The Bible verses used to prove the "Pre-Trib" Rapture,
instead prove the "Post-Trib" Rapture, at...
...this men's conference at Country Church in Redding, CA.,
attended by about 800 men__ Common sense should tell us that
...this men's conference at Country Church in Redding, CA.,
attended by about 800 men__ Common sense should tell us that
there can't be two Second Comings, Heb.9:28 KJV (paraphrased):
"...He comes once as a suffering Messiah, then a second time....
unto salvation." No_third_time mentioned in God's word, nor is
there any mention of dividing the second coming into two events.
So, let's reason together, He has already been here_once, which
would leave one more event: The_ second_ coming of Christ,
that the Bible clearly states occurs after the great tribulation.
Furthermore, there isn't a single scripture in the entire Bible that
Furthermore, there isn't a single scripture in the entire Bible that
states Christians are removed before the Tribulation. If anyone
can find one, would you please Email me? Then, I promise you, I
would remove this web page from every search engine. Please, no
assumptions, analogies or verses taken out of context.
The three senior pastors that spoke at this "Endtime Conference"
used nine scriptures to prove the "pre-trib" rapture. However,
out of the nine they used, seven were taken out of context, and
the other two were based on assumptions._ Below are the nine
scriptures they used to "try" to prove this:
.............. All verses quoted are KJV, for an instant reference in the
.............. English Standard Version, place cursor on chapter/verse.
#1. I Corinthians 15:51-52
51"Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
Read the last two lines in the above verse slowly, think about the
"order" (sequence) God inspired Paul to list these three events:
#1 The Last Trump, #2 The Resurrection of the dead,
#3 The Rapture of the living (i.e.,we shall be changed). Paul
would have listed the Rapture first, instead of third, if this was
to be a pre-tribulation Rapture. Also Jesus states three times in
John 6:40, 44, and 54, the resurrection is on the Last day (see
also John 11:24). So, if the. Resurrection is on the Last Day,
as stated by Jesus, and in I Cor 15:52, Paul lists the Rapture...
after the Resurrection. Paul has told us the "sequence" of
these (3) events and Jesus told us "when", (on the Last Day).
Is this such a difficult concept to comprehend? Clearly, these two
verses teach a......Post-Tribulation Rapture, at the Second
Coming of Christ. How can the.....Last Trumpet sound....then...
..the Resurrection of the dead in Christ...and the rapture happen...
..seven years....before....the Last Day ? ?
#3 The Rapture of the living (i.e.,we shall be changed). Paul
would have listed the Rapture first, instead of third, if this was
to be a pre-tribulation Rapture. Also Jesus states three times in
John 6:40, 44, and 54, the resurrection is on the Last day (see
also John 11:24). So, if the. Resurrection is on the Last Day,
as stated by Jesus, and in I Cor 15:52, Paul lists the Rapture...
after the Resurrection. Paul has told us the "sequence" of
these (3) events and Jesus told us "when", (on the Last Day).
Is this such a difficult concept to comprehend? Clearly, these two
verses teach a......Post-Tribulation Rapture, at the Second
Coming of Christ. How can the.....Last Trumpet sound....then...
..the Resurrection of the dead in Christ...and the rapture happen...
..seven years....before....the Last Day ? ?
#2. I Thes.4:16
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first."
Again the word "trump" is used, but the Thessalonian's were
unclear as to "when" this would happen. Paul apparently heard
that they were troubled about this, so he then wrote a_second
letter_to clear this up, and this reads as follows:
II Thes. 2:1,2,3,4, 1 "Now we beseech you, brothren, by
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering
together (i.e. rapture) unto him,___ 2 That ye be not soon
shaken in mind,_or be troubled,_neither by spirit,_or by word,
nor by letter from us, _as that the _day of Christ_ is at hand.
3 Let no man_deceive you_by any means: for_ that day
shall not come_except there come a falling away first, and
that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (i.e. false christ)
"Falling away," is #646 "APOSTASIA" in the Strong's (Greek)
Concordance, and translates: "Defection from the truth, apostasy."
In this, second letter, Paul, this time_ makes it _very clear
that the false Christ_ comes first,__and (v-3) not to let anyone
deceive you. Then, referring back to the first letter he wrote, then
(after the false Christ) the Lord descends, with a shout, with the
voice of the arch angel, with the"trump" of God: and the dead in
Christ shall rise first. This is the second coming of Christ, after
the tribulation_ So, with this_second letter_Paul is making
it clear that this "trump"_is not before the tribulation_it's
after!! It's a post-tribulation rapture, on the Last Day!!
#3. Revelation 3:10
"Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will
keep thee from the hour of temptation, that shall come upon
all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth."
Notice that Jesus says, "....I will keep thee from....." He does
not say, "...take thee out of..." So, for a better understanding
of Rev. 3:10, Lets prove the Bible, with the Bible, and not assume
anything._ Lets let Jesus clarify this verse, which He does in
John 17:15, "I pray not that thou take them out of the world,
but that thou should keep them from the evil."
Jesus clearly says__"not" to take them out__in John 17:15.
So, how can the_I will Keep thee from_of Rev. 3:10_ mean_
I will take thee out of_? As pre-trib teachers would have you
believe. Jesus does "not" contradict Himself !!__For the
Greek meaning of "Keep thee from"................ see note #2--->
God's wrath does not fall on us,"only those who had the mark
of the beast" (Rev 16:2). And those who "do not have the seal
of God" (Rev 9:4). Like the "144 thousand" of Rev. 7:3, we have
the seal of God._ See Eph.1:13 "....after you believed, you were
sealed......" And Eph.4:30 "......you are sealed unto the day of
redemption." There are several verses that clearly state, after we
accept Christ, we are sealed, (protected from God's wrath).
#4. Matthew 24:27
"For as the lighting cometh out of the east, and shineth even
unto the west; so shall also the coming of the son of man be."
Go down two verses, Matt.24:29 tells you "when" this will be:
"Immediately__ after the tribulation__ of those days...."
Now Matt.24:30 "....then shall appear the sign of the son of man
(Jesus)..." Now Matt.24:31, "..with the great sound of a trumpet,
and they shall gather together (rapture) his elect...." Again the
same trumpet as in other verses, now back to Matt.24:26, Jesus
tells them not to believe people that tell you that He (Jesus) is
in a secret place (like a secret pre-trib rapture). Matt.24:27
is another verse that was clearly taken out of context, It teaches a
post tribulation rapture, at the second coming of Christ.
#5. Matthew 25:1-13
The parable of the "ten virgins"___ Here Jesus does not
talk about the "time" of His return, because He had just told
them a few minutes before about the time, (see the paragraph
before this one_Matt.24:29_definitely after the tribulation).
The Wedding Feast can only take place after the tribulation,
because the Resurrection doesn't happen until the Last day
Jesus said four times that the Resurrection is on the Last
Day (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54). _ Then the bridegroom (church)
goes into the wedding feast after the second coming of Christ,
and guess who else is at this Wedding Feast? 1 The Old
Testament saints. 2 The tribulation saints. 3 The prophets.
4 The 144 thousand new Christians. There would have to be
two wedding feasts__two resurrections__two second comings,
and two Last Days__ for the "pre-tribulation" rapture to work.
#6. Mark 13:6-37
In this entire chapter Jesus is talking about the events that
happen during the tribulation, and that they were _not_ to
look for Him until_after_ certain events happen first, then in
Mark 13:24, 25, 26, 27, (paraphrased) "...after the tribulation
of those days, then they shall see Him..." So Jesus again told
them He's coming back after the tribulation, making this a post-
tribulation rapture at the Second Coming of Christ.
#7. Luke 21:6-38
Basically this chapter is the same as the above chapter, where
Jesus returns__after__the tribulation, at the second coming of
Christ, except in v-36, He says, "....pray that you be accounted
worthy to escape all these things...." What things? All 21 plagues
that God uses to punish evil men; "...men which had the mark of
the beast..."(Rev.16:2), and "...those men which have not the seal
of God..." (Rev.9:4). What makes us worthy to escape all these
things? Accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and
being an overcomer, which includes_not_taking_the mark of the
beast. So, we will escape all these things, because we have the
seal of God (Eph.1:13, Eph.4:30, II Cor 1:22, and John 6:27). We
are protected (sealed) from God's wrath, like the 144K of Rev.7:4.
Greek rendering of "escape" put in the proper context...See Note 4----->
#8. II Peter 3:10
"...The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night."
Now let's let the Bible prove the Bible and go to I Thes. 5:2, where
the exact same words are used, "...the Day of the Lord so cometh
as a thief in the night." Then in I Thes.5:4, (paraphrased) "But
[we] are not in darkness that this day should overtake [us] as a
thief." Why? Because I Thes.5:5 "... [we] are children of the light."
So, we will know! (I inserted "we" for "you" because Peter and
Paul's letters were to the Gentiles (non Jews_"us").
#9. Revelation 22:12
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me." So,
when does He give out rewards? See Rev. 11:15, 18, "And the
7th angel sounded...[its time]...that thou give rewards...unto
the saints..."_It's after the 7th trump!!__At the end!!
Rewards are given out after the post-trib resurrection/
rapture, after the Second Coming of Christ.
[A]
Now, the (9) verse references listed above__was all__
that was presented to prove the "Pre-Trib" rapture
by the three pastors at this conference. You can see
that they were all taken out of context, or based
on assumptions. God was very angry with the
ten spies, who made Israel fear the Giants that were in
the land that God promised them (Num.13:1-2), and__They__
were afraid to go in (Num.13:31,32,33). We are doing the
same thing today, by fearing the "Giant" (Antichrist) _we add
"pre-trib" to God's word, without a single verse to prove it,
this is very dangerous, (see Rev. 22:18). It is not my intent to
belittle these three pastors, I am sure they are sincere Christians,
but if they can't come up with one single verse that specifically
places this event before the tribulation, who can? See note 5-->
[B]
It's really very simple, if it's not in God's word, it's not going to
happen. Again, I want to repeat that these nine scriptures were
all that was used to prove the "pre-trib" rapture that day, I was
there! The senior pastor of this church has read this article, (the
nine verses) and made a comment to me via Email, and he did not
question that these verses were all that were used.
[C]
Note: The "pre-trib" view is a relativity new doctrine, you will
not find pre-trib writings or documents in any church history until
about the year 1830. Edward Irving, (Catholic Apostolic Church)
and soon after, John Darby, (Plymouth Brethren) both of England,
were teaching the pre-tribulation rapture. _However, the most
important reason for the acceptance of this "pre-trib" rapture
view in the United States was the Scofield Reference Bible as well
as the Dake Study Bible. In the footnotes Scofield split the second
coming of Christ into two events:
1 Coming "for" the saints, 2 Coming "with" the saints (seven
years later)._To quote a well known Christian author on this topic:
Robert Cameron (1845-1922), "The Coming for, and the Coming
with, the saints, still persists, although it involves a manifest
contradiction, two Second Comings which is an absurdity."
(Scriptural Truth About the Lord's Return, p.639).
[D]
Some may ask:_"what difference does it make if Christ returns
before the tribulation, or after?"_ There are sincere Christians on
both sides. However, the Bible says in I Thes.5:21, to "prove all
things."_And in II Tim.4:4,"And they shall turn away their ears
from the truth, and shall be turned into fables" (fiction). We
see this in the "Left Behind" book and movie, with cars & planes
crashing, etc. Millions are killed before the tribulation even starts,
when all these people still have/had a chance to be saved during
this time. The reality is the truth was Left Behind in the making
of this movie! Yet it sells well in the religious marketplaces. The
Pre Tribulation Rapture doctrine has become amusement for the
masses, a multi billion dollar business..............See note #6------>
[E]
If such a major event as the "pre-trib" Rapture is true, why
isn't it found in Old Testament prophecy?__or in Jesus's
own teachings?__ or His disciples?__or any of the New
Testament writers?__Jesus said in Mark 13:23,__ "I have
foretold you all things."__Jesus would have told us if
there was to be a pre-trib rapture.
[F]
Others may say: That, "the tribulation is only for the 144,000"
And then they go on to say that these are the people that God
uses in this time to bring people to Christ. This may be true, in
part, but look at Rev. 7:1,2,3,4 where God puts a seal on this
small group. And because of this seal, they are protected!!
The woman (Israel/144,000) is protected in the last 3 1/2 years
of the tribulation (Rev. 12:13-14). This, in turn, makes the serpent
(Satan) angry, so he goes after us in Rev.12:17, those who have
"the testimony of Jesus Christ." _Again, go back to Rev. 7:9,
"After this (the sealing of the 144000) I beheld, and look, a great
multitude... of all nations...". Now skip to Rev.7:13, who are
these people, and where did they come from?__ Rev.7:14,
"these are they that came out of great tribulation......" And
God just stated in Rev 12:13-14, that the woman (Israel/144000)
are protected. So, who do you think this great multitude is, that
has the testimony of Jesus Christ, if it's not us??__These are
martyred believers during the great tribulation (Rev.20:4).
So, there are untold millions, along with the 144,000 Israelites
that are in this period of time. To say this time is only for them to
deal with is a "cop out" and just another assumption and not
valid. They base this on Isaiah 45:4 where Israel is called God's
"elect" (KJV), so then in Matt. 24:31, when Jesus sends his angels
to gather His "elect" after the tribulation, that this event (the
second Coming of Christ) is only for the 144,000 who have to go
through the tribulation._After we (non Jews/Israelites) accept
Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become God's elect. I'll back up
this statement with Paul's letters to non Israelites: the Galatians
and the Colossians:
1 Gal.3:28-29 (paraphrased)"There is neither Jew or Greek,
you are all one in Christ...you also are Abraham's seed..."
2 Col 3:11-12, "....there is neither Greek or Jew....but Christ
is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the __Elect of God...."
3 I Peter 1:1-2, Peter writes a letter to different nationalities
and calls them the _"elect of God"_ because they have been
"washed in the blood of the Lamb"__ like we have been.
So, Israel_"and"_the church_"are"_God's elect!!
Jesus has one bride! He created the miracle of uniting Jew and
Gentile alike into one bride. Let's just "reason together", does it
make any sense that Jesus would rapture out a partial bride?
What parts would He take first? And then...what? pick up the
other parts later - with whatever the results the 144,000 are
able to accomplish during the last 3 1/2 years? Why would Jesus
remove only some?
And... if He was going to do this, don't you think He would have
told us? At least one verse stating that He was going to take some
out first? Jesus said in Mark 13:23, "I have foretold you all
things." He would have told us!! And do you suppose Jesus
would have the wedding feast with His "raptured" church (bride),
without the tribulation saints, the Old Testament saints,
the prophets or the 144,000?? Let's think about this, are we
really this special?_ Compared to these four other groups ???
Furthermore, Dan.11:33 says "And they that understand among
the people shall instruct many...." How are these new converts go-
ing to "instruct many" if they don't understand themselves? This
takes years of study, and how many Jews or Isralites in the world
today are studying end time prophecy?
[G]
I am going to add a few scriptures, (that were not mentioned at
this conference) that are also used to support the pre-tribulation
rapture, so that you will have a complete list of all the verses,
assumptions and analogies this "new" doctrine was based on:
1 Matt. 24:40, "...One shall be taken, and the other left."
Notice that Jesus made this statement just minutes after He had
told them "Immediately after the tribulation of those days.."
(Matt.24:29). That's when "one will be taken and and the other
left" Not seven years before! Put it in context!
[H]
2 The 'Noah' analogy__Many analogies are used by the Pre-
Trib Rapture teachers, for lack of scriptural proof. However, Noah
is their main one, so I will deal only with this one. Everyone is
aware of the fact that Noah warned the people that a flood is
coming and to repent, but _they refused to listen. The Pre-
Trib Rapture teachers say "that's like the rapture", so as Noah
was saved out of the flood, we are going to be "raptured" out of
the Tribulation. It's an analogy!!_An assumption!!
Did the flood come upon Noah, as well as the rest of the world
unawares? Let's read Gen.7:1 and Gen.7:4 and see. "And the Lord
said unto Noah...For in seven days, I will cause it to rain upon
the earth..." OK, so it does appear that Noah knew ahead of time
when the flood was going to come.....
...It was the world that did not know. Very important to notice
that Noah knew seven days before the exact day the flood would
start. And we will know seven years after the signing of the
covenant of Daniel 9:27, the Lord Jesus Christ will return.
Just for fun:
The "Post"-Trib 'Noah' analogy_We, the Post-Tribulation
Rapture teachers, are warning you that a flood is coming
(the Tribulation) , but you refuse to listen, just like in the
days of Noah.But Instead of a flood of water, it's a flood of Satanic
deception that started with a small wave in 1830 with the new
pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. Now this wave of deception has
covered the entire western world and has blinded us to the huge
wave that may soon be upon us. Because millions refuse to hear
the truth, many will fall in this dark time, and be deceived into
taking the "Mark of the Beast" and be forever lost. However,
post-trib rapture teachers don't have to use analogies to prove
their view. But even with two dozen solid scriptures, the people
still _refuse to listen!! "For the time will come (in the last days)
people will heap to themselfs teachers......and be turned aside to
fables" (2nd Tim.4:3).
[J]
3 Mark 13:32, is also used_ "But of that day and that hour
knoweth no man..." _Jesus told them this a few minutes after
telling them in Mark 13:24 "...in those days after that tribulation,
the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light..."
And goes on to say in Mark 13:28-29 that we will know this day is
close because next He says in Mark 13:30, that the generation
that sees these things (the tribulation events He just spoke of),
would (back to Mark 13:26-27), "...see the Son of man coming in
the clouds...to gather His elect from the...uttermost parts of the
earth..." Paul states in 1st Thes.5:4 "we are not in darkness that
this day will come upon us as a thief. "Why? Because, in the next
verse (1st Thes.5:5), "we are children of the light..." However,
right now no one knows, but when the covenant of Daniel 9:27 is
signed, we will know!!__More on the above see note #10---->
[K]
Some people ask me, "why is it that the vast majority of
Christians believe in the "pre-trib"?_When Jesus came to the
earth the first time, the vast majority of the religious people
(the church) of that time, rejected him, even after many Old
Testament prophets foretold of this event. But they did not want
a suffering Messiah, they wanted a conquering king. In this
case the vast majority was wrong!! Now, today, we want the
Messiah to take us out before a certain event, not after!! But,
guess what, we don't get to choose. He only comes to the earth
two times (Heb 9:28). Once as a suffering Messiah, and then as a
conquering KING at the Second Coming of Christ.
[L]
We soon may be entering the last seven years of this age, the 70th
week of Daniel. We will not be_ 'in the balcony of heaven'_ (as
our end time preachers would have us believe) but we need not
fear, God is with us. Jesus said "..I will build my church; and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:18)
[M]
No mater what view we hold, we still need to accept each other as
Christians. Those of us that hold to the post-tribulation rapture
view, should not be thought of as troublemakers, we are only
concerned that millions may fall during this time, a time when we
(the church) can be used by God. "..The people that do know their
God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand
among the people shall instruct many..." (Daniel 11:32-33)
And, then we can be overcomers as in Rev. 7:9,13,14 "...a great
multitude, which no man could number, of all nations.."
v-13 ( paraphrased) "...who are these people and where did
they come from?"__ Then v-14, "....these are they which
came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes, and
made them white in the Blood of the Lamb."
Jesus is coming, there is no denying that. When He is coming has
been up for debate ever since He left. I've tried my best to present
to you the Truth. Whether you accept it or not is totally up to you.
Post Script......Important to read brief quotes from the early
church fathers on what they believed and taught on the Second
Coming of Christ, and the Antichrist. Most of these apostles and
teachers lifespan overlapped each other from 30AD to 1900:
Early Church Fathers http://earlychurchbelief.blogspot.com/
Very brief answers on the Eternal Security Doctrine (OSAS):
Eternal Security ? http://osas-question.blogspot.com/
The Antichrist empire that will center in the middle east is the:
Endtime Beast Empire http://endtimebeast.blogspot.com/
Where is Mystery Babylon, and who is the Woman on the Beast?
Woman on...Scarlet Beast http://ancient-harlot.blogspot.com/
The first 4 of God's 7-angel's that execute the Seal, Trump,
and Vial plagues are the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
http://4horsemen4.blogspot.com/
Questions?...Roger Armstrong.... lassenview@gmail.com
(No relation or connection to H.W. Armstrong....or his church).
Read, "GLORY TRAIN"-A Play, by Dr. Gavin Finley. A drama
on a endtime theme, http://endtimepilgrim.org/glorytrain.htm
44 comments:
Thank you for your thorough study. I pastor a church and have always "leaned" toward pre-trib because it has been what I was taught from a child until now. I have been questioning the position for years now as any Scripture I read seemed to deny it. I have been interested to find that there are many who are also questioning this "doctrine" (which is not doctrine if it is not truth). I have been refraining from searching for other teachers on the matter, but instead for several years I have been sincerely seeking out God's Word and asking God's Holy Spirit to help me understand. There is much I still don't understand but am now definitely beginning to see the truth of a Post-Trib rapture. Pray with me and for me as I must in time boldly preach on this important doctrine. It is my great fear that a peace treaty could be signed tomorrow, the Abomination of Desolation could take place in 3.5 years and still some preachers would not believe and mislead many and even send them to a Christless eternity in Hell. Keep preaching the truth,
Watching and waiting!
Dear Roger,
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said in Revelation 3, v.10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world,to try them that dwell upon the earth."
I'll take the promise of Jesus over the doctrines of man anytime.
Dear anonymous,
Without a single verse to support
a doctrine it becomes a false
doctrine. You, my Christian friend,
are the one with the doctrine of man.
Jesus stated in John 17:15 "I pray
NOT that thou (God the Father) take
them (us) OUT OF THE WORLD, but that thou SHOULD KEEP THEM FROM THE
EVIL." Jesus clearly says "NOT TO
TAKE THEM OUT" in John 17:15, so,
how can the "I will keep thee from"
of Rev.3:10, mean...I will take thee out of?? as pre-trib teachers
would have you believe. Jesus does
NOT contradict Himself!!
I cover Rev.3:10 in my post under
#3, and in the side column next to
it under Note #2 gives you all of
the Greek meanings of the words
"keep" and "from" not just the ones
that support my view, as the pre-
trib teachers have done. Yes you
can pick and choose, pulling words
out of context from the Greek also.
Pre-trib teachers have done this to
Rev.3:10, and will never refer you
to what Jesus says in John 17:15,
"I PRAY NOT THAT THOU SHOULD TAKE
THEM OUT OF THE WORLD, but that thou should KEEP THEM FROM THE
EVIL."
Roger Armstrong
"The Second Coming of Christ"
Greetings in Christ Jesus. I'm with you 95 percent. I agree that the pre-trib rapture is a lie. I beleive, however, that the rapture and the resurection are one event, which Paul, as a Pharisee, called the Resurection of the Dead. Since Jesus' 1000 year reign comes right after this event, we would stay on earth to reign with Him as 'joint heirs with Christ.' Therefore, I don't think there is really a 'rapture' at all. Tribulation, Resurection, Millenial Reign. Thanks for standing up for the truth in the mire of false doctrine. May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
What a stupendous blog! Wondering if you are familiar with historian Dave MacPherson's "rapture" research of many decades. He has many Google articles including "Famous Rapture Watchers" (how the greatest Greek scholars have interpreted Rev. 3:10), "Pretrib Rapture Diehards" (a sort of condensation of his 300-page bestselling book THE RAPTURE PLOT which I bought at Armageddon Books online), "Pretrib Hypocrisy," "X-Raying Margaret," "Deceiving and Being Deceived," and "Scholars Weigh My Research." I have read many blogs on prophecy, and yours is in the top one percent of all of them! Don't stop blogging! Marge
Dear Roger,
I found your blog today and I wanted to encourage you to keep writing. I agree with you that the scriptures do not support any view other than the post-trib view. I've been studying the scriptures for more than 40 years now, and I've held the post-trib view for about 32 of those years.
I'm currently writing a book concerning the end-times--its not even close to publishing--and I wondered if you have written books, magazine articles, etc... other than this online blog. I plan to spend some time perusing your blog!
In Christ's Love!
Ken
Gal 5:6 "faith works by love"
Dear Roger,
I wanted to add a comment related to Note #1 in your post. Point 3 is that many contend that the Church is not mentioned from Revelation 4:1 through Revelation 19:21 (which is true) and they conclude that this means that the Church is not present on earth during this time. However, the scriptures in Revelation show that the Church is on the Earth during the tribulation period.
Revelation 20:4-6 describes those who were resurrected at Jesus' second advent. We know that those who were resurrected were in the tribulation period because they refused to worship the beast or his image, and they refused to receive the mark (Rev 20:4).
Further, we know that those who were resurrected are from the Church because we see specific promises given to the overcomers in the Churches (Rev 2-3) being fulfilled in them. Specifically, the second death has no power over them (Rev 2:11, cf 20:6), judgment is given to them (Rev 2:26-27 cf 20:4), and they reign with Christ (Rev 2:26-27,3:21 cf Rev 20:4,6).
These points clearly show that the Church is in the tribulation period and are being persecuted and killed. They are resurrected at the end of the tribulation period as part of the first resurrection when Jesus returns to earth and are seen sitting upon thrones in Revelation 20:4-6.
In Christ's Love!
Ken
Ken, your quote of Rev.20:4-6, is
conclusive proof that the church is
in this time period. However, over
95% of evangelical Christians
refuse to acknowledge this because
of what they have been taught.
Millions will fall in this time
period because of this false
doctrine. The master of deception
has been quite busy.
Thank you for your comments,
your brother in Christ, Roger
I use to be a pre-tribber. But, now I believe in a post-trib/pre-wrath view at the seventh and last trumpet of Revelation instead of at the seventh vial/bowl which is the classic version of post-tribulationism of the rapture.
Dealing with the end-times apostasy, I believe that two doctrines of the mainstream church will contribute to this greatly which deals with the pre-trib rapture, and the doctrine of "unconditional" eternal security (once saved, always saved). With these two doctrines together, a true Christian will easily fall away from Christ, and the Body of Christ due to being deceived by false doctrines!
Paul,
Yes, you are correct and you have
stated it very well. These two
false doctrines (the pre-trib and
unconditional eternal security)will
devastate the church in the last
days.
And to your first comment, yes, the
"last trump" will be "last"! And it
will happen on the "last day" first
the resurrection, that Jesus says
four times in John 6:39,40,44,54,
happens on the "last day" and John
states in 1st Cor. 15:51-52, that
the rapture (we shall be changed)
is AFTER the resurrection.
Thank you for your comments and
may God bless you,
Roger
So are we to believe in eternal insecurity, that my salvation is tenuous. I may have it now but the next minute I may blow it and lose it. That there is really something I must do to attain my salvation and keep it.
On the contrary, we are kept by the power of God. His salvation is a gift and eternal. Even if I do sin after my repentance and acceptance of His gift of eternal grace (which is inevitable because we have this treasure in earthen vessels) I will have to face the consequences of those sins and give account but not lose my salvation. Heb 12:5 – 8. I know that I have eternal life and that nothing not even myself can take that from me, 1JN. 5:13, Rom. 8:38 and 39.
I am with you on post trib but not on there being any conditions for having eternal salvation other than receiving and believing. I do think that the coming falling away will be over the persecution that the lord promised we would have. Mt 24 He says we will be hated of all nations. (Still yet another proof that we will be here during the tribulation)Also, many will depart and rebel as some translations have it because of this very same false teaching of pre-trib rapture. When things get increasingly tough on the known above ground church and the Anti-Christ destroys the holy people and scatters the power of the holy people. Dan 11:35, 12:7. To try purge and make us white Dan 11:35. There the lord delivers us from the world by delivering the world out of us.
Ricklee,
I think it would be fair to say
that to be "sealed unto the day of
redemption", is equal to having our
name entered into the book of life,
and both of these events take place
at salvation.
So, in light of the above, God
must have been mistaken when He
told Moses in Ex.32:33, "Whosoever
sins against Me, him will I BLOT
OUT OF MY BOOK."
And in Rev.3:5, Jesus infers He
can "BLOT OUR NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE." I would have to say that
our being sealed unto the day of
redemption is also conditional,
because God does not contradict
Himself.
Also Rev.22:19, states that if
a person does a certain thing, God
will take his name out of the book
of life. And this person was saved
or he would not have been in the
book of life to begin with.
There are over a dozen solid
scriptures that clearly state we
can lose our salvation and another
two dozen that infer we can. Please
contact me by Email and I will list
them for you.
We are told to "prove all things"
as you have done with the rapture.
In Christ,
Roger
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://www.my-foreclosures.info
Thank you Betty for the above
comment. May God always Bless you.
Roger
One other comment. If your salvation can be lost, that would render Christ's work on the cross as to mean nothing. What church teaches you this?
Black Microphone,
I believe that the last trumpet(7th) of Revelation is the last trump. Read Rev. 11:12-15 again. Notice that right after the two witnesses are resurrected, the seventh angel blew his trumpet and voices in heaven proclaim that "the dominion of the world has now come into the possession of our Lord and His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever." Also, read Rev. 10:5-7 again, especially verse 7.
5Then the [mighty] angel whom I had seen stationed on sea and land raised his right hand to heaven (the [a]sky),(A)
6And swore in the name of (by) Him Who lives forever and ever, Who created the heavens ([b]sky) and all they contain, and the earth and all that it contains, and the sea and all that it contains. [He swore] that no more time should intervene and there should be no more waiting or delay,
7But that when the days come when the trumpet call of the seventh angel is about to be sounded, then God's mystery (His secret design, His hidden purpose), as He had announced the glad tidings to His servants the prophets, should be fulfilled (accomplished, completed).(B)(AMP)
Revelation is not chronological. The seals, trumpets and bowls overlap.
Susan
To Susan (Feb.26 comment)
Your answer to 'black Microphone'
is correct as I see it.
This person Emailed me the same day
he/she left the comment, and I
Emailed this person back.
I commend you for being one of the
very few to recognize that the
seals, trumps and vials overlap.
GBY!
Roger
Has anyone pointed out that the Church is in fact mentioned after Revelation 3?
Eph 5:31-32, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church."
Rev 10:7, "But in the days 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."
Mitchell,
Yes, the church is mentioned at the
end of this book; Rev.22:16, "I
Jesus have sent mine angel to
testify unto you these things in
the CHURCHES..."
All of "these things" in the book
of Revelation, was for the church
to know, so we can be prepared.
The Bible I use dosn't place the
book of Ephesians AFTER the book
of Revelation, so I must be miss-
ing your point?
Roger
The church is identified as a mystery in Ephesians. In Revelation 10:7 we read that the mystery of God is completed at the end of the tribulation. Therefore, I believe that this is more evidence that the church is present on earth right up until the Second Coming immediately after the tribulation.
This is an excellent blogspot and I have enjoyed reading the comments. I also believe in the post-tribulation rapture and the verses and points shared further confirmed that view for me. My husband and I have also had end-times dreams that I won't go into detail on the internet but confirm this view as well. I am praying that all of our brothers and sisters in Christ will be preparing their hearts for doing the Lord's will no mattter the cost. We will never feel God's wrath as He has set His seal of ownership on us, but that doesn't mean we might not have to make the ultimate sacrifice for His kingdom. Now is the time to more than ever pray for those in our lives who don't know the Lord and to be bold in love with sharing the good news. I feel such a burden for reaching others and have been working to do what I am led to do...and yet at times feel I should be doing more and want to do more. Let's not fear what is to come, but let's rejoice that Jesus is returning soon and His glorious kingdom, that already is living in us, will be physically present as well with His return! Blessings, Jen
Dear Jen,
Yes, we all feel like we should do
more to expose this false pre-trib
doctrine. But even taking the time
to leave the words of encourage-
ment, as you did, helps me more
than you will ever know. And this
encourages me to keep pushing this
on the front pages of all the major
search engines.
You have a God given gift of being
able to express your feelings in
words. What you wrote was beautiful
the love you have for your brothers
and sisters in Christ is manifested
in your words.
I also had something very special
happen to me many years ago that
brought me into this ministry. Yes,
Jesus is returning soon and, as you
said "let us not fear what is to
come..."
Thank you again for your kind words
and may God always bless you.
Love in Christ, Roger
I beleive that at the coming of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ will be when those who are faithful to God will be caught up with him in the clouds.
not before not in the middle but at his coming.
you can't get on a bus until it comes to pick you up and opens the door to let you in.
For the word teaches us that unless you are found written in the Lambs book of life you will not escape the mark of the beast and will worship his image.
There is so much in the scriptures
that tell us that the faitful will
not be taken until Jesus comes again.
I don't believe that if you believe in one way or the other will send you to the lake of fire
for only your disobedeince in God
will send you to that firery place.
For its the fruit of God that gets
you to heaven,his kingdom.
For me I believe that the faithful
the church will be on this earth
until the Lord Jesus returns to the
earth.
God bless,
Dale
the marriage supper is occuring during the trib the saints are called to join(rev 9;19)at jesus second coming his saints come with him ,how can the 24 elders be in heaven if there is no rapture?with crowns on their heads = glorified bodies.when god seals the 144000 and the locusts sting all who are not sealed where is the church? 144000 is not the whole church!
Not so, the marriage supper is at the second coming of our Lord in Rev. 19. It says that the armies in heaven(the Angels) come with Him, not that the Saints come with Him.
Revelation 19:7-16 (King James Version)
7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The church is mentioned in Revelation here: Rev. 12:17, Rev. 17:14, and Rev. 14:12.
To Susan (June 17)
Yes, the marriage supper will be at
the Second Coming of Christ, as you
stated and, of course, it has to be
at the end of the tribulation
because all saints of all time will
be there; the tribulation saints,
the O.T. saints and prophets and
the 144,000.
In Rev.12:17 it is the church that
Satan goes after. Also in Rev.14:12
and 17:14.
And I'm sure you are aware of what
Jesus states at the end of this
book Rev.22:16__"I JESUS HAVE SENT
MINE ANGEL TO TESTIFY UNTO YOU
THESE THINGS UNTO THE CHURCHES..."
I would say to those who think the
church wasn't going to be in these
times__ "Why would Jesus make that
statement if the church wasn't
going to be there anyway?" Do they
think Jesus was mistaken??
Thanks Susan, GBY
Roger
Roger. thank you for your boldness in sharing the truth about the end times. The Lord has been encouraging me to share this truth as well. During a teaching section of our bible school we have at our church I mentioned that I believe in a post-tribulation view, well needless to say I was corrected by the brother who runs the school and asked not to share that any longer. As you mentioned we don't need to divide over this doctrine, but we should hold Gods word above our human creeds. One pastor said to me that there was nothing else that needed fulfilling,except the return of Christ. I referred him to 2thessoloians. I also wanted to recommend a book by George Eldon ladd called "the blessed hope'. very scholarly done book, refutes the pre-trib doctrine. the lord bless you, jack
Jack__Yes, I read the "Blessed
Hope" by Ladd many years ago. Pre
Trib people use this term for the
secret rapture, when, in fact it's
a term that has always been used
looking forward to the second
coming of Christ.
Thanks, GBY
Roger
So many will be and are already deceived. God said He would turn them over to a reprobate mind and let them believe a lie and be damned......Mainly because they refused to hear the truth. Ultimately because we are going to be facing the final seven, God's people had better get their heads out of the sand and prepare to avoid the coming mark! May God bless you and yours. Remember this anonymous blogger in your Prayers....God knows.
To Anonymous June 22 10:53 PM
....WELL SAID!!....
Hello,
I am the co-founder of Eternal Earth-bound pets, post rapture pet rescue site.
For those of you who are pre-rapture tribulationists, and have pets, and worry about what will become of the , you may want to visit my website.
http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/
Best regards,
Bart
Bart,
With all do respect, you can't be
serious!!??
"First of all you must understand this: In the last days mockers will come and, following their own desires, will ridicule us by saying, 'What happened to the Messiah's promise to return?..." (2 Peter 3:3-4 ISV).
I pray for the athiest Bart (from the letter dated 9-26) I pray that that he, and his unsaved friends will turn to Christ for salvation. Jesus is coming again. Any of us could slip into eternity before that happens. Jesus is the only hope for any of us. I warn you. I warn you.
Mr. Armstrong you have really researched much and have shared a great deal. I, however, disagree and believe in the pre-trib rapture.
I have not seen, (and correct me if I missed it)any mention of the Holy Spirit in this discussion. The Holy Spirit will leave the earth before the Anti-Christ comes to power, and if that happens, the believers will crumble
While the Holy Spirit remains, true believers will not follow a man such as the Anti-Christ, because the Holy Spirit is their Comforter, Helper, Interpreter of the Word, etc.) Without the Holy Spirit, many believers would fall away and follow the Anti Christ easily.
Second Thessalonians 2:1-12 discusses a man of lawlessness being held back until a later time. Interpreting the restrainer of evil (2:6) as the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit at work through the body of Christ during the current age, supports the pretribulational interpretation. Since "the lawless one" (the beast or Antichrist) cannot be revealed until the Restrainer (the Holy Spirit) is taken away (2:7-8), the tribulation cannot occur until the church is removed. Of all the rapture positions, only the pre-trib position can be harmonized when we understand that the Restrainer is referring to the Holy Spirit.
Again, thank you for all your research, just have to disagree with you.
Almost thou persuadest me to be a post-trib...
Question: In #5, you said that the church is the bridegroom. Was this a typo??
Comment: You reason that the 144,000 cannot be Jewish teachers because the Jewish scholars have not been studying anything but the Old Testament, thus they would be unprepared to teach on short notice.
1. You underestimate the brains and intellectual and study ability of Jewish scholars. They could study on the "fast mode" and come up to speed pretty quick during a tribulation scenario. You doubt the ability of God to raise them up immediately.
2. You assume that Jewish scholars are not familiar with the New Testament or the Revelation.
Another question: If we believers, pastors, Sunday school teachers, are present during the rapture, why wouldn't we be teaching the people also?
Should we be making caches for Bibles, for whomever is present during the tribulation? This is a serious question.
To the above (2) comments, Oct 2,
and Oct 6. I'm sorry but I didn't
see these until today (Oct.30),they
were in my comment moderation box,
that I had accidently turned on.
Now all comments will go directly
to where you now see them.
I would love to address these, but
now have no way to contact you. If
you happen to see this just leave
a comment stating you left either
Oct 2, or 6, and I will do so.
God Bless you,
Roger
I have been a Born Again Christian for about 25 years. I have always believed in the post tribulation. This makes so much more sense than the pre-trib. But since most churches teach the pre-trib, this is why most Christians believe this.
I have talked to so many Christians over the years and they all believe in the pre-trib. No matter how much I would explain to them where they are mistaken they still would not listen.
It is refreshing to see that there are other Christians who believe the truth rather than the mainstream lie that is put out.
It is sad that so much false doctrine is taught in the church today.
Good job on your internet sight.
Michael
Michael, yes about half of what is
taught today is tradidions of men.
And such a blatant one like the
pre-trib could almost be likened
to a childs belief in the tooth
fairy, except these are adults.
These are our Christian brothers
and sisters and we must not give
up, even though it seems futile,
some still come around.
Thanks for the comment,
Roger
Wow, what a super great and timely blog! I recently noticed a bunch of Google articles by historian Dave MacPherson that are total dynamite. For example, "Famous Rapture Watchers" (showing how all of the best Greek scholars have interpreted Rev. 3:10), "Pretrib Rapture Diehards" (the little known facts about the 179-year-old pretrib rapture), "Pretrib Hypocrisy," "America's Pretrib Rapture Traffickers," "X-Raying Margaret," "Deceiving and Being Deceived," "Thomas Ice (Bloopers)" & "Thomas Ice (Hired Gun)" (examples of pretrib "scholarship"!), "Letter from Mrs. Billy Graham," "Scholars Weigh My Research," "Pretrib Rapture - Hidden Facts," and "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty" (the most shocking one!). These are just a few of his offerings, and his 300-page bestselling book "The Rapture Plot" (see Armageddon Books) has a jillion times more documentation on pretrib's shameful history. Needless to say, pretrib defenders such as Ice, LaHaye, Lindsey etc. either ignore MacPherson's much endorsed evidence or else try to muddy up the waters, but if they're smart they'll admit now that they themselves have been deceived instead of waiting until awful world conditions will surely force them to admit it! Lord bless, keep blogging for Him. Judy
Judy, thank you for your kind and
encouraging words. Wow, you have
really looked into this, as have I.
Dave MacPherson's work on this
topic is fantastic, I read his
first book many years ago, I think
the title was "The Blessed Hope."
The second coming of Christ IS our
"Blessed Hope." And it will take
place at the end of the tribulation
as Jesus Himself stated. A huge
majority of our Christian sisters
and brothers are puting their hope
in a fable that will devastate
the Christian church.
God Bless you Judy,
Roger
This is for the author of this article! I have been trying to teach all of this to my friends so that they will not be deceived by Antichrist when he comes! You and I are on the exact same page! HOWEVER, I can "one up" you on the section you call the Noah analogy and I call the Days of Noah! But I am not trying to "one up" you or anyone; so please read and see if mine is a better (however similar) argument, sir! First of all I will copy and paste the scriptures from Matthew 24:"37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left." So if you read the scripture carefully you will see that Jesus is telling the disciples that the Coming of the Son of Man will be EXACTLY like the Days of Noah were! Pre-Trib Rapture people say that they will be taken and those not "raptured" will be "left behind"! But the Bible does not say left behind ever, and only says left! But what is VERY IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT (and what I feel I am showing you right now so that all Post-Tribbers might use it) is who was "took" or "taken" in the Days of Noah?!?!?! And who was "left"?!?!?!! The wicked ones in the Days of Noah were took/taken in the Flood as those beleiving in Rapture (or at the very least those deceived by Antichrist who comes first) will be taken by the flood of lies proceeding out of the Dragon's mouth (Rev. 12-15) AND the eight Adamic souls including Noah were who was left in the Days of Noah just as those who are not deceived by Antichrist will be left "working in the field" (the world) and/or "grinding at the mill" making bread (or the Body of Christ). These scriptures can be taken (excuse my pun) VERY LITERALLY! If the days of the coming of the Son of Man are to be EXACTLY like the Days of Noah (and the Bible says so!) I would HATE to be TAKEN and would ONLY WANT TO BE LEFT!!!! AMEN!!!!!
To above anonymous (Nov.3rd),thank
you for your very well presented
comment on the Noah analogy. I wish
it were this simple, however if you
are implying that those taken first
are the wicked, and that they are
taken to judgment at this time (end
of trib), this can not be because
there would then be no wicked left
to enter into the millennium (those
of them that survived the terrible
plagues of the last day).
Rev.20:7-8, states there is a great
multitude (as the sand of the sea)
of wicked living (in their mortal
bodies) at the very end of this
1000yr period. At this time will be
the resurrection of the wicked of
all time. We will be in the first
resurrection at the 2nd coming, at
the end of trib,or if still living
we will be changed at this time,
and along with the resurrected dead
in Christ (1st resurrestion),we go
into the millennium in our spirit-
ual bodies and reign with Christ,
over the wicked that are still in
their mortal bodies.
Prov.10:30, "The rightous shall
never be removed..." We go nowhere,
except we are spared God's day of
wrath when four of the worst plag-
ues fall (the last day). I believe
we will be "on" the sea of glass,
just above the earth, for all of
this day then return with Christ at
the end of this day (Rev.15:2) KJV
states "on" this sea of glass (e.g.
huge plate of glass). Other version
states "by" the sea, this is incor-
rect. To fully explain this in the
limited space of this comment box
is impossible. If you would contact
me via Email I would be glad to do
so, at least the best that I can.
Read the entire chapter of Rev.20,
on the above 1st and 2nd resurr-
ections. The wicked are not judged
or taken in judgment until after
the millennium, although untold
millions will die by God's plagues
in the last 3 1/2 years of the trib
especially on the last day.
Yes, we are on the same page, but
some things are not so simple and
really not that important to us at
this time. As you stated, it is
very important to get people ready
to face this AC system. We need to
learn all about our enemy or untold
millions will fall. Paul warned us
in 2nd Thes.2:1-4, that the A.C.
comes first, and Jesus Himself did
in Matthew 24.
God Bless, and thanks again,
Roger
I found this site using [url=http://google.com]google.com[/url] And i want to thank you for your work. You have done really very good site. Great work, great site! Thank you!
Sorry for offtopic
You are welcome and may I thank you
for your kind words, this is very
encouraging to me. Roger
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