All Doves:
Few people, including many theologians, fail to realize that some of the strongest arguments supporting a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, can be found in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament we see "a shadow of good things to come", and not always the very image of the things" I refer you to Hebrews 10:1. The Holy Spirit explains that these Old Testament types are preserved for our learning. "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" -(Romans 15:4). There I go again on hope, but it is in the Word. "Now all these things happened to them (Old Testament people) as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." -(1st Corinthians 10:11). I know this bursts the bubble of the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble" but you don't want to be part of that camp. They have no present hope, only despair, guilt, and fear.
When you cut through the chaff and doublespeak, most of them that I know of, are not serious Bible scholars, nor are they teachable spirits, but reflect closed minds, like the 'Omega Shock Letter's author John Little. His qualifications, I noted in my last post were that he has lived in Asia for 18 years, and that he has a beautiful wife, and that he has an MBA. To my memory, an MBA program does not offer courses of any sort where the focus is on the Bible! Neither does living in Asia or having a beautiful wife qualify one in pontificating about what he calls as the "Lie". He has now followed up with his rants with a Part 2 of 'The Omega Shock Letter' on 'The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Lie'. He says that he wants to believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture but gives his reasons to the contrary. Pray for this man because he is sorely deluded. He is the proverbial example of the person with a little knowledge, that believes he is more knowledgeable than the author of the Bible. His logic and rationale for his second part made August 4th, is further example of such pathetic pontification that we see at the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble" site. I offered to help him understand the Bible, but was rebuffed.
I was actually surprised when I recently read the bio of the standard bearer for the attack on the Pre-Trib Rapture position and the doctrine of eschatology, Dave MacPherson. MacPherson has written, to date eight books against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. He is a journalist, of all professions, which I suppose may qualify him to be able to pontificate and be a Biblical critic. If these are a threat to believers in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, we might as well let the little Geico gecko interpret the Bible for us these days.
Bible students are well aware that there are numerous Old Testament types that foreshadow a New Testament fulfillment. A classic example is when Abraham took his son, his only son Isaac, who he greatly loved, to the land of Moriah to offer him there as a sacrifice - concluding that God was able to raise him from the dead -(Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17-19). Abraham is a beautiful type of our Heavenly Father, and Isaac, his beloved son, is a striking picture of Jesus, who willingly laid down His life on Mount Moriah 2,000 years later. Though the Rapture was hidden in part from the Old Testament believers, the types found throughout the Old Testament foreshadow a future Rapture when God removes His people prior to pouring out His wrath on a Christ-rejecting world. Here follows powerful word pictures of His Pre-Tribulation Rapture "deliverance".
Note also where this story appears - in Genesis 22. That is meaningless to you, but Genesis 22 just happens to be a chapter that is a 'Tavh' or 'Tav' chapter that contains the "theme" of "truth and perfection". This is "Diamond and Nugget" topic for another time. Don't let me forget to share it.
1. In Noah's day there were those who passed through the flood (Noah and his family in the ark); there were those who perished in the flood (the unbelieving world); and there was Enoch who was "translated" or "Raptured up" before the judgment of God was poured out. Enoch walked with God -(Genesis 5:24) and pleased Him -(Hebrews 11:5), just as Christians who abide "in Christ" please God -(1st John 3:22). Interestingly, from the time Gold told Noah to enter the ark, until the time when the waters of the flood were on the Earth, God granted "seven" more days for the world to repent -(Genesis 7:1-10). Perhaps this is a foreshadow of the final "seven"-year period culminating in the final judgment -(Revelation 19:11-21).
2. In Lot's day, Lot and his family were "removed" before God rained down His judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah -(Genesis 19). God did not just "preserve" them through His wrath, He removed them prior to judgment. Jesus said that just before His return it would be like the days of Noah -(Luke 17:26) and the days of Lot -(Luke 17:28). Judgment in Sodom COULD NOT occur until Lot was removed -(Genesis 19:22)! Remarkably, "while Lot lingered", the angels took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. "...Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there" -(Genesis 19:16,33). In other words, they were were forcibly removed prior to judgement and judgment could not commence until they safely arrived in the new city!
3. Joseph, (a type of Christ in many ways), something in the area of 104 ways or examples, according to Arthur W. Pink, in his commentary on the book of Genesis; Joseph takes a Gentile bride, his brethren (the Israelites) and the entire world suffered a SEVEN YEAR FAMINE -(Genesis 4:54-57). During this time of famine many came to Joseph for food. Similarly, after Jesus receives His Bride, His brethren, the Jews (an many in the world), will turn to the Lord for relief or deliverance -(Revelation 7). How befitting that the Great Tribulation is called "the time of Jacob's trouble," but He shall be saved out of it. -(Jeremiah 30:7). It is also referred to as "the time of the Gentiles" in Ezekiel 30:3. Many Gentiles will also be saved out of it -(Revelation 7). The famine is a word-picture type of the Tribulation -(Amos 8:11), and Egypt is a picture of the world. This account strongly suggests that Jesus will get His Bride before the 70th Week of Daniel - before the famine that will come upon the entire world. Famine is associated with the Tribulation.
4. In Joshua 2, Rahab trusts the Lord and befriends the Jewish spies. By faith Rahab puts a scarlet thread in her window (a symbol of Christ's blood) and she and her family are "brought out" of Jericho before the city is burned with fire. -(Joshua 6). Rahab was a prostitute -(Hebrews 11:31) and a Gentile woman -(Joshua 2), and she is found in the Messianic line of Jesus Christ -(Matthew 1:5). Rahab is therefore a beautiful picture of the Church (the Bride of Christ). Though formerly a prostitute, Rahab, by faith, was made clean and delivered from God's wrath. Amazingly, in this account, we again see the "seven" days of warning preceding judgment -(God's gracious delay to encourage repentance). The armies of God marched around the city six days, and on the "seventh" day they marched around the city "seven" times, and the city was finally destroyed -(Joshua 6).
Does this all sound like a God that wants to permit His Bride Church to go through the Tribulation? Honestly, why do the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble" folks continue to call God a liar? Does it even resemble a God that wants to bring judgment upon those "in Christ", To rain down on your "Hope"?.
5. In 1st Samuel 25:39-42, Abigail is informed that King David (a foreshadowing of King Jesus) wants to take her as his bride. She immediately responds and "rose in haste" with five of her damsels to "depart" and go to David for the marriage. Compare this with Matthew 25:1-13 where five wise virgins who truly had oil went forth to meet the Bridegroom (Jesus) away from their dwelling place (Earth). Interestingly, the name Abigail means "Father's joy!"
6. The Song of Solomon is an amazing picture of Christ and His Church -(Ephesians 5:29-32). In the Song of Solomon 2:8-13, the Bride (the Church) hears the voice of her Beloved (Jesus) coming for her, then in verse 10 and 13, the Bridegroom speaks and calls His Bride to "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." This is a beautiful foreshadow of our marriage and honeymoon in heaven!
7. Isaiah 26:20-21 also gives us another possible picture of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, preceding the Tribulation: "Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation (Tribulation) is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain." Apparently, believers are tucked away in Heaven before the Tribulation falls on the Earth. This may also apply to the Jews who escape to and hide away in Petra during the Tribulation?
8. In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar (a type of the Antichrist), confirmed in Revelation 13, demands that the entire population bow down to his image. Daniel's three friends (Jews) are preserved through the fiery tribulation furnace, but Daniel is nowhere to be found. Daniel was "ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon" -(Daniel 2:48), yet he is missing from the account. Why? Daniel was apparently away. Might he be another type of the Church? I think so!
9. In Zephaniah 2:2-3 we read: "Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD'S anger". Believers will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger -(confirmed in Isaiah 26:20-21). Also, see Zephaniah 1:7.
10. Malachi 3 deals with the Day of the Lord. Interestingly, Malachi 3:18 implies two comings: "Then shall ye (believers) return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." It becomes explicitly clear when we read the entire context of Malachi 3 that believers shall return to the Earth. In order to return and discern, believers must have first been "caught away" to Heaven. Isaac and Rebekah, as well as Ruth and Boaz, also provide beautiful pictures of Christ Jesus taking a Gentile Bride - one who counts the cost and leaves their own family - but is not required to suffer through great tribulation or famine. Other examples could be expounded upon, but for now, let this be a foretaste to feast upon. These should be sufficient to show that Christians will be removed before God's wrath is poured out and likely before the 70th Week of Daniel.
I repeat my question from my pause above, does this sound like a God that wants to permit His Bride Church to go through the Tribulation? I don't think so, and I hope that you will be discerning enough to recognize that John Little of 'The Omega Shock Letter', journalist Dave MacPherson, who has written eight books attacking the Pre-Tribulation Rapture; and the Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble" crowd will wake up and smell the rose of Sharon.
In case you did not know it, even the "Rose of Sharon" is picture of the Lord Christ Jesus in the Song of Solomon, chapter 2:1.
What can the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble" offer, in light of what I have posted over the past four months? Absolutely nothing as to genuine hope, they just keep trotting out the re-packaged Babbel of Robert Van Kampen and his puppet Marvin Rosen, along with the SDA cultist Steven "Mark" Wohlberg, and continually quote from the "Dog" of Bibles, the Geneva Bible. It cannot be trusted for any defense of prophecy. I saw where the Minuteman web site has offered their version of the Geneva Bible for sale?
Their talking head at the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Bable" site wants to know "where is the love", forgetting that it was they that continually attacked this site for many long months going back to last year, long before I began to contend for the faith on Five Dove. They attacked Jon and Five Doves freely with their venomous and slanderous attacks. They invited us to defend and contend for the faith, to defend the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. They can't have it both ways. They were baiting the Doves to respond as some sort of challenge by Goliath. I was watching this attack for months before I stepped forward.
What truly begs the larger question here is, why do you suppose that God went to all the effort, to the length, and breadth, and depth to create, write the Bible, using real historical literal people, intertwined with a message of redemption, real personal inspired authors to be the recording secretaries of His Trusted Faithful Word, all in such a way as to embed Divine truths, doctrines, themes, types, symbols, word-pictures, patterns pointing back to Him. The third tenet of Dispensationalism is that God wants all the glory and honor. Any one with a minimum IQ surely should be able to recognize that God is Love. He loves His creation, you and I, and even John Little and the wags at the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble" site. Luke 24:44 states, "And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all the things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning me."
I don't know your heart, but I know that if you are a "Born-Again" believer in the Lord Christ Jesus as your savior and redeemer, and not ashamed to profess that to those that inquire of such you are going home in a "Pre-Tribulation Rapture"!!!! Yes, even those that hold to the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble". Even John Little and Dave MacPherson. Maybe even Steven Wohlberg will go with us, but as Dr. Chuck Missler says, "If you don't believe it we will explain it to you on the way up". That was a 'funny'. These are human examples of why we need to pray that God will change their hearts and learn to believe in His wonderful Grace. In the last couple years, the sons of leading Christians celebrities committed suicide, Rick Warren's son Matthew, and just a few days ago Ergun Caner's son Braxton. What kind of hope did these young men have or read? Were they exposed to the hopelessness of a Pre-Wrath-Rapture? One has to seriously wonder about that. This is my concern of how the "Pre-Wrath-Rapture-Babble" leads to defeat, hopelessness, despair and suicide. I believe I can speak to this issue from both personal experience and also as a pastor involved in the prevention where two different individuals threatened to kill their families and themselves.
My point above is that God has done an amazing thing in His Word, to show us His Master Plan for humanity.
He stated it straight-up in the Gospel of John, by being all-knowing, He knew we would be confronted with the unwitting but willing minions of Lucifer seeking to cause doubt in folks minds. The servants of Lucifer want you to doubt God and His Word. Big mistake! There are just too many ways that God has planted his message in the Bible, overtly, and covertly. Remember Proverbs 25:2! Hang in their, persevere as Paul called us to do, look up and know that the trumpet call is nearer than you think.
Blessings this weeks,
Pastor Bob