If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. –Mark 7:16.
Nobody likes bad news: no one likes to be wrong, either. Still, one of the basic tenets of Christian faith is to accept that apart from salvation, we are wrong, and headed for judgment. When we preach this to the unsaved, they will hate us, even as they hated Jesus (John 7:7). Yet even after we have been regenerated in Christ, we stumble, and our understanding is limited. We need to hunger and thirst after righteousness, endure chastening, and grow toward perfection.
The Bible tells us to, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” in Proverbs 22:6. Yet this proverb doesn’t only apply to believers, does it? We see it all the time in the unsaved. It is also true for other religions; Muslims raise their children to be Muslims, Catholics raise Catholics, and Jews raise Jews. When one has been deeply indoctrinated over many years, it is nearly impossible that they will be able to change, and turn away from their upbringing. Indeed, Jesus informed us that salvation with men is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:26, 27).
Even the Apostle Paul had been subject to a bad religious upbringing (Acts 22:3). Although he had been trained up in the scriptures as a Pharisee, the training he received led him into misunderstanding about Jesus, and the subsequent persecution of Christians. And so it was that after the Lord’s initial direct confrontation with Paul (Acts 9:1-18), we find that he was led away into Arabia for three years; that the Holy Spirit (I John 2:27) might teach him directly from God’s Word (Galatians 1:11-18). He needed to unlearn what men had taught him, even though they were religious and well-meaning.
It is therefore no great surprise to me when I find that most “pre-trib” rapture believers are unwilling to change from their point of view. Many of them have been subjected to this view all of their lives, and with many sincere Christians promoting it. In more recent years, the media has also greatly promoted it through the Left Behind books and movies, which only cements the pre-trib teaching more firmly into those already indoctrinated.
As you can tell by now, or if you have followed this blog at all, you know that I stand firm in my belief of a post-tribulation rapture. I am not here to condemn fellow believers that favor the pre-trib view, because a person’s view on the timing of the rapture isn’t the basis for what makes a genuine Christian. It is, however, a point of great concern. Please read this article carefully, and commit it in prayer. Let God lead you, and prepare you as He desires. Jesus said that, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” in John 10:27. I am by this promise counting on Jesus to lead His sheep into the truth.
For those that have been indoctrinated into the pre-tribulation rapture view, it may be all but impossible to change. My first hope is that God would do this “impossible” work in you, anyway. But if that immediate change cannot be, it is my hope that you will remember what you have read here at that key point in the near future, and retain your foundation in Christ.
One of the great, undeserved blessings God has given me is that I was NOT subjected to any particular “rapture” view as a young Christian. God’s call to me, and my subsequent salvation came at the transition of age into my teen years. Therefore all of my teen years were very involved with the organized church, but I really do not remember any particular emphasis on Jesus’ return, or the end times, and other related points. The matter of Christ’s 2nd coming was generally treated as unknowable, and not one of crucial importance. Yet over the years it became apparent that the church at large was favoring a pre-tribulation view of the rapture. When I reflect back on this now, it really is no surprise.
Without any particular organized church affiliation, I began to study God’s Word on my own, the Holy Ghost directing. I came to see that God had faithfully preserved His Word in the King James Bible, and in no other. This was a great source of faith-strengthening, as it provided a sure foundation to build upon. Although I might research a topic once in a while, my main goal was to read the Bible over and over, embedding God’s Word into my soul. It’s simply amazing what you can learn from God directly!
So when it came to the subject of “the rapture,” I really had no interest. I think this came from my background. I rationalized that this topic had been over-killed, that there was nothing for me to add, and that I could never hold a candle to the knowledge of the many great Christian scholars that knew so much. I had also unwittingly slipped into the pre-trib rapture belief, simply because of its publicity. Along the way, however, my wife disappeared- twice!
There were two times that my wife seemed to vanish, with the rapture being the only viable explanation. The first time was the worst. I had come back to the house after a short time away, and Jamie was nowhere to be seen! The cars were still there, and with no sign that she had otherwise gone anywhere (she would leave a note). A significant fear came over me. I even turned on the radio to hear if there was any emergency broadcast that might verify the rapture! I was scared at the thought of being “left behind.” In the end, there were no emergency broadcasts, and Jamie eventually emerged from the bedroom. She had been napping, sunk down into the water bed, with the cover pulled all the way over her! Still, even this didn’t spur me into any more Biblical research on the topic- but it was a lesson from God.
God really doesn’t want His children to be scared (I John 4:18). The nature of the pre-trib rapture teaching is that it could come at any time, and is almost completely unknowable. This is not at all what the Bible teaches us. After reading God’s Word dozens of times over, I saw the simplicity and clarity of what will happen at the end, and leading up to the rapture. I have already gone over this well in other blogs (such as Rapture Readiness), so here I will only mention some scriptures; Luke 17:26-37, and I Thessalonians 4:15-5:9, and II Thessalonians 2:1-6. It is very, very simple, and forthright. Yet in all of my studies throughout the Bible, so many times over, where did I come across the inferences of a pre-trib rapture? There aren’t any. I can only assume that this teaching originated by someone’s private interpretation of scripture, such as we were warned about here in II Peter 1:20;
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
A good example of private interpretation can be shown through the “parable of the fig tree,” which is often said to be a prophecy of Israel’s return as a political nation;
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 heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. –Matthew 24:29-33.
Why would anyone claim that these verses are a prophecy regarding Israel’s return? Jesus plainly explains the meaning right away, as He did with many parables. It would also be a point to say that once you have given yourself over to the concept of a pre-trib rapture, many other distortions will naturally follow, being based on a faulty premise.
What really bothers me is some of the spiritual fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) I am noticing from many pre-trib rapture believers; they have become fierce for promoting or defending their “doctrine,” and often shun fellow Christians who believe otherwise. Why should this be? As much as the “pre-trib” people may argue for their view, and try to claim that scripture supports it, their underlying premise is flawed; and they cannot overcome logical, post-trib reasoning…
If the pre-tribulation rapture is correct, then the post-tribulation believers are still SAFE. To believe one way or another about the timing of the rapture won’t change a person’s eternal destiny. But if the post-tribulation view is the right one, then pre-tribulation endorsers will be facing trouble! They will not be prepared for what lies ahead, and will be far more vulnerable to deception; even to the point of possibly mistaking the Antichrist for the real Christ. The pre-trib rapture people have “hung their hats” on what is the strategically weaker position, but the one with the greater appeal. Deep inside, these people know it, and so become fierce when the other possibility is mentioned: it is a fear-based response.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. –II Timothy1:7.
Many of those who espouse the pre-trib rapture theory absolutely contradict the characteristics of this previous verse: 1) Their position isn’t one of power, but is held to from fear. 2) Where is the love for their brethren who don’t hold to their view? 3) The reasoning of a “sound mind” would be on the side of the post-trib believers, who will be prepared no matter what.
Brethren in Christ, be prepared for the worst. This issue of pre-trib or post-trib rapture ought not to be causing division between us. I KNOW that there are pre-trib adherents who will be saved in the end: they still will have the Holy Spirit within to guide them, even when they are coming to grips with harsh reality. But I also know that Satan has fathered the false notion of a pre-trib rapture in order to deceive and destroy many. The point is that we need to be preparing now for the dark days lying just ahead. My desire isn’t to prove pre-trib is wrong, and my post-trib view is right: my goal is to warn these, my fellow believers, so that they will be spiritually safe in the end. I pray that you will be.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. –Luke 21:25-28.
One of the great, undeserved blessings God has given me is that I was NOT subjected to any particular “rapture” view as a young Christian. God’s call to me, and my subsequent salvation came at the transition of age into my teen years. Therefore all of my teen years were very involved with the organized church, but I really do not remember any particular emphasis on Jesus’ return, or the end times, and other related points. The matter of Christ’s 2nd coming was generally treated as unknowable, and not one of crucial importance. Yet over the years it became apparent that the church at large was favoring a pre-tribulation view of the rapture. When I reflect back on this now, it really is no surprise.
Without any particular organized church affiliation, I began to study God’s Word on my own, the Holy Ghost directing. I came to see that God had faithfully preserved His Word in the King James Bible, and in no other. This was a great source of faith-strengthening, as it provided a sure foundation to build upon. Although I might research a topic once in a while, my main goal was to read the Bible over and over, embedding God’s Word into my soul. It’s simply amazing what you can learn from God directly!
So when it came to the subject of “the rapture,” I really had no interest. I think this came from my background. I rationalized that this topic had been over-killed, that there was nothing for me to add, and that I could never hold a candle to the knowledge of the many great Christian scholars that knew so much. I had also unwittingly slipped into the pre-trib rapture belief, simply because of its publicity. Along the way, however, my wife disappeared- twice!
There were two times that my wife seemed to vanish, with the rapture being the only viable explanation. The first time was the worst. I had come back to the house after a short time away, and Jamie was nowhere to be seen! The cars were still there, and with no sign that she had otherwise gone anywhere (she would leave a note). A significant fear came over me. I even turned on the radio to hear if there was any emergency broadcast that might verify the rapture! I was scared at the thought of being “left behind.” In the end, there were no emergency broadcasts, and Jamie eventually emerged from the bedroom. She had been napping, sunk down into the water bed, with the cover pulled all the way over her! Still, even this didn’t spur me into any more Biblical research on the topic- but it was a lesson from God.
God really doesn’t want His children to be scared (I John 4:18). The nature of the pre-trib rapture teaching is that it could come at any time, and is almost completely unknowable. This is not at all what the Bible teaches us. After reading God’s Word dozens of times over, I saw the simplicity and clarity of what will happen at the end, and leading up to the rapture. I have already gone over this well in other blogs (such as Rapture Readiness), so here I will only mention some scriptures; Luke 17:26-37, and I Thessalonians 4:15-5:9, and II Thessalonians 2:1-6. It is very, very simple, and forthright. Yet in all of my studies throughout the Bible, so many times over, where did I come across the inferences of a pre-trib rapture? There aren’t any. I can only assume that this teaching originated by someone’s private interpretation of scripture, such as we were warned about here in II Peter 1:20;
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
A good example of private interpretation can be shown through the “parable of the fig tree,” which is often said to be a prophecy of Israel’s return as a political nation;
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 heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. –Matthew 24:29-33.
Why would anyone claim that these verses are a prophecy regarding Israel’s return? Jesus plainly explains the meaning right away, as He did with many parables. It would also be a point to say that once you have given yourself over to the concept of a pre-trib rapture, many other distortions will naturally follow, being based on a faulty premise.
What really bothers me is some of the spiritual fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) I am noticing from many pre-trib rapture believers; they have become fierce for promoting or defending their “doctrine,” and often shun fellow Christians who believe otherwise. Why should this be? As much as the “pre-trib” people may argue for their view, and try to claim that scripture supports it, their underlying premise is flawed; and they cannot overcome logical, post-trib reasoning…
If the pre-tribulation rapture is correct, then the post-tribulation believers are still SAFE. To believe one way or another about the timing of the rapture won’t change a person’s eternal destiny. But if the post-tribulation view is the right one, then pre-tribulation endorsers will be facing trouble! They will not be prepared for what lies ahead, and will be far more vulnerable to deception; even to the point of possibly mistaking the Antichrist for the real Christ. The pre-trib rapture people have “hung their hats” on what is the strategically weaker position, but the one with the greater appeal. Deep inside, these people know it, and so become fierce when the other possibility is mentioned: it is a fear-based response.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. –II Timothy1:7.
Many of those who espouse the pre-trib rapture theory absolutely contradict the characteristics of this previous verse: 1) Their position isn’t one of power, but is held to from fear. 2) Where is the love for their brethren who don’t hold to their view? 3) The reasoning of a “sound mind” would be on the side of the post-trib believers, who will be prepared no matter what.
Brethren in Christ, be prepared for the worst. This issue of pre-trib or post-trib rapture ought not to be causing division between us. I KNOW that there are pre-trib adherents who will be saved in the end: they still will have the Holy Spirit within to guide them, even when they are coming to grips with harsh reality. But I also know that Satan has fathered the false notion of a pre-trib rapture in order to deceive and destroy many. The point is that we need to be preparing now for the dark days lying just ahead. My desire isn’t to prove pre-trib is wrong, and my post-trib view is right: my goal is to warn these, my fellow believers, so that they will be spiritually safe in the end. I pray that you will be.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. –Luke 21:25-28.
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