Transcript Signs of the Times Part X The Rapture 1 Our Winter Series at

Signs of the Times
Our Winter Series at
Part X The Rapture
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Pastor Brett Peterson
1
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Last week we covered the Sixth seal – and established that the
breaking of the sixth seal is the start of the ‘Day of the Lord’.
• Paul, writing to the Church about the
Rapture says this…
• (1Co 1:8) who will also confirm you
to the end, blameless in the day of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
The day of the Lord is glorious (the Rapture and Marriage supper),
but at the same time terrible (judgment and wrath)
© 2011 Brett Peterson
It is exactly when we are rescued from that wrath!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Events of the sixth seal….
After the rapture, everyone who believes will
be a part of the nations that live on the new
earth, but not part of the Church.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rev 21:24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the
earth will bring their glory into it.
Rev 21:25 In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates
will never be closed;
Rev 21:26 and they will bring the glory and the honor of the
nations into it;
• Back to the sixth seal – we know the wrath of God is
about to start at this exact point; Rev 6:12 I looked
when He broke the sixth seal,….
• Rev 6:17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and
who is able to stand?"
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Th 1:9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a
reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from
idols to serve a living and true God,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He
raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the
wrath to come.
•
•
•
•
The word rescue is very specific…
ῥύομαι rhuomai
‘To draw or snatch from danger, rescue, deliver’.
It is only used for someone in danger and thus rescued.
ἀναμένω anaménō - to wait
patiently
continue
steadfastly
1Th
1:9 For–they
themselves
report about us what kind of a
don’t give
reception
we up
hadwaiting!
with you, and how you turned to God from
© 2011 Brett Peterson
idols to serve a living and true God,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He
raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the
wrath to come.
• Present infinitive - to keep on waiting for
• It does not mean it is imminent or unexpected!
• Don’t give up, or give in, but give all for Jesus!
The Rapture - Tit 2:13 waiting for
the blessed hope and the appearing
of themselves
the glory of
ourabout
greatus
God
and
1Th 1:9 For they
report
what
kind of a
Savior,
Christ
Jesus,
reception we had
with you,
and how
you turned to God from
© 2011 Brett Peterson
idols to serve a living and true God,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He
raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the
wrath to come.
• What does He do at the Rapture?
Notice the rapture is called an ‘appearing’ of Jesus.
It is never referred to a ‘secret’ or hidden event that no one sees.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
It will come like a thief, but everyone will see it!
The Rapture - Tit 2:13 waiting for
the blessed hope and the appearing
of themselves
the glory of
ourabout
greatus
God
and
1Th 1:9 For they
report
what
kind of a
Savior,
Christ
Jesus,
reception we had
with you,
and how
you turned to God from
© 2011 Brett Peterson
idols to serve a living and true God,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He
raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the
wrath to come.
• to appear. An appearing, appearance.
Epipháneia is spoken of the first coming of the
Lord Jesus (2Ti_1:10). Also of the Rapture
Epiphaínō (G2014) in the mid. pass. form,
epiphaínomai, to appear, to manifest oneself.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Ti 6:14 that you keep the commandment without stain or
reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Ti 6:15 which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is
the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
© 2011 Brett Peterson
2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I
have kept the faith;
2Ti 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award
to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have
loved His appearing.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Tit 2:12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and
to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the
glory (glorious appearing) of our great God and Savior, Christ
Jesus,
Tit 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless
deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession,
zealous for good deeds.
ῥύομαι - rhúomai
© 2011 Brett Peterson
To1:9
draw
or snatch
from
danger,
1Th
For they
themselves
report
about usrescue,
what kind of a
reception
had with
and how you
turned to God from
deliverwe
from
fire,you,
drowning,
etc.
a living
and true
You need idols
to betoinserve
danger
in order
toGod,
be rescued!
1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He
raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from
the wrath to come.
• When does this wrath come! At the breaking of the 6th
seal!
• It is important to know what the Bible says about this –
this is what we will be rescued from!
Rev 6:12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a
great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of
hair, and the whole moon became like blood;
Rev 6:13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts
its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rev 6:16 and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on
us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and
from the wrath of the Lamb;
Rev 6:17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able
to stand?
• Same word here – ‘appearing’!!!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Jer 23:19 "Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone forth in wrath,
Even a whirling tempest; It will swirl down on the head of the
wicked.
Jer 23:20 "The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He
has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; In the
last days you will clearly understand it.
•
•
•
•
We will be rescued from the wrath at the appearing of the Lord.
In the last days we will understand it.
We are in the last days!
How will we be rescued?
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The Rapture
© 2011 Brett Peterson
What is the Rapture?
The Rapture:
1 Cor. 15:50 I declare to you, brothers,
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God, nor does the
perishable inherit the imperishable.
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will
not all sleep, but we will all be changed-
© 2011 Brett Peterson
How will we be ‘changed’?
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an
eye, at the last trumpet. For the
trumpet will sound, the dead will be
raised imperishable, and we will be
changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe
itself with the imperishable, and the
mortal with immortality.
How will we be ‘changed’?
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rom 8:23 And not only this, but
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an
also we ourselves, having the first
eye, fruits
at theoflast
trumpet.
For
the
the Spirit, even we
trumpet
will sound,
the dead
will be
ourselves
groan within
ourselves,
raised
imperishable,
andadoption
we willasbe
waiting
eagerly for our
changed.
sons, the redemption of our body.
53 For the perishable must clothe
itself with the imperishable, and the
mortal with immortality.
We will be changed in an instant, however the whole event of
the Rapture may take longer
© 2011 Brett Peterson
•
•
•
•
•
He will come in the clouds - a ‘glorious appearing’
There will be an announcement of His coming and a trumpet call
The dead in Christ will rise first
Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up(changed in an instant)
Then we will be gathered together to meet the Lord in the air!
2Th 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
Mat 24:31 "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and
THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end
of the sky to the other.
• Mat 24:32 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its
branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves,
you know that summer is near;
• Mat 24:33 so, you too, when you see all these things,
recognize that He is near, right at the door.
• Mat 24:34 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass
away until all these things take place.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The main support for the
Rapture is this verse…
1 Thess. 4:15 According to the Lord's own
word, we tell you that we who are still alive,
who are left till the coming of the Lord, will
certainly not precede those who have fallen
asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven, with a loud command, with
the voice of the archangel and with the
trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ
will rise first.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
17 After that, we who are still alive
and are left will be caught up
together (gathered together) with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air. And so we will be with the
Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage each other
with these words.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
17 After that, we who are still alive
and are left will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to
Strong's 726. arpazw harpazo
meettothe
Lord in the air. And so we
seize:--catch (away, up), pluck, pull,
takewith
(by force,
in rescuing
a drowning
will be
theasLord
forever.
person), gathered.
18 Therefore encourage each other
•In Latin this is RAPIO. It is from
with these
words.
rapio that
we get the word Rapture.
•Thus, "Rapture" has the literal
meaning of being caught up,
gathered, or snatched away.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Mat 24:40 "Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and
one will be left.
Mat 24:41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and
one will be left.
Mat 24:42 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your
Lord is coming.
Mat 24:43 "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known
at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the
alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
Mat 24:44 "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is
coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
• Any verses talking about not knowing the day or the hour or passages talking
about Jesus coming like a ‘thief in the night’ are all talking about the Rapture
of the Church – not the second coming!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The Rapture is the most glorious
event that will ever occur in history. It
is when the Church (both those who
have died and those who are alive, will
be taken to be with Jesus Christ. This
is the first resurrection. This is the
glorious appearing of Jesus Christ to
the world!
When does this event occur?
© 2011 Brett Peterson
2nd Coming of Christ
First, what do all Biblical
scholars agree upon…
Whether pre-trib, post-trib, or pre-wrath, most premillennial scholars agree on the following timeline of
events…
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
End time events in perspective
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
There are many views…
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Pre
Mid
The
Pre-wrath
th
70
Post
week
2nd Coming of Christ
These four are the most accepted…
What does the Bible say?
Here is what we know for sure…
Joh 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who
does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God
abides on him."
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Th 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised
from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to
come.
• The first point that three of the views agree upon
– we will not be here for the wrath of God.
So, when does the wrath of God occur?
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rom 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart
you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and
revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (seventh seal –
trumpet judgments)
This comes at the end of the sixth seal, when the wrath begins…
Rev 6:16 and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall
on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;
Rev 6:17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is
able to stand?"
The wrath begins at the breaking of the seventh seal. This
is the ‘trumpet judgments, and the last trumpet starts the
‘bowls of wrath’.
Pre
Mid
Pre-wrath
Post
© 2011 Brett Peterson
wrath
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
So, we can now add the ‘wrath’
To our timeline…
© 2011 Brett Peterson
wrath
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
We can also remove ‘Post’ because they
believe we will be here for the wrath, just
protected.
Pre-wrath
Post
Pre
Mid
Pre
Mid
Pre-wrath
© 2011 Brett Peterson
wrath
The
th
70
week
2nd Coming of Christ
This leaves three views to consider.
The First half of the 70th week of Daniel is not wrath!
However, it is a time of refining for the Christian
The first half God is not dealing with the nation of Israel – they are
follow the false Messiah.
God only deals with them the second half!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The first half God is purifying the Church!
First, lets address the arguments for pre-trib.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Tim Lahaye came up with several reasons pre-trib is Biblical.
Nowhere among their reasons will you find an appeal to a Bible
verse which specifically states the Lord will return before the
Tribulation. Why? Because it does not exist! LaHaye freely
acknowledges the absence of any explicit pre-Trib passages.1
To get an idea of how rare it is for a major Bible doctrine to be
established without an explicit teaching in Scripture, consider the
counsel of premier pre-Trib scholar, John Walvoord. In his writings
he strongly condemns the promotion of any doctrine not explicitly
taught in the Scriptures. He refers to such practices as "desperate
exegesis."2 Desperate or not, the absence of a definitive text forces
pre-Tribulationists to engage in that very practice.
How should the absence of an explicit pre-Trib text affect our
inquiry? For one thing, it should raise the evidentiary standard for
their arguments. These arguments are not being offered to confirm
direct evidence—they are being offered in place of direct evidence.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
This is a fact that any honest Biblical scholar readily admits to!
Reason #1 for being a Pre-Tribulationist
"The pre-Tribulation view is the most logical view of Second
Coming Scriptures when taken for their plain, literal meaning
whenever possible."3
Pre-Trib Argument: The pre-Trib view provides the most
logical fit.
Pre-Tribulationists contend there is no single Bible passage
outlining the order of end time events.
II Thess. 2 does give us a clear order of events (more on this later)
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Matt. 24 gives us the signs of Christ’s coming to gather His elect for
the four winds (clear order of events)
Pre-Trib Argument: The Pre-Trib view is based on the literal
approach of interpreting Scripture.
At least ten times in his book, LaHaye intimates that those who
oppose pre- Tribulationalism do so because they have abandoned
the literal approach. Over and over, pre- Tribbers charge
spiritualization by opponents. Walvoord even refers to the "fact that
spiritualization of Scripture goes hand in hand with denial of the
pretribulation rapture."7
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Yet, this is exactly what pre-trib scholars do!
This argument is easily disproved…
We find it is the pre-Trib camp which continuously engages in
spiritualization. For instance, consider the treatment of Revelation
4:1. This, of course, is the verse where pre-Tribbers contend the
rapture occurs. LaHaye freely admits the plain reading of the
passage does not support a pre-Trib rapture teaching, yet that does
not dissuade him from declaring it just the same. He writes, "The
Rapture of the Christian is not explicitly taught in Revelation 4 but
definitely appears here chronologically at the end of the Christian
age and before the Tribulation" 8
© 2011 Brett Peterson
This is not taking the literal interpretation of this text in any way!
• Rev 4:1 AfterG3326 R1theseG3778 thingsG3778
• 1) with, after, behind
1) this, these, etc.
• They say this phrase denotes a complete change in dispensations. It is ‘after
the church age’ – after the rapture. This phrase does not mean that at all!
In fact, it is simply used to tell us the order that John received the
visions and is use throughout the New Testament:
Joh_3:22; Joh_5:1; Joh_6:1; Joh_7:1; Joh_19:38; Joh_21:1;
Act_13:20; Act_15:16; Act_18:1; Act_19:21;
Rev_1:19; Rev_4:1; Rev_7:9; Rev_9:12; Rev_15:5; Rev_18:1;
Rev_19:1; Rev_20:3;
© 2011 Brett Peterson
They then say the ‘voice like a trumpet’ is the trumpet of the
rapture, but it is the same voice that spoke to John in Rev. 1!
• There are too many more
examples of improper
exegesis to go over this
morning…
• Rev 1:10 I was in the
Spirit on the Lord's day,
and I heard behind me a
loud voice like the sound
of a trumpet,
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Notes:
Tim LaHaye, No Fear of the Storm, p. 188.
John Walvoord, The Rapture Question, p. 72.
Tim LaHaye, No Fear of the Storm, p. 219.
Hal Lindsey, There's a New World Coming, p. 122.
Tim LaHaye, No Fear of the Storm, p. 240.
Ibid., p. 220.
John Walvoord, The Rapture Question, p. 72.
Tim LaHaye, Revelation, p. 76.
Number Two
"The Rapture is described as imminent.“9
© 2011 Brett Peterson
"No unfulfilled prophecy stands between the Christian and
the Rapture, while many signs must be fulfilled before the
Second Coming."10
This is known as the ‘any moment’ theory of the Rapture. It could
occur right now, or it could have occurred in Paul’ lifetime, or that
of Martin Luther.
First, we know that world events were not in place for the Rapture
to have occurred prior to 1948.
In fact, only in that past 20 years has the world been in the position
to fulfill all the prophecies about the last days!
Note the following quote by Walvoord, as he seeks to establish the
doctrine of immanency. "The prospect of being taken to heaven at
the coming of Christ is not qualified by description of any signs
or prerequisite events. Here [referring to John 14], as in other
passages dealing with the coming of Christ for the Christian, the
hope is presented as an imminent hope."11
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Did you get that? By pre-Trib logic, because rapture passages
contain nothing to preclude immanency, they somehow "prove"
immanency! And they ignore the fact that every passage on the
Rapture gives signs that will occur prior to the event!
• Joh 14:28 "You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to
you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the
Father, for the Father is greater than I.
• Jesus clarified when He would come later at the Olivete Discourse
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Scriptural basis for the any moment rapture;
Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord
is coming. (Matt. 24:42).
Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day or the hour. (Matt.
25:13).
For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an
hour when you do not think He will. (Matt. 24:44).
However, in context, all of these passage have signs that precede the
coming!!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves know full well that the
day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the
night.
1Th 5:3 While they are saying, "Peace and
safety!" then destruction will come upon them
suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with
child, and they will not escape.
1Th 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness,
that the day would overtake you like a thief;
1Th 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of
day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
1Th 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but
let us be alert and sober.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves know full well that the
day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the
night.
This tells us plainly, we will
1Th 5:3 While they are saying, "Peace and
see
that
day,
but
it
won’t
safety!" then destruction will come upon them
overtake
us like
a thief.
suddenly
like labor
pains
upon a woman with
child, and they will not escape.
1Th 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness,
that the day would overtake you like a thief;
1Th 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of
day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
1Th 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but
let us be alert and sober.
But it will overtake the apostate church like a thief…
Rev 3:3 'So remember what you have received and heard;
and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I
will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I
will come to you.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
If you know the signs to watch for, you will be awake and ready!
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the
prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is
near. 4 John to the seven churches
Rev 1:7 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every
eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the
earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.
If not knowing the day or hour of the Rapture is told to the church,
why, in Revelation is it only for the apostate church?
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Mat 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even
the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
Mat 24:37 "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the
days of Noah.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Mat 25:11 "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord,
open up for us.'
Mat 25:12 "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know
you.'
Mat 25:13 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day
nor the hour.
Mar 13:29 "Even so, you too, when you see these things
happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
Mar 13:30 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things take place.
Mar 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will
not pass away.
Mar 13:32 "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
Mar 13:33 "Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know
when the appointed time will come.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
‘no one knows the day or the hour’ is a Hebrew phrase used often
in Jesus day and continues to today. It is talking about a feast day.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
There is one feast of the Lord that is called
The ‘hidden feast’. In fact, the sages of Israel
Have always said of it, ‘no one knows the day
Or the hour’ of this feast…
The Feast of Trumpets
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Walvord admits that there are NO passages teaching the concept of
imminence - . Instead, he offers passages which, in his words,
"contribute to the concept of imminence."
Among these are, John 14:1-3, I Thessalonians 4-5,
and I John 3:1-3.
Joh 14:1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God,
believe also in Me.
Joh 14:2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it
were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place
for you.
Joh 14:3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you
may be also.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
•
•
Jesus later gave them the signs of His return – Matt. 24
About 25 years after the Lord spoke the words recorded in John 14, the Apostle Paul
wrote a letter to the Christian at Corinth. In that letter (under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit), Paul revealed the mystery of the rapture of the Christian. "Behold, I tell you a
mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
imperishable, and we shall be changed." (I Corinthians 15:51-52). A mystery,
according to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, is a truth
previously withheld by God, but now made known by Divine revelation.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The second section of Scripture Walvoord offers in defense of
imminency is I Thessalonians, Chapters 4 and 5. However,
he makes reference to just one verse: "Therefore, comfort
one another with these words." (4:18). Walvoord does not say
how this passage contributes the concept of imminency. He
merely asserts the rapture had been taught as an imminent
hope. LaHaye, however, is not so reticent. From this phrase,
he develops a "comfort" argument in favor of imminency. In
his words, "the hope and comfort aspect of the Rapture
demands that we escape the Tribulation, being raptured out
of this world before God's wrath begins." 12
• He also forgets to frame this passage on the rapture in context – the sign
preceding the rapture:
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Th 3:2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker
in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your
faith,
1Th 3:3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for
you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
1Th 3:4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in
advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to
pass, as you know.
1Th 3:5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also
sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might
have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.(apostasy)
1Th 3:7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and
affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;
1Th 3:8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
• Two signs – persecution and apostasy
1Th 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who
are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring
with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Th 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will
rise first.
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the
Lord.
1Th 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
•
In context, this was written to comfort them about those who died as
Christian! The comfort is that they will be raised! It’s the resurrection of the
dead that is comforting!!!!
The third passage which, we are told, contributes to
imminency is I John 3:1-3. "See how great a love the Father
has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of
God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are
children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall
be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him,
because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who
has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is
pure."
© 2011 Brett Peterson
•
•
This verse actually supports the appearing of Christ at the Rapture and helps disprove
the ‘secret rapture’ misconception!
Obviously, it offers no indication that a Coming of the Lord is without reference to
signs. Walvoord, however, suggests the presence of the word hope amounts to an
argument for imminency. "The hope of seeing Christ as He is and being like Him is a
purifying hope." And this hope, he claims, "is realistic in proportion to its imminency."
13
© 2011 Brett Peterson
To grasp the futility of this logic, we need only view the
formal argument.
First premise: Christian should be concerned about the Coming of
the Lord for the Christian (the rapture).
Second premise: If an event is imminent, Christian will be more
concerned.
Conclusion: The coming of the Lord for the Christian is always
presented as an imminent event.
Believe it or not, the three passages above, along with their
corresponding arguments, represent the strongest "Biblical"
arguments to be found in behalf of this doctrine. Little wonder
Walvoord could not bring himself to say these passages
actually teach imminency.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Scripture NEVER presents the rapture as a signless (imminent)
event. But the problems for imminency do not stop there. Perhaps
even more threatening is the fact that a number of Scriptures seem
to contradict the doctrine.
These problem texts imply that either an extended period of
time or certain prophesied events must transpire before the
Lord's return. Following are six such texts:
© 2011 Brett Peterson
. The Lord's promise to Peter that he would die at an old age. (See
John 21:18-19). Herein is a huge problem for imminency. If the
rapture was presented as imminent, as pre-Tribbers maintain, that
means it could have happened at any moment from Pentecost until
now. Yet, the Lord, Himself, prophesied that Peter would die an old
man. This prophecy directly contradicts the pre- Trib doctrine of
imminency
• That the rapture could occur at any moment. A number of years would have
to pass before Peter became old and died. That means, at least during those
intervening years, the rapture could not have occurred. Otherwise, Peter would
have been translated, which would have made the Lord a false prophet.
• That the rapture is without reference to signs. Based on the Lord's prophecy, it
was impossible for the rapture to occur before at least one future event—that
being Peter's death. The obvious implication is that the Lord did not teach
imminency.
The parables which imply a long interval of time before the
Lord returns. (See Matt. 25:14-30, the parable of the talents;
Luke 19:11-27, parable of the minas). These passages argue
against the concept of an any moment rapture.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
First;
Mat 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable
to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the
bridegroom.
• Notice, they went out from the brides house to meet the bridegroom, meaning
they knew the day, they simply did not know the hour of His coming.
• Usually the bridegroom came right at Sundown, as the first star appeared in
the sky.
Mat 25:2 "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.
Mat 25:3 "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
Mat 25:4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began
to sleep.
Mat 25:6 "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out
to meet him.'
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Mat 25:13 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
1Th 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you
like a thief;
1Th 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of
darkness;
1Th 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.
1Th 5:7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk
get drunk at night.
1Th 5:8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate
of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
• The wise virgins were those who were ready to wait, to endure, to overcome
the night. They were alert to the dangers of worldliness and complacency.
Walvord, although admitting there are texts which raise difficulties for the doctrine of
imminency, he states, "most of the hindrances to the coming of the Lord at any moment in
the first century no longer exist. A long period has elapsed; Peter and Paul have gone home
to the Lord; only the specific signs of Matthew 24-25 remain to be fulfilled."
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Matt. 24 & 25 are the Rapture, not the second coming!
Mat 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,
nor the Son, but the Father alone.
Mat 24:37 "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
Mat 24:38 "For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
Mat 24:39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all
away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Mat 24:40 "Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will
be left.
Mat 24:41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will
be left.
Mat 24:42 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is
coming.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Ulimately, the doctrine of imminency rests on fear of two things…
Pastor Chuck Smith said that if the Rapture isn’t imminent, no one would be in
Christian. They would know they had time to ‘play’ until the tribulation
started, and then they would get right with God.
LaHaye also suggested that apart from the anticipation that goes with an
imminent rapture, the Christian would become "carnal and spiritually dead." In
other words, he argues that the Lord's return is imminent, simply because, in
his opinion, imminency is necessary for the well-being of the Christian.
Lahaye said that if the Christian had to go through hard times, she would not
survive.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
I categorically disagree with both statements!
This is escapism mentality and denies the Power of God to preserve His
Christian even if the gates of hell come against it!!!!!!!!
• Mat 16:18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I
will build My Christian; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Tim LaHay writes, "It is impossible to understand how a loving
bridegroom, as the Lord presents Himself, would permit His Christian
(which Ephesians 5 designates as His bride) to suffer such a terrifying
time just prior to their wedding, marriage supper, and one-thousand-year
honeymoon." 14
, "...and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that
they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced
mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They
were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to
death with the sword; they went about in goatskins, being destitute,
afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering
in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground." (Hebrews
11:35-38). And how did Peter comfort the Christian of that day? It was
through what could be called another rendition of Paul's "blessed hope":
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, as though
some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you
share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that at the revelation
of His glory, you may rejoice with exaltation." (I Peter 4:12-13).
Today, Christians are being beheaded, tortured, and killed for their
faith all over the 10/40 window.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
We are told to;
Jam 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials,
Jam 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
endurance.
Jam 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you
may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
LaHaye's writings: "Frankly, one of my principal objections to the
mid- and post-Trib theories is their destruction of imminency. For if
Christ cannot come at any moment, these views cannot instruct us
to look for His return. Instead they advise us to look for the
inaugurating of the Tribulation period, when AntiChrist signs a
covenant with Israel for seven years for the rebuilding of the
Temple, the mark of the Beast, the advent of AntiChrist himself..."
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Yes, this sounds like God’s Word!
1Jo 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard
that antiChrist is coming, even now many antichrists have
appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
• This does not preclude the longing to go home and be with the Lord! The
waiting for and looking for the signs that would indicate Christ’s soon return!
• Paul said; Phi 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Next Argument by pretibbers;
"It explains why there is no Bible instruction on preparation for
the Tribulation." 1
LaHaye writes, "Doesn't it seem strange that although the Bible
advises Christians how to face ordinary, everyday troubles, it
submits absolutely no instructions related to the worst time the
world will ever face, a period filled with frightening events that
have never even come close to being fulfilled? Pre-Tribs have a
simple answer. We won't be there!"
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Folks, the Bible is filled with information on how to endure to the
end! And encouragement to the Christian for the exact events of
the first 5 seals!
• In fact, almost 75% of the New Testament is instruction on how to persevere
to the end, endure to the end, stand strong in the faith, fight the good fight,
hold to doctrinal truth, etc.!!!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rom 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE
ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE
CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
Rom 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly
conquer through Him who loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created
thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Tribulation is to be expected in the life of a Christian. "In the
world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome
the world." (John 16:33). And again, "Through many
tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22).
In fact, afflictions are a believer's destiny. "...for you yourselves
know we have been destined for this." (I Thessalonians 3:3).
Persecution is also to be expected. "All who desire to live godly
in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (II Timothy 3:12).
All periods of calamity come from the hand of the Lord. "The
One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being
and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these."
(Isaiah 45:7).
But, God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted (tried)
beyond what we are able to handle. (I Corinthians 10:13).
Though sin is definitely in view here, there is also an
implication that God will limit the amount of adversity that
comes to us.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
We are not to be surprised at the presence of affliction. "Beloved, do not be
surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for testing, as
though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you
share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of
His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." (I Peter 4:12).
We must never think the presence of affliction suggests the Lord has abandoned
us. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
'For thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep
to be slaughtered.' But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through
Him who loved us." (Romans 8:35-37).
We should keep a proper perspective, weighing present trials against eternal
blessings. "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight
of glory far beyond all comparison." (II Corinthians 4:17).
We should count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations (See James 1:24). And also, "But we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation
brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven
character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out with in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
(Romans 5:3-5).
© 2011 Brett Peterson
We are not to fear death at the hands of our persecutors. "And do not fear those who kill
the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to able to
destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28).
We must entrust ourselves entirely to the Lord. "Let those who suffer according to the
will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." (I Peter
4:19).
We should trust the Lord to see us through all our trials. "Many are the afflictions of
the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalms 34:19). And also,
the Lord is "my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of distress."
(Jeremiah 16:19).
We must make prayer and love toward the brethren our top priorities. "The end of all
things is at hand; therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of
prayer. Above all keep fervent in your love for one another." (I Peter 4:7-8).
We must persevere during times of tribulation. (See Romans 12:12). "For you have
need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive
what was promised. 'For yet in a little while, He who is coming will come, and will
not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul
has no pleasure in Him.' But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but
of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:36-39). And
again, "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you
to His eternal Glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish
you." (I Peter 5:10).
© 2011 Brett Peterson
General conditions during the Tribulation
Expect deception. AntiChrist will come in accordance with the activity of
Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders. (II Thessalonians 2:9) In
addition, "many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." (Matthew
24:11).
God will cause unChristian to accept Satan's deceptions. "And for this reason
God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what
is false." (II Thessalonians 2:11).
Know that Christian will be hated among all peoples because of the name of
Jesus. (Matthew 24:9)
Many who call themselves Christians will fall away when persecution starts. (II
Thessalonians 2:3). And from the parable of the sower, "And the one on whom
seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and
immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only
temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word,
immediately he falls away." (Matthew 13:20-21).
Even friends and family will betray Christians to avoid persecution. (Matthew
24:10, Luke 21:16)
Some Christian (but not all) will be put to death. (Luke 21:16). Matt.10:33
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Some pre-tribers quote the following for proof of an early scholar who
supported a pre-trib;
Ephraem, the Syrian, A.D. 373, "...all saints and the elect of the Ruler are
gathered together before the tribulation which is to about to come and are
taken to the Ruler in order that they may not see at any time the confusion
which overwhelms the world because of our sins."
This is the only reference from antiquity that appears to teach a pre-trib
rapture, but when you read it in context, we find that he is talking about
the rapture taking place after the abomination of desolation!!
“But when the time of the abomination of his desolation begins to approach, having
been made legal, he takes the empire.... Therefore, when he receives the kingdom, he
orders the temple of God to be rebuilt for himself, which is in Jerusalem; who, after
coming into it, he shall sit as God and order that he be adored by all nations ... then all
people from everywhere shall flock together to him at the city of Jerusalem, and the
holy city shall be trampled on by the nations for forty-two months just as the holy
apostle says in the Apocalypse, which become three and a half years, 1,260 days. In
these three years and a half the heaven shall suspend its dew; because there will be no
rain upon the earth ... and there will be a great tribulation, as there has not been, since
people began to be upon the earth ... and no one is able to sell or to buy of the grain of
the fall harvest, unless he is one who has the serpentine sign on the forehead or the
hand....”
Further, this is not from Epraem’s works, but from a writing called ‘psuedoEpraem. That means it was not from Ephraem and can’t be dated
accurately.
Jeffery, the pre-trib scholar who quoted Epraem and said he supported the
pre-trib rapture also said the following;
“Some of the early Christian writers wrote about the persecution of the
tribulation as if the saints will be present. However, a number of early
Christian commentaries suggested that the Christian will be delivered
supernaturally before the Great Tribulation.”
© 2011 Brett Peterson
I agree with him! The rapture will take place at the breaking of the
sixth seal – the great tribulation!!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
There are certain names, looking back through the
centuries, that stand out in Christian history such as
John Wyclif, John Huss, Martin Luther, Philipp
Melanchthon, Hulreich Zwingli, William Tyndale, Nicholas
Ridley, Hugh Latimer, John Foxe, Edwin Sandys, John
Calvin, Armenias, John Knox, King James, Isaac Newton,
Thomas Newton, John Wesley, and every writing prior to
1830 AD. It is of clear knowledge, that none of these men
believed that the Christian would be taken out before the
appearance of Antichrist. In fact, to the contrary, they
understood that the Christian would suffer at the hands
of AntiChrist and the career of the man of sin, the Son of
Perdition, would be ended by the coming of Christ at the
end of the age.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
George Ladd, seminary professor, after making a survey
of Christian history says: "Every Christian father who
deals with this subject expects the Christian to suffer at
the hands of Antichrist: ...we can find no trace of pretribulationism in the early Christian: and no modern pretribulationist has successfully proved that this particular
doctrine was held by any of the Christian fathers or
students of the Word before the nineteenth century." The
Blessed Hope, pg. 31, George Ladd.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
"The Didache", written after the New Testament, is
considered to be one of the earliest pieces of Christian
literature, stated that the AntiChrist would come, that
many would be offended and be lost, and that this time of
woe would be followed by the resurrection of the just.
The Blessed Hope, Pgs. 20,21, Ladd.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Irenaeus (Polycarp’s disciple, and Polycarp was John’s
disciple)(130-202 A.D.) spoke of "the resurrection of the
just, which takes place after the coming of Antichrist." He
spoke of kings who "shall give their kingdom to the
beast, and put the Christian to flight. After that they shall
be destroyed by the coming of our Ruler." "In the end the
Christian shall be suddenly caught up" and having
overcome, will be "crowned with incorruption." It is
evident that Irenaeus did not believe in a pre-tribulation.
Against Heresies, Chap. 35:1; 30:4, 26:1; 29:1, Irenaeus.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Tertullian (160-240 A.D.) believed that AntiChrist would
rise to power and persecute the Christian. He affirmed it
was customary for Christians to pray for a part in the
resurrection to meet Christ at the end of the world. On
The Resurrection of the Flesh, Chap.22, Tertullian.
Walvoord, in The Rapture Question, pg. 148 says that
neither pre-tribulation nor post-tribulation rapture is taught in
scripture. I agree, and that leaves us with the pre-wrath
rapture view!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Dr. Richard Mayhue, who teaches at Masters Seminary and
believes in a pre-trib rapture states this in his The Prophets
Watchword, the Day of the Lord, pg. 181-182, “perhaps the
position of pre-tribulationism is correct although its proof at
times has been logically invalid”
Again, I agree. So what is the logical teaching of scripture?–
It looks to be the pre-wrath view
Yes, the Christian will be here until the great commission is
completed.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
It is a command to the Christian and the final sign of Christ’s
return…
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Co 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we
are of all men most to be pitied.
1Co 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who are asleep.
1Co 15:21 For since by a man came death, by a man also
came the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will
be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits,
after that those who are Christ's at His coming, (Rapture)
1Co 15:24 then comes the end
• Mat 24:14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in the whole world as a testimony to all
the nations, and then the end will come.
Note that the ‘end’ is the end of the
© 2011 Brett Peterson
1Co 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we
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1Co 15:24 then comes the end
• Mat 24:14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in the whole world as a testimony to all
the nations, and then the end will come.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Act 1:6 So when they had come together, they were
asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are
restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
Act 1:7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or
epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
Act 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the
remotest part of the earth."
• Mar 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the
world and preach the gospel to all creation.
• Mar 16:16 "He who has believed and has been
baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved
shall be condemned.
The Great commission is given to the Christian! We were
given the Holy Spirit to fulfill the great commission and see
the fullness of the Gentiles come in!
So, when does the fullness of the Gentiles come in?
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rom 11:25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be
uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in
your own estimation--that a partial hardening has
happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has
come in;
Rom 11:26 and so all Israel will be saved
•
•
We find that the fullness of the Gentiles come in at the same time Israel
recognizes Jesus as Christ and is saved – their hardened hearts are opened!
Israel embraces Christ as Christ after the abomination of desolation. They are
then taken to the wilderness and saved from the wrath of God and the
persecution of Satan.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he
persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
Rev 12:14 But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that
she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she *was nourished for a
time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
Rev 12:15 And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the
woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood.
Rev 12:16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and
drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth.
Dan 12:1 "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the
sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never
occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people,
everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.
Dan 12:2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to
everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
•
The woman is Israel – she is protected for 3 ½ years in the wilderness – the
last half of the 70th week of Daniel.
Daniel 12 breakdown:
vs. 1: “now at this time” When? When the AntiChrist is
back at the Holy Mountain. He will come to an end - an end
of his world peace and governance.
Michael is always seen as the protector of God’s people,
even Moses, in Jude, where he fights over the Body of
Moses.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
“ time of distress such as never occurred since there was a
nation until that time”
It is highly significant that our Lord Jesus in the Olivet
Discourse (Matt 24:21) picks up and enlarges on this
prediction, saying: "For then there will be great distress
[thlipsis] unequaled from the beginning of the world .
Jesus in context says this will take place just after the
Abomination of Desolation!
(this is the breaking of the 6th seal)
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Daniel 12 continued:
Vs. 2 the Resurrection - imperfect tense - an incomplete
action - an action and another action.
Our Rabbi’s agree - some will resurrect here for everlasting
life, the others will not resurrect now, but will stay in the
ground to their shame and be resurrected for judgement
later. (Midrash, Rambam, haMishnah, Sanhedrin 10,
Saadiah, HaRamban, and Emunos).
Jesus taught two resurections in John 5:28-29 by teaching a
"general" resurrection of the righteous and a general
resurrection of the wicked.
At Daniel 12:2, the angel taught Daniel that there would be a
general resurrection of the righteous and one for the wicked.
Daniel 12:13 speaks of a resurrection at the end of the age.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
There are only two resurrections!
This clarifies Daniel 12:
Rev 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and
judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who
had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and
because of the word of God, and those who had not
worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the
mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to
life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the
thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the
first resurrection; over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with
Him for a thousand years.
John has elsewhere indicated that the kingdom reign will be
shared by every believer who overcomes (2:26-28; 3:12, 21)
and is purchased by Christ's blood (5:10). Also, in 1
Corinthians 6:2-3, Paul clearly speaks of all Christian--not just
martyrs--exercising judgment in the future. Revelation 5:10
indicates that the kingdom will be a "reign on the earth."
The first resurrection is the Rapture, and it happens after the
martyrs number is complete!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
This is just after the 5th seal! Again we see a resurrection
taking place at the 6th seal!
And all Israel will be protected in the Wilderness
Rev 12:5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to
rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was
Rom
11:25 up
For to
I doGod
not want
you,tobrethren,
to be
caught
and
His throne.
uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be
Rev 12:6 Then
the woman fled into the wilderness where
wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening
she *had a has
place
prepared
by God,
so of
that
happened
to Israel until
the fullness
the there she would
Gentilesfor
has one
come in;
be nourished
thousand two hundred and sixty
years)
Rom 11:26 anddays.(3.4
so all Israel will
be saved; just as it
© 2011 Brett Peterson
is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME
FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE
But the two wings
of the great eagle
UNGODLINESS
FROM JACOB."
Rev 12:14
were given
Israel
is blind
to the woman,
so
that she
coulduntil
fly into the wilderness to her
Rom 11:27 "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH
place, where
she
*was
nourished
for aSINS."
time and times and
the
abomination!
THEM,
WHEN
I TAKE
AWAY THEIR
half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
That’s when the
of was
the ‘caught up (raptured) at this
Who’s the ‘malefullness
child’ that
point?
gentiles come
in!
© 2011 Brett Peterson
The Male Child rules with a rod of Iron and is raptured right
after the Abomination of Desolation.
Rev 2:25 'Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
Rev 2:26 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds
until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE
NATIONS;
Rev 2:27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF
IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN
TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My
Father;
Rev 2:28 and I will give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the Churches.'
2Ti 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny
Him, He also will deny us;
Rev 5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests
to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
© 2011 Brett Peterson
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the
first resurrection; over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with
Him for a thousand years.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
At this time a great multitude that no one can count
appears in heaven.
This is the first resurrection!
(Rev 20:6) Blessed and holy is the one who
has a part in the first resurrection; over these
the second death has no power, but they will
be priests of God and of Christ and will reign
with Him for a thousand years.
•
•
© 2011 Brett Peterson
•
•
Rev 7:9 After these things I looked,
and behold, a great multitude which
no one could count, from every nation
and all tribes and peoples and
tongues, standing before the throne
and before the Lamb, clothed in white
robes, and palm branches were in
their hands;
Rev 7:10 and they cry out with a loud
voice, saying, "Salvation to our God
who sits on the throne, and to the
Lamb."
Rev 7:11 And all the angels were
standing around the throne and
around the elders and the four living
creatures; and they fell on their faces
before the throne and worshiped God,
Rev 7:12 saying, "Amen, blessing
and glory and wisdom and
thanksgiving and honor and power
and might, be to our God forever and
ever. Amen."
•
•
•
•
•
Rev 19:1 After these things I heard
something like a loud voice of a great
multitude in heaven, saying,
"Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and
power belong to our God;
Rev 19:6 Then I heard something like
the voice of a great multitude and like the
sound of many waters and like the sound
of mighty peals of thunder, saying,
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the
Almighty, reigns.
Rev 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and
give the glory to Him, for the marriage of
the Lamb has come and His bride has
made herself ready."
Rev 19:8 It was given to her to clothe
herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for
the fine linen is the righteous acts of the
saints.
Rev 19:9 Then he *said to me, "Write,
'Blessed are those who are invited to the
marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he
*said to me, "These are true words of
God."
© 2011 Brett Peterson
So when did this false doctrine start?
The first person to teach the doctrine was a young woman named Margaret
Macdonald. Margaret was not a theologian or Bible expositor but was a
prophetess in the Irvingite sect (the Catholic Apostolic Church). Christian
journalist Dave MacPherson has written a book on the subject of the origin of the
pre-tribulation rapture. He writes: “We have seen that a young Scottish lassie
named Margaret Macdonald had a private revelation in Port Glasgow, Scotland,
in the early part of 1830 that a select group of Christians would be caught up to
meet Christ in the air before the days of Antichrist.
One thing is clear from the available historical documents: Darby, called the
'father of dispensationalism', was responsible for the widespread dissemination of
the new and novel pretrib doctrine beginning around 1830 through his ministry in
the Plymouth Brethern movement. The doctrine soon spread to America and was
widely popularized by the Scofield Reference Bible.
© 2011 Brett Peterson
John Nelson Darby (1800-1882), who was the leader of the
Brethren movement and the “father of modern Dispensationalism,”
took Margaret Macdonald’s new teaching on the rapture, made
some changes (she taught a partial rapture of believers while he
taught that all believers would be raptured) and incorporated it into
his Dispensational understanding of Scripture and prophecy. Darby
would spend the rest of his life speaking, writing and traveling,
spreading the new rapture theory. The Plymouth Brethren openly
admitted and were even proud of the fact that among their teachings
were totally new ones which had never been taught by the church
fathers, medieval scholastics, Protestant Reformers or the many
commentators. The person most responsible for the rather
widespread acceptance of Pretribulationalism and
Dispensationalism among Evangelicals is Cyrus Ingerson Scofield
(1843-1921). C. I. Scofield published his Scofield Reference Bible
in 1909.