Sunday, January 02, 2011

Pre Tribulation Rapture “Imminency” Deception

If it wasn’t such a serious matter, I would be laughing at the ridiculous deceptive doctrine that your pre-tribulation promoters and peddlers have been selling to the public, making a mockery out of what the Bible actually says pertaining to the catching away of Christ’s church.
  • Imminency: the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon.
Make no mistake. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture  doctrine of “imminency” is deception and probably one of the easiest things to prove as such, just by reading the words of Jesus from the sacred and Holy Scriptures in their full context and not hacked up and cherry picked to make His words say what He never said.

Passed on from the late John Walvood, your pre-tribulation rapture  people have been falsely indoctrinated by this man made doctrine at the heart of pre-tribulationism “imminency” which promotes the false idea   that Jesus can return at any moment because there is nothing more that needs to happen before Jesus returns for His church.

Pre-tribulationists base this man made theory upon a few hacked up  scriptures taken out of context that you probably have heard by now, over-looking what Jesus actually said, to fit into their man made pre-tribulation rapture scenario.

You’ve probably read and heard from the many pre-tribulation rapture message boards and promoters and peddlers certain scriptures taken out of context from this man made doctrine specific  scriptures these false teachers use to promote and peddle their doctrine of imminency deception.  Below is one of their favorites.   For accuracy sake, I prefer to use the KJV Scriptures:

From Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

From Matthew 24:44: “Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

From Matthew 24:50: “The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,”

From Matthew 25:13: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

From Mark 13:32: “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

From the above Scriptures, any reader can easily see that Jesus never said that one could not know the general time period, or the year, or month or even the week of His return. Jesus only said that we would not know the day or the hour.

In Acts 1:7, it is recorded that Jesus' disciples, after His Resurrection, questioned him, "Lord, will thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?" And Jesus answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." 

It can't be any clearer, from their own mouths,  that the disciples and Jesus Himself  were referring to the re-establishment of the kingdom of Israel from this scripture directly above, but your pre-tribulation rapture promoters have even twisted this scripture, calling those above, and this scripture the Granddaddy of proof for a pre-tribulation rapture,  when Jesus  was not even  referring to the "season" of His coming again, nor was a  pre-tribulation rapture ever mentioned,   but rather, when He would re-establish the kingdom of Israel, which is an  entirely  different topic of its own.  Simply stated, a pre-tribulation rapture belief is mere suggestion based upon assumption from adding to and taking away from the Word of God, which is completely forbidden according to Revelation 22:18-19. 

  (NOTE: I can personally tell you from experience as a former participant on the above  linked message board, "Rapture Ready", I attempted to discuss  these points  on the catching away of Christ's Church, and it was immediately discovered by "the mods";  I was questioned if I was "post trib", and was made to believe I was unwelcomed .because of intimidation and threats of  being banned for "breaking the rules."  I was immediately shown "board rule #15" and given a warning after my "post trib" position was suspected,  being approached by three individuals on the mod squad.  I subsequently asked that my name be removed from their data base as I no longer desired to be part of such a divisive group, which is not of the Lord.)

You have probably also heard and read from these same pre-tribulation rapture only message boards, promoters and peddlers of this deceptive doctrine of imminency that Jesus said His return for His church would “be a surprise.” But did Jesus really say this? What Jesus actually said was:
From Matthew 24:42 "Watch" therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

 In a nutshell,  because Jesus said no one knows the day or hour, ignoring everything else that Jesus said,  pre-tribulation rapture "imminency" promoters think a pre-tribulation rapture can happen at any moment because there is nothing left to happen before Jesus comes for His church, or the rapture.  These same promotors even ignore or avoid  the Resurrection of the dead in Christ, which must happen first, according to the Apostle Paul's teachings, and according to Jesus Himself, does not occur until the last day.

If a pre-tribulation rapture is “imminent”, meaning there is nothing more to happen before "the rapture" as your pre-tribulation rapture promoters believe, then what is the reason to watch? And why did Jesus go to great lengths and  tell us the signs  to watch for   in Matthew's Gospel Chapter 24 before His people would be caught up to meet Him in the air?

From Matthew 24:43-44: “But know this, that if the Goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” “Therefore, be ye also ready for such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.”

Jesus uses the illustration of a "thief in the night"in the above scripture, denoting that if you knew there was a chance of a thief  coming   into your house in the night, you would be prepared and be ready to prevent the thief from breaking in by being vigilant,  watching and being ready and prepared for him, based upon  signs or evidence.  Without any signs or evidence, how  would you know what to watch for or that a thief may come into your house?

And from Luke’s Gospel Chapter 12, 39-42, Jesus said basically the very same, that we would not know the day or hour of His return, but Jesus  indeed did warn His people to watch, or be vigilant, so they would not be caught off guard at His coming. Jesus even warns His followers in Revelation 3 to be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die because He has not found their works perfect before God. “

Remember, therefore how thou has received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

Jesus is clearly telling His people who are awake and watching that His coming will not surprise them, but those unaware and not watching the signs  would be caught off guard as a thief in the night sneaks upon his victim unaware.  The apostle Paul confirms this same message, when speaking of the Day of the Lord and how it will come as a “thief in the night” to those who are living in darkness, or not watching. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.

You can be assured, brothers and sisters, that we can and we will know the general time frame, or 'the season' of the Lord’s return, and we, His people, will not be surprised as people of  the world will be, because we who are searching and reading the scriptures and  watching the signs that Jesus gave us   are not in darkness.   Why would Jesus tell us over and over to keep watch if there was nothing to watch for? After giving us several visible signs to look for just prior to His return?

The Day of the Lord and the Return of Christ for His people  will occur following the signs that Jesus gave us, after the tribulation of those days when the sun  shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give light,  just as He said, making an "imminent" pre-tribulation rapture of His church impossible and will be no surprise or secret  to His true church.   Those of us alive and remain will be watching and waiting for Him to come for us.   "Behold, I have told you before." (in advance, forewarn).  Matthew 24:25

The bottom line, my friends, is that the pre-tribulation rapture imminency doctrine is pure fallacy and deception. On one hand, these people promoting this deception will tell you to keep watch, as most of the present day pre-tribulation rapture  false teachers are "watching" the signs and writing about them in their books;  and on the other hand they are promoting  the false idea of a pre-tribulation rapture and  that nothing needs to happen before the return of Christ for His church,  which is beyond reasoning, contradictory, false and divisive, and unbiblical, and lastly, hypocritical.

 No where in all of Scripture is it taught that we are to "watch" for a pre-tribulation rapture; however, it is taught to "watch" for the signs that signal the Second Coming of Christ in Matthew's Gospel 24  when Jesus' disciples specifically  said to Him
"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" 
at which time we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air .vs. 29-31

In closing, let the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, guide you and not some self-proclaimed "prophecy expert" and their "prophecy books" which only confuse and serve to build their foundation upon sand.
 

Related Story: Is The "Pre Tribulation Rapture" "Imminent?"
Related Story: Corrie Ten Boom Warns Against Pre-Tribulation Rapture False Doctrine
Related Story: Pre-Tribulation Rapture?
Related Story: Pre-Tribulation Rapture False Doctrine
Related Story: The Restrainer Of 2 Thessalonians 2:7
Related Story: 1611 King James Bible Agrees With Pre-Wrath Rapture
Related Story: Who's Been Bewitching The Pre-Trib Rapture False Teachers?
Related Story: Another Rebuttal To The Deceptive (Pre-Trib) 'Rapture' Doctrine From Steve Wohlberg

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13 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:55 PM

    Stamping Out Harold Camping

    Is Second Coming date-setter Harold Camping worthy of death? He already has a zero batting average after his September 1994 prediction fizzle and, according to the Bible, is a false prophet.
    Nevertheless that California shaman, who should be ashamed, claims he's found out that Christ's return will be on May 21, 2011 even though Matt. 24:36 says that no one knows the "day" or "hour" of it!
    A Google article ("Obama Fulfilling the Bible") points out that "Deut. 18:20-22 in the Old Testament requires the death penalty for false prophets."
    The same article reveals that "Christians are commanded to ask God to send severe judgment on persons who commit and support the worst forms of evil (see I Cor. 5 and note 'taken away')."
    Theologically radioactive Harold Camping and his ga-ga groupies (with their billboards featuring "May 21, 2011") should worry about being "stamped out" if many persons decide to follow the I Cor. 5 command.
    The above article concludes: "False prophets in the OT were stoned to death. Today they are just stoned!"
    PS - For many years Camping was not known as a pretrib rapture teacher. But now, for $ome my$teriou$ rea$on, he seeks support from those who believe in and teach an imminent, pretrib rapture which supposedly will occur SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE the traditional SECOND COMING to earth! For a behind-the-scenes, documented look at the 181-year-old pretrib rapture belief (which was never a part of any official theology or organized church before 1830!), Google "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty," "Pretrib Rapture Diehards" and "Pretrib Rapture - Hidden Facts."

    (above web bit seen by me. Elzie)

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  2. You say Lion and Lamb Ministry teaches pre-tribulation rapture.

    The only Lion and Lamb Ministry of which I am aware teaches that like Ysra'el of old we will also go through the great tribulation.

    Egypt means trials and tribulation.

    To which Lion and Lamb Ministry are you referring?

    If time, please respond to my question.

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  3. Who is teacher of Lion and the Lamb Ministry you say teaches pre-trib. rapture theology?

    If time, please respond.

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  4. To naster:

    I am sure if you do a Google search, you will easily be able to discover who Lion & Lamb pre-trib teachers are.

    Blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous12:24 PM

    Just discovered your site. Having finally learned of the problems with a pre-trib rapture less than a year ago, I am troubled that there are so few bloggers out there (to my limited knowledge) which dare to delve into this matter at all, as I still have much to learn.

    So good to know you're doing your part. Thank you.

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  6. Blessings, Pearl:

    Sorry for the late reply... things can get pretty hectic on this end at times.

    Actually, there are many sites on the web who teach the biblical view, or after the tribulation of those days from Matthew 24:29-31, and all the other verses in the Bible that parallel to it, with reference to the catching away and our gathering together as Jesus, Paul, Peter, James and the earth church founders taught. Many of these sites, however, are not as active in blogging on a regular basis say as I am. Nevertheless, they are very good sites promoting the biblical teaching of the post tribulation catching away of Christ's church.

    I can refer you to some good sites if you are interested. Just let me know.

    Toni
    April 9, 2011

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  7. Anonymous6:56 PM

    Thanks, Toni.

    I know of one "conversational" blog in Great Britain, but that's about it.

    Most recently, I have checked out a couple of ministries through your site (PreWrath Rapture Dot Com and PreWrath Ministries) which are very comprehensive.

    Are these the ones you had in mind? If you have more to add, I'll take 'em!


    Pearl

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  8. Anonymous9:49 PM

    These look really good. I've got my work cut out for me!

    Thanks again, Toni.

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  9. Hi Pearl:

    These first two sites are top of the line. Both are on my blog. (except Pastor Tim Warner has another site with a different link that I have up). There are more, but these two will keep you very busy for awhile because they both have a wealth of information.

    When you read Pastor Tim Warner's site, I suggest you read the entire first page first before going to another read.

    While I don't agree with everything Dr. Finley has written on some of his articles, only because of my own lack of knowledge and I need to study some more, his scriptural teachings on the catching away of the saints is 100% accurate in my opinion. Once you read the writings of these three people, guided by scripture and the Holy Spirit, you should have no doubts about a post -tribulation gathering of the saints to meet the Lord in the air.

    Be blessed! Toni

    From Pastor Tim Warner

    http://www.totall.exagorazo.net/Post-Tribulation/Mirrors/Last%20Trumpet%202000/www.geocities.com/lasttrumpet_2000/index.html

    The End Time Pilgrim from
    Dr. Gavin Finley
    http://endtimepilgrim.org/

    Also, on my blog, I think you would be very blessed if you read
    The Restrainer Of 2 Thessalonians 2:7
    By Randy Maugans from The Threshing Floor Radio (he has my site us as an associate-friend)

    http://threshingfloor-radio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/The-Restrainer.pdf

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  10. Anonymous1:06 PM

    PRETRIB RAPTURE SECRETS

    How can the “rapture” be “imminent”? Acts 3:21 says that Jesus “must” stay in heaven (He's now there with the Father) “until the times of restitution of all things” which includes, says Scofield, “the restoration of the theocracy under David’s Son” which obviously can’t begin before or during Antichrist’s reign. ("The Rapture Question," by the long time No. 1 pretrib authority John Walvoord, didn't dare to even list, in its scripture index, the too-hot-to-handle Acts 3:21!) Since Jesus can’t even leave heaven before the tribulation ends (Acts 2:34, 35 echo this), the rapture therefore can't take place before the end of the trib! (The above verses from Acts were also too hot for John Darby - the so-called "father of dispensationalism" - to list in the scripture index in his "Letters"!)
    Paul explains the “times and the seasons” (I Thess. 5:1) of the catching up (I Thess. 4:17) as the “day of the Lord” (5:2) which FOLLOWS the posttrib sun/moon darkening (Matt. 24:29; Acts 2:20) WHEN “sudden destruction” (5:3) of the wicked occurs! The "rest" for "all them that believe" is tied to such destruction in II Thess. 1:6-10! (If the wicked are destroyed before or during the trib, who'd be left alive to serve the Antichrist?) Paul also ties the change-into-immortality “rapture” (I Cor. 15:52) to the posttrib end of “death” (15:54). (Will death be ended before or during the trib? Of course not! And vs. 54 is also tied to Isa. 25:8 which is Israel's posttrib resurrection!)
    Many are unaware that before 1830 all Christians had always viewed I Thess. 4’s “catching up” as an integral part of the final second coming to earth. In 1830 this "rapture" was stretched forward and turned into a separate coming of Christ. To further strengthen their novel view, which the mass of evangelical scholars rejected throughout the 1800s, pretrib teachers in the early 1900s began to stretch forward the “day of the Lord” (what Darby and Scofield never dared to do) and hook it up with their already-stretched-forward “rapture.” Many leading evangelical scholars still weren’t convinced of pretrib, so pretrib teachers then began teaching that the “falling away” of II Thess. 2:3 is really a pretrib rapture (the same as saying that the “rapture” in 2:3 must happen before the “rapture” ["gathering"] in 2:1 can happen – the height of desperation!).
    Other Google articles on the 181-year-old pretrib rapture view include “Famous Rapture Watchers,” "Pretrib Rapture Diehards," “X-Raying Margaret,” "Edward Irving is Unnerving," “Thomas Ice (Bloopers),” "Walvoord Melts Ice," “Wily Jeffrey,” “The Rapture Index (Mad Theology),” “America’s Pretrib Rapture Traffickers,” “Roots of (Warlike) Christian Zionism,” “Scholars Weigh My Research,” “Pretrib Hypocrisy,” "Pretrib Rapture Secrecy," “Deceiving and Being Deceived,” and "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty" – all by the author of the bestselling book “The Rapture Plot” (see Armageddon Books).

    [viewed above on the web. Chad]

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  11. Hi Anonymous:

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Great scriptures to verify the post tribulation catching away of Christ's church.

    The pre-trib crowd are getting desparate, especially Thomas Ice, as more and more people are having their eyes opened to the great lie of a pre-trib rapture. The pre-tribulation rapture is pure deception and a lie and these peddlers actually take the post tribulation scriptures catching away of the saints of God out of context, and apply them to their deceptive made up "pre-trib rapture."

    The Scriptures are clear... the catching away of Christ's church is after the tribulation of those days. This is one of the easiest things in all of scripture to understand, yet some remain die hards to peddle their lie and profit from it.

    Blessings,
    Toni

    June 15, 2011

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  12. Anonymous1:54 AM

    (Toni, here's a goodie I ran into & want to share it. Lawrence)

    Is the Pretrib Rapture Imminent?

    by Bruce Rockwell

    (Pretrib rapturists claim that Christ's return is imminent, that is, that it can occur at any moment. Theologian and pastor Norman MacPherson, in his excellent book "Triumph Through Tribulation," offers proof that the Bible has never taught an any-moment return of Christ. Here are the points brought out and discussed at length by MacPherson:)

    1. Great Commission fulfillment implies a long period of time.
    2. Seed growth in Matthew 13 is a time-consuming process.
    3. Paul expected death, not rapture, in II Timothy 4:6-8.
    4. Jesus predicted Peter's martyrdom in John 21:18-19.
    5. Matthew 24 teaches that signs must come first.
    6. Many passages speak of a large interval between Christ's ascension and return: Jewish dispersion into "all nations" (Luke 21); "man travelling into a far country," "after a long time the lord of those servants cometh" (Matthew 25).
    7. Apostasy of last days takes time to develop.
    8. Bridegroom tarried in parable of virgins.
    9. Pastoral epistles teach Church's continuing ministry, which involves time.
    10. Paul says Christ's coming is not imminent (II Thessalonians 2:1-3), for apostasy and Antichrist must come first.
    11. View of seven phases of church history (seven churches of Revelation) involves big lapse of time and imminence difficulties for pre-tribs; could Christ have come before the last phase?
    12. Exhortations to watch and be ready are tied to what pre-trib teachers regard as the second stage (which is necessarily non-imminent) in Matthew 24 and 25, I Corinthians 1:7, Colossians 3:4, I Thessalonians 3:13, II Thessalonians 1:7-10, I Peter 1:13 and 4:13, and I John 2:28.

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  13. To Anonymous:

    Thank you so much for sharing the goodies by Bruce Rockwell. This will go on the front page of this blog also as a separate entry where it will be seen and read by many, many more.

    These scriptural passages and analysis are an excellent revelation to the truth that debunks the pre-tribulation rapture imminency theory that pretribulation people refuse to look at.

    Thanks again.

    Blessings to you,
    Toni
    6/27/11

    ReplyDelete

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