berean explorer june 2011

7/31/2019 Berean Explorer June 2011

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Rapture timing

Why Most Christians believe in a pre-tribulation rapture?

A Majority of todays Christendombelieves that Christians will be caught

up in a pre-tribulation Rapture.The General explanation given by manypastors/theologians when faced withthis issue is to SPLIT the second coming

of Christ into two phases. One isnamed as a secret coming (rapture) to

gather the Bride and then the publicadvent to Judge and Rule the world and

later usher this world into themillennial reign. They believe thatthere is a gap of 7 years between boththe phases of this coming. Historically

speaking, this is a doctrine that

originated in the 1830s (by MargaretMacdonald, John Darby and Scoffield)and was never taught by early Christian

Fathers and apostles, till then.

There isnot even a single bible verse, whichsplits the return of Christ into two

phases. This split is artificiallymanufactured and pushed in by modern

theologians who want to escapepersecution during the GreatTribulation. In the process, they violatea basic principle of interpreting the

scriptures as written in Proverbs 30:6,which requires us NOT TO GO

BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN.These preachers play with biblical

terminologies to split the secondcoming of the Lord into two phases andbeguile many folks. They say that theso-called Secret coming is different

from the Day of the Lord, which is

the public advent. There arenumerousbiblical passages that negate this theory.I would like to quote one of them and

move on, after clarifying this matter. IIThessalonians 2:1 speaks about therapture Now webeseech you,brethren, by

our gathering together unto him(RAPTURE), This day is referred asthe Day of Christ in verse 2. That yebe not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled,

neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter

as from us, as that the day of Christ is

at hand. This same day is alsomentioned as the Day of the Lord in I

Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves knowperfectly that the day of the Lord socometh as a thief in the night. EvenApostle Peter says that the Day of theLordwill come as a thief in the night inII Peter 3:10. Verse 14 exhorts the

believer to wait and watch for the Day

of the Lord when these cataclysmicevents will unfold. Hence the raptureand the DAY OF THE LORD is one

and the same event. The people whobelieve in a pre-tribulation rapture havenever really studied the BIBLE.

No passage ANYwhere in the entire Bible explicitly (directly and clearly) puts right before (or at the start of) the tribulation a single one of the

constituent parts (events) that make up the rapture, such as :

a "coming" of Christ,

a resurrection of the saints (...or church, or believers)

a translation of the saints (...bodies changed & glorified)

a gathering of believers (...e.g. by angels)

a catching-up (rapture) of the saints

Berean explorer

And at midnight there was a cry

made, Behold the bridegroom

cometh; Go ye out to meet him.MATTHEW 25:6


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Berean explorer

Quotes from some eminent

Christians when they came

to know about the Pre-

Tribulation Rapture

theory.

A. W. Tozer: Here is a doctrine thatwas not known or taught until the

beginning of this century and it is already

causing splits in churches.

Philip Mauro: "The entire system ofdispensational teaching is modernistic in

the strictest sense; for it first came into

existence within the memory of persons now

living; and was altogether unknown even in

their younger days; It is more recent than

Darwinism. A system of doctrine that

contradicts what has been held and taught

by every Christian expositor and every

minister of Christ from the very beginning of

the Christian erasuddenly made its

appearance in the later part of the

nineteenth century".

Harry Ironside: Until brought to thefore through the writings and preaching and

teaching of a distinguished ex-clergyman,

Mr J. N. Darby, in the early part of the last

century, it is scarcely to be found in a singlebook or sermon through a period of sixteen

hundred years. (Harry Ironside, TheMysteries Of God, 1908).

Alexander Reese: "About 1830 a newschool arose within the fold of

Premillennialism that sought to overthrow

what, since the Apostolic Age, have been

considered by all premillennialist as

established results, and to institute in their

place a series of doctrines that had neverbeen heard of before. The school I refer to is

that of The Brethren or Plymouth

Brethren, founded by J. N. Darby.(Alexander Reese, The ApproachingAdvent of Christ, page 18)

Another terminology twist brought inby these theologians is to say that the

Elect of Matthew 24 and Mark 13are not the raptured church, but the

left behind group or the Jews etc.The Bible never teaches these stories.For Jesus, his ELECT is his Bride. Itcannot be any one else. That is why he

is speaking to his disciples about this,in a very private conversation. He is

not speaking to the Public. I am reallysorry to see that many sincere souls

have fallen for this deception (Thevery thing Jesus and his apostles

warned us about).

The Secret (hidden) coming theory is a

wrong teaching that has beenperpetrated by people with deviousintentions and they have succeeded inpoisoning many Christians. Nowhere

in the Bible, Jesus or his apostlesmention of a secret coming. All

references to his second coming are inthe public. Yes I do agree that thiscoming would be a surprise to themajority (thief in the night). However,

true Christians will never thesurprised. Revelation 1:7 Behold, he

cometh with clouds; and every eye shall seehim, and they also which pierced him: and

all kindreds of the earth shall wail because

of him. Even so, Amen.. Matthew 24:27

For 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.

Throughout the New Testament, thesecond coming of the Lord ismentioned by the word Parousia in

the Greek originals. Parousia is a verysignificant word in which, it is used fora dignitary of very high position

(Usually kings) visiting one of his

cities. In the Parousia visit, the cityexecutives welcome the dignitary, bygoing out of the city and meeting him

at a designated place in his route. Afterthis meeting, the entire groupproceeds to the city and enters thecity. This term makes it clearer that

there is only ONE instance of hisSecond coming. The Rapture is a

stopover event happening in the mid-air where the bride meets him.Further to which, the Groom and the

Bride comes on this earth.Sample references of Parousia can befound in Matthew 24, I Corinthians

15:23, I Thessalonians 2:19, IThessalonians 3:13, I Thessalonians4:15-17, II Thessalonians 2:1, James

5:7-8, II Peter 3:3-13, II Peter 1:16, IJohn 2:28.

The preachers of the west (following

the ways of Balaam), who have beenliving a very comfortable life, have

advocated this doctrine of pre-tribulation rapture to continue with

their luxurious life. Micah 3:11 The

heads thereof judge for reward, and the

priests thereof teach for hire, and the

prophets thereof divine for money: yet will

they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not

the LORD among us? none evil

(TRIBULATION) can come upon us.

These preachers want the crownwithout bearing the cross. They are


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3Berean explorer

What are we supposed to

be watching?

We are supposed to watch for the eventsmentioned before the coming of the Lord

unfold. Each of them is discussed inorder, in this issue. The last item in the

list is the darkening of the Sun and the

moon as mentioned in Joel 2:31 The sunshall be turned into darkness, and the moon into

blood, before the great and the terrible day ofthe LORD come.. This event of effect onthe Solar System has been prophesized at

many places, to occur before the DAY OFTHE LORD.

When the sky becomes supernaturallydarkened, every believer will know that

the day of the Lord is extremely close.That is why Christ reminds us in Luke

21:28 And when these things begin to come topass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for

your redemption draweth nigh. All theseevents unfold after the Tribulation period.Hence our redemption would happen afterthe Tribulation.

Very clearly it is stated in many biblical

passages. However, when we go throughthese passages we should maintain anattitude of openness, so that we do notallow our preconceived (already existing)

viewpoints twist the contexts, so that weforce it to align to what we have been

already taught. This is a danger that has

been highlighted by Apostle Peter in IIPeter 3:16 .which they that are unlearned

and unstable wrest, as they do also the other

scriptures, unto their own destruction. The

sequence of the events leading to thecoming of our Lord is given in many

scriptural passages.( Page 5)

false prophets. Ezekiel 13:6-7 They

have seen vanity and lying divination,

saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD

hath not sent them: and they have made

others to hope that they would confirm the

word.7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have

ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas

ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have

not spoken?

The Danger that I see coming is,

people of many Churches are notbeing prepared to face the Tribulationperiod. They are made to expect thatthe Rapture will happen before the

tribulation starts and it will be hunky-dory for us, up in heaven with Jesus.

However, in reality when they face thetribulation, they will not be able toresist the onslaught and will fall aneasy prey and be lost for eternity.

As a Christian, God has taught me that

I cannot continue to live a life of anormal person and expect to receive a

crown without taking the cross. Intodays modern world most of theChristian Ministers and churchmembers live a well-to-do life as do

people of other religions. We facedifferent types of problems in life. But

so do the non-Christians. How manyof us are facing trials and temptations

in life because of our Christian Faith?It is important for us to know that,changing of teachings to suit yourdesires would not make God change

his plans. Matthew 24:35 Heaven andearth shall pass away, but my words shall

not pass away.. HIS words are found inthe Bible. Please study it slowly and

carefully. Mere reading to completethe bible-reading plan will not be of

any use.


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Berean explorer

What DOES the bible say?

What we do not know about Christssecond coming is the exact day or the

hour. The rest of the timing is veryclear. However, many churchsteaching does not align to what theearly Christians had believed. Many

still teach that Christ could return anymoment. It could be today, tomorrow

or any other future day. This doctrineof our church implies that, all signspreceding the second coming of ourLord is fulfilled and therefore nothing

is remaining. However, after my studyI know that the Bible does not support

such a view.

There is a specific order of events thatshould happen before the Lordreturns. We still have very importantevents remaining in the sequence,

which needs to happen before the

return of our Lord. The Lord expectsus to discern the times and beprepared accordingly. We cannot besitting in the dark and expect the Lord

to make an appearance at any futuretime, starting now. Matthew 16:3

And in the morning, It will be foul

weather to day: for the sky is red andlowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discernthe face of the sky; but can ye not discernthe signs of the times?

Consider the following verses from 1Thessalonians 5:1-4

1But of the times and the seasons,

brethren, ye have no need that I write unto

you.2For yourselves know perfectly that the

day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the

night.3For when they shall say, Peace andsafety; then sudden destruction comethupon them, as travail upon a woman with

child; and they shall not escape.4But ye,brethren, are not in darkness, that thatday should overtake you as a thief.

Very clearly the above passage states thattrue Christians are not in the dark, about

the timeframe of the coming of our Lord.They will surely

know the times and seasons. Godspeople will not be surprised. Except for

the exact day, the rest is known. Theones in darkness are those who says, they

do not know when the Lord will return.Hence the return of the Lord is as aThief, for them.

Revelation 3:3 states that the return ofthe Lord will be as a thief for those who

do not watch for him. Remember thereforehow thou hast received and heard, and hold

fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt notwatch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou

shalt not know what hour I will come upon

thee.

If we have to watch for him, we need toknow the exact sequence of the events,

which will lead to his coming. Theclosest parallel that I could think for thisevent is the countdown of a space shuttlelaunch. i.e. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,ZERO.Hence it is quite surprising that sometheologians teach that the ZERO

moment could come anytime while thecountdown is going on, irrespective ofthe number in the counter. Our God is

not a God of confusion (I Corinthians14:33). He is a God of order and brings

up the final climax in gradual steps, oneat a time. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking

the assembling of ourselves together, as the

manner of some is; but exhorting one another:

and so much the more, as ye see the day

approaching. Very clearly, Gods people

will see the DAY APPROACHING witheach number of the countdown

happening. There is nothing that Jesushas hidden from us. He has told usEVERYTHING. Mark 13:23 But take yeheed: behold, I have foretold you ALL

things..

This also means that Jesus has notmissed out anything. If there was a

pre-tribulation rapture, Jesus wouldhave mentioned it as well. As he didnot even mention it in any of thesepassages, it means that there is no such

event. There is ONLY one Raptureand that happens AFTER the

TRIBULATION (Matthew 24:29-30).

The bible does not mention about anypre-tribulation rapture as taught by

many modern theologians. Thereforeeven as Jesus never mentioned of any

Pre-tribulation rapture, many areindirectly accusing him of being a liar

or not having complete understandingabout his own second coming.

Consider Matthews 24 where our

Lord Jesus after giving a sequence o

events that needs to occur before hicoming. In Verse 36, he states that Bu

of that DAY and HOUR knoweth no man,

no not the angels of heaven, but my Father

only. However, we will come to knowwhen the day is near. Matthew 24:33

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these

things, know that it is near, even at thedoors. The return of the Lord will notcatch true Christians off-guard becausethey are not in the DARK. Thessalonians 5:5:6 5 Ye are all the

children of light, and the children of the

day: we are not of the night, nor of

darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do

others; but let us watch and be sober.

The sequence of the events leading to

the coming of our Lord is given in

many scriptural passages. In theunderlying sections, I will make an

effort to bring out the ORDER avalidated by many biblical passages.


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Berean explorer

What did the early

church fathers teach?

Those whom the apostles

personally instructed, and

those taught in turn by them,

were most likely to know and

adhere to the originalteachings.

Justin Martyr (100 to 167 A.D.) lived

near the time of the apostle John (died

100 A.D.); Justin taught the resurrection

and rapture of believers would occur at

the beginning of the millennium (Christ's

1000-year reign, which starts just after

the Second Coming). Justin also wrote,

"the man of apostasy [Antichrist] ...shall

venture to do unlawful deeds on earth

against us the Christians" (Trypho cx).

Irenaeus (130 to 200 A.D.) who said

he held the actual apostles' teaching,

wrote, "they [the ten kings of Rev. 17:1-

13] shall ...give their kingdom to the

beast [Antichrist], and put the Church to

flight" (Against Heresies V, 26, 1).

Irenaeus also said : "but he [John]

indicates the number of the name [666 of

Antichrist] now, that when this man

comes we may avoid him, being aware

who he is" (Against Heresies V, 30, 4).

Tertullian (150 to 220 A.D.) attached

the rapture of 1 Thessalonians 4, to the

start of Christ's millennial kingdom on

earth. Tertullian said the tribulation

situation will be such "that the beast

Antichrist with his false prophet may

wage war on the Church of God" (On the

Resurrection of the Flesh xxv).

SCRIPTURAL PASSAGE 1

In Matthew Chapter 24. His disciples asked Jesus about the sign of his comingand the end of the World(verse 3) to which he responds in a very sequential(Orderly) manner. It is very important that we take note of the usage of the

words THEN,WHEN and AFTER by Jesus to put these events into the

right sequence. It is also important to note that the events are addressed to anaudience who represent his Church. Jesus is not addressing it for the benefit ofthe people of this world or the so-called left behind group.

The Sequence of the events that will herald the coming of the Lord is as follows.

The current world events clearly depicts that we are in the phases from 1 to 3.We are gradually stepping into phase 4.

1. All around deception (Deceiving and getting deceived). Verse 4.Forms ofdeceptions discussed below.

Verse 5 states that there will be preachers those come in the nameof the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be preachers inside

Christendom who will say that Jesus is Christ. Now whenChristians will hear from preachers who proclaim that Jesus isChrist, they will let their guards down because they think that thepreacher is confessing the right thing. However, these preacherswill inject dangerous doctrines into their sermons. As the people

have already let their guards down because of the right initialconfession, they will be trapped in believing the rest of the

deception that follows.

Verse 11 states that False Prophets shall arise to deceive many.

2. Calamities (Man made & Natural)

Verse 6 & 7a states that there shall be wars and rumors of wars.

Nations shall rise against Nations and Kingdoms shall rise againstKingdoms. Read any newspaper and there is no doubt, this is adaily occurrence. Such events will continue to increase in its

intensity and frequency.

Verse 7 states that there shall be Famines, Pestilences andEarthquakes in diverse places. Frequencies of these things areincreasing very rapidly and we can expect this happening much

more frequently and with increased intensity, in the near future.

3. Events affecting Christians

Verse 12 states that Love of many Christians shall wax (gradual)cold because of abounding iniquity (Also called the MYSTERY OFINIQUITY).

Verses 9,10,11 & 13 states that Christians will be persecuted bothphysically and spiritually. There will be large-scale betrayal and

hatred amongst the brethren. The endurance of true Christianswill be tested. This event is also called the Great Falling away.

Note the term THEN at the start of verse 9. It succeeds wars,


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Jesus and his apostles

taught only one

resurrection for the

church.

Consider the following

scriptures.

John 6:39 And this is the Fathers will

which hath sent me, that of all which he

hath given me I should lose nothing, but

should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him

that sent me, that every one which seeth

the Son, and believeth on him, may have

everlasting life: and I will raise him up at

the last day.

John 6:44 No man can come to me

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him: and I will raise him up at the

last day.

John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and

drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and

I will raise him up at the last day.

There are only two orders of

this first resurrection (1. Christ

and 2. His Church) at his

coming after tribulation as

given in Revelation 20: 5, 6

1 Corinthians 15:20,23 But now is

Christ risen from the dead, and become

the firstfruits of them that slept. But

every man in his own order: Christ the

firstfruits; afterward they that are

Christs at his coming.

Revelation 20:5 ...This is the first

resurrection.

There are no resurrections

between Jesus Christs

resurrection and the First

resurrection of revelation

4. Events affecting the world

Verse 14 states that The Gospel will be preached throughout the entireworld.

Verse 15 states that Anti-Christ will desecrate the temple at Jerusalem.The Church shall see this action by Anti-Christ. Note the verse in

which it is addressed to his disciples When ye therefore shall see.Very clearly the Church shall be present in this very earth to SEE this

event.

Verse 16 to 26 describes the Great Tribulation for Christians. Note theusage of the word THEN in verse 16,21 and 23. This event occursafter Anti-Christ has set himself in the Holy Temple of the Jews.DECEPTION and PERSECUTION will happen in a MASSIVE SCALE.

It is important to note that the Great Tribulation will have terribleeffects for the Jews as well. However, the focus of Jesuss comments is

for his disciples (the Church).

Verse 22 states very clearly that the ELECT shall go through thetribulation. The Bride of Christ does not escape the tribulation period.

Moreover verse 20 says clearly that the Church need to pray that thisevent does not occur when we are in a low spiritual state.

Verse 29a states that Tribulation ENDS. Note the word AFTER.

5. Events affecting the universe

Verse 29 states that Just AFTER the TRIBULATION There shall be amajor shaking up of the heavens. Effects can be seen in the Sun, Moonand the Stars.

Verse 30

Verse 31. The Trumpet shall sound and the angels assigned for thatpurpose would catch up the Church. The Angels shall gather theChurch from the four corners.

These same sequences of events are also mentioned in Mark chapter 13. It is

surprising that theologians are claiming to know about this event better than Jesushimself. If there was a pre-tribulation rapture, Jesus would have surely mentioned it

and comforted the disciples that they need not worry because they will be taken outof this time of tribulation.Gods people have endured times of tribulation ever since the creation of Mankind.However, nowhere in the earlier occurrences, did God take away his people before

the trouble. They always went THROUGH it. Consider the following instances. Noah and his family were preserved IN the GREAT FLOOD. He

did not remove them from the FLOOD

The Hebrews were preserved IN Egypt when the Lord waspouring his plagues on the Egyptians. He did not remove themfrom Egypt

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were preserved IN the Fire.

Daniel was preserved IN the Den.


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The same sequential order of events is also reiterated in II Thessalonians Chapter 2. Apostle Paul does not change the sequence. His

Letter to the Thessalonians is to the CHURCH and not for the so-called Left Behind group. He is certain that the church will bewitness to all these events.

1. Deception Matt 24:5,11 (II Thessalonians 2:3a)

2. Falling Away Matt 24:10,11,13 (II Thessalonians 2:3b)3. Anti-Christ Revealed Matt 24:15 (II Thessalonians 2:3c,4)As mentioned earlier, Anti-Christ will be revealed and Tribulation will happen to the Church during the last days. Hence we areexpected to look for the SEQUENCE of events leading to the coming of our Lord as mentioned in verse 3 and 4.

One Surprising statement that is seen in II Thessalonians 2:2,3a is Pauls warning that some will try to deceive us saying that thecoming of the Lord will happen before the Anti-Christ is revealed. Paul Calls that deception. 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or betroubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: forthat day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; You really do not need abig degree in English to know that St Paul is speaking about the Pre-Tribulation doctrine which will come during the last days and

will deceive many. Am I wrong in thinking that most of todays Christians are deceived in this matter?

Without the great falling away, the Anti-Christ will not be revealed. We will all be either part of the Falling away or thestanding ones. We cannot be both. Christians of Last days WILL SEE the Anti Christ. Paul makes it very clear. My personal belief is

that, the Pre-Tribulation rapture belief by todays Christians is the strong delusion, which will cause the great falling away. Most oftodays Christians are not being prepared to face the time of tribulation. Suddenly they will realize that Anti-Christ is rising to thepower and they will feel betrayed by Jesus for not keeping his word of coming and rapturing them before the reign of Anti-Christ.Hence they will respond by surrendering to the Anti-Christ.

DEAR READER,

Even after reading these biblical passages (Some more to follow), which clearly proves the coming of our Lord is AFTER theTribulation, you can still align with your old belief of Pre-Tribulation rapture. What you are doing is, having pleasure inunrighteousness by not believing the Word of God. II Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, buthad pleasure in unrighteousness. The reason for that is, you still enjoy the old company of theologians and teachers who take you to

error. You are not willing to make the choice made by Moses. Hebrews 11:24,25 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused tobe called the son of Pharaohs daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Coming back to the Falling away event, notice that the restrainer is a WHAT and not a WHO. II Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye

knowwhat withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. This immediately disqualifies the restrainer from being a particularpersonality. Instead it tells us the EVENT of falling away from the truth, as the RESTRAINER. We need to see verse 7 in this light.For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. . Based on the above

explanation, the he in II Thessalonians 2:7 is simply anyone who is part of the falling away. When Paul writes about he, he isbreaking it down and describing it on an individual level. The Greek word for letteth is Katecho. It means, to restrain. Only he

who restraineth the anti-Christ will continue to do so until he be taken out of the way. How does he restrain Anti-Christsappearance? Look at the verse it is situated in. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work. By allowing the mystery of iniquity towork in him and at the same time associating himself with true Christians, he is restraining the Anti-Christ. There are a huge

number of people in Christendom, who are not truly saved. They masquerade as Christians and true Christians have no way to findout their wicked heart by which they are serving Satan and deceiving the true brethren. This Falling away is the event, when theLord separates the wheat from the tares as written in Matthew 13:30-40. Daniel solidifies the identity of the restrainer and agrees

with Pauls statement to the Thessalonians. Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come tothe full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.The Restrainer is the falling away and must come into FULL before Anti-Christ is revealed. The people who had pleasure inunrighteousness are the ones that will fall away as God will send them a strong delusion that they might believe a lie.

Staying true to form, Paul places the second coming of Jesus and our gathering to him at the end, because it will not take place tillthe Falling away has happened and Anti-Christ has not risen to power.


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This phenomenon of falling away was also observed in the early church. 1John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for ifthey had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Now given the above explanation, I would also like to make it clear that the Restrainer is not the Holy Spirit as some teachersteach. This is because the promises concerning the Holy Spirit does not line up with the Restrainer text.

1. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter (John 15:26 and John 16:7). Will the Comforter abandon us to face the Anti-Christalone? No. God will never do that. Unimaginable. John 14:15-17 states that the Holy Spirit will be with us FOREVER.2. The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, Counselor and The Spirit of Truth (John 14:15-17). Now at what point in time

will the lambs of Jesus Christ needa. Truth, the most?

b. Council, the most?c. Comfort, the most?

3. Such a presupposition also makes the character of Jesus, questionable. Is he a good shepherd? Does he leave his lambs toface the darkest hour of history, alone? God Forbid!!! He promised that he will never leave us or forsake us, even unto the end

of the world. (Hebrew 13:5 & Matthew 28:19-20). Matthew 13:40 helps us identify the end of the world As therefore the taresare gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world..


To further explain the early apostolic position about the timing of the Rapture, we can look into a very well known biblical passageoften quoted for rapture.

I Corinthians 15:52-54 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raisedincorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54So when thiscorruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

Now it is important for us to see where did St Paul get this phrase Death is swallowed up in victory from?Without doubt, he gets it from Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; andthe rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.. Now it is important that we see the contextof the events mentioned by prophet Isaiah. Therefore, the verse that will shed light on the time of this event is Isaiah 24:23(Remember that Classifications by chapter and verses are the work of men. The Original texts never had any chapters or verses)

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his

ancients gloriously. If we go back to Matthew 24:29, we see that after the tribulation, the Sun and the Moon will stop giving theirlight. All scriptures link the time of Jesuss second coming to the period immediately after tribulation. None of the scriptures state it

as a two phased approach as taught by many in todays Christendom.Pauls citation of Isaiah 25:8 is important because it verifies that he was, indeed, contextually linking the rapture and the day of the

Lord together as one unified event in his famous rapture passage of I Thessalonians 4:16. However, the significance of Isaiah25:8 continues. Just like Apostle Paul, Apostle John also quotes from the same verse. Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in themidst of the throne shall feedthem, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes . TheTHEM in this verse refers to the multitude in verse 9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of allnations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; .

Again what becomes of particular interest is the context that surrounds this verse. Revelation 6:12 describes the effect on Sun andMoon, before the day of the Lord And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun becameblack as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

Since Paul quotes from Isaiah 25:8 in relation to the rapture of the Church and John also quotes from the very same verse in relationto the Great Multitude of Revelation 7:9, it reveals that the Great Multitude is in fact a description of the Resurrected and RapturedChurch.

Secondly according to Paul, the rapture is a post-tribulation event from theperspective of not only Prophet Isaiah but fromthe


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Perspective of Apostle John as well.Thirdly it also proves that Paul was not the lone pioneer on the rapture frontier, as some try to portray him but he is actuall

gathering his information from the already established truths.

Fourthly it proves that Paul and John adhered to the same viewpoint. The Rapture of the Church will not occur until after the GreaTribulation.


The Bible is clear. The Rapture occurs at the 7 th Trumpet (LAST TRUMPET) of the Revelation. Revelation 10:7 But in the days o

the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mysteryof God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants thprophets.. John speaks of a MYSTERY at the 7th Trumpet or the LAST TRUMPET. Listen to what Paul reveals to us about thi

MYSTERY. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, ithe 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.ThCLEAR, CONTEXTUAL, BIBLICAL MYSTERY is that the rapture will occur at the LAST or the 7th Trumpet. Paul knew it an

John knew it. Jesus told us that it would happen during the days of Anti-Christ. Needless to say that, if Rapture ever happens beforthe tribulation (as taught by many), that trumpet can never be called the LAST TRUMPET, as it will be followed by 7 trumpet

AFTER that. Hence a pre-tribulation rapture is not in the plan of God.


The Marriage of the Lamb involves the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and his Bride (The Church). Therefore the Marriage is the PICTURE o

the event of uniting the Lamb and his bride. That event is the resurrection and the rapture of the Church. Revelation 19 mentionthe marriage and lists a short chronological order of the events surrounding it.

1. Babylon (Headquarter of Anti-Christ) is Fallen Revelation 19:22. Marriage of the Lamb is come Revelation 19:7-93. Christ descends from Heaven to tread the winepress in Armageddon Revelation 19:15.

The Marriage is listed to occur after the fall of Babylon. But when does the fall of Babylon occur?Revelation 13 & 14 provides a broader view of the events concerning the end of this age. Angel declares that Babylon is Fallen in

Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of thwine of the wrath of her fornication. Notice that the fall of Babylon is an event that occurs during the Great Tribulation. Also anothe

important fact we need to understand here is that, the rapture is evidently spoken in Revelation 14 as opposed to Revelation 4where it should have been, if it was a pre-tribulation rapture.

To make this even clearer, let us compare the timelines ofRevelation 14 and 19.

Revelation 14 Revelation 19

Babylon is Fallen (Rev 14:8) Babylon is Fallen (Rev 19:2)

Christ sends his angels to gather the elect (Rev 14:15) The Marriage of the Lamb is come (Rev 19:7-9)

The Wicked are gathered to the winepress (Rev 14:19) The Beast's armies are gathered (Rev 19:19)

Winepress is trodden. Armageddon (Rev 14:20) Winepress is trodden. Armageddon (Rev 19:20)


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Everything is identical except for the second row. In fact the truth is, they both are the same. One is literal and the other ifigurative.

Why did John take this approach?Simply because Jesus uses the same method to describe the end of age to his disciples. First he gives a literal statement in Matthew

24 and then follows it with the figurative one in Matthew 25.

Matthew 24:30-31 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shalsee 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.

In Matthew 25 he described the 5 out of 10 virgins who were ready when the Bridegroom arrives, for the marriage. The truth is thathe marriage of the Lamb concept originated with this parable of Jesus Christ. This parable is in context with the gathering of th

elect mentioned by Christ, immediately after the tribulation.

What can we expect to happen in the near future?

The World will continue to grow worse. The Anti-Christ will be revealed. Christians, Church, Jews and Israel will be hated andpersecuted unmercifully for a while. The Hatred will find its apex and culmination in the revealed Anti-Christ. The World wil

adore him and Worship him. But Gods people will know him and refuse to follow him. But after this period of tribulation, we will

be rescued and delivered and taken out of the way. RAPTURED!!! This will happen at the time of the 7th

Trumpet of thRevelation. The 1st Six trumpets would already have been blown as a sign to the World of Jesuss soon return. Simultaneously theWRATH and Judgment of God will be poured on the people of this earth. The Church will be preserved from this Wrath andJudgment just as Noah and his family was preserved in the Flood.

Let God (and his Word) be true and every man a liar. Romans 3:4


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G.P Sam, who used to believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture, as was taught in his church, writes this article. All glory be to God who, in his mercy opened his eyes

of understanding to proclaim the truth of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

berean explorer june 2011

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