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Revelation Rapture Overview Part Two slide 93

Revelation Rapture Overview Part Two slide 93. AntiChrist Reigns. AntiChrist Runs . Looses power. Claims Godhood. 10 Kings – Rev. 17:12+. Gathers nations for the last battle. Mark - 666. One World peace treaty. 2nd Coming of Christ. Wrath. 3 uprooted. 1 seal. 5 seal. 7 seal.

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Revelation Rapture Overview Part Two slide 93

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  1. RevelationRapture OverviewPart Two slide 93

  2. AntiChrist Reigns AntiChrist Runs Looses power Claims Godhood 10 Kings – Rev. 17:12+ Gathers nations for the last battle Mark - 666 One Worldpeace treaty 2nd Coming of Christ Wrath 3 uprooted 1 seal 5 seal 7 seal Israel follows false Christ-------- Natural events – no judgment Israel protected & sealed--------Supernatural events – Judgment &Wrath 1000 Year reign The 70th week

  3. These four are the most accepted… Pre-wrath Post Pre Mid 2nd Coming of Christ Rapture? Rapture? Rapture? Rapture? The 70th week

  4. 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." 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. Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. • The first point that three of the views agree upon – we will not be here for the wrath of God.

  5. The First half of the 70th week of Daniel is not wrath!However, it is a time of refining for the ChristianThe 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!The first half God is purifying the Church!

  6. The Fifth seal – Christians killed Revelation 6:9-11 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; (10) and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (11) And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also. Matthew 24:(9)"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.(10)"At that time many will fall away (The Apostasy)and will betray one another and hate one another.(11)"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.(12)"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.(13)"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

  7. The Fifth seal – Christians killed Revelation 6:9-11 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; (10) and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (11) And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also. Matthew 24:(9)"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.(10)"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.(11)"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.(12)"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.(13)"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. • Rev 13:7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

  8. Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. Mat 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. Mat 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Mat 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Mat 24:8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Mat 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. Mat 24:10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. Mat 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Mat 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Mat 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

  9. What’s the World saying…“There are an estimated 98 million Christian evangelicals in the United States, but of concern here is its sub-group, known as Christian Zionists. They believe :that Jews are God's chosen people and have a divine deed to their contested land, in accordance with a covenant described in the first book of the Bible.”World News Reporter, March 22, 2003

  10. "similarity between the way the Roman authorities charged Christians of that era with odium humani generis -- 'hatred of the human race' --and the way the political and media establishment charge the Christians with creating a 'climate of hate.' " Scary stuff. -Wesley Pruden (editor in chief of The Times)

  11. Rev 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for tendays. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. • Rev 2:11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

  12. Mar 13:6 "Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many. Mar 13:7 "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. Mar 13:8 "For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 9 "But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 "The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 "When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

  13. The Fifth seal Part II Not all Christians are killed… Matthew 10:17-33"But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;(18)and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.(19)"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.(20)"For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.(21)"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.(22)"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (23) "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.(32)"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.(33)"But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

  14. This is telling us not all Christians will be killed… Matthew 10:17-33"But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;(18)and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.(19)"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.(20)"For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.(21)"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.(22)"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.(23)"But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.(32)"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.(33)"But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. This is speaking to the Christian, not Israel. Notice Israel will persecute the Christian during this time with the antiChrist – they will think he is their Christ! They are protected!

  15. It is important to note that Israel will never be persecuted by the antichrist. They will have a treaty until he goes into the temple and proclaims himself god. At that time Israel will be taken to the wilderness and protected, and 144,000 Jews will be sealed and protected as they go out and gather Israel to the wilderness location!In fact, only the Christian will be persecuted!

  16. This is when the Christian will be refined.Joh 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." 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?(note how all these things we will endure in the first 5 seals!)Jesus told us in the letters to the Churches:Rev 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

  17. This is when the Christian will be refined.Joh 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." 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?(note how all these things we will endure in the first 5 seals!)Jesus told us in the letters to the Churches:Rev 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. • Rom 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

  18. It is in the midst of the 5th seal that the antiChrist will go into the temple and proclaim himself god! As he is persecuting the Christian, he will feel like he is more powerful than God. Matthew 24:(15)"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), (16)then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.(17)"Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.

  19. The Fifth seal – Part 3 Dan 9:27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." Dan 11:36 "Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himselfabove every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. During the intense persecution of beleivers, the gospel will be preached to the whole earth! Matthew 24:14-19"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. It is in the midst of the 5th seal that the antiChrist will go into the temple and proclaim himself god! Matthew 24:(15)"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), (16)then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.(17)"Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. The anti-christ is now revealed!

  20. So, when does the wrath of God occur?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’.

  21. Why does the wrath come?Rev 6:9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; Rev 6:10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Rev 6:11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also. It is not a judgment that leads to repentance, it is penalty for sin!

  22. 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, Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

  23. Eph 5:5-6 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (6) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

  24. Luk 21:34 "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; Luk 21:35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. Luk 21:36"But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

  25. 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;

  26. 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.

  27. This will be a judgment on those who mistreated the Christian and refused to repent – they took the mark of the beast. Rev 14:7 and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters." This is the ‘hour’ we will escape: Rev 3:10 'Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing (or judgment), that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.Rev 14:8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality." Rev 14:9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, Rev 14:10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

  28. Rev 6:15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 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?" • 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.

  29. So, we can now add the ‘wrath’To our timeline… Pre-wrath Post Pre Mid 2nd Coming of Christ Rapture? Rapture? Rapture? Rapture? wrath The 70th week

  30. We can also remove ‘Post’ because they believe we will be here for the wrath, just protected. Pre-wrath Post Pre Mid 2nd Coming of Christ Rapture? Rapture? Rapture? Rapture? wrath The 70th week

  31. This leaves three views to consider. Pre-wrath Pre-Trib Mid 2nd Coming of Christ Rapture? Rapture? Rapture? wrath The 70th week

  32. First, lets address the arguments for pre-trib.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.1To 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.

  33. 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. This is a fact that any honest Biblical scholar readily admits to!

  34. 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."3Pre-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)Matt. 24 gives us the signs of Christ’s coming to gather His elect for the four winds (clear order of events)

  35. 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."7Yet, like Pastor Don’s new book, Precepts of the Blessed hope, this is exactly what pre-trib scholars do!This argument is easily disproved…

  36. 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" 8This is not taking the literal interpretation of this text in any way!

  37. 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.

  38. Number Two"The Rapture is described as imminent.“9"No unfulfilled prophecy stands between the Christian and the Rapture, while many signs must be fulfilled before the Second Coming."10This 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!

  39. 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."11Did you get that? By pre-Trib logic, because rapture passages contain nothing to preclude immanency, they somehow "prove" immanency! • 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

  40. 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!!

  41. 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.

  42. 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. • 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.

  43. 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

  44. 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 • 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!!!!

  45. 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." • 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

  46. 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.

  47. 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:

  48. . 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.

  49. 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.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.

  50. 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.' 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.

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