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For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. -I Thess. 4:16-17
Pre-Trib Fib, Part I
By Rod "EagleEye" Jordan,
HisFaith.org
December 13, 2001 - Sincere "Christians" ask me all the time why I don't believe in a PRE-TRIBULATION “rapture." Well, first of all, let me say that I DO BELIEVE there will be a RAPTURE. First Thessolonians 4:16-17 makes this quite clear.
However, it's the whole TIMING of the RAPTURE that is in question.
Pre-tribbers vehemently contend that the "calling away of the saints" will occur PRIOR to the beginning of tribulation. I contend that the Lord WILL RETURN and WILL RAPTURE "His TRUE Church", but that this "calling away" will occur near the END of the period we commonly call "tribulation."
Unfortunately, my opinion is not popular because it means we will have to endure the coming tribulation. And, this goes against the grain of what the "institutional 501c-3 church machine" wants to think will happen.
To be sure, God doesn't really care what you or I think, because He will bring about His plan and His will in spite of us. But, don't "discount" my understanding on this subject just because it's not "palatable." This is too important a subject to just "glaze" over.
Now, as you might imagine, I get a lot of email on this subject. Here's a typical response: "Eagle, I agree with most everything you write, but I have to take exception with you on your take on the RAPTURE. I think I will be raptured out of here BEFORE things get too bad. Afterall, Hal Lindsay, Jack Van Impe and MY pastor can’t ALL be wrong, CAN THEY?"
Well, first of all, let me say that I hope that THOSE GUYS are right. NO ONE WANTS to believe that they will have to go through "tribulation." In fact, as I have alluded earlier, I’m ALL FOR a PRE-TRIB rapture! The problem is...
The PRE-TRIB theory doesn't hold water Scripturally.
Folks, stick with me here. The "pre-trib rapture" position is IMPOSSIBLE to justify without doing great violence to the Holy Scripture, and the character of Almighty God. Not only that, it is LOGICALLY UNTENABLE. In other words, as you look into it, it makes no sense that it could happen that way.
Suffice it to say, I will explain all of this in detail, forthcoming. So, hang in there.
To begin our EXAMINATION of this doctrine, let's say right UP FRONT that ANYONE [including me] could pull out a few “select” scriptures, read their “opinion” into it, and make it go along with THEIR own selfish, pre-disposed "theory."
I give you that. MEN have been doing it forever. Justifying this, compromising that, all to serve THEIR needs. And, it's only going to get worse and worse in THESE LAST DAYS.
Some people have attacked me saying that my standing on this issue is my own SELFISH, PRE-DISPOSED opinion. They accuse ME of straying from the "truth" of the Word because I have some sort of manipulative agenda.
Oh really?
Honestly folks, what SELFISH reason could I have for exposing this PLEASANT flesh-satisfying doctrine? IF I were appealing to my flesh or pocketbook, I WOULD ACCEPT IT and teach it as fact like everyone else. As I have said, I would LOVE to to believe it, too. Who wouldn't?
But, let's look at MY situation here. Will I be bringing in lots of money for writing that you most likely will have to go through the most perilous time in history? Will I be winning friends and influencing my enemies? Will I be BUILDING my audience? My pocketbook? Not a chance.
Truth doesn't sell. Never has, never will.
I learned a long time ago that it's best not to "prosper financially" from ministry. I have CHOSEN to KEEP MONEY completely out of my ministry. In this way, I am able to be HONEST, unbiased and tell the WHOLE truth. You see, I prefer to "work" and "eek" out a modest living on the side.
But, you know what? That's just the way I like it. Now, I am not going to tell you that I have not been tempted to go into traditional "PAID" ministry. (read this article for details on that) But, I could never do it. PAID ministry ALWAYS causes MEN to eventually compromise THEIR message for the almighty dollar.
On the other hand, what does Corporate Churchianity have to gain from propagating this ear-tickling DOCTRINE?
Hmmm. Let's see...
How about not running THEIR existing paying customers off? How about gaining MORE tithing customers to pay THEIR growing debt-load? How about a larger auditorium or sanctuary?
Folks, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but YOU have UNWITTINGLY been TAUGHT AS FACT, a DOCTRINE, that is in fact ERROR, by big-name RELIGIOUS people that YOU TRUST.
What's more, EVERYONE WANTS TO BELIEVE IT!
It's ONLY human nature to want to HANG ONTO ENTICING and EAR-TICKLING DOCTRINES such as this one. I hated letting this particular doctrine go myself, so I can speak from firsthand experience.
But, the fact still remains: SOMEONE had to care enough about me to make me take a harder look at the issue. Thank God I listened.
You know, it's strange, but MEN are an interesting lot. IF we hear something OFTEN ENOUGH, regardless of whether it is true or not, we TEND to believe it. REALITY no longer matters. What we have heard is transformed into "truth” by consensus. But, when a group of people choose to believe an ear-tickling lie rather than facing the REAL truth of a matter, would that not be considered a consensus of fools?
Sure.
With this in mind, let's pretend you are standing in your average corporate "church" library. Look around you. You see tons of books written about END-TIME Biblical events. I guarantee MOST, if not all, SUPPORT and TEACH the pre-trib rapture theory/doctrine.
I know because I've read a lot of them. These books are written by FABULOUS, RICH, and FAMOUS “MEN” such as Dr. Tim LaHaye, Dr. Jack Van Impe, Dr. Hal Lindsey, Dr. Pat Robertson, Dr. Benny Hinn, Dr. Rob Parsley, Dr. James Robinson, Dr. Paul Crouch, Dr. Kim K., Dr. Jesse Duplantis, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Dr. John Hagee, Dr. Matthew Hagee, Pastor Dan Lawson, Dr. Bob Larson, Dr. Oral Roberts, Dr. Charles Stanley, and Dr. James Kennedy, to name a few.
Now, do you think TBN would provide EagleEye "equal time" on one of their TV Programs to voice OPPOSITION to the traditional PRE-TRIB RAPTURE doctrine?
No way.
To do so would scare the "hell" out of THEIR nominal paying "christian" viewer. At a minimum, INCOME would go down. And, if it affects the "bottom line" it just don't matter if it's TRUE. Heckfire, it ain't getting on the air.
As I have read these MAN-MADE books and listened to the clap-trap on "christian" TV, I am amazed at how UNIMPORTANT Truth is to these people. Fact is, the ENTIRE TBN/Churchianity Community has COMPLETELY BOUGHT INTO THE "PRE-TRIB" rapture theory.
It's obvious that they don't want to take a hard, HONEST look at the problems with their doctrine.
Their thought is, that if SOMETHING is a proven money-maker, why change it? Folks! Let's not be naive. This "doctrine" SELLS and it sells well. It sells millions of Novels. It even sells millions and millions of movie tickets. "Truth" is no longer critical to these people. At least, not at the expense of income.
I am shocked at how PRESUMPTIVE and ARROGANT these MEN have become. I hate to say it, but in MANY, MANY areas, these self-proclaimed modern "profits of god" have traded the truth for a lie. They are now "willingly" MANIPULATIVE and DECEPTIVE.
They speak with a forked tongue, yet assure each other that what they are doing is Ok. And, for what? A few bucks?
No. A lot of bucks.
THESE big-name "church" mouth pieces have created their own version of the "gospel." It's a gospel that sells and feels good. The openly twist and pervert Scripture to support THEIR ill-conceived and pre-disposed viewpoints.
It's all about the MONEY.
They are ALL in this together. They are all profiting off this deal. And, when it comes to BIG-TIME "christianity" it's a "fall in line or get cut off the vine" ballgame.
THEIRS is truly a "Cut and Paste" mentality. Every single one of these MEN OPENLY AVOID the "obvious" logical and scriptural obstacles to THEIR “pre-disposed” viewpoints and push on with gleeful ignorance towards the calling of a higher bank account.
This "new group" of last days self-proclaimed "elitists" have REDEFINED "the faith." We are NOW led to believe that "you and I" live under a new "politically-correct" god. He is a Mayberry R.F.D., kinder, gentler god.
According to the new "PROFITS" this is a wonderful new world order. Unlike past history, WE somehow NOW merit and DESERVE to be spared persecution and tribulation in OUR standing for the Faith.
They CONVENIENTLY FORGET that the greatest men and women of God were persecuted and killed for upholding THE Faith.
I contend that these MINDSETS represent two totally different types of "FAITH."
Now, not to make excuses for their actions, but, I do understand that these latter day "christian" LEADERS, AUTHORS and TV personalities, while quite "FAMOUS", are STILL just MEN.
And, you know what that means.
MEN tend to be corrupt. MEN also tend towards self-preservation. And, it's no secret that MEN have a LONG history of teaching “traditions of MEN” and other easily palatable "self-serving" doctrines that boost their personal agendas and pocketbooks.
Think about it. WHERE have all our wonderful spiritual Guru "Doctors" gotten their credentials? Did they not learn the BUSINESS of running their profitable "church machines" in state-certified "Semetaries?" Of course they did.
Once these MEN have gotten their first PAID position in a "church", they naturally become pacifist purple-robed pulpit pimps. They are NOT LIKELY to EMBRACE anything that goes against the grain of what the rest of the organized harlot "church" teaches.
Certainly, they WOULD NOT TEACH something (anything) that would end up costing them money, and/or the very existence of their bricks-and-mortar "church" corporation.
Falling more and more into depravity and rebellion against the TRUTH...
Visit any lovely corner "church" today. THEY will smile broadly. THEY will roll out the red carpet for you. And, THEY will go to great lengths to “justify” their position on the pre-trib rapture with utter and total disregard of logic and Scripture.
With that in mind, allow me to begin my multi-part series called the “PRE-TRIB FIB.” In this informative series I will be looking at THE GIANTS of MODERN-DAY "churchdumb" and their foolish consensus ARGUMENT for a pre-tribulation "rapture" of the church.
I will be exploring the very “scriptures” they use to “back up” their erroneous teaching. I trust this will be an "enlightening" study for you!
To begin Part One of this series, let's take a look at what is probably "the most famous" RAPTURE scripture in the entire Bible: First Thessalonians 4:16-17.
The SECOND (and THIRD?) Coming of Christ
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout..."
From the above passage we see that just BEFORE we get "raptured" our Lord Jesus Christ will have to DESCEND FROM HEAVEN. This means that He will have to get up out of His throne [located at the right hand of the Father] and RETURN to this Earth.
It logically follows that this passage describes the "Second Coming" of Christ.
"...with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds..."
Here, we see that CORRESPONDING WITH our Lord's return, several things are going on. The VOICE of the archangel, the TRUMPET of God [which we later discover to be the 7th trumpet described in Revelation], followed by the literal RAPTURE or "calling away" of the saints.
So, the BIBLE teaches us that the dead in Christ will rise first, then those who are alive and remain (who have not yet been killed for the Faith) will ALSO meet Him in the clouds.
Somehow, pre-tribbers believe that AFTER Jesus RAPTURES them, He is THEN going to have to GO BACK to heaven (do not pass Go do not collect $200) and RESEAT Himself on the right hand of the Father for, oh, about another 7 years (or so) until the "tribulation" winds down.
Isn't this the same as saying that He will be forced to RETURN a THIRD time??? Folks, THEY don't tell you this, but what they are really advocating (hoping for) is a THIRD COMING OF CHRIST?!
Huh?
Now, while Christians worldwide will often encourage one another by talking about Jesus' "Second Coming", I doubt you will get many to talk about His "Third Coming."
Folks, that's because no one in their right mind would dare argue for TWO SEPARATE "Second" Comings of Christ.
I know it sounds crazy, but this is exactly what PRE-TRIBBERS must try to say. Oh, they can twist and contort words, but it still boils down to the necessity of reading into Scripture a THIRD COMING of Christ.
No scripture could be twisted to make that a believable possibility.
Oh, but wait. There is another possibility, a much more SIMPLE and LOGICAL explanation of First Thessalonians.
How about this: Jesus Christ RETURNS to get His TRUE Church (after they have been PURIFIED and REFINED in fire), THEN metes out His WRATH on the rest of the World (all unbelievers), including the Anti-Christ and False Prophet, and THEN sets up His NEW Earthly Kingdom for a thousand years.
Too simple, you say? Folks, the Bible is clear on this. Jesus will RETURN. But, only one more time!
NEXT: Origins of the Pre-tribulation rapture doctrine.
May the grace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
richly bless and keep you,
Rod "EagleEye" Jordan
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