notions of what it teaches
about the second coming.
Let’s say we begin studying the life of Christ from the first book of the New
Testament, Matthew. We read of the genealogy of Jesus in chapter one. We read of His
conception and virgin birth in chapter one and two. We read about the temptation of our
Lord in chapter four. We read of the beginning of His ministry and His first teachings in
chapter four through chapter seven. We see Him demonstrating His Messianic power and
authority by His miracles, healings and teachings in chapters eight and nine. We see Him
continuing to call out His church in chapter ten. We see Him denouncing the indifference
of Israel (11 :20-27) and turning from that nation to invite any individual who will come to find His rest and to personally yoke up with Him in chapter eleven (11 :28-30). Jesus tells of His death and resurrection in chapter twelve (12:38-40).
It is not until we come to chapter 13 that we see the first mention of an incident that
relates to the resurrection of believers and His second coming (now remember, we don’t
have any preconceived ideas about what the Bible is going to teach us). In Matthew
13:24-30, we are given the parable of the tares among the wheat; then, in Matthew
13:36-43 our Lord explains that parable for us. It is safe to say that no one believes this to
be a pre-tribulation rapture. The ones who are gathered out here are the wicked, not the
righteous. Someone will say, "What is the point?" The point is this, we don’t have a
pre-tribulation rapture taught here and since our minds are clear of any other thinking on
the subject, we still have not seen this teaching in Holy Writ.
So on we read! In chapter 17:22-23, again Jesus foretells of his death and resurrection.
In chapter 20:17-19, again Jesus tells of his death resurrection and gives details concerning it. We continue to read until we come to the 24th chapter (now, remember to this point there is nothing that even hints of a pre-tribulation coming). Now we have come to one of the most important chapter in all the Bible concerning the end times, the second coming, the tribulation, etc. A person should be able to form some opinions about the second coming of Christ.
This is this writers desire in this study. It is not to try to push anyone else to adopt my view on the second coming of Christ. My desire in the following chapters is to prayerfully encourage others to consider the truths of a subject of which time is upon us.
O.K. LET’S TALK A LITTLE GRAMMAR!
Let me pause and make a point which will help us to understand the 24th chapter of
Matthew. This may not be a great time for a grammar lesson but there is a grammar rule
that needs to be discussed before we study Matthew 24. It has to do with "pronouns". I
would like to discuss the "antecedent" to pronouns. You say, "That doesn’t sound like one
of the more interesting subjects to discuss". You are right but in the quest for truth it is
important to consider many different concepts.
In the "Plain English Handbook". page 22, under "PRONOUNS", there is this rule
given regarding "antecedents to pronouns" and I quote, "The antecedents of a pronoun is the word for which the pronoun stands". It then gives this example - "Mary brought a
book". It is her book. "Mary" is the antecedent of the pronoun "her" So, an antecedent is
the word that goes before the pronoun that tells you who or what it is. In fact, the
Webster’s Dictionary gives the etymology of the word "Antecedent" as meaning "going
before". The Plain English Handbook goes on to say, "An antecedent of a pronoun agrees
with its substantive in gender, person, and number (same page)." Before someone says,
"Ah yes! but the New Testament was written in Greek not English." The same rule applies
to Greek grammar and is even more ridged (See Beginner’s Grammar of the Greek New
Testament by Davis, page 67.)
- Now, I know that someone is asking, "What does all this have to do with Matthew
chapter 24?" In Matthew 24, Jesus has come to the end of His earthly ministry. He is with
His disciples in the city of Jerusalem. They have just come to the area of the temple and
Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives. The disciples come to Him privately (24:3). Jesus
tells them that the temple (at which they are looking) shall be destroyed and there shall not
one stone be left upon another (24:2).
Every Missionary Baptist preacher that I know anything about, believes that those
disciples formed the first New Testament church which was personally called out by the
Lord Jesus. It was to this same group He gave the Lord’s Supper. It was to this same
group He gave the great commission. If this group of disciples does not make up the first
New Testament church, we have all kind of doctrinal problems in justifying the teachings
that make us distinctively Missionary Baptist. So this group of disciples were the first
century church to whom the promise was given, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the
end of the world (Matt. 24:20)."
Now, let’s look again at Matthew 24. As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the
disciples (His church) came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things
be? And what shall be the sign of they coming, and of the end of the world (age)?
Now, this is the question for which we have been waiting, or, should I say, it’s the answer
to the question that we desire.
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Jesus takes the entire 24th and 25th chapters of Matthew to answer these questions.
I have searched these chapters very carefully and I can find nothing that even hints at a
pre-tribulation rapture. I do find where Jesus said that the rapture will take place after the
tribulation (24:29-31). I must say ever so reverently, however, I must say it, if there is a
pre-tribulation rapture I believe that Jesus should have at least mentioned it after the
church had so directly asked Him the question.
Please notice what Jesus did say, ’’And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take
heed that no man deceive YOU" (V-4). Please tell me what the antecedent of the pronoun,
"YOU" (the one capitalized in the Scripture just quoted)? I understand it to be the
disciples or the church. If the church is not going to be here why should Jesus worry about
them being deceived? In verse 6, what is the antecedent to the word "YE"? Why should
Jesus worry about them being troubled if they are not going to be here? In verse 9, what is
the antecedent to the word "YOU"? Why should our Lord warn them about being
delivered up to be afflicted and killed and hated if they are not going to be here? in verse
15, what is the antecedent to the word "YE"? This is the middle of the tribulation. Why
should the church be warned about the abomination of desolation if they will be gone? In
verse 23, what is the antecedent to the word "YOU"? In verse 25, what is the antecedent
to the word "YOU"? It does seem strange to me that Jesus is telling the church "when YE
shall see all these thing, know that it is near, even at the door" (v-33). If the church is not
going to be there, why is He warning them to watch for these signs? Now, if you are going
to say that this is the nation of Israel, please show me where Jesus ever changed the
antecedent to the pronoun, and if you want to just throw out grammar rules, tell me by
what standard shall we judge the language? Let me say again, a doctrine as important as
the pre-tribulation rapture of the saints should have been taught at this point. The disciples
asked Jesus, "What will be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the age?" Why didn’t
our Lord say a word about a pre-tribulation rapture? Could it be that there isn’t one?
Jesus did say that there would be a rapture after the tribulation (V-29-31). Well, at lease
we must agree (since we have come to the Bible with an open mind and have no
preconceived ideas about His second coming) that at least to this point, we only know that
there will be one at the end of the tribulation.
Now what about the other three Gospels? Maybe Jesus told of a pre-tribulation
rapture in one of them? Could it be in Mark’s gospel? Read all the way through and a
person will find not one word that speaks of a pre-tribulation rapture. Mark chapter 13 tell
of the same incident that Matthew 24 does and here again we are told that the coming of
Christ will be after the tribulation (Mark 13:24-27). Okay, how about Luke’s gospel?
Read all the way through, verse by verse, and show me one verse that teaches a
pre-tribulation rapture. There just isn’t any. However, in Luke 21, we are given the same
account of Mark 13 and Matthew 24 and again, we are told the coming of our Lord will be
after the days of the tribulation (Luke 21:25-28). A person would have to get the doctrine
of the pre-tribulation rapture from some place other than the four Gospels.
(
Obviously, this little book can’t go through each book of the Bible page by page,
but I would like to issue a challenge again at this point- Please read to me the passage or
passages in the Bible that does teach the pre-tribulation rapture coming of Christ. I am not
trying to be sarcastic but I honestly can’t find one verse of Scripture that teaches this
doctrine.
Before we leave Matthew 24, let us use the same grammar rule on another passage
found here. In Matthew 24:36-41, we have a flashing red light, a warning signal, a
piercing siren in the black night of sin warning of impending danger. We are told to watch
for these signs of the "days of Noah. II It says,
"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (24:37)."
(DON’T MISS THE PRONOUNS!) ’’For as in the days that were before the flood THEY
were eating and drinking, . . . etc."
Now let us examine the pronoun "THEY" just used in verse-38. Was the pronoun
"THEY" used in that verse speaking of the righteous or the wicked? I must draw the
conclusion that the pronoun is speaking of the wicked, not Noah and his group. In fact
Noah is referred to in the latter part of verse-38, and he is not included with the group
referred to as "THEY". Look at verse-39; "and knew not until the flood came, and took
"THEM" all away, . . .II (24:39).
Who was taken away in this verse? Was it the ones inside the ark or outside the ark
that the flood took away? It was the wicked not the righteous that was taken away in the
flood. The next verse (24:40 says, "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken,
and the other left." Who is taken and who is left? Don’t change horses in the middle of
the stream. It is the wicked that is taken away not the righteous. In fact, you will see that
this harmonized with Matthew 13:36-43. There is no pre-tribulation rapture here. To
make this the rapture of the church is to violate grammar, truth of context, and simple
Bible rules of interpretation.
WHYTHENDO THEYDO IT?
Why do people teach a pre-tribulation coming of Jesus? Are they deliberately
trying to mislead people? No, this is not the case as all. In most part, they are honest,
sincere, Bible loving people. Where do they get this teaching? Why do they continue to
teach it? They are not deliberately twisting the Scripture? They really believe that the
Bible does teach a pre-tribulation rapture.
What Scriptures do they use? By what method do they interpret this teaching? In
the next section of this book I should like to examine the Scriptures used in proving the
pre-tribulation position.
CHAPTER THREE
"THE DISPENSATIONAL METHOD"
Almost every person who has studied the Bible to any length is familiar to some
degree with the dispensational method of Bible interpretation. The Scofield Study Bible
gives the following definition for a dispensation:
"A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect to his obedience
to some specific revelation of the will of God.
"Three important concepts are implied in this definition: (1) There is a divine
revelation concerning the will of God that has to do with man’s conduct and actions. (2)
Man is held to be a steward of this revelation in which he is obligated to obey it; and (3)
There is a time period called an ’age’ which begins in glory and ends in the judgment of
God. " While this is not a study of dispensations, it is pertinent to understanding our
topic, so, let me name them as I understand them:
There are 7 or 8 depending on what book you read:
(1) INNOCENCE, from creation of man to the fall;
(2) CONSCIENCE (Moral responsibility) from the fall of Adam to after the flood;
(3) HUMAN GOVERNMENT; from Noah to Abraham;
(4) PROMISE; from Abraham to Mt. Sinai;
(5) LAW; from Mt. Sinai to the Cross;
(6) CHURCH; from the Cross to the kingdom;
(7) KINGDOM; the 1,000 years reign of Christ on earth.
(8) ETERNAL; (some do not consider this an age but the Bible does refer to this as
- "The eternal Ages" see Eph. 2:7 and 2:21).
In light of this, here is the reasoning of the dispensational teaching about the
pre-tribulation coming of Christ. In Daniel 9:20-27, there is the prophecy about the
seventy week (or weeks of years, or 490 years). It is the last week that has not been yet
fulfilled. In verse 24, Daniel says that these seventy weeks are determined upon thy people
(the nation Israel). Therefore, since these 7 years are a part of the other 483 years and the
other 483 years are under the law dispensation - then, God must revert back to the law
dispensation for these last seven years and since it is the law dispensation and not the
church dispensation, the church will not be here. In other words, these last seven years
pertain to the nation of Israel and not to the church. In light of the fact that there is not
one verse that teaches that the church will be taken out this is a pretty weak argument.
Also, if you are of the Protestant movement, and teach that the church did not have
its beginning before the day of Pentecost; then, you could say that all of the four gospels
are talking to the nation Israel and not to the church. So, dispensationally, Jesus was
giving instructions to Israel and not to the church in Matthew 24 & Mark 13 & Luke 21. I
do not have the time nor space in this little book to take up all the teaching of Scripture
that prove that the church did exist before the day of Pentecost and that our Lord did begin
His church during His personal ministry; so let the following points be considered: (1) The
disciples, before the day of Pentecost, performed every function of a New Testament
church. They preached the gospel, made converts, baptized those converts, observed the
Lord’s supper, and practiced church discipline. They had the offices set in the church. For
example, in I Corinthians 12:28 it says, "And God hath set some in the church: first
Apostles. second prophets. third teachers; after that miracles. then gifts of healing. helps.
governments. diversities of tongues. "
Now, it shouldn’t take someone long to figure this out; if you can find the place where
God set something in the church, then the church must have been there. What did God set
in the church first? He set apostle first (I Cor. 12:28). If we can go to the place where the
Apostles were set in the church, then, the church must have been in existence for it to be
set in it. If I set a gallon of milk in the refrigerator, it is certain that the refrigerator must
be there before I can set it on the shelf. Okay, let’s go to Luke 6:13, ’’And when it was
day. he called unto him his disciples (or the church); and of them he chose twelve. who
also he named apostles. " Now if Jesus set the apostles in the church here in Luke 6: 13
(and He did because the Scripture says He did) then, the church had to be there.
Another argument for the Pre-tribulation position is "The tribulation is a time of
punishment for the earth, and the Lord loves the church to much to let her suffer through
it. " Will God let His people suffer? The answer to that is written in the blood of saints
down through the ages. We live in a country where we have shared a wonderful freedom
of worship without the danger of persecution. However, even in the world today, there are
many places where God’s people are suffering for the faith. Jesus told the church before
He went back to the father, "These things I have spoken unto you. that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world (John 16:33).
The history of the church has been a story of untold suffering and persecution.
Without arguing the reasoning behind why Christians suffer, (and the Bible lists some valid
reasons), let it be sufficient to say that God does let His people suffer. Why should He let
His people suffer in every generation, and love them to much to let them suffer during this
time of history?
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One of my pastor friends, when asked if he was a "pre-tribber" or a "post-tribber"
answered by saying, "I am neither, I am a "pre-wrather". I like that answer better than any
other I have heard. I do not believe that God will let his people suffer through the wrath of
God. I am also convinced that many are confused in the difference between "The Great
Tribulation" and "The Wrath of God". Many make the entire 7 years of tribulation and the
wrath of God the same event and it is not. The wrath of God does not come until most of
the seven years are accomplished. Let me list the Scriptures:
"For the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6: 17)
Note: this is the breaking of the sixth seal and well into the tribulation period. Look again
at Revelation 11: 18, ’’And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, . . . . . . "
Note: this is the blowing of the seventh trumpet and well toward the end of the
tribulation period. Again in Revelation chapter 15, we are told that the seven angels which
have the seven vials of the wrath of God pour them out on the earth.
So the Word of God does not teach that the seven years of tribulation are all the
wrath of God but that the wrath of God is a specific happening toward the last of the. seven
year period. Therefore when we read Scriptures like Romans 5:9, ".. .we shall be saved
from wrath through him. ". . .and Revelation 3: 10 . . .J also will keep thee from the hour of
temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. "
Also in Isaiah 26:20,21 where God tells us that He will hide us during His indignation.
These passages are just stating that God will take His people out before He pours out His
wrath on the earth. The blowing of the seventh trumpet will be the catching away of the
saints. Now, it may be debated on precisely when the blowing of the seventh trumpet will
take place but no one can argue that it will take place at the beginning of the tribulation.
(Note: there will be a chapter devoted to the seventh trumpet later in the book.)
CHAPTER FOUR
OH! WHERE DID YOU GO??
It should be noted that there are those who teach that the Holy Spirit will be removed
from the earth altogether during this seven year period. They use as a proof text
IT Thessalonians 2: 6,7: ’’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" (KJV)
-
This is now it reads in the New Scofield Bible: "And now ye know what restraineth
that he might be revealed in him time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work;
only he who now hindereth will continue to hinder until he be taken out of the way. "
Some teach of this passage that the Holy Spirit will be removed when the churches are
removed at the beginning of the tribulation. Further more, they say the restraining force is
the Lord’s churches which are empowered by the Holy Spirit and as long as the Holy Spirit
is in the world the antichrist can not come. If this is true, it does set up an entire series of
contradictions that is very difficult to be understood. If a person will examine the entire
book of 1 Thessalonians, he will find that the very subject at hand is the coming of Christ
at the end of the tribulation. The fact of another coming other than the one at the end is
preposterous.
IT Thessalonians chapter one give a person two places where the "WHEN" of the
second coming is pin pointed. In 1:7 it reads, ’’And to you who are troubled, rest with
us, WHEN he shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ; . . . "
No one could possibly interpret this "WHEN" at any other time than at the end of the
tribulation. Then again in 1:10 it reads, "WHEN’ he shall come to be glorified in his
saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was
believed)in that day."
Here again, it must be the coming of our Lord at the end of the tribulation. If He will
be "admired in all them that believed," since all that believe will not even be saved until
the end of the tribulation, (for there will be a multitude of people saved during the
tribulation) this coming can not be at the beginning of the tribulation period.
Now, we come to 2 Thessalonians chapter two. The Apostle Paul, first reasons that
two things must take place before Jesus will return. He says that Jesus will not come until:
(1) the falling away takes place (the apostasy);
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.
(2) the man of sin must be revealed, the son of perdition. Since the son of perdition
(the antichrist) will not be revealed until the middle of the tribulation, it stands to
reason that the church will be here at least until after the middle of the tribulation.
It does not make a great deal of sense to think of Paul saying "Jesus will not come until
after the antichrist is revealed but the church is raptured three and a half years before the
antichrist is revealed." How can the church be raptured three and a half years before Jesus
comes? It just does not harmonize with what the rest of the Bible teaches. Hear again, if
you say that there is a coming before this coming, please show me where the Scripture
teaches it.
I recently read a book on the subject of the rapture. The author of this book was so
desperate to find a passage that taught the church would be taken out of the world before
the tribulation started that he took the Greek word "apostasy" as it is used in 2
Thessalonians 2:3 (it is translated there ’’falling away’’) and taught that the word as it is
used in this passage means "departing"; therefore, this is the departing of the church. So,
he said that the Apostle Paul was teaching that the church must depart and the man of sin
must be revealed before Jesus will come back in the second part of the first resurrection.
Now a person must be pretty desperate to prove his point to try to make the Greek
word "apostasia" mean "the departing of the church to heaven". There could have been
several words used to mean the departing of the church to heaven but anyone who knows
anything about the Greek language would never, never suggest that the word "apostasis" all
would be used in any such manner. It is always used as a "departing from" never a
’departing to’. It is used in the sense of moving toward evil never a moving toward good.
The word literally means "to stand away from". Thayer’s Lexicon. says, "A falling away,
defection, apostasy; in the Bible sc. from the true religion; a divorce, repudiation."
As previously said, many words could have been used but be assured that the Holy
Spirit would never have used this word to speak of the Father gathering His children to
Himself It should also be noted as we continue to consider the work of the Holy Spirit
during the tribulation period that the Holy Spirit (according to Ezekiel 37: 11-14) will be
very active during the tribulation period in relationship to the nation of Israel. If He is not
. going to be here, how will He do this for the Nation of Israel?
t
s
CHAPTER FIVE
WHO IN THE WORLD IS
DOING THE RESTRAINING?
In the previous chapter of this book I tried to point out the fact that the Holy Spirit will
be very active during the tribulation period. I do not believe nor does the Bible bear out
the teaching that the Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth during the 7 years of
tribulation.
That doesn’t answer the question of who is the one restraining the antichrist from
coming forth? Let me print the verses of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8, "Let no man deceive
you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come the falling away first,
and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, Who opposeth and exaltheth
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 restraineth that he might
be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who not
hindereth will continue to hinder until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that
wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and
shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. "
There will be someone or something that will hinder the coming of the antichrist. Who
or what will it be? I have always been taught that the Bible is its own best commentary,
and I do most certainly believe that. Why can’t we let the Bible answer the question for
us?
Before we let the Bible tell us who the one is who is doing the restraining, we need first
to look at a phrase that is used in verse 7. The phrase "taken out of the way" is translated
from the Greek phrase "elt mesou genetai" "elt" is the Greek preposition "out of’;
"mesou" is the genitive for of the noun "mesos" which means "the midst or of the middle
of’; (this word is used in Matthew 10:16 and is translated "as sheep ’in the midst’ of
wolves;" it is also used in Matthew 13:25 and is translated "among", in other words "an
enemy had sowed the tares in the midst of the wheat:" it is used in Matthew 14:24 and is
translated "the ship was now ’in the midst of the sea; the Greek word "mesos" is used 60
times in the Greek New Testament and it always means "the middle or the midst") The
verb "genetai." is the 3rd person singular aorist Subjunctive form of the verb "gi.nomai."
which means "to come into existence". The actual translation of the phrase is "that he
might come from out of the midst". Now, the phrase "to come from. out of the midst" is
the key to understanding who it is that is holding back the antichrist.
If we turn to the book of the Revelation, to the actual place where the antichrist does
come forth, we will see who it is that lets the antichrist come from out of the midst. In
Revelation 6: 1,2 it reads, (before reading these two verses, it should be noted that almost
every fundamental Bible scholar that I know believes that Revelation 6: 1,2 is the coming
forth of the antichrist). Now, let’s look at the two verses, "And I saw when the Lamb
opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beast
saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had
a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
(KJV)
Here is the way that the New Scofield Bible has those two verses translated:
’’And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were, the noise of
thunder, one of the four living creatures saying, COME. And I saw and, behold, a white
horse; and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him, and he went
forth conquering, and to conquer. II
The phrase "come and see in the King James Translation is unfortunately a bad
translation. The words "and see are not found in The Greek New Testament. Only the
word "come" is used. It is from the Greek verb -erchomai- which means "to come"
However, in Revelation 6: 1 it is a verb written in the second person singular present
imperative. That means that it is a simple command "You come".
So, here is the answer to our question. Who is it that will restrain the antichrist until
he comes from out of the midst? It is this living creature. He is the one who will give the
command for the antichrist to "Come" and the antichrist will not be able to come from out
of the midst until this living creature by the Lamb’s permission does so.
Also, we need to take a closer look at the meaning of the phrase "out of the midst.
God has always chosen the words He uses very carefully. They will give us His message if
we will just listen to them. Why did God say, He will come from out of the midst"? Look
at Revelation 13. Here again we have the coming of the antichrist and the antichrist
system. How are we told they will come? And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and
saw a beast rise up out of the sea, . . . ." (Rev.13:1 a)
Notice, that the beast is coming from out of the midst of the sea. It certainly seems
like Bible truth to say that it will be this living creature that will issue the command for the
antichrist to come and when the command is issued the antichrist will come from out of the
midst of the world system and from among the people of the earth.
I see no reason to read into I Thessalonians chapter 2 something that the Bible has
nothing whatsoever to say about.
CHAPTER 6
WHAT! IS THAT A CHURCH?
The tribulation period will be a time of great trial and persecution. Jesus said in
Matthew 24:21,22, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world to this time no, nor shall ever be. And except those days should be
shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the elect’s sake those days shall be
shortened"
There has been some pretty bad days in the history of mankind. Man’s inhumanity to
man will probably go down as one of the great mysteries of the human race. Truly it will
be written of the history of man, "Destruction and misery are in his ways." However,
nothing this earth has ever seen will be as cruel and fearful and bad as what will be during
this terrible time on earth. Someone has said, behind every cloud there is a silver lining. Is
it possible that there could be a bright side to the tribulation period?
There is one bright side to this dark day of tribulation. It will be a time of great revival
for the earth. There will be multitudes saved by the blood of the Lamb. It is very evident
according to Revelation 7: 1-8 that there will be at least 144,000 saved out of the nation of
Israel. Then in Revelation 7:9-12, there is another great body of people saved. It will be a
multitude that no man can number out of all nations, kindred, and people. Now the Lord
was afraid you and I might miss the great truth of who these people are, so, He had on of
the elders ask John, "Who are these. . .and where did they come from (V-i3)?
John did not know the answer to that question. The elder knew the answer to the
question, but he wanted John as well as every one else who read this account to know who
they are. The elder finally answered the question. The answer is clear and plain: "These
are they who came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb. "
Who were they? "They were people who had washed their robes, and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb." People who had trusted Jesus as their Savior. People
who had been born again. People who were saved, as every person is saved in every age.
They were people who were regenerated by the grace of God. They were brought to the
Savior by the work of the Holy Spirit.
However, the question was two-fold. Not only was asked "Who were they. " but also,
"From where did they come?" We are told, "They came out of the great tribulation".
(The definite article "the" emphasizes the fact that this is "THE TRIBULATION, THE
GREA TONE".) These were saints who were saved out of the great tribulation. They
were Gentiles. They were not of the nation Israel.
15
~ .;;;:z::,---
Now, let me pose some very interesting questions! If the church has been raptured
before these people are saved, what shall this great multitude of believers be called?
Should they obey the commandments of Christ? Should they be obedient to be baptized?
Should they observe the Lord supper? Should they go out and preach the gospel? Should
they baptize those who believe? If you were there, how would you advise this body of
believers? Do you know of any Scripture that would forbid them to preach the gospel?
Make Converts? Assemble for worship? Sing gospel songs, etc.? Does God love the
church to much to let her suffer through the tribulation and yet immediately after He
raptures the church He saves a multitude of people who He will let suffer through the
tribulation? Does God not love this multitude of people?
It is a fact that cannot be disputed that whatever a person believes regarding the
rapture that there will be a great body of saved on earth during the tribulation. If a person
chooses not to call that body a church, let him call it whatsoever he will, it seems that he
is only arguing semantics. This body of saved will be here on earth. They will be able to
assemble and worship in the name of Jesus. Jesus said, "Where two or three gather
together in my name there I am in the midst of them." This promise is fulfilled by the
abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. They will be able to sing gospel songs. They will be
preaching the gospel message. This writer knows of no Scripture that would forbid them
from being baptized nor baptizing them that are saved (in fact they could not be obedient
to Jesus if they didn’t). Now you can call that body anything you want but God calls it a
New Testament Church.
The Lord promised His people to be with them to the end of the age. Is it even
conceivable to think of this promise not applying to this group of faithful believers? Will
the promise of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit be with these Christians? If He is not, then
God must be playing a horrendous trick on these poor saints.
CHAPTER 7
"BOY! IS THAT A MYSTERY"
The word "mystery" is a very informative word as it is used in the New Testament. It is
not a word that is found in the Old Testament at all. It is actually not a translated word but
it is a transliterated word. The Greek word is "mu.st:4!rion"and it is used 27 times in the
Greek New Testament (Matt. 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; Rom. 11:15; 16:25: I Cor.2:7;
4:1; 13:2; 14:2; 15:51; Eph. 1:9; 3:3,4,9; 5:32; 6:19; Col. 1:26,27; 2:2; 4:3; II Thess.2:7;
I Tim.3:9;16; Rev. 1:20; 10:7; 17:5,7).
Thayer’s Lexicon gives this definition for the word "musterion":
(1) a hidden thing, secret, mystery: a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the
understanding:
(2) a hidden purpose of counsel; a secret will (page 420).
Kenneth Wuest in his Word Studies In The Greek New Testament says about the
Greek word "musterion": It a secret purpose of God which when uncovered is understood
by the Spirit-taught believers. II (page 81, vol. 1).
The first place that this word is used in the Bible is by our Lord in Matthew 13:11,
He answered and said unto them (the disciples), because it is given unto you to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
We need to look at this verse in context. Our Lord had just began speaking to the
people in parables. The disciples wanted to know why he had changed his method of
teaching (verse 10)? So, Jesus tells them that it is given for them to know the hidden
secrets (mysteries) of the kingdom. That group of disciples was the first called out
assembly of our Lord (the church). Those disciples to whom our Lord was speaking did
not understand this parable nor the mystery of it. In fact, they asked Jesus to explain this
parable to them. Jesus was saying, "It is given for you (the church) to know the mysteries.
It is my understanding that only the New Testament church really understands the mystery
of God.
So, the question is "What is the hidden secret? Does the Scriptures tells us what that
mystery (hidden secret) is? The most clearly defined explanation of this is given by the
apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians. In Ephesians 2: 11, the Apostle Paul directly
addresses the Gentiles and give the comparison of the Jews and the Gentiles by saying,
"Wherefore, remember that ye, being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are
called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh
made by hands" (Eph. 2:11).
17
Please note the contrast of Circumcision (the nation Israel) and the Uncircumcision
(the Gentiles nations). In Ephesians 2:12, Paul says that the Gentiles were out side of the
covenant relationship that God made with Israel during the time of the Old Testament.
Now the great revelation is that Jesus, by His death on the cross, made peace and broke
down the wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles and has reconciled to God in one
body both the Jews and the Gentiles (see Eph.2:14-18). That body that He has brought
both the Jew and Gentile together in a covenant relationship with God is the New
Testament church. Can anyone deny that great truth?
Now, let us go back to the mystery. In Ephesians 3:1-6, the Apostle Paul clearly
defines to us what the mystery is, "For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus
Christ for you Gentiles - - If ye have heard of the dispensation
(administration) of the grace of God which is given me toward you. How that
by revelation he made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote before in few
words, by which, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of
men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of
his promise in Christ by the gospel, ... "
Now what was the mystery which was hidden to the Old Testament saints? Was it
salvation? No, they understood salvation. God saved Gentiles all the way through the Old
Testament. The mystery is how God would bring both the Jews and Gentiles together
under the covenant relations of Abraham. A person could not explain that "bringing them
together in one body" out side of the New Testament church. Go ahead and check every
reference to the word "mystery" and see if this truth is not substantiated.
Now what does this have to do with the end times? It has a great deal to do with the
church in the tribulation period. Read Revelation 10:7: "But in the day of the voice
of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should
be finished, as he hath declared to his servants, the prophets. "
When will the church be ruptured? It most certainly won’t be ruptured until it is
completed. If the "mystery of God" is the New Testament Church then it won’t be
completed until the blowing of the seventh trumpet. If the mystery of God is not the New
Testament Church, then please tell me what the mystery of God is? The mystery of God
will be completed at the blowing of the seventh trumpet and the seventh trumpet will not
sound until toward the end of the tribulation period. Is the church in the Tribulation? Yes,
it is because it won’t even be completed until the blowing of the seventh trumpet.
"PRE-TRIB. OR PRE-WRATH?" Lesson Seven
Matt. 24:1-51
"LO! IS THAT A TRUMPET I HEAR?
The blowing of the seventh trumpet in the book of the Revelation and the second
coming of Christ and the resurrection of the saved are all so closely related that I
personally can’t understand how a person can read the Bible without seeing their
connection and interrelationship.
What happens when the Seventh Angel with the Seventh trumpet sounds? Well, we
are told in Revelation 10:7 that the mystery of God will be finished. The word "finished"
as used here is the same word our Lord used on the cross when he cried, "It is finished".
It means to bring something to it’s absolute consummation.
In Revelation 11:15-18, the Word of God give us the exact chain of events that takes
place at the blowing of the seventh trumpet. (Remember that Revelation 10:7 says that
the mystery is completed when the trumpet begins to sound: thus, indicating that there
will be other events following the completion of the mystery of God.)
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The
kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall
reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their
seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, we give thee thanks, 0 Lord God
Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great
power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come; and the time
of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shoudest give reward to thy servants
the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great: and shouldest
destroy them which destroy the earth." (Rev.ll:15-18)
What are the events that will take place at the blowing of the seventh trumpet?
(1) The kingdom (should be in the singular) of this world has become the
kingdom (should be in the singular) of our Lord and of his Christ.
(2) The Wrath of God comes.
(3) The time of judging the dead.
(4) The time for rewarding:
(a) the prophets
(b) the saints
(c) them that fear God’s name.
(5) God will destroy them that destroyed the earth.
Let it be noted that in a previous section of this book I took the position that I was
not a "Pre-Tribber" but a "Pre-Wrather". The rapture of the church will take place
before the wrath of God. For those who say that they can’t believe that God would pour
19
his wrath out on his church (His beloved bride); it is true that He won’t. But the Wrath
of God does not come until the blowing of the seventh trumpet. This is not my idea, this
is the clear teaching of Scripture.
Now I want to clearly admit that I believe that I Thessalonians 5:13-18 is a mammoth
passage of Scripture concerning the prophecy and teaching of the rapture or the
resurrection of the saved. It is probably the single most important prophecy on the page
of Scripture. If a person will analyze that passage of Scripture you will find that there is
no place in that passage that tell us "When" the Lord is coming. There is not a "time"
word used. Please not what this passage does say:
1. We are told that the Lord, himself shall descend from heaven. V-16
2. We are told He will come with a shout, with the voice of the archangel. V-16
3. We are told it will be with the sound of a trumpet (not "The trumpet" no
Greek manuscript has the definite article with the word trumpet) V-16
4. The dead in Christ will rise first. V-16
5. Those who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
6. We are to comfort one another with these words.
Did you see any place in this passage where there was a time mentioned? I didn’t.
Therefore, there must be someplace else in God’s Word where this event is spoken of and
we are told when it will happen.
In Matthew 24:29-31, (at lease in this writer’s understanding) we have an exact
parallel to I Thessalonians 4:13-18, "immediately after the tribulation of those days shall
the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from
heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of
the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall
see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall
send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from
the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other."
Now what do we have in this passage? We have Jesus coming in the air. We have
an angel with the sound of a trumpet gathering the saved together to meet the Lord in the
air. Please tell me where I have violated the rules of interpretation by saying that this is
exactly the same scene in First Thessalonians the forth chapter? If Matthew 24:20-31 is
not the same incident that First Thessalonians 4:13-18 is describing, then where is the
time of First Thessalonians chapter four explained? Here again, there is not one verse of
Scripture that teaches a Pre-tribulation rapture.
NOW WHAT ABOUT THE
FIRST RESURRECTION?
The resurrection of the dead is taught in the Word of God. This is stated without any
hope of being contradicted. It should also be noted that the resurrection of the saved, the
rapture of the saints, and the second coming of Jesus are so closely related that they are
inseparable. Passages such as First Corinthians 15; First Thessalonians 4: Second
Thessalonians 1&2; John 14; Revelation 19&20; in the Old Testament such passages as
Daniel 12; Isaiah 26 and many more, makes it impossible to say, "The Bible does not
teach a resurrection." A person may say, "I do not believe in the resurrection from the
dead", but no honest person can say, "The Bible does not teach a resurrection from the
dead. "
In fact, it is plain from some of the above mentioned text that there are at least two
resurrections: (1) the resurrection of the just, that will issue in life, and (2) the
resurrection of those who are evil, that will result in judgment and the second death. It is
the resurrection of the just to which we are particularly interested. It is not those who
have died in their sins but those who have died "in Christ" who will be raised and caught
up with living believers when the trumpet sounds.
The Bible teaches that there is an order to the resurrection. Again, in 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18, we are told that the dead in Christ will rise first. According to the teaching of
Scripture the "Dead not in Christ" will not be resurrected until 1,000 years later. The
dead in Christ will be resurrected at His coming. It is according to this preacher’s
understanding that the first resurrection will only take place at one time. In a moment
and in the twinkling of an eye as the Bible puts it. I don’t see a season of resurrections; a
split rapture.
When will the first resurrection take place? The Bible give us the specific answer to
that question. In Revelation 20:4-6, we read: "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the
witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast, neither
his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand year! But the rest of the dead lived not again
until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath
no power, but they shall be priest of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand
years. (Rev. 20:4-6)
This is the only place in the entire Bible that the phrase "The first resurrection is
found. Where is the first resurrection placed in the Bible chronologically? It is placed at
the end of the Tribulation. I have heard more than one preacher say of Revelation 20:4-6, "Now, this is the second part of the first resurrection." That may sound good but
I would like to see on the page of Scripture where the Bible teaches that there is a "first
part" of the first resurrection or a "second part" of the first resurrection. Does all this
sound confusing? I think when you try to prove a point that is foreign to Scripture, the
farther you take it the more absurd it becomes. Hear again, (without trying to sound
ugly), the Bible is clear that the first resurrection is at the close of the tribulation. It is
speculation to suggest that there is a first and second part of the first resurrection.
However, if the first resurrection come in parts, the burden of proof is on the one
claiming such a teaching. The Bible well documents where the first resurrection takes
place.
Now I have a question to ask. Is the resurrection that is taught in 1 Corinthians
15:51-57 the first resurrection? I don’t know any fundamental Bible believer that does
not believe this to be the first resurrection. When will it take place? Well, the Apostle
Paul said that this resurrection will take place at the last trump. I didn’t say that, that
is what Paul said. Now I know that someone will say, "that didn’t say that it was the
seventh trumpet of the Revelation (see Rev. 11:15). That is true but it does say that it will
be the last trump. If you read the book of Revelation, you will never find another
trumpet sounding after the seventh trumpet sounds. When a person puts this truth with
the fact that "the mystery of God (the church) will be completed as the seventh trumpet
begins to sound (Rev. 10:7); and we see Jesus coming and setting up His kingdom when
the seventh trumpet sounds (Rev.11:15-18); and we are told that there will be a trumpet
sound at the return of the Lord in First Thessalonians 4:13-18; and, Jesus told the church
there would be a sound of a trumpet at his coming in Matthew 24:31 (and He says this
will be "after the tribulation "); it seems like more than a coincidence that this is the same
trumpet.
If this is not the trumpet of which Paul was speaking in I Corinthians 15, show me
where the Bible teaches of another?
CHAPTER 10
"COMING AS A THIEF?"
You have heard the analogy used of the "Thief Coming" of Jesus. It goes something
like this. While the world is asleep in sin and not watching, the blessed Son of God will
sneak in like a thief in the night and catch away his faithful bride to take back to heaven
with him. It is kind of like a romantic elopement where the bridegroom comes with his
ladder and gently tap at his lover window so as not to wake the rest of the house and they
climb down the ladder and speed away in the night to a Justice of the Peace where a
marriage is consummated. As the story goes" And they lived happily ever after". Sounds
like a fairy tale doesn’t it? My friend, it is not any more of a fairy tale than to teach that
Jesus is coming in this manner after his church.
It is true that the Bible teaches that Jesus will come as a thief in the night. However, as
a child of God, I most certainly don’t want Him to come to me as a thief in the night. In
fact, every warning of the Bible teaches that we should guard against being caught by
Jesus as a thief in the night.
What does the Bible teach about the "Thief Coming"?
The first mention of the "Thief coming" is in Matthew 24:42-44, "Watch therefore:
for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of
the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and
would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in
such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. "
If a person will only read this section of Scripture in context, there is no possible way to
make this "thief coming" prior to the tribulation. For example in Matthew 24:29 it says,
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days": Clearly not a pre-tribulation event.
The entire admonition here is not that Jesus will sneak in and catch away his bride
unaware to the rest of the world but rather that His church should stay faithful so they will not be caught as someone who is taken unaware by a thief.
Again in Luke 12:39,40, ’’And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known
what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house
to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour
when ye think not."
This is an admonition not to be caught in the thief coming. It is the unfaithful, not
the faithful servant who is caught in the "thief coming".
However, the most convincing passage about the "thief coming" is in I Thessalonians
5:1-11. Actually this teaching goes from I Thessalonians 4: 13 through 5:11 (Please read
these verses very carefully).
Now, we are told in 5:2 that the Lord will indeed come as a thief in the night. However,
in 5:3 we are told that it will be a time of sudden destruction upon those who are caught
unaware in this coming. Then, in 5:4 the Apostle Paul says, "But ye. brethren are not in
darkness. that day should overtake you as a thief. " So my friend, I am most definitely
not wanting to be caught in the thief coming of the Lord. This is not a picture of Jesus
catching away his church but it is a picture of Jesus coming to a wicked world not
prepared for his coming and to Christians who have not been faithful or have prepared for
his coming.
In conclusion of this book let me say that I have prayed that I would not come over as a
"know-it-all". I have tried not to be arrogant or over bearing. I have tried to get the
reader to think about "Thus sayeth the Word of God" for nothing else really matters. It
doesn’t matter what I believe or what you believe or what the majority of people believe, it
only matters that we are true to the teaching of God’s Word. Let me once again quote a
very wise man who said, "Truth is not determined by how many people believe it.
I believe what I believe because I am convinced that it is indeed the teaching of God’s
Holy Word. I can be wrong and have been so many times but judge me wrong using as
the standard of measurement the Word of God.
If you have read this far in this book, I assume that you have at least considered the
possibility that the church might go into the tribulation. If there is only the slightest
chance that the church will go into the terrible time of trouble, then we need to take very
seriously the responsibility that we have in preaching and teaching the people of God. If
you tell someone that they don’t have a thing to worry about; that no one who is saved
today will enter into this time of great trouble and then they do -will they be prepared?
Will a person be an easy mark for the Antichrist who has been taught that he or she can
not be here while that Devil controlled system is set up.
We are living in those day. We need to be sure. God’s people are depending on us to
preach the truth.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR QUEST TO SEEK THE TRUTH OF HIS WORD.
Larry P. Jacobs
