If you care about people and risk talking to the depressed, the doubting, the skeptical, the confused, and the angry, you will soon run into a person who says to your counsel: I've tried that. Whatever you say, they will minimize it and say it doesn't work. Do not be surprised at this response. This is what it means to be depressed, doubting, skeptical, confused, angry. It means that whatever they hear sounds useless.
So I want to offer some suggestions for what you say in a conversation that is about to be cut off like that.
1. Don't be offended.First, resist the temptation to be offended. Don't pout or take your ball and go home. That's what you may feel like. They wanted to talk, and here they are throwing my suggestions back in my face with a dismissive attitude. Don't leave. Not yet. "Love suffers long" (1 Corinthians 13:4, NKJV).
2. Listen. Second, listen to their responses. Part of your power is not only what you say, but how they feel about the way you listen. If your truth produces empathetic ears, it will feel more compelling. This listening will be a witness. In 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Paul describes the kind of engagement that may set people free from sin and error. One feature is "patiently enduring evil."
3. End with hope. Third, when you have spoken all the experiential counsel you can think of, and they seem to have demeaned it all, don't let them have the last word of despair. You leave the last word of hope. I suggest that you do it something like this. Say . . .
I know that you don't feel very helped by what I have said. I think I understand some of what that's like. I don't mean to be offering a quick fix, as though your problems or doubts can be turned around that easily. But I have more hope than you do that God's truth is powerful and will have its good effect in due time. May I share one more thing before you go?
I simply want to make sure you hear the best news in the world. Jesus said he spoke so that we would have peace (John 16:33). And Paul said that faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). You don't feel this right now. But God says peace and faith come from hearing.
In other words, moving from not seeing and feeling the reality of Christ to seeing and feeling the reality of Christ happens through hearing news about Christ. Something happens. At one moment, you are not seeing him as beautiful and satisfying and compelling. Then in the next moment, you are.
In the moments leading up to this experience, listening to God's word seems empty and futile. That doesn't put me off. If you doubt what I am saying, you are the very person who needs to hear what I am saying.
So let me tell you this spectacular news. This comes from Colossians 2:13-15.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Paul is talking about what God offers to everyone and what those who believe in Jesus experience. There are five mind-blowing things here:
1. God makes you spiritually alive.
2. God forgives all your sins.
3. He does this because he canceled the record of debts that stood against you. You owed God what you could never pay because of all your sins. And he canceled the debt.
4. How could he do that? He set it aside by nailing it to the cross. But the nails that went into the cross didn't go through parchment. They went through Jesus' hands and feet. That's the heart of everything I have to say to you. Christ became our substitute and bore our debt.
5. When that happened, the devil was disarmed. Why? Because the weapon of accusation was taken out of his hand. He always waved that record of debt in our face and God's court. But now that's canceled. The devil is disarmed. He can huff and puff, but he cannot damn you.
I leave you with this news. I will pray that the obstacles to peace-filled faith in your mind will be overcome by these truths. Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Meditate on these verses. May the Lord give you light.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What the Bible Says about the Rapture, pt. 3
POST-TRIBULATIONAL VIEWPOINT
The Post-Tribulational viewpoint teaches that the Church will be raptured at the end of the of the Tribulation to meet the Lord and immediately return with Him at His Second Coming. There are problems associated with this view.
Problems with the Post-Tribulational Viewpoint
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the dispensational interpretation of the Scriptures. The angel Gabriel declared to Daniel, “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24). The problem with the Post-Tribulational viewpoint begins by applying God’s dealing with Israel to the Church. The entire seventy years was, “…determined for your people (Israel) and for your holy city (Jerusalem)…” The reason that the entire world will be affected by the Tribulation is due to the catastrophic nature of the events that will occur during the Tribulation period.
The Tribulation is not God dealing with the Church; the Church has been dealt with in Christ. The Church was a mystery, something that was not visible in the Old Testament. Salvation was promised to the Gentiles through the Jewish Messiah. What was not foreseen was the Church, the body of Christ; that God would gather Jew and Gentile together as one in Christ, Ephesians 3:3-6, “how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.”
Upon the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by Israel, God turned to the Gentile Nations to call out a bride for His Son, Matthew 21:43, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”
The Church age on earth will consummate with the Rapture of the Church. When the witness of the Church on earth is finished, we will be caught up. Then the final dealing of God with the Nation Israel (the last seven years of Daniel’s seventy sevens determined upon Israel) will begin.
That day and that hour no man knows (Matthew 24:36). However, we believe that the day of the Rapture is rapidly coming as we see Israel once again established in the land; as we see God blessing Israel, blossoming and budding forth; and as we see the rise of a European Federation of nations seeking to become a world power. Will the EU be the Ten Toes of Nebuchadnezzar's dream? (Daniel 2). Will they be the final world government that will turn over their authority and kingdoms to the Antichrist? We do not know. But the concept of such a federation of nations seeking to be a world power is there and it is accepted by the European Nations as an inevitable reality.
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the scriptural teaching concerning the nature and purpose of the Tribulation. Terms such as wrath, judgment, indignation, trial, trouble, and destruction are used in the Scripture to describe this period.
Jesus spoke to the faithful Church in Philadelphia, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth,” (Revelation 3:10). This is a promise to the Church. The believer preservers in Jesus Christ. The word dwell used here speaks of permanence. However, the Christian is spoken of in Scripture as a sojourner, dwelling here on earth as a temporary state, II Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” The word dwell in Revelation 3:10 is not a geographical description, but rather a moral classification, speaking of those who love the world system, a system in rebellion to God, I John 2:16, “For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.”
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the Scriptural distinctions between the Rapture of the Church and the Second Coming of Christ. At the Rapture Jesus comes to claim a bride (the Church); at the Second Coming, Jesus comes with His bride (the Church). The Rapture is immanent and can occur at any time; the Second Coming is preceded by a multitude of signs (as seen in the book of Revelation). The Rapture brings a message of comfort, “Therefore comfort one another with these words,” (I Thessalonians 4:18); the Tribulation brings a message of judgment, “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17). The Rapture is for the Church, “…the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17); the Tribulation is for Israel, “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24) and, because of it’s catastrophic nature, will affect the entire world.
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the doctrine of Imminence. As stated in the Mid-Tribulational view, the church is told to live in the light of the imminent coming of Christ, to be watching, working, and waiting for Jesus to come for His Church at the Rapture, not for signs that would precede the Tribulation.
Jesus has told his followers to live in the light of His imminent coming, “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” (Luke 12:35-40). Those that teach the Mid-Tribulational and Post-Tribulational viewpoints deny Jesus’ teaching regarding His imminent return.
The Post-Tribulational viewpoint teaches that the Church will be raptured at the end of the of the Tribulation to meet the Lord and immediately return with Him at His Second Coming. There are problems associated with this view.
Problems with the Post-Tribulational Viewpoint
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the dispensational interpretation of the Scriptures. The angel Gabriel declared to Daniel, “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24). The problem with the Post-Tribulational viewpoint begins by applying God’s dealing with Israel to the Church. The entire seventy years was, “…determined for your people (Israel) and for your holy city (Jerusalem)…” The reason that the entire world will be affected by the Tribulation is due to the catastrophic nature of the events that will occur during the Tribulation period.
The Tribulation is not God dealing with the Church; the Church has been dealt with in Christ. The Church was a mystery, something that was not visible in the Old Testament. Salvation was promised to the Gentiles through the Jewish Messiah. What was not foreseen was the Church, the body of Christ; that God would gather Jew and Gentile together as one in Christ, Ephesians 3:3-6, “how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.”
Upon the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by Israel, God turned to the Gentile Nations to call out a bride for His Son, Matthew 21:43, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”
The Church age on earth will consummate with the Rapture of the Church. When the witness of the Church on earth is finished, we will be caught up. Then the final dealing of God with the Nation Israel (the last seven years of Daniel’s seventy sevens determined upon Israel) will begin.
That day and that hour no man knows (Matthew 24:36). However, we believe that the day of the Rapture is rapidly coming as we see Israel once again established in the land; as we see God blessing Israel, blossoming and budding forth; and as we see the rise of a European Federation of nations seeking to become a world power. Will the EU be the Ten Toes of Nebuchadnezzar's dream? (Daniel 2). Will they be the final world government that will turn over their authority and kingdoms to the Antichrist? We do not know. But the concept of such a federation of nations seeking to be a world power is there and it is accepted by the European Nations as an inevitable reality.
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the scriptural teaching concerning the nature and purpose of the Tribulation. Terms such as wrath, judgment, indignation, trial, trouble, and destruction are used in the Scripture to describe this period.
Jesus spoke to the faithful Church in Philadelphia, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth,” (Revelation 3:10). This is a promise to the Church. The believer preservers in Jesus Christ. The word dwell used here speaks of permanence. However, the Christian is spoken of in Scripture as a sojourner, dwelling here on earth as a temporary state, II Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” The word dwell in Revelation 3:10 is not a geographical description, but rather a moral classification, speaking of those who love the world system, a system in rebellion to God, I John 2:16, “For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.”
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the Scriptural distinctions between the Rapture of the Church and the Second Coming of Christ. At the Rapture Jesus comes to claim a bride (the Church); at the Second Coming, Jesus comes with His bride (the Church). The Rapture is immanent and can occur at any time; the Second Coming is preceded by a multitude of signs (as seen in the book of Revelation). The Rapture brings a message of comfort, “Therefore comfort one another with these words,” (I Thessalonians 4:18); the Tribulation brings a message of judgment, “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17). The Rapture is for the Church, “…the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17); the Tribulation is for Israel, “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24) and, because of it’s catastrophic nature, will affect the entire world.
Those that hold to the Post-Tribulational view deny the doctrine of Imminence. As stated in the Mid-Tribulational view, the church is told to live in the light of the imminent coming of Christ, to be watching, working, and waiting for Jesus to come for His Church at the Rapture, not for signs that would precede the Tribulation.
Jesus has told his followers to live in the light of His imminent coming, “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” (Luke 12:35-40). Those that teach the Mid-Tribulational and Post-Tribulational viewpoints deny Jesus’ teaching regarding His imminent return.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
What the Bible Says about the Rapture, pt. 2
MID-TRIBULATIONAL VIEWPOINT
The Mid-Tribulational viewpoint teaches that the Church will be raptured at the end of the first 3-1/2 years of the Tribulation period. They agree that the Church has escaped the wrath of God, the coming judgment of the Tribulation, through Jesus Christ. However there are several problems with this view of which we will address only a few.
Problems with the Mid-Tribulational Viewpoint
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the events of the first 3-1/2 years of the Tribulation are not the wrath of God, only the last 3-1/2 years are the wrath of God. So, accordingly, the Church will go through the first 3-1/2 years because this period is not the wrath of God. However, Revelation 6 is marked by the opening of the seven seals and the coming of the Antichrist, Revelation 6:1-2, “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’ And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” Here, with the opening of the seven seals at the beginning of the seven year Tribulation period (the first 3-1/2 years), we see the appearance of the Antichrist. He comes on a white horse. When Jesus returns, He will come on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). Here we see the Antichrist coming as a false Christ. He has a bow (a weapon) and a crown is given to him.
The last government of man, the 10 nation confederacy of nations, will surrender their crowns to him, giving their authority to him, Revelation 17:12-13, "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.” He will rule with absolute authority, as a dictator. He will come as a man of peace, but his true intention is to conquer, “…he went out conquering and to conquer.” What follows him is war, famine, death, martyrdom, and cosmic disturbances.
Further, the events of Revelation 6 are described as, “…the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:16-17). This is a description of the entire Tribulation period, not just the last 3-1/2 years.
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the Church is promised tribulation. We must be very careful to make the proper distinctions between the Tribulation and the tribulation promised to the believer.
The Tribulation is referred to in Scripture in a specific sense, such as the seventieth seven of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:20-27), or the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).
The tribulation promised to the Church is in the general sense. Jesus spoke of tribulation promised to the Church in a general sense in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Part of being a Christian is suffering to one extent or another for your faith, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution,” (I Timothy 3:1-2). As we study Church history we see that the overwhelming majority of Christians have suffered for their faith. As we read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, we see that history bears out the suffering of tribulation for the faithful believer in Christ. The freedom to exercise and proclaim our faith that the Church enjoys in the United States is unprecedented in Church history.
Even throughout the world today, our brothers and sisters in Christ are not only suffering for their faith, many are imprisoned and dying for their faith in Jesus.
Paul also spoke of tribulation promised to the Church in a general sense in I Thessalonians 3:3-4, “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.” The tribulation faced by the Church and promised the believer by Jesus comes from the world system controlled by Satan. The Tribulation that will come upon the world originates from heaven and is repeatedly described in Scripture as the wrath of God or the wrath of the Lamb.
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the Church will be purged through the first 3-1/2 years of the Tribulation, that we somehow have to suffer in order to be perfected.
We do not need to suffer for our sins, Jesus Himself suffered for our sins, Hebrews 1:3, “…He had by Himself purged our sins.” His dearth on the cross, His blood shed paid the price for our sins. He took death for us and gave us life.
We do not need to suffer through the Tribulation to be purged of our sins. Jude tells us that He (Jesus) will, “…present you faultless before the presence of His glory…” (Jude 24-25). To teach that the Church must be purged through the Tribulation is to denigrate the atoning working of Jesus Christ.
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view deny the Imminence of Jesus Christ. The teaching of the imminent return of Jesus Christ is prevalent in the Scriptures. In the parable of the Evil Servant and the Faithful Servant, it is the evil servant that declares, “…My master is delaying his coming…” (Matthew 24:48). And his attitude reflects one who is no longer waiting for his masters imminent return as he begins to eat, and to drink, and to beat his fellow servants.
Jesus Himself warned us to be ready for His return, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” (Matthew 24:44).
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the Rapture will coincide with the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the catching up of the Two Witnesses, Revelation 11:3-7, “’And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.’ These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.” Those who teach this view spiritualize this passage, teaching that the Two Witnesses are symbolic of a larger body of witnesses representing the dead and the living (the Church) at the Rapture. They also teach that the great voice of Revelation 11:12, “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them,” is that of I Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
The Two Witnesses are treated as symbolic representatives of the Church and not as individuals and that is where they are making their mistake. As the Two Olive Trees, they relate to Israel and not to the Church, Revelation 11:4, “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth” (Zechariah 4, The Vision of the Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees).
The voice of I Thessalonians 4 calls both the dead and the living in Christ; yet the Two Witnesses that supposedly represent the Church are killed. If you are going to spiritualize this passage then you must go all the way to state that the entire Church will be dead at the time of the Rapture. However, Paul explicitly declares that at the Rapture the dead in Christ will rise first, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thessalonians 4:17). Clearly Paul taught that at the Rapture there would be living believers caught up to heaven.
The Mid-Tribulational viewpoint teaches that the Church will be raptured at the end of the first 3-1/2 years of the Tribulation period. They agree that the Church has escaped the wrath of God, the coming judgment of the Tribulation, through Jesus Christ. However there are several problems with this view of which we will address only a few.
Problems with the Mid-Tribulational Viewpoint
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the events of the first 3-1/2 years of the Tribulation are not the wrath of God, only the last 3-1/2 years are the wrath of God. So, accordingly, the Church will go through the first 3-1/2 years because this period is not the wrath of God. However, Revelation 6 is marked by the opening of the seven seals and the coming of the Antichrist, Revelation 6:1-2, “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’ And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” Here, with the opening of the seven seals at the beginning of the seven year Tribulation period (the first 3-1/2 years), we see the appearance of the Antichrist. He comes on a white horse. When Jesus returns, He will come on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). Here we see the Antichrist coming as a false Christ. He has a bow (a weapon) and a crown is given to him.
The last government of man, the 10 nation confederacy of nations, will surrender their crowns to him, giving their authority to him, Revelation 17:12-13, "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.” He will rule with absolute authority, as a dictator. He will come as a man of peace, but his true intention is to conquer, “…he went out conquering and to conquer.” What follows him is war, famine, death, martyrdom, and cosmic disturbances.
Further, the events of Revelation 6 are described as, “…the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:16-17). This is a description of the entire Tribulation period, not just the last 3-1/2 years.
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the Church is promised tribulation. We must be very careful to make the proper distinctions between the Tribulation and the tribulation promised to the believer.
The Tribulation is referred to in Scripture in a specific sense, such as the seventieth seven of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:20-27), or the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).
The tribulation promised to the Church is in the general sense. Jesus spoke of tribulation promised to the Church in a general sense in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Part of being a Christian is suffering to one extent or another for your faith, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution,” (I Timothy 3:1-2). As we study Church history we see that the overwhelming majority of Christians have suffered for their faith. As we read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, we see that history bears out the suffering of tribulation for the faithful believer in Christ. The freedom to exercise and proclaim our faith that the Church enjoys in the United States is unprecedented in Church history.
Even throughout the world today, our brothers and sisters in Christ are not only suffering for their faith, many are imprisoned and dying for their faith in Jesus.
Paul also spoke of tribulation promised to the Church in a general sense in I Thessalonians 3:3-4, “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.” The tribulation faced by the Church and promised the believer by Jesus comes from the world system controlled by Satan. The Tribulation that will come upon the world originates from heaven and is repeatedly described in Scripture as the wrath of God or the wrath of the Lamb.
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the Church will be purged through the first 3-1/2 years of the Tribulation, that we somehow have to suffer in order to be perfected.
We do not need to suffer for our sins, Jesus Himself suffered for our sins, Hebrews 1:3, “…He had by Himself purged our sins.” His dearth on the cross, His blood shed paid the price for our sins. He took death for us and gave us life.
We do not need to suffer through the Tribulation to be purged of our sins. Jude tells us that He (Jesus) will, “…present you faultless before the presence of His glory…” (Jude 24-25). To teach that the Church must be purged through the Tribulation is to denigrate the atoning working of Jesus Christ.
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view deny the Imminence of Jesus Christ. The teaching of the imminent return of Jesus Christ is prevalent in the Scriptures. In the parable of the Evil Servant and the Faithful Servant, it is the evil servant that declares, “…My master is delaying his coming…” (Matthew 24:48). And his attitude reflects one who is no longer waiting for his masters imminent return as he begins to eat, and to drink, and to beat his fellow servants.
Jesus Himself warned us to be ready for His return, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” (Matthew 24:44).
Those that hold to the Mid-Tribulational view teach that the Rapture will coincide with the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the catching up of the Two Witnesses, Revelation 11:3-7, “’And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.’ These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.” Those who teach this view spiritualize this passage, teaching that the Two Witnesses are symbolic of a larger body of witnesses representing the dead and the living (the Church) at the Rapture. They also teach that the great voice of Revelation 11:12, “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them,” is that of I Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
The Two Witnesses are treated as symbolic representatives of the Church and not as individuals and that is where they are making their mistake. As the Two Olive Trees, they relate to Israel and not to the Church, Revelation 11:4, “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth” (Zechariah 4, The Vision of the Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees).
The voice of I Thessalonians 4 calls both the dead and the living in Christ; yet the Two Witnesses that supposedly represent the Church are killed. If you are going to spiritualize this passage then you must go all the way to state that the entire Church will be dead at the time of the Rapture. However, Paul explicitly declares that at the Rapture the dead in Christ will rise first, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thessalonians 4:17). Clearly Paul taught that at the Rapture there would be living believers caught up to heaven.
Friday, October 10, 2008
What the Bible Says about the Rapture, pt. 1
INTRODUCTION
Essentially there are three basic viewpoints regarding the Church and the Tribulation. They are the Pre-Tribulational, Mid-Tribulational, and Post-Tribulational viewpoints.
In this paper we will examine the various viewpoints from the Scripture in order to present the viewpoint which we hold, namely, the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint. It is the view of Calvary Chapel, Choctaw, that true believers will be raptured from the earth to heaven before the Tribulation period begins.
While we believe that this is an important issue for the believer, we do not believe that this issue should divide believers or separate us from fellowship with one another.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO RIDICULE THE IDEA OF THE RAPTURE
They insist that the word “rapture” is not even in the Bible. This is true, but only when you consider which Bible you are using. The Latin Vulgate translation of the Scriptures (from Greek to Latin) is one of the oldest translations of the Bible; it is from this translation that we get the term rapture. The English word caught up (I Thessalonians 5:17), is from the Greek word, harpazo (har-pad'-zo), to be snatched away violently. The Latin Vulgate translates this Greek word as the Latin word, Raptus, the past participle of Rapio, to take away by force. Our word rapture comes from this Latin word. It is sort of the long way to get there, but we arrive none the less.
While the word Rapture is not in the KJV, or NKJV (or some others for that matter), the concept of the rapture or being caught up is. So to argue that the Rapture is not in the Bible is, at the least to argue from a position of ignorance, and at the worst to argue from a position of deliberate deception.
So we will begin by looking at the various viewpoints commonly held within Christendom historically and today.
THE PRE-TRIBULATIONAL VIEWPOINT
The Pre-Tribulational viewpoint holds that the Church will be removed from the earth scene before the tribulation. This is our viewpoint which we will examine in further detail later in this paper.
However, there is within the Pre-Tribulational viewpoint what is known as “The Partial Rapture Position.” This view holds that only those believers who are watching and waiting for the Rapture will actually be taken.
Those that teach this viewpoint point to a number of Scriptures as proof for their position (Matthew 25, The Parable of The Ten virgins). According to this view, some level of spiritual attainment must be reached to be counted worthy of the Rapture. The key to the parable is found in verse 12, “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” The foolish virgins weren’t ready because they did not know the bridegroom. We are as Christians to watch and be ready, even as Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming,” (Matthew 25:13).
Those that hold to the Partial Rapture view hold that those who were not ready were Christians who were not watching. They even go so far as to teach that, since they had no oil for their lamps, and since oil in the Scripture is a type of the Holy Spirit, these did not have the Spirit or were not filled with the Spirit. Every true believer is born again by the Spirit (John 3:5-6), and is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). (We at FBC do believe that there is an overflowing or infilling of the Spirit that can be both concurrent with and subsequent to salvation. Please see our pamphlet, What the Bible says about the Threefold Relationship of the Holy Spirit with Men for our view on this subject). The point of the parable is to be ready. If you want to be ready for the coming of Jesus you must first know Him through confession of sins, and receiving Him as Lord and Savior. Other Scriptures they point to, in teaching that only those who are watching and waiting will be taken, are “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man," (Luke 21:36). Also, Titus 2:3, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” And, Hebrews 9:28, “…to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Problems with the Partial Rapture Viewpoint
There are at the least some problems with the Partial Rapture viewpoint. First, it devalues the propitiatory work of Christ. Our worth comes from Christ and His death for us. He has made us worthy to escape not only the punishment for our sins, which is death, He also has made us worthy to escape the Tribulation. To pray to be worthy is to be certain that you are “in Christ,” as a true believer, having received Jesus as your Savior and Lord. It is only in Him that we are worthy. Second, this viewpoint is faith plus works. You must do something in addition to faith in Jesus. So now the emphasis is not on what Jesus has done for you, but now is on what you must do. Additionally, this viewpoint creates a higher class of Christians, those who are somehow closer to God and are somehow more spiritual because they are watching and waiting for Jesus to come for His church at the Rapture as opposed to those who are not.
Certainly we should be watching and waiting for Jesus to come for His church, not so that we will be left behind if we are not watching (as this view suggests), but so that we are not ashamed before Him when He comes, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming,” (I John 2:28). We want to be found watching, working, and waiting when Jesus comes for His church at the Rapture.
Essentially there are three basic viewpoints regarding the Church and the Tribulation. They are the Pre-Tribulational, Mid-Tribulational, and Post-Tribulational viewpoints.
In this paper we will examine the various viewpoints from the Scripture in order to present the viewpoint which we hold, namely, the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint. It is the view of Calvary Chapel, Choctaw, that true believers will be raptured from the earth to heaven before the Tribulation period begins.
While we believe that this is an important issue for the believer, we do not believe that this issue should divide believers or separate us from fellowship with one another.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO RIDICULE THE IDEA OF THE RAPTURE
They insist that the word “rapture” is not even in the Bible. This is true, but only when you consider which Bible you are using. The Latin Vulgate translation of the Scriptures (from Greek to Latin) is one of the oldest translations of the Bible; it is from this translation that we get the term rapture. The English word caught up (I Thessalonians 5:17), is from the Greek word, harpazo (har-pad'-zo), to be snatched away violently. The Latin Vulgate translates this Greek word as the Latin word, Raptus, the past participle of Rapio, to take away by force. Our word rapture comes from this Latin word. It is sort of the long way to get there, but we arrive none the less.
While the word Rapture is not in the KJV, or NKJV (or some others for that matter), the concept of the rapture or being caught up is. So to argue that the Rapture is not in the Bible is, at the least to argue from a position of ignorance, and at the worst to argue from a position of deliberate deception.
So we will begin by looking at the various viewpoints commonly held within Christendom historically and today.
THE PRE-TRIBULATIONAL VIEWPOINT
The Pre-Tribulational viewpoint holds that the Church will be removed from the earth scene before the tribulation. This is our viewpoint which we will examine in further detail later in this paper.
However, there is within the Pre-Tribulational viewpoint what is known as “The Partial Rapture Position.” This view holds that only those believers who are watching and waiting for the Rapture will actually be taken.
Those that teach this viewpoint point to a number of Scriptures as proof for their position (Matthew 25, The Parable of The Ten virgins). According to this view, some level of spiritual attainment must be reached to be counted worthy of the Rapture. The key to the parable is found in verse 12, “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” The foolish virgins weren’t ready because they did not know the bridegroom. We are as Christians to watch and be ready, even as Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming,” (Matthew 25:13).
Those that hold to the Partial Rapture view hold that those who were not ready were Christians who were not watching. They even go so far as to teach that, since they had no oil for their lamps, and since oil in the Scripture is a type of the Holy Spirit, these did not have the Spirit or were not filled with the Spirit. Every true believer is born again by the Spirit (John 3:5-6), and is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). (We at FBC do believe that there is an overflowing or infilling of the Spirit that can be both concurrent with and subsequent to salvation. Please see our pamphlet, What the Bible says about the Threefold Relationship of the Holy Spirit with Men for our view on this subject). The point of the parable is to be ready. If you want to be ready for the coming of Jesus you must first know Him through confession of sins, and receiving Him as Lord and Savior. Other Scriptures they point to, in teaching that only those who are watching and waiting will be taken, are “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man," (Luke 21:36). Also, Titus 2:3, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” And, Hebrews 9:28, “…to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Problems with the Partial Rapture Viewpoint
There are at the least some problems with the Partial Rapture viewpoint. First, it devalues the propitiatory work of Christ. Our worth comes from Christ and His death for us. He has made us worthy to escape not only the punishment for our sins, which is death, He also has made us worthy to escape the Tribulation. To pray to be worthy is to be certain that you are “in Christ,” as a true believer, having received Jesus as your Savior and Lord. It is only in Him that we are worthy. Second, this viewpoint is faith plus works. You must do something in addition to faith in Jesus. So now the emphasis is not on what Jesus has done for you, but now is on what you must do. Additionally, this viewpoint creates a higher class of Christians, those who are somehow closer to God and are somehow more spiritual because they are watching and waiting for Jesus to come for His church at the Rapture as opposed to those who are not.
Certainly we should be watching and waiting for Jesus to come for His church, not so that we will be left behind if we are not watching (as this view suggests), but so that we are not ashamed before Him when He comes, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming,” (I John 2:28). We want to be found watching, working, and waiting when Jesus comes for His church at the Rapture.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Church Leaders Pave Way for World's Largest Reformed Body
Crosswalk.com reports the following today:
"The Christian Post reports that the world's two largest Reformed church bodies began meetings this week to finalize a draft constitution that will merge the two entities. The merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) into a single World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) will represent 80 million Reformed Christians worldwide. "When the two organizations dare to journey together in God's mission, our member churches will be served better and, in fact, our witness as Reformed churches will be stronger," stated Nyomi when the REC initiated the invitation to merge in July 2005 after 7 years of bilateral talks. The groups hope the merger will open the door to joint projects and joint staffing, cutting costs while fostering unity."
Further proof that we are heading towards the one world religion spoken of in the Book of Revelation. We are in the Last Days. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28, NKJV).
"The Christian Post reports that the world's two largest Reformed church bodies began meetings this week to finalize a draft constitution that will merge the two entities. The merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) into a single World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) will represent 80 million Reformed Christians worldwide. "When the two organizations dare to journey together in God's mission, our member churches will be served better and, in fact, our witness as Reformed churches will be stronger," stated Nyomi when the REC initiated the invitation to merge in July 2005 after 7 years of bilateral talks. The groups hope the merger will open the door to joint projects and joint staffing, cutting costs while fostering unity."
Further proof that we are heading towards the one world religion spoken of in the Book of Revelation. We are in the Last Days. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28, NKJV).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Unusual quotes
I was in a funny mood tonight, so I thought I would pass along how the world thinks:
Not all pain is gain.
You can do anything you set your mind to when you have vision, determination, and an endless supply of expendable labor.
That which does not kill me postpones the inevitable.
There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
When birds fly in the right formation, they need only exert half the effort. Even in nature, teamwork results in collective laziness.
When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.
If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.
Mediocrity - It takes a lot less time and most people won't notice the difference until it's too late.
If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon.
The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march.
When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
Not all pain is gain.
You can do anything you set your mind to when you have vision, determination, and an endless supply of expendable labor.
That which does not kill me postpones the inevitable.
There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
When birds fly in the right formation, they need only exert half the effort. Even in nature, teamwork results in collective laziness.
When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.
If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.
Mediocrity - It takes a lot less time and most people won't notice the difference until it's too late.
If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon.
The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march.
When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
Spurgeon on trust...
Isaiah 36:5: "Now on whom dost thou trust?"
Reader, this is an important question. Listen to the Christian's answer, and see if it is yours. "On whom dost thou trust?" "I trust," says the Christian, "in a triune God. I trust the Father, believing that He has chosen me from before the foundations of the world; I trust Him to provide for me in providence, to teach me, to guide me, to correct me if need be, and to bring me home to His own house where the many mansions are. I trust the Son. Very God of very God is He-the man Christ Jesus. I trust in Him to take away all my sins by His own sacrifice, and to adorn me with His perfect righteousness. I trust Him to be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before His Father's throne, and I trust Him to be my Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me. I trust Him for what He is, for what He has done, and for what He has promised yet to do. And I trust the Holy Spirit-He has begun to save me from my inbred sins; I trust Him to drive them all out; I trust Him to curb my temper, to subdue my will, to enlighten my understanding, to check my passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my weakness, to illuminate my darkness; I trust Him to dwell in me as my life, to reign in me as my King, to sanctify me wholly, spirit, soul, and body, and then to take me up to dwell with the saints in light for ever." Oh, blessed trust! To trust Him whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be nonplussed, and whose perfect goodness can never know a diminution! Happy art thou, reader, if this trust is thine! So trusting, thou shalt enjoy sweet peace now, and glory hereafter, and the foundation of thy trust shall never be removed.
Reader, this is an important question. Listen to the Christian's answer, and see if it is yours. "On whom dost thou trust?" "I trust," says the Christian, "in a triune God. I trust the Father, believing that He has chosen me from before the foundations of the world; I trust Him to provide for me in providence, to teach me, to guide me, to correct me if need be, and to bring me home to His own house where the many mansions are. I trust the Son. Very God of very God is He-the man Christ Jesus. I trust in Him to take away all my sins by His own sacrifice, and to adorn me with His perfect righteousness. I trust Him to be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before His Father's throne, and I trust Him to be my Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me. I trust Him for what He is, for what He has done, and for what He has promised yet to do. And I trust the Holy Spirit-He has begun to save me from my inbred sins; I trust Him to drive them all out; I trust Him to curb my temper, to subdue my will, to enlighten my understanding, to check my passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my weakness, to illuminate my darkness; I trust Him to dwell in me as my life, to reign in me as my King, to sanctify me wholly, spirit, soul, and body, and then to take me up to dwell with the saints in light for ever." Oh, blessed trust! To trust Him whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be nonplussed, and whose perfect goodness can never know a diminution! Happy art thou, reader, if this trust is thine! So trusting, thou shalt enjoy sweet peace now, and glory hereafter, and the foundation of thy trust shall never be removed.
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