Pre-Trib Rapture? Unconditional Security?
There has been a growing burden on my heart, especially in the last few days, concerning the common, modern-day beliefs in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, and OSAS (Once-Saved-Always-Saved).
This increased burden started when I visited another blog, and got into an exchange of comments on a post there. You can view the post and comments by clicking HERE.
I am convinced that these two beliefs, the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and OSAS, will be major contributors to the end-time falling away the Bible so clearly warns of.
The person who runs the Blog mentioned above made the following two statements in her responses to comments:
“The falling away, or apostasy, that you speak of is only going to occur to those people who had thought they were Christians and claimed to be Christians, but were false.”
“Many people who claim to be Christians are not. Of course they will then fall away, right? It is no surprise to us.”
If we can convince ourselves that those who never had a relationship with God are the ones spoken of when the Word of God speaks of the falling away, then we are in big trouble. Unregenerate, lost people don’t apostatize. You don’t fall away from something you never had, regardless of how many “services” you attended or how nice you looked in your Sunday-best.
That kind of thinking also negates all the serious warnings in scripture to the people of God. In my opinion, that is extremely dangerous ground.
Why is it dangerous ground? Simply because if God, the Creator of the Universe and all things, saw fit to place warnings to His people… not one but many… in His Word; then who are we to negate and contradict them?
The essential question is: Do our doctrines line up with the Word of God and the beliefs of the Apostolic and early Post-Apostolic Church?
It’s not good enough for our doctrines to line up with popular, modern-day preachers’ beliefs, which most of them are actually selling for profit.
I am going to place below, and probably in my sidebar, two links. One is to a page concerning the rapture on Gavin Finley’s site. The other is to a series of articles concerning OSAS (Once-Saved-Always-Saved) by Tim Warner.
It will take some real time and energy to read them… something not many people are willing to invest… but I am convinced they both present vital truth.
If you can thoughtfully and prayerfully read through what these men present… and still hold to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, and OSAS… well; at least I tried, and prayed. But ask yourself: “Do I believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and OSAS because I have seriously studied these issues out? Or because I have just accepted as good the modern, popular version of things?”
Your answer to those questions may have eternal consequences.
I also ask that my readers who have Blogs please link to this post in a post on your own Blog and/or link to the links I’m placing below.
I believe the Lord led me to the post I mentioned earlier and is burdening me with these two issues. If you have any willingness and/or desire to look into these matters, please read through the post and comments I mentioned earlier, and far more importantly, the links below.
If you believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and/or OSAS… or are undecided… please read them.
The Post-Tribulation Rapture; And Wrestling with An Angel
I’d also appreciate comments on this post, since a relatively small amount of my readers are doing so.
May the Lord be merciful to His people.
Please go to one of the following links to begin exploring the incredibly important issues facing the Body of Christ in these last days. If we are unaware… we cannot prepare:
Apostasy or Discipleship; Writings; Peace or Sword?; Rest
Hi Geno!
I am in agreement with you. Unregenerate people do not apostatize. One cannot fall away from something they never had. The word plainly warns us that believers can fall away. I’ll list some examples.
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NKJV)
“For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves and holding him up to contempt.”
2 Peter 2:20-21 (NKJV)
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them
1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV)
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Also in Matthew 13, Jesus, himself, gives us an example of falling away due to persecution because of the word…
Matthew 13
5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow
20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away
In Romans 11, Paul is clearly speaking to the believers
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
Here it tells us if we do not continue in His goodness, we will be cut off. Clearly a choice to be made
These warnings would not have been written if the believer had nothing else to do with remaining in his salvation. Our eternal security is not based on the fact that one day we walked down an isle, or one day we repented and believed. It is because we are continuing to repent, we are continuing to believe, to obey, and abide in Him. Continuing to die to ourselves moment by moment.
Disciples must not allow themselves to believe that grace alone can do everything, in order that their lives may remain the same as before. We must be strong in the Lord. The tribulation and persecution—it’s coming, and we will see it.
May we continue, remain, abide, and hold fast.
Cris,
You bring up some very good points, and refer to plain passages of scripture.
Unfortunately, people who believe what they want to believe have lots of ways of ducking and dodging the simple, plain meaning of scripture.
For example, Colossians 1: 21-23, which says:
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 IF indeed you CONTINUE in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…
gets CHANGED to:
“IF you continue in the faith, then that PROVES that you are a true Christian who has been born of God. If you don’t, it shows you never were.”
which twists and distorts the plain, clear meaning of Paul’s words.
I like what Tim Warner says in his introduction to the series on OSAS, linked above, says:
(start of paste) Let me say at the outset, that I believe the Roman Catholic doctrine of salvation by faith plus works is a false gospel that cannot save anyone. I am convinced the Scriptures teach salvation is by God’s grace, not by our own merits. It is a free gift offered to all who believe. Salvation is gained by faith alone, and works have no part whatever in our being saved, or in maintaining our salvation.
Now, some might assume this means one can never depart from God. But this is not true. Many passages indicate true Christians can be lost. How? Through UNBELIEF. One must believe the gospel in order to be saved, and one must continue to believe the gospel to continue “in Christ.” It is as simple as that. Works don’t play any part in initial “believing,” nor do they play a part in your continued “believing.” It is initially by faith, and it continues to be by faith throughout the Christian life.
All of this is taught explicitly in Scripture. In the following series of articles, we will display the evidence for you to judge. OSAS may have some Scriptures that seem to support it. But, there are many Scriptures for which it simply cannot account.
Likewise, the Roman Catholics might have a couple of verses from James that seem to support their teaching, but there are several Scriptures that flatly contradict their teaching regarding salvation. The truth can be found only by harmonizing all of the Scriptures on this topic. The view presented in these articles fully preserves the idea of salvation by grace through faith, not by works. It also integrates the many warnings in Scripture against departing from God.
(end of paste)
I have just finished my latest Bible study over at HeartCry, which funnily enough, part of it seems to be quite fitting in this posting.
I have been along to the blog you mentioned and have noted your comments. That old saying about “leading horses to water…” keeps coming to my mind though!
Bless you Bro!
John.
John,
Thanks once again for your contributions here, and for your encouragement.
I looked at your recent post, “Sorrow of a Wasted Life”, and have just put up a post myself linking to it.
Keep looking to Him, Bro.
Dear ETD:
Probably there are others like me whom God is moving to repentance and a deeper searching in His Word for Truth who come across posts like yours and are moved to tears and deep reflection. We don’t always write. We read and ponder. We don’t want our names or pictures up for others to see. Maybe not as far along as you or as strong as you.
But you are not alone, brother. I have met others, even among the next generation, who have hearts after God.
I don’t recall how I came across your site as I was searching and digging online for some answers. Wondering why I disagree with the teaching of some experts up front. Asking God to wake me up. Help me see things from His perspective. The TV is off. My Bible is open. I am learning to be still.
Thank you for writing with clarity and courage. I am trying to focus and do the same.
I am also learning from the persecuted church around the world. They both encourage and rebuke me by their faithful witness in the face of danger and death.
1 Peter 4:12-19 “for the name of Christ”
Hebrews 12:1-3 “consider Him”
Eyes up!
MJ
MJ,
Thanks for coming, reading and pondering. Do as much of that as you’d like here. Communicate as much as you want, too, either through comments or by email.
Keep searching and digging. He will be faithful.
You are far ahead of me on this so I cannot comment here YET.. however God’s will be done and His Kingdom come! I haven’t even gotten to that part.. still on the basics at the moment. I dont know what I think of the rapture just yet. all I know is that we should not add to or subtract to what God has told us and in the book of Revelations the last chapter, if anyone adds to this book or subtracts from it is dangerous so I don’t want to comment until I have a clear opinion on this. NO one knows that day He is coming but we can tell by certain things when the time is near.
MJ
I am so moved by the gentleness of your comment. I am reminded of the verse in Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
As Gene ended by saying, He will be faithful, I too am going to end by saying, He will be faithful.
Bless you
I have no insights on this subject, but I am in agreement with what you’ve written. I’ve never believed in the OSAS theory. And as for the pre-trib belief… let’s just say… it would be nice if it happened, cause I don’t want to go through some (or any) of the tribulation, but I’m thinking its a good possibility that we will.
I agree wholeheartedly! Millions of people will be lost because they have been convinced by tripe like the “Left Behind” series of books and movies that they can wait until after the rapture to become “saved”. What poppycock! I would not want to be in these teachers shoes when they answer for this doctrine!
The scriptures speak of “The day”, “that day”, “His appearing” and much more in a singular sense. The Rapture is a false doctrine. OSAS is also false the way it is normally taught where people are assured they can do nothing to lose their salvation. We are secure in Christ, but only as long as we do not fall into unbelief, lose our confidence in Christ, or begin to trust in something other than Christ for salvation.
Your point is clear. One cannot apostatize from a position they never held.
Everyone should Google “Pretrib Rapture Diehards,” “Pretrib Hypocrisy,” “Thomas Ice (Bloopers),” “X-Raying Margaret,” “The Rapture Index (Mad Theology),” “Letter from Mrs. Billy Graham,” “Famous Rapture Watchers,” “Scholars Weigh My Research,” and “Deceiving and Being Deceived” – all by journalist/historian Dave MacPherson (the only person who has spent more than 30 years researching the strange history of the 178-year-old pretrib rapture view). And another hot Google item I just saw is “America’s Pretrib Rapture Traffickers.” Great reading for anyone concerned about today’s headlines! Everett
Everett,
Thanks for visiting and contributing. Get the word out, Bro, but make sure you don’t focus in only on “issues” like this. The bigger issue is the need for believers to wake out of their stupor and truly start living out God’s program, not man’s.
The biggest problem I have with the “rapture” theory is that it leads people to think they can “wait and see”.
I read of only one physical resurrection and that is one that includes BOTH the unbelieving and the believing righteous (Daniel 12:1-2 and John 5:28-29). This is the second resurrection, whereas the first spoken of in Revelation is the spiritual resurrection to life in every believer now.
Also, and this is a bit off topic, but when Paul says “We shall all be changed” in 1 Corinthians 15, he is NOT talking about unbelievers! If that were so and unbelievers will also be clothed with immortality, what then is the point of Romans 2:6-8? Only faithful believers will inherit immortality as far as I can tell from the scriptures. Any thoughts?
2 Thessalonians 2:3
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction”
Praise the Lord for an enlightened, studious, truth-believing man who believes Scripture for what it says, not what humans claim it says. You and I make almost identical comments that the pre-trib rapture doctrine and OSAS eternal security doctrines will cause more “professing” Christians to end up in hell than any other doctrine.
Dr. Gavin Finley’s and Tim Warner’s websites explain truth of end times. Before Tim discontinued his open discussion forum, I used to post on it regularly, but he shut down his forum for reasons that included lots of hackers and lots of hate mail from “professing” Christians who adamantly hold to a pre-trib rapture.
I’ve almost finished a book and am developing an end times web site that also proves a pre-trib rapture is a hoax and cannot be true. Plus, the book and web site does a few things that nobody else has ever done (to my knowledge) that puts end times in perspective.
Keep up the good work, Geno. Blessings to you and yours. I look forward to continuing our dialogue. I believe the Holy Spirit may have more planned than we may currently know.
Ron White
rwhitewatchman@msn.com
Colorado, USA
JESUS TAUGHT US TRUTH THE WAY WE ARE SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND:
Matthew 24, New King James Version
Author’s Notes: The Apostle Matthew records Jesus’ explanations of times of tribulation and Jesus’ next coming in Matthew 24, New King James Version.
Jesus is asked, then describes an overview of the period before the tribulation, the first part of the tribulation, which is an overview in the first 14 verses of Matthew 24. We know these 14 verses are an overview of the complete period, because of Jesus’ reference to “the beginning of sorrows” in verse 8 and “the end” in verse 14:
NKJV
“1Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
3Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8“All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13“But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Author’s Note: Jesus now tells the event that is the near mid-point of the seven-year tribulation period and events following the mid-point:
15“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16“then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17“Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18“And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20“And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22“And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. 23“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25“See, I have told you beforehand. 26“Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28“For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
Author’s Note: Jesus now tells us when His next coming will be, the blessed hope of believers:
29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31“And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Chapter 2
Mark 13, New King James Version
Author’s Note: Again, the Apostle Mark records the same words of Jesus in the same order of events in Mark 13, an overview of the entire seven-year tribulation in the first 13 verses:
“Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” 2And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
3Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7“But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10“And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11“But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12“Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Author’s note: Now Jesus again speaks of the event that marks the near mid-point of the tribulation, and we will later document this as the near mid-point of the tribulation from the book of Daniel that Jesus refers to.
14“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15“Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16“And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18“And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20“And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23“But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
Author’s Note: Jesus predicts His next coming back to earth and His angels gathering together His elect from the earth and from heaven as he descends to earth. This is the “blessed hope” of all believers. Jesus never once taught of a different timing or other secret coming as some humans have invented and teach.
24“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25“the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27“And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Chapter 3
Author’s Note: Some Christians think the King James version of the Bible is more accurate, so for the sake of accuracy, I’ve quoted the exact same messages from that version – Jesus explanations of the same events, written by the Apostle Matthew in the book of Matthew 24. Jesus is asked, then Jesus describes an overview of the period before the tribulation, the first part of the tribulation, which is an overview in the first 14 verses of Matthew 24. We know these 14 verses are an overview of the complete period, because of Jesus’ reference to “the beginning of sorrows” in verse 8 and “the end” in verse 14:
KJV
1And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Author’s Note: Next, Jesus describes the near mid-point of the tribulation, and Jesus explains the event that marks this occasion. We will document this fact in later chapters as the near mid-point from the book of Daniel, which Jesus cites in His next statements:
15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand); 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25Behold, I have told you before. 26Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Author’s Note: Jesus now tells us when His next coming will happen when He sends His angels to gather His elect from the earth and from heaven:
29Immediately 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: 30And 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. 31And 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.
Author’s Note: Please note in both the New King James and the King James versions, angels are sent with the sound of a trumpet to gather together believers in Jesus from the earth and from heaven as Jesus descends to the earth. In the next quotes, the Apostle Paul repeats this fact, plus Paul tells us which specific trumpet that sounds at Jesus’ coming.
Chapter 4
Author’s Note: In First Corinthians 15:51, 52, the author Paul tells us that the resurrection of the dead in Christ happens first, and in a twinkling of an eye difference in time, those still alive shall also be caught up together (both resurrected deceased and those still alive) to meet Jesus in the air. This event happens at the last trumpet (NKJV first, followed by the KJV):
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 4
“51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In 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.” 5
Summary: Jesus narrated an overview of the entire tribulation period in the first 14 verses of Matthew chapter 24 and the first 13 verses of Mark chapter 13. Then Jesus gave us the event that signals the near mid-point of the tribulation period at Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 and the events following the near mid-point. At the end of this narrative, Jesus told us when the blessed hope of believers in Christ would happen, which is “after the tribulation of those days.” Then, the Apostle Paul gave us another hint that lines up with Jesus’ teachings on this subject, saying that the dead in Christ will be resurrected first, then in a twinkling of an eye time later, those still alive would be caught up in the air to be with Jesus. Jesus said this event would be conducted by angels with a great sound of a trumpet. Paul gave us additional information in First Corinthians 15 that lines up with Jesus’ teachings, and says that this event happens at “the last trumpet.”
These key points must be remembered and kept in mind in reading all the other narratives about Jesus’ coming and His angels gathering Christian believers to be with Him. That is, all other Scriptures in the New and Old Testaments must line up with Jesus’ teachings on this same subject.
I choose to believe Jesus about the events themselves and the timing and sequence of events as He stated them. Perhaps you will also make the same choice to believe Jesus. After all, Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end by His own declaration.
Chapter 5
Luke 21:5-28
Author’s Notes: Among primary differences in Luke’s narration of Jesus’ statements about the tribulation period and the end are 1) who one’s worst enemies will be during such times is stated by Mark and Luke during the tribulation explanation (Matthew puts this same point in Matthew 10:35-39); and 2) the fact that Jerusalem “may be” surrounded by armies at the near “midpoint” of the tribulation, instead of at the end as most assume. (Jerusalem’s being surrounded by armies of the world is usually based on renderings from the book of Revelation near the battle of Armageddon [Rev. 19:17-21], but such events as Jerusalem being surrounded by armies “might” happen at the near midpoint of the seven years. Essentially, Jerusalem is surrounded on three sides by today’s maps of territory ceded to Palestinians, and the “Roadmap” gives Palestinians East Jerusalem as their national capital of Palestine. Therefore, when the “Roadmap” is confirmed by all nations, Jerusalem will essentially be surrounded by enemies at that point in time.)
Again, the following are quotes from the NKJV first, followed by the KJV.
NKJV
5Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6“These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
7So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” 8And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9“But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11“And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13“But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14“Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15“for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18“But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19“By your patience possess your souls.
Author’s Notes: The above events described by Jesus are an overview of the entire tribulation period. By comparing Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14, we can conclude that verse 20 (below) begins descriptions of events beginning at the near “midpoint” of the tribulation. This is further supported by Jesus’ statement in verse 21 that is clearly in the second part of the tribulation period in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.
However, if verse 20 belongs with the first part of this discussion by Jesus (with verses 5 – 19 above), then verse 20 would be in alignment with Jesus’ statements of “the end” in Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:13 that describe overall events of the seven years. Plus, this would mean that traditional renderings of when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies would, in fact, be at the end of the tribulation at the battle of Armageddon. (This is important for watchers of prophetic events and the chronology of events as they happen, as narrated later in this book. Based on both Matthew and Mark narrations of Jesus’ statements, this author prefers to place verse 20 with verses 5-19, thus concluding Jesus’ “overview” of the entire tribulation period with a statement about “the end” in Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:13, and further, the event of armies surrounding Jerusalem, signaling the battle of Armageddon, at the end of the tribulation. Then all three books and all three chapters from Matthew, Mark and Luke would be in total agreement. One minor, but important point.)
20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
Author’s Note: The following describes the second part of the tribulation period by Jesus, derived from Matthew and Mark narrations of when the near “midpoint” happens.
21“Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22“For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24“And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26“men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Author’s Note: Verse 27 tells us when Jesus returns, which is also in agreement with both Matthew and Mark.
KJV (Again, the KJV is a repeat of the above quotes from the NKJV, for KJV purists’ benefit. Not one single difference in meanings or content is evident in either version, regardless of claims to the contrary.)
5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 13And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19In your patience possess ye your souls.
20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25And 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; 26Men’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. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Thank you for the information.. The doctrine of pre-tribulation rapture and once save always save are doctrines from the pits of Hell. I feel sorry for the people who have been seduced by these diabolical teachings. I will continue to pray that God’s truth will penetrate the darken minds of preachers and teachers who promote these doctrines. May God bless your ministry.