Tribulation Saints
2015 Second Orlando Prophecy Summit, Part 9
Thomas Ice, Why The Bible Teaches A Pre Tribulation Rapture
The rapture is not an escape. The rapture is for the removal of the saints before the seventieth (70th) week of Daniel. It is the translation of living believers. People will be saved between the rapture and the Great Tribulation period.
The word “rapture” comes from the Greek word “harpazo” which means caught up. I Thessalonians 4:17 “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The Greek word literally means caught up quickly like a pick pocket or a quick snatch. The Latin Vulgate uses the word “rapio” which is literally Latin for rapture.
Raptures of History and Prophecy-
1)Enoch, 2)Elijah, 3)Isaiah, 4)Jesus (Acts 1:11), 5)Philip (Acts 8), 6)Paul (II Corinthians 12), 7)John (Revelation 4), 8)The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11). *** I do not entirely agree with Thomas Ice and his listings of “raptures” throughout the Bible. In order to properly represent the rapture of the church, an event MUST be a predecessor to judgment. The translations of Jesus, Elijah, Philip and Paul have nothing to do with judgment. Many translations of people in the Bible do not represent the rapture of the church. *** Pastor Steve
Thomas Ice shared that 30% of New Testament Jews became believers.
The rapture ends the church age. Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”
The rapture and the tribulation period do not mix. The rapture deals with the church and the tribulation period is focused on Israel. Jesus introduces the rapture- 1) John 14:1-4. The Upper Room Discourse- 2)John 13-16. 3)I Thessalonians 4:13-18. 4)I Corinthians 15:50-53. [A “mystery” is not in the Old Testament]. ***II Thessalonians 2:1-8. The Antichrist who opposes God will rule when the church is removed. *** (Synagogue=gather) The Holy Spirit (Church) is removed, and the man of lawlessness will be revealed.
Contrasts Between The Rapture And The Second Coming-
Rapture Second Coming
Translation No Translation
Go To Heaven Return To Earth
No Judgment Judgment
Immanent Signs
Not In Old Testament In Old Testament
Believers Taken Pertains To All Men
Before Wrath Concluding Wrath (Post Wrath)
For His Own With His Own
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The rapture is immanent. Immanence means impending. It is the next eschatological event to happen on the Lord’s calendar. It does not necessarily mean soon. Here are some passages that stress the immanence of the rapture:
I Corinthians 1:7 “so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Philippians 3:20 “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 4:5 “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
I Thessalonians 1:10 “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
James 5:7-9 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”
I Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”
Jude 21 “keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
*** We are saved FROM WRATH TO HIM. Romans 5:9 “Much more then, having now been justified [a]by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” ***
Only the Church is mentioned in Revelation chapters 1-3. Only wrath, and the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments are observed in Revelation chapters 6-18. The Church and God’s wrath/Tribulation Period do not mix.
2015 Second Orlando Prophecy Summit, Part 8
Don Perkins, Mark Of The Beast
Don Perkins is one of my favorite teachers in end times prophecy. He has a God given ability to make deep truths simple. I will list the key scriptures for this study, and then review the seven points listed by Don Perkins.
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Revelation 13:16-18 King James Version (KJV)
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Revelation 14:6-10 King James Version (KJV) 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Revelation 16:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
Revelation 19:20 King James Version (KJV)
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 King James Version (KJV)
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
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Refer to the above listed scriptures in reference to the following seven points made about the mark of the beast.
1)What is the Mark of the Beast? It is a physical mark in the tribulation period, given to those who submit to the Antichrist. (Revelation 13:16-18). They will give over their will and life to the Antichrist. There will be a cashless society. One cannot buy or sell without the mark.
2)How will it come into use, and how will it be enforced? Revelation 19:20. II Thessalonians 2:9-12. The culture is gradually becoming conditioned to receive this mark en masse. Great delusion will come upon all of the populace. Most people do not even realize that we are ALREADY primed to receive the mark. The False Prophet will enforce the mark. Christians and Jews will be persecuted.
3)How long will it be used? It will be used for three and one half (3 1/2) years, during the second half of the tribulation period.
4)Who will receive the mark and why? Everyone will receive it (Revelation 13:16). They will receive it in order to conduct any kind of transaction. The Antichrist desires for everyone to worship him only, and not God.
5)Our culture is conditioning people to receive the mark. Barcodes have been placed on people’s foreheads. We were shown images of this. One day it will become mandatory. These chips can lead to a tremendous invasion of privacy.
6)What happens to those who take the mark of the beast? They cannot repent and are damned to hell for eternity. They will also receive noisome and grievous sores because they received the mark of the beast. Revelation 14:9-10, 16:2.
7)A warning is given against receiving the mark of the beast. Revelation 14:6, 9-10. Three angels will be preaching for the first time, and the third angel will warn people of the consequences for receiving the mark of the beast!
2015 Orlando Prophecy Summit, Part I, Highlights
The conference is over, and was a tremendous blessing to one and all. It was manna from heaven to fellowship with Christians amid some of the finest scholars in the world. It was no play thing, as our conference days were twelve hours each, and our commute was on the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando. You Floridians already know that this highway is no picnic. There will be endless blog entries on this site, under the category for the 2015 Orlando Prophecy Summit conference. We met a couple who attended the conference last year, and they are just finishing the DVD material that covered all of the speakers in the 2014 gathering. Let me explain why there is so much material: We went to every meeting available, yet we saw less than one third of the seminars. Why? Because there are always three teachings going on simultaneously during the conference, and of course, we could only see one of them at a time. The folks choose the seminar of their choice, and miss the other two. We attended sixteen classes, yet there were sixty six available, which also includes special gatherings whereby the attenders can dine, ask questions, and have a “hands on” intimate fellowship with the speakers. I purchased the book “Temple” by Bob Cornuke, and got his autograph in the tome as well as the signature of Don Perkins, my favorite teacher on eschatology, whose end times chart hangs in my study. It does not get any better than this. I ordered the complete DVD set and plan to show the best seminars to our church on Sunday nights, and watch each one of them myself. I attended two seminars that highlighted the pre tribulation rapture of the church. One of the speakers, Thomas Ice, is an end times prophecy expert who has replaced Tim LaHaye on the Bible conference speaking circuit because Tim is too old to attend and speak. I was thrilled that I learned very little from these two speakers, and the message that I recently preached on the rapture was confirmed by all of the theology that these two men of God shared! Thank you Jesus.
I will share summaries of every seminar that I attended on this blog site, and I will likewise share information from ALL of the seminars that we did not attend, once we receive the comprehensive DVD package of the entire Summit. This will take a great deal of time. I love studying about Christ’s soon return and sharing these precious truths with the saints. Maranatha, the Lord is coming…
Keep Looking Up! Pastor Steve
2015 Orlando Prophecy Summit, Schedule Of Speakers And Their Subjects
Scroll down to see the schedule of this prophecy conference, as well as observe how one can “Stream” this conference and/or purchase the DVD’s of all of the speakers as well:
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The Antichrist As Seen From Two Different Faiths
As I was watching the international news yesterday, the newscaster said that ISIS believes they are fulfilling prophecy through murdering and beheading innocent Jews and Christians. Islam believes that a period of chaos and global upheaval will precede the time when Allah rules over all. Radical Islam thrives on terrorism and desires to promote confusion, because doing this will usher in the time for their Maudi to come into power. They look forward to this time, when Islam goes unto the offensive in their attempts to instill their faith and Sharia Law on everyone. (Convert or die).
This above mindset is becoming very plain to see, and because of this, many Christian students of eschatology have reevaluated their view points on end times prophecy and the Great Tribulation, known to the prophet Jeremiah as Jacob’s Trouble. For instance, the older view of a revived Roman Empire centering around Europe has suddenly shifted to the east! An Islamic Caliphate is seen as a strong possibility of becoming the ruling power during the last days. The Islamic period of confusion and chaos can be interpreted as the Great Tribulation by Bible believing Christians. The Islamic Maudi can be seen as the Antichrist. Amazingly, Islam looks at this end times ruler in a positive light while Christians interpret him to be the Antichrist. Let me share one Bible verse that really puts this end times scenario into perspective: Revelation 20:4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (KJV) “Beheadings” are the trademark of Islam, initiated by their founder Mohammed. Christians who stand firmly on their faith will be beheaded during the Great Tribulation for refusing to compromise what they believe. We have observed this phenomena of beheadings sweep the globe in recent months. Is this a precursor of the environment everywhere during the Great Tribulation? Can you see how it is all coming together? The exact same prophetic event is interpreted differently by Christianity and Islam.
Keep Looking Up, And Pray For Revival. Jesus Christ Is The Only Hope For Mankind. John 3:3, 16, 36; 14:6; Acts 4:12.
Pastor Steve
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture By David J. Stewart
This lengthly expose of the true and Biblical account of a pre-tribulation rapture also features an excellent contrast between the rapture of the church and the second coming of Jesus Christ. As our world becomes darker, this true doctrine shines brighter! The rapture and the sudden return of Jesus Christ for His bride is the blessed hope of the church. “Study this doctrine and show thyself approved,” and then share this with your lost friends. [Please ignore David J. Stewart’s often pointed and repetitive criticism of Pastor Steven L. Anderson and Alex Jones. Stewart’s theology is Bible based and true, hence it is on this blog site. I believe, however, he should focus more so on the truth of his doctrine, and be more appreciative of his brothers who have opposing eschatological points of view. I do not believe that theologians who differ in their view points about the order of end times events should accuse each other of heresy and apostasy! The older I get, the lighter I tread!]
Maranatha, Pastor Steve
PRAY FOR REVIVAL IN AMERICA!
BEWARE “After The Tribulation” Film HERESY! “The Rapture simply cannot happen at any moment.” —Pastor Steven L. Anderson (01:27:05 video)
David J. Stewart | January 2013
1st Thessalonians 4:17-18, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
The Word of God teaches that the Rapture could happen at any time, suddenly, without signs or warning. This is the basis of Biblical prophecy concerning the Lord’s return, that is, that Christians all be on their toes, preaching the gospel, walking uprightly and faithfully serving their Master, because their Lord may surprise them at any time by returning…
Matthew 24:42-44, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 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 in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Only a Pretribulation Rapture supports this vital Bible doctrine. If, as Pastor Anderson falsely teaches, the Rapture cannot happen at any time, then the element of surprise is completely gone. Thus, a Postribulation Rapture heresy completely ignores all of the Bible’s teachings that the Lord Jesus Christ may return at any time, suddenly and without warning. This sole truth by itself totally eradicates, destroys and disproves the false teaching that the Rapture comes after the 7-year Tribulation.
Something that often happens when a person searches for the truth is that they become side-tracked. Such is the case with Pastor Steve Anderson in Arizona and Alex Jones in Texas. The Alex Jones Show has been chocked full of religious garbage over the past year. I admire Alex Jones and Steve Anderson tremendously for their zeal and fighting spirit; but they are wrong on this vital doctrine of the Christian faith. Pastor Steven Anderson said on The Alex Jones Nightly News (February 1, 2013) that his new film, After The Tribulation, is based upon “tons of Scriptures”…
“The film does two major things—number one, it completely demolishes the fraud that is the Pre-Trib Rapture. You know, this lie that says that Jesus Christ can come back at any moment, and that we’re going to be taken out of here before the Antichrist, before the global government. So about half the movie is spent just completely destroying that idea; just a ton of Scripture is used to prove that false. And then the other half of the movie pretty much just explains how all this is going to play out…” [emphasis added]
SOURCE: Pastor Steven L. Anderson, The Alex Jones Nightly news; February 1, 2013
Pastor Anderson calls the Biblical doctrine of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture a demonic deception from Satan intended to pave the way for the Antichrist. Steve Anderson is preaching heresy, lies and unbiblical rubbish! Anderson’s alleged “ton of Scripture” doesn’t even include one verse from the Old Testament. Pastor Anderson’s 1:53 hour film, ‘AFTER THE TRIBULATION,’ doesn’t contain even one Old Testament reference… NOT ONE SCRIPTURE FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT!!! Revelation 16:9-11 says that God’s judgments upon mankind will cause people to gnaw their tongues in pain, yet they still won’t repent toward God. This happens during the 7-year Tribulation period, which is Daniel’s 70th week in prophecy. The film doesn’t even mention Daniel’s 70th week, because he doesn’t understand the Bible and is misleading millions of people. This alone blows Steven Anderson’s ridiculous movie sky-high right out of the water! As they used to say when playing the game Sink The Battleship… “I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!!”
Plain Evidence Of A Pre-Tribulation Rapture
I can PROVE to you that the Rapture comes BEFORE the Tribulation if you’ll just think with me a bit. Let’s logic through this for a moment. Let’s establish what we all agree upon as professed Christians:
First, we all agree concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There’s no debate on this issue. The debate is whether or not the Rapture happens BEFORE or AFTER the 7-year Tribulation period. So if the Rapture happens AFTER the Tribulation, then Christ’s Second Coming happens at the SAME time as the Rapture.
Second, we all agree that there will be a Rapture. I heard Alex Jones and Steve Anderson say today on the February 1, 2013 Alex Jones Show that they aren’t denying the Rapture. They sincerely think that the Rapture will occur AFTER the Tribulation period. The Bible disagrees with them!
Having established two vital doctrines that we DO agree upon, now read the following popular and often misunderstood Scripture passage about two being in a field, one taken and the other left…
Matthew 24:38-42, “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
The preceding Bible passage is NOT speaking about the Rapture of the saints; but rather, the separating of the tares from the wheat at the Second Coming of Christ. This truth is evidenced by verses 38-39, likening these unsaved people (tares) with the unsaved who perished in Noah’s time. Verse 42 does not refer to Christians by use of the words “your Lord.” Jesus is the Lord of all humanity. Philippians 2:9-11 teaches that every human being will ultimately bow their knee and confess with their tongue that Jesus is Lord, then God will cast the unbelieving into the Lake of Fire forever.
Now here’s my point and the PROOF of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture: If the Rapture happens AFTER the 7-year Tribulation period, then the tares will be taken at the same time as the Rapture of the saints, which makes absolutely no sense. If God Raptures the saints at the time of His Second Coming (i.e., a Post-Tribulation Rapture), then what would be the purpose of separating the tares from the wheat? The Bible plainly teaches that the separating of the tares from the wheat is NOT the Rapture. The Rapture is when the saints are “CAUGHT UP” (1st Thessalonians 4:17). In sharp contrast, at the onset of Christ’s Millennial reign, God is going to separate the wicked (tares) from the wheat (righteous)…
Matthew 13:36-42, “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
God is going to remove the wicked! Clearly this passage of Scripture does NOT refer to the Rapture. So why would God Rapture the righteous and then separate the wicked tares from the righteous wheat all at the same time as the Second Coming of Christ? How could this even be possible? So if the Rapture follows the Tribulation, then God would have to remove the righteous and the wicked, so there’d be NO ONE LEFT! Remember the film series called, “LEFT BEHIND?” Well what would be the purpose of Rapturing the saints and leaving the wicked behind if Christ is simultaneously returning to set up His Kingdom? If you think this through, it is so obvious that a Post-Tribulation Rapture is impossible, ridiculous and totally unbiblical. Honestly, the Post-Tribulation crowd are comical and woefully ignorant of the Bible.
Now a Pre-Tribulation Rapture makes perfect sense, because the unsaved wicked are left behind at the Rapture to suffer through the 7-year Tribulation which follows. That makes sense! That’s what the Bible teaches! Alex Jones said on his February 1, 2013 show that “I know deception from the truth… anybody who has discernment would be freaking out over this” (i.e., a Pre-Tribulation Rapture). If you logic through the facts that I just gave you from the Bible, you can only conclude a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. The tares will be separated from the wheat at the END of the 7-year Tribulation when the Lord returns at the Second Coming. After the Battle Of Armageddon the tares will be separated from the wheat. The wheat (righteous) left behind are those people who will be saved during the Tribulation period. They will enter into the millennial Kingdom when Christ shall reign from Jerusalem over the entire earth.
The information I just presented to you DIDN’T come from John Darby nor Cyrus Scofield but from my own Bible study. The evidence is irrefutable. There’s no way that God is going to remove the saints and the tares at the same time!!! It would totally defeat the purpose of separating the wicked from the righteous to begin with. Common sense dictates that Christ’s Second Coming will be VERY different than from the Rapture.
Again, what would be the purpose of separating the tares from the wheat at the same time that the saints are being removed from the sinful world? It would make absolutely no sense for the Rapture to occur at the same time as the separating of the tares from the wheat. This is solid proof that the Rapture must happen BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation period.
The Bible Teaches A Sudden, Imminent Rapture Without Any Signs
The basis of all Bible prophecy is that Christ’s return is imminent, coming without warning or signs, and will happen suddenly at any moment. This is to keep Christians on their toes, faithfully serving their Master, not knowing when He’s going to return. The Bible plainly teaches this doctrine…
Matthew 24:42-44, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 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 in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
The preceding passage of Scripture 100% proves the Pretribulation return of Christ. If Steve Anderson and Alex Jones are correct in their Postribulation heresy, then we would know absolutely that Christ cannot return until after the Rapture (which would make Matthew 24:42-44 impossible). The very essence of Christ’s coming is that it is without advance notice or observation. How can we watch for the Lord’s imminent and sudden return if He cannot return until after all the tragic events of the 7-year Tribulation period (as taught in the book of Revelation)? The only logical and workable conclusion is a Pretribulation Rapture, that is, the Rapture will take place BEFORE the Tribulation Period.
The events of the Tribulation are shocking—the sun and moon will be darkened, the earth will be scorched with the sun’s heat, scorpion-like flying creatures will sting and torment men for 5-months (and people won’t be allowed to die), billions of people will suffer inexplicable pain and torment, earth’s oceans and lakes will be poisoned, forests of trees will burn down, cities and skyscrapers will crumble from earthquakes—these events are all prophesied in the book of revelation, and much more. If the Rapture comes after (i.e., a Postribulation Rapture) all these horrible things, then we will have plenty of advance warning before Christ returns. This would go contrary to everything the Lord taught about coming back suddenly at any time.
The plainest teaching of the Bible cries out a Pretribulation Rapture!!! The Lord may come back now, without warning. This is what the Bible teaches. Thus, we are admonished to be on our best behavior, faithfully witnessing the gospel, walking uprightly in the Lord, and honoring God with our words, thoughts and deeds in all that we do. This life will soon be over. We all have 24 hours in a day. We all have the same temptations. We all have the same Bible. How tragic then it is, that less than 5% of all born-again believers do 95% of all the work for Jesus Christ to get souls saved and help others in Jesus’ name. Life is a matter of priorities, which is determined by one’s degree of faith. Everything that we do, or don’t do, is dictated by one’s faith, or lack thereof.
28 Distinctions Between The Rapture And Christ’s Second Coming
The following 28 distinctions help to grasp the differences between these two great future events. Keep in mind that the RAPTURE happens BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation period; and then after the 7-years the glorious SECOND COMING (glorious appearing) of our great Lord, King and Savior will happen, when the entire world beholds Him…
| The Rapture | The Second Coming |
| At the Rapture, Jesus comes FOR His Church. (John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) | At the Glorious Appearing (Second Coming), Jesus comes WITH His Church. (Zechariah 14:5, Colossians 3:4, Jude 14, Revelation 19:14) |
| At the Rapture, Christians are caught up to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) | At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus’ feet touch the earth (Zechariah 14:4, Revelation 19:11-21) |
| At the Rapture, Christians are taken first and unbelievers are left behind. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) | At the Glorious Appearing, the wicked are taken first, but the righteous (the tribulation saints) are left behind. (Matthew 13:28-30) |
| At the Rapture, Jesus will gather His Bride, the Church, unto Himself in preparation of the Marriage of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:6-9) | At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will execute judgment on the earth and establish His Kingdom. (Zechariah 14:3-4, Jude 14-15, Revelation 19:11-21) |
| The Marriage of the Lamb takes place in Heaven AFTER the Rapture of the Church. (Revelation 19:6-9 | War on earth comes AFTER the Marriage of the Lamb at the Glorious Appearing when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords lays the smackdown on evil! (Revelation 19:11-21) |
| The Rapture will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (Blink. It’s over!). (1 Corinthians 15:52) | The Glorious Appearing will be a slow coming. Everyone will see Jesus coming with great power and great glory! (Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7) |
| At the Rapture, only those who are looking for Him (Christians) will see Him. (1 John 3:2, 1 Corinthians 15:52) | At the Glorious Appearing, every eye will see Him and those who have rejected Him will wail. (Revelation 1:7) |
| At the Rapture, Jesus will descend from Heaven with a shout (calling for the saints at the resurrection). (1 Thessalonians 4:16) | At the Glorious Appearing, no shout is mentioned, although the Lord does slay the wicked with the sword of His mouth. (Revelation 19:11-21) |
| At the Rapture, a resurrection will take place. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54) | At the Glorious Appearing, there is no resurrection spoken of. (Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah14:4-5, Revelation 1:7, 19:11-21) |
| The Rapture can happen at any time…maybe even now which is why we are to be WATCHING for the return of Jesus Christ! (Revelation 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6) | The Glorious Appearing will occur at the end of the seven-year tribulation period. (Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:29-30, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8) |
| At the Rapture, no angels are sent to gather the Church. | At the Glorious Appearing, angels will be sent to gather people together for judgment. (Matthew 13:39, 41 & 49, Matthew 24:31, Matthew 25:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) |
| At the Rapture, those who died in Christ will return with Jesus to recover their resurrected bodies. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16) | At the Glorious Appearing, Christians will return with Jesus already in their resurrected bodies riding on white horses. (Revelation 19:11-21) White horse for Jesus or no white horse for Jesus? |
| At the Rapture, Jesus doesn’t return riding a white horse. | At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will return riding a white horse. (Revelation 19:11) |
| The Rapture will bring with it a message of hope and comfort. (1 Thessalonians 4:18, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3) | The Glorious Appearing will bring with it a message of judgment. (Joel 3:12-16, Malachi 4:5, Revelation 19:11-21) |
| World is deceived. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) | Satan is bound. (Revelation 20:1-2) |
| Focus: Lord and Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) | Focus: Israel and Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) |
| No signs precede Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) | Signs precede Second Coming. (Luke 21:11,15) |
| Tribulation begins. | Millennial kingdom begins. |
| Removal of believers. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) | Manifestation of Christ. (Malachi 4:2) |
| Jesus claims His bride. | Jesus comes with His bride. (Revelation 19:6-14) |
| Marriage Supper Of The Lamb follows the Rapture. (Revelation 19:9) | The Great Supper of the wicked follows the Tribulation. (Revelation 19:17) |
| The world will not see Jesus at the Rapture; but rather, believers ascend go to meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) | Jesus will descend bodily and visibly for all to see, just as He ascended bodily and visibly. (Acts 1:9-11) |
| The Judgment Seat Of Christ follows the Rapture. (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11) | The Judgment of the Nations follows the Tribulation (Matthew 24:32-46) |
| Believers receive a new, immortal, glorified body fashioned like unto the Lord’s. (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54) | Saints saved during the Tribulation enter into the Millennial kingdom with their earthly bodies. (Isaiah 65:20) |
| The Antichrist is revealed after the Rapture. (2 Thessalonians 2:8) | The Antichrist is defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire at the Second Coming. (Revelation 19:20) |
| Israel is persecuted during the Tribulation. Two-in-three Jews in Israel are killed. (Zechariah 13:8-9) | Israel is regathered. (Jeremiah 23:5-8) |
| World government (New World Order) follows the Rapture. (Revelation 13:15) | Christ’s reign and government follows the Second Coming. (Daniel 2:34-35) |
| World famine, pestilence, war and sorrow follow the Rapture. (Matthew 24:6-10; Luke 17:31) | World peace follows Christ’s Second Coming when He reigns from Jerusalem (Isaiah 11:6) |
Clearly, clearly, CLEARLY, there is absolutely NO WAY that the Rapture can happen AFTER the Tribulation! The serious and diligent Bible student who considers all of the preceding 28 differences and distinctions between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ can only conclude a Pre-Tribulation Rapture!!! Here is a helpful prophecy chart by Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) showing the timing of Biblical events.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Plain And Simple (an excerpt from the 338-page book, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow)
The Doctrinally Perverted Film “After The Tribulation”
In a recent 1:53 hour movie titled, “After the Tribulation: The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Fraud Exposed (full version),” co-producers Paul Wittenberger, Steven L Anderson and Chris Maple attack the Biblical doctrine of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. On the February 1, 2013 The Alex Jones Show, Pastor Steve Anderson attempted to bash and deny the Biblical truth of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, calling it a “fairy-tale.” Alex knows enough Bible to be dangerous, so he relies heavily upon Steve Anderson’s corrupt theology. Pastor Steven L. Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Arizona makes bold, accusatory, lashing statements against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, calling those who adhere to it “ignorant.”
Pastor Anderson claims that there’s not one verse anywhere in the Bible which teaches a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. As I showed you earlier, there are indeed Scriptures in the Bible from which this important doctrine is inferred. The careful student of the Bible through reason and deduction can only establish a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Proponents of a Post-Tribulation Rapture cannot see the forest for the trees. They are stuck on Matthew 24, failing to rightly divide the Word of God.
I’ve watched Steve Anderson’s film, AFTER THE TRIBULATION, a few times and he simply DOESN’T establish his case at all, neither for a Post-Tribulation Rapture nor against a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Steve Anderson’s best effort to prove His point is to take Matthew 24 and Mark 13 (parallel passages) out of context. Both of these passages speak of the separating of the TARES (unsaved, wicked) from the WHEAT (saved, righteous). These passages do NOT speak of the Rapture of THE SAINTS (7-years earlier at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture). Pastor Anderson CONFUSES the separation of the tares and wheat from the Rapture of the saints. Carefully notice that it’s the TARES taken up at the Second Coming of Christ; whereas it’s the SAINTS who are taken up at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
Steve Anderson also confuses the Tribulation from the Great Tribulation. Anderson bases his movie on the phrase “after the tribulation” in Matthew 24:29…
Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”
So Anderson deducts that God’s wrath comes after the Tribulation, which he suggests means that the saints WON’T be raptured. Anderson teaches that the saints will go through tribulation as Christians suffering for Christ. The truth is that Pastor Anderson fails to understand and distinguish between the first peaceful 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period, verses the horrifying last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation, known as the “Great Tribulation.”
Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
The peace process ends when the Antichrist stands up from the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and claims to be god, demanding worship of his image or death (Revelation 13:15). The event is known Biblically as “The Abomination Of Desolation.” In the film, Dr. Kent Hovind denounces the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Kent Hovind is wrong about the Rapture.
Pastor Anderson admits on The Alex Jones Show that he’s going against nearly every Independent Fundamental Baptist preacher in America by denying a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Certainly, our doctrinal beliefs ought to finalize in personal Bible study and not upon what men have taught us; however, any Bible student would be a total fool to disregard the diligent hard work, intense life-long studies and exegesis of great theologians concerning the Scriptures. I would be VERY leery about adopting a new doctrine. Steve Anderson ought to stop calling himself a “Baptist,” because the historical Baptist position is a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) wrote over 200 books, founded over a dozen churches and led numerous city-wide campaigns to bring America to Jesus Christ. Brother Rice taught a Pre-Tribulation Rapture! Was this mighty scholar and great man of God wrong? I’m not trying to be unkind, but today’s doctrinally messed-up Bible teachers and wayward preachers DON’T STUDY!!!
The following is Dr. John R. Rice’s explanation of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture…
“The rapture will come, as most reputable premillennial Bible teachers agree, before the Great Tribulation time. Then after the Great Tribulation (which will occur in Daniel’s seventieth week, as I believe), Christ will return with these saints and with angels to fight the battle of Armageddon, to destroy the kingdom of the Antichrist, and to set up His throne at Jerusalem and reign on the earth for a thousand years of joy and peace. There are two separate phases of Christ’s coming. That for which we wait is His coming into the air to receive His saints. Then after the tribulation time, those who will have been converted on the earth will long for Christ’s return, with us, to set up His kingdom. It is this second phase of Christ’s coming, when He shall come literally to the earth to take charge and to reign, that is discussed in this passage.”
SOURCE: Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980), chapter 3 from the excellent book, We Can Have Revival Now.
Amen! How about the legendary pastor, author and man of God, Pastor Lee Roberson! Was Dr. Lee Roberson wrong to teach that the Church WON’T go through the Tribulation period? Read Dr. Roberson’s inspiring book, Some Golden Daybreak!
Alex Jones’ claims that he doesn’t believe in evolution, but he continually teaches it, referring to man’s caveman-like instincts, plainly denying the Genesis account of creation. Mike Adams has been plugging Conscious Cosmology on Infowars, which is total New Age heresy! Alex Jones increasingly has been treading on holy ground by trampling down the truth of God’s Word with his various heathen ideologies, false doctrines and heretical philosophies on life. Alex knows his stuff when it comes to the New World Order; but he is a lost sheep when it comes to the truth of God’s Word in the Bible. Alex claims to believe that the Bible is inspired, which is awesome, but he needs to stop making BOLD spiritual statements unless he knows they are true! Alex dogmatically makes a lot of bold statements that are total heresy; such as, his claim that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine is of the Devil.
Pastor Steve Anderson claims that John Darby (1800-1882) put out his own version of the Bible and was the first to introduce the idea of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. That’s not completely true, the doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture has been held by the New Testament Church for the past 2,000 years! Steve Anderson said on The Alex Jones Show that he concluded a Post-Tribulation Rapture at age 12 when he read Matthew 24. My friend, you’d better read and consider the ENTIRE Bible before concluding any doctrinal position. By itself, Matthew 24 would seem to indicate a Post-Tribulation Rapture, but if you study the Greek, it teaches a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
I can confidently say now after carefully listening to Alex Jones regularly since 2002 that he is NOT a born-again Biblical Christian. Alex talks about the blood of Jesus. Alex says that he loves God. Yet I’ve never heard Alex present a clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Unsaved Catholics praise the blood of Jesus. Unsaved Muslims say they love God. Unsaved Church of Christ attend church every Sunday. Unsaved Seventh-Day Adventists are very religious. But they’re all on their way to Hell, failing to have been born-again by the Spirit of God, by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as full-payment for our sins.
Like many people, Alex has adopted the philosophy of Christianity, but he doesn’t have the Holy Spirit in Him (Romans 8:9). If he did he’d have the spirit of truth and would teach the Biblical gospel instead of a New Age mumbo-jumbo. Alex Jones and Mike Adams teach the heresies of religious humanism and New Age. It is my opinion that Alex Jones and Mike Adam’s use religion as a tool to further their work, but they’ve never been born-again (John 3:5-7). I say this kindly and with much respect for Alex’s incredible work and defense of liberty. I am obligated as a minister of the gospel and as a Christian to refute heresy wherever it rears its ugly head. The Biblical gospel is very plain. You need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!
Concerning the Rapture, one’s position DOESN’T affect their salvation. Although the doctrine of WHEN the Rapture occurs doesn’t have anything to do with being saved, it is an important doctrine to one’s growth as a Christian. Those who adhere to a Post-Tribulation philosophy tend to also be corrupt in other areas, particularly on salvation. Many proponents of a Post-Tribulation Rapture have the false notion that enduring (persevering) is required for salvation.
Hence, I find that Calvinists tend to deny the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and hold to an unscriptural Post-Tribulation heresy. It is a false teaching that a person must endure until the end to be saved. The truth is that we are saved solely by Christ’s righteousness and not by our own self-righteousness in any way. I KNOW that I am saved because God PROMISED to save those who believe on the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-10; 1st Corinthians 15:1-4). As far as I know, however, Pastor Steve L. Anderson is correct on salvation.
BEWARE of the heretical After The Tribulation movie! The Bible clearly teaches a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. That is, the Rapture of the saints (the Body of Christ) will be CAUGHT UP to be with the Lord BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation. If you truly STUDY the Scriptures, rightly dividing the word of truth, then you can only logically conclude a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. If the Rapture were to come after the 7-year Tribulation period, there are many illogical problems with that teaching. When would the Judgment Seat Of Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11) and the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb (Revelation 19:9) take place? Why would Jesus Rapture all the saints up into the air as 1st Thessalonians 4:17 teaches, just to simultaneously return to the earth to set-up His millennial Kingdom? (the stone in Daniel’s dream that smashes the image; Daniel 2:31-34). A Post-Tribulation Rapture makes no sense. It just doesn’t fit Biblical prophecy if you compare Scripture-with-Scripture. I’ll get into this more in a moment, but first here’s some helpful articles to read…
- The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Plain And Simple (excerpt from I Know Who Holds Tomorrow)
- Some Golden Daybreak (by Pastor Lee Roberson. Will The Church Go Through The Tribulation?)
- A DEFENSE OF THE PRETRIB RAPTURE (Matthew 24:36-44 speaks of Pretribulation Rapture)
- ‘Abomination Of Desolation’ Proves Pre-Trib Rapture (1,290 days AOD to Christ’s return)
Pastor Anderson Says, “Christ May Return At Any Time,” Is A Fairy-Tale!
In his film, After The Tribulation, Pastor Steven Anderson challenges the Biblical teaching that Jesus may return at any time without warning. Anderson calls the Pre-Tribulation Rapture a “fairy-tale.” In his film, Anderson suggests that we DO have clear signs of Christ’s return, and it will be AFTER the Tribulation period. Anderson says at 1:27:05 in the film, and I quote, “The Rapture simply cannot happen at any moment.” Pastor Anderson says that the Antichrist must first come to power, and the sun and moon shall be darkened, before Christ can return at the Rapture. Anderson does believe in a Rapture, but he says it will happen after the horrors of the Tribulation period. Again, the preceding scenario creates so many illogical, impossible and problematic issues that it can easily be debunked by any HONEST Bible student.
Steve Anderson says that it is unbiblical to teach that Christ may return at any time without warning. Anderson says dogmatically at 1:26:30 in his film, “The Day Of Christ is NOT at hand!” Pastor Anderson is teaching blatant heresy!!! Anderson claims that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is based upon tradition and not the Bible. Pastor Anderson is wrong, wrong, wrong!!!
I have already given you my PROOF of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, but here’s some more information from the great man of God, author of over 200 books and mighty evangelist, Dr. John R. Rice…
- No One Knows Even Approximately When Jesus Will Come
In the Olivet discourse the Saviour discusses the second coming. The clearest point in all His teaching on the second coming is that no one knows when it will be. Consider Mark 13:32-37:
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Now observe the clear teaching of the Saviour that no man can know the time:
- The angels do not know when Jesus will come.
2. The Lord Jesus Himself while on earth did not know when He would return.
3. Jesus said His second coming was so wholly unpredictable that it was illustrated by the servants waiting for their master’s return. The master might come in the evening, midnight, cock-crowing or in the morning. In this world no one can foretell even approximately when Jesus will return and when this age will end. If the more than nineteen hundred years which have already elapsed since Christ promised to return be divided up into four watches or periods to represent evening, midnight, cock-crowing and morning, we find that Jesus is saying that no one can know even within centuries of the time of His return.
4. The all-important teaching of Jesus about His return is that He may come at any moment. His coming is imminent.
SOURCE: Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980), chapter 3 from the excellent book, We Can Have Revival Now.
Tribulation Or Wrath?
The book of Revelation details the wars, famines, pestilences, horrors, beheadings, disasters and most frightening nightmares imaginable come to life. No science-fiction tops the shocking reality of the prophecies given to mankind in Revelation. Pastor Anderson alleges that none of this comprises the Tribulation period. Anderson claims that there is NO such thing as the Tribulation, which is a total denial of Daniel’s 70th week. Anderson claims that believers go through personal tribulation (2nd Timothy 3:12), but he utterly denies a 7-yeasr event called the “Tribulation.” The word “Tribulation” comes from Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” How Angry Is God Over Sin? (God will inflict the horrors of the Tribulation upon the world).
The Tribulation will be a time of God’s wrath poured out upon the world. Isaiah 13:11 teaches us that God is going to punish the world for their evil. Revelation 16:9-11 says that God’s judgments upon mankind will cause people to gnaw their tongues in pain, yet they still won’t repent toward God. This happens during the 7-year Tribulation period, which is Daniel’s 70th week in prophecy. Steve Anderson doesn’t even mention Daniel’s 70th week, because he doesn’t understand the Bible and is misleading millions of people.
It’s really sad to see such a firecracker kind of guy, zealous as can be, half-cocked and running with a big heresy, making a fool out of himself in Heaven’s view. Steve Anderson uses human reasoning, totally ignoring the entire Old Testament, forming heresies based upon speculation which all center around unsound rubbish. Check and see, and you’ll find it’s true, that the heretics denying the Pre-Tribulation Rapture totally ignore Daniel’s 70th week and the preponderance of Old Testament prophecies. I can understand how someone could form a Post-Tribulational view if they don’t use the Scriptures to form their opinions.
Pastor Steve Anderson and other Pre-Trib Opponents, DON’T take into consideration the entire witness of the Scriptures. Alex Jones doesn’t even know any Bible. I like Alex Jones, but he frustrates his Christian listeners when he makes bold spiritually corrupt statements, errant assumptions and misleads millions of people. Alex lacks spiritual discernment and he’s arrogant about his false views, which is the worst possible combination. Look again at the list of doctrinal differences which I presented to you earlier, and you cannot possibly reconcile the Rapture with the Second Coming to occur at the SAME time. It’s just not possible!
Pastor Anderson alleges that the reason why so many Christians are misled (as he claims) to believe in a Pre-Trib Rapture is because they are confused between God’s wrath verses Tribulation. Anderson attempts to discredit the Pre-Trib Rapture by pointing out that the Bible mentions the word “tribulation” 22 times in the New Testament without ever mentioning a Rapture (I did a search and found 21 occurrences of the word).
Consider that the Bible never actually calls homosexuality a “sin,” which homosexual ministers have used extensively in a sinful attempt to justify their wickedness. They claim that God never called homosexuality a sin. It’s a perversion of the truth, as Romans 1:25 foretold the wicked would do. Any honest person after reading Romans 1:24-32, Jude 1:7, Colossians 3:5-6, 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 and Genesis 19:1-13 would be 100% convinced that homosexuality is a horrible sin that brings the judgment of a righteous God. Anderson wrestles and twists the Scriptures to support his unbiblical position. Anderson completely attacks the word tribulation, totally disregarding all of the Old Testament passages which prophesy of a coming time of Tribulation in the world. Please read, Pre-Trib Evidence.
I am quite surprised how shallow Pastor Anderson’s presentation is, totally disregarding the entire Old Testament. He’s no better than Alex Jones’ shallow Bible teaching, spewing half-baked doctrines which are totally lacking Biblical substance. The Bible is like a big puzzle. The way you solve a puzzle is by comparing one piece with another. If a particular suggested interpretation or doctrine doesn’t fit with the entire Bible in agreement, then you know you have the wrong interpretation. When all of the Bible is in agreement, then you know that you have the correct meaning. In a puzzle, you assemble the outside frame first, and then work your way from general to specific. That’s how you study the Bible correctly, comparing spiritual with spiritual, line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:10).
Pastor Anderson and Alex Jones haven’t got passed general teachings. Watch Steven Anderson’s video AFTER THE TRIBULATION and you’ll notice that he TOTALLY avoids the Old Testament, because he hasn’t studied. And so by ignoring the specific and complete study of the Bible, these men are teaching doctrines of devils. You’ve got professed Christians who casually read the Bible, forming opinions and final conclusions without proper diligent study. The average person is a lazy thinker and relies upon others to teach them about God. If that’s you, then at least be honest and careful enough to realize that there are many ways to interpret the Bible, but there’s only ONE TRUTHFUL INTERPRETATION. Are you willing to risk being wrong? In the case of the Rapture, either the Lord’s return is imminent or it’s not. Pastor Anderson says that Jesus’ imminent return is a fairy-tale, a lie, untrue! In sharp contrast, Jesus taught that even the angels in Heaven don’t know when the Lord is going to return. Jesus plainly stated in Mark 13…
Mark 13:32-37, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Anderson says that Mark 13:32-37 speaks concerning the Second Coming of Christ and not the Rapture. The Bible teaches that Christians will be delivered from the wrath to come in the Tribulation, but Anderson says the opposite, that is, he teaches that Christians will suffer the horrors of the Tribulation period under the reign of the Antichrist. Pastor Anderson doesn’t even mention Daniel’s 70th week (which is clearly the 7-year Tribulation period). Has he studied the Bible? The Old Testament contains much prophecy concerning the future. In Daniel 9:24-25 we learn that half-way (3 1/2 years) into the 70th week, the Antichrist will proclaim to be god and the temple sacrifices in Jerusalem will cease. Biblically, Israel is the center of the world, which is important to remember when trying to understand Biblical prophecy. …
Daniel 9:24-27, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
The Bible refers to the Great Tribulation as the Time Of Jacob’s Trouble…
Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”
Anderson attempts to separate God’s wrath from the Tribulation period, saying that God’s wrath comes AFTER the Tribulation; but the Bible is abundantly clear that the Tribulation will be a time of God pouring out His anger and fury upon the wicked. The book of Revelation reveals all of the horrors of the 7-year Tribulation in which BILLIONS of people will be killed. Anderson is trying to downplay the Biblical teaching that God will Rapture the saints to deliver them from His wrath poured out against the wicked during the Tribulation. Paul said to comfort one another with the teaching of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture (1st Thessalonians 4:17-18). What comfort would there be if we’re going through the horrifying Tribulation? God delivered Noah and his family from the judgment of the flood. God delivered righteous Lot and his family from Sodom before He utterly destroyed it. Jeremiah 30:1-7 and Daniel 9:23-27 are very important to understand the purpose of the Tribulation. Steven Anderson totally ignores the Old Testament in his presentation.
More Proof That The Bible Teaches A Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Notice in 1st Corinthians 15:51-54 that the saints will be raptured, caught up and changed in the twinkling of an eye (also see Philippians 3:21 about having our bodies fashioned like unto the Lord’s body)…
1st Corinthians 15:51-54, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
IF all believers are indeed Raptured AFTER a time of tribulation as Pastor Anderson alleges, then how will human beings enter into the millennial kingdom? I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!! Isaiah 65:20, “There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.” If a child is going to DIE AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD, the child is still going TO DIE! This is not the corruption putting on incorruption which happens at the Rapture (1st Corinthians 15:51-54)! Where do those human bodies come from to enter the millennium? The Bible also teaches that Satan will be released from the bottomless Pit toward the end of the 1,000 years to tempt mankind (Revelation 20:3), which means that human beings will be present.
Post-Tribulation proponents cannot account for this problem. Again, as with umpteen other cases, ONLY a Pre-Tribulation Rapture is logical and fits the puzzle of prophecy. Ironically, Steven Anderson and Alex Jones boldly call Pre-Tribulation adherents ignorant and deceived by Satan. It’s the other way around my friend. Alex Jones has clung to Steve Anderson for theological support, as a secondary authority, because he cannot use the Bible to defend his heresy!
Anderson teaches that Matthew 24:36 refers to Christ’s Second Coming and not the Rapture, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” But that makes no sense because we know from the Abomination of Desolation that it will be 1,260 days from that event until Christ’s return. So we would know EXACTLY when Christ would return. Interestingly Steve Anderson DOESN’T teach about the Post-Tribulation Rapture. As much as he attacks and desperately tries to discredit the Biblical teaching of a Pre-Trib Rapture, you’d think that he would explain WHAT HE DOES BELIEVE. In his lengthy film, he doesn’t actually explain how a Post-Trib Rapture is differentiated between the Second Coming. He can’t because it doesn’t make sense doctrinally, so he doesn’t go there.
Look and you’ll see that critics of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture never really explain the difference between Christ’s Second Coming and their idea of the Rapture. They just criticize diligent Bible scholars and ministers who preach a Pre-Trib Rapture, but they never really explain how their position relates to all of the other doctrines in the Bible. The Rapture doctrine relates to judgment, our new glorified body, the Millennium, the Second Coming, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Judgment of the Nations, Israel, the Tribulation and hundreds of issues, and the POSITION you hold on WHEN the Rapture happens will affect everything else you believe. Stepping on a garden hose affects everything down stream.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church is a vital doctrine of the Christian faith, which if corrupted will change a person’s view of all the aforementioned doctrines and others. Again, carefully notice that Pastor Anderson fails to present a quality explanation of WHAT HE DOES BELIEVE. He spends his time in the video bashing other preachers who disagree with him, but he fails to explain all of the intricacies that easily disprove his teachings. If you consider all of the issues I have touched upon in this article, you can ONLY conclude a PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE!!! Anyone can be critical, but it requires diligent Bible study to properly discern prophecy.
I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!! (I haven’t thought about that old game for years, but it’s fitting for this article. It was kind of like bingo, but you’d sink your opponents battleship instead. When you had a victory you’d shout, I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!! It’s not that hard to sink the Post-Tribulationist’s ship, because they’ve riding on the Titanic doctrinally!)
A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Is Biblical
A Post-Tribulation Rapture theory CANNOT explain where these people come from. If they’re ALL raptured AFTER the Tribulation (at the same time Christ returns), then they should all be changed, mortality putting on immortality. Now if you believe a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, which is what the Bible teaches, then it all makes perfect sense. The people saved during the Tribulation are the humans who enter into the Millennium. They are the wheat (saved) left behind after the tares (unsaved) are removed from the four corners of the earth. Matthew 13:38, “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one.” Jesus even calls the wheat the children of the kingdom. That is, they are entering bodily into the kingdom of Christ’s Millennial reign.
In sharp contrast to the Rapture of the Saints FROM the earth, at the Second Coming 7-years later the Bible says that the Lord will return WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS…
Jude 1:14, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.”
So here we see Biblically that at the Rapture the Lord will return FOR HIS OWN, but 7-years later at the Second Coming He’ll return WITH HIS OWN. That’s quite a difference!
One of the best books I’ve read on Biblical prophecy is Dr. Oliver B. Greene’s PROPHECY! It’s not free, but it taught me a lot about prophecy. I learned from Dr. Greene that Jesus is the capstone of the pyramid of prophecy (Revelation 19:10), and that prophecy is history written in advance! Those are pretty great statements. Unlike Steve Anderson’s film, Dr. Greene’s books are packed with a ton of Scriptures! Don’t rely on the internet for your doctrines! Order some quality Christian books on prophecy from The Sword Of The Lord. Here’s a thorough, free, excellent exegesis on Biblical prophecy by Dr. Max D. Younce (.PDF file).
Although Jesus never started “the Baptist Church,” I choose to be an Independent Fundamental Baptist because their churches are doctrinally correct (if they’re genuine Fundamental Baptists who stick to the fundamentals of the Bible, like a Pre-Trib Rapture. If your church teaches anything other than a Pre-Trib Rapture, get out! I wouldn’t spend 5 seconds in a church that doesn’t believe and teach that Jesus may return at any moment.
The Hypocrisy Of Alex Jones’ And Pastor Steven Anderson’s Post-Trib Teaching
I can’t believe that Pastor Anderson says Jesus is not coming back without warning at any time. That’s apostasy and heresy! The entire message of Jesus was that He may return at any time, so believers had better be on their toes, faithfully serving God. 1st John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” The Bible plainly teaches that it’s the hope of Christ’s coming that motivates believers to “PURIFIETH HIMSELF,” even as Jesus is pure. So if Christ ISN’T coming at any time, this Scripture makes no sense. There is no need for hope, because we know that Christ cannot come (if Pastor Anderson is correct) until after the sun and moon are darkened and all the events of Revelation unfold.
According to Alex Jones and Steve Anderson, Christians are NOT concerned, nor are they fighting against the New World Order, because they think that the Rapture is going to rescue them from the tribulation to come. The irony is that they’re causing the very problem they claim to be solving with the heresy of a Post-Tribulation Rapture. By teaching that Jesus will not return until all the horrible things in Revelation happen first, all motivation is gone to be ready for the Lord’s return! The New Testament repeatedly teaches to be ready because we do NOT know when Christ will return. Jesus’ disciples asked Him when He was going to return in Mark 13:33-37. Here’s Jesus’ response…
Mark 13:33-37, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Steve Anderson claims that this passage ONLY refers to the unsaved who aren’t paying attention. Anderson says that Christians are aware of the time and KNOW exactly when the Lord will return, that is, AFTER the tribulation events of Revelation. Anderson denies an event called the Tribulation. Of course, Mr. Anderson is very wrong and doesn’t know what he’s talking about, respectfully. As you just read, Jesus told His apostles (saved, born-again, Christians) to be ready because NO ONE knows when the Lord is going to return. Christ’s imminency (imminent return) is the central theme of all His prophetic teachings. The element of surprise has been the Biblical motivation for believers to live right and stay busy for God for the past 2,000 years.
The Post-Trib teaching of Alex Jones and Pastor Anderson are actually encouraging professed believers to relax and NOT stay busy for God, because they KNOW when He will return (or better said, they know when Jesus WON’T return). The After The Tribulation film teaches that Jesus is NOT coming at any time. So where is the motivation to serve God? Granted, we should serve God out of love and gratitude; however, the New Testament plainly uses the uncertain timing of Christ’s imminent return as a compelling motivation to be faithful about doing the Master’s work, because He may return at any time. As you just read in Mark 13:33-37, Jesus said to “WATCH,” lest the Master return and FIND YOU SLEEPING! Jesus was plainly speaking to His disciples and not the unsaved.
Jesus did foretell in Matthew 24:37-39 that in the End Times it would return as in the days of Noah, when unsaved people were eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and they KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME and took them all away. Notice carefully that Jesus DIDN’T tell the unsaved heathens to WATCH. Rather, Jesus told all believers, His disciples, to WATCH for His certain and imminent, but untimely return. Clearly, this is solid evidence of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture as the Bible proclaims. Pastor Anderson deceitfully says that there’s not one verse in the Bible that teaches a Pre-Trib Rapture or Tribulation period; yet he fails to make the connections as I just plainly showed you from Mark 13:33-37. Why would Jesus teach His disciples to “WATCH” if Christ cannot return until AFTER the sun and moon are darkened, the Antichrist comes to power and there is World Government as Anderson falsely claims? The Bible screams a Pre-Trib Rapture loud and clear, but you have to rightly divide the word of truth.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Plain And Simple
Wisdom Of God Verses The Wisdom Of Man
I am convinced that Alex and Mike mean well, but they are wading in dangerous waters. When you enter into the realm of teaching spiritual matters, you are treading on holy ground. I’ve been saved for over 30-years and I know the Bible. Jesus said in John 5:39 to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES! We are told in 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Alex and Mike haven’t studied the Words of God, and so they WRONGLY divide the Scriptures…
2nd Peter 3:14-18, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
Notice that they who are UNLEARNED and UNSTABLE wrest (twist) the Scriptures to their own destruction (damnation). They are led away with the ERROR OF THE WICKED. And finally, notice in verse 18 that the Bible admonishes us to grow in grace, and in THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST!!! Alex has been led into the error of the wicked. Our text verse says:
Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
The word spoil in the Greek is sulagogeo and means “to lead away as booty, that is, to seduce.” Booty is goods or money obtained illegally. Hence, the Bible warns that we should look and be on guard, lest Satan sinfully lead us away from Christ through philosophies, vain deceit and the established secular principles.
Alex Jones is one of the most influential people in America today, reaching out to millions of listeners and viewers each day. Unfortunately, Alex almost daily promotes the heresy of a Post Tribulation Rapture. I have spent much time watching Alex’s and Mike Adams’ new videos, and have written separate articles (see below), because there was much that needed to be addressed. I must have watched and listened to each video a dozen times. I’ve been very busy the past few days contending for the Christian faith. It’s not like I enjoy exposing heretics, especially not when I have to preach against the straying away of friends from the truth.
Alex Jones’ “Stairway To The Universe” Video
Mike Adam’s False Plan Of Redemption
Alex Jones And Bashing Preachers
Alex has been bashing churches and preachers regularly on his show. If anyone in this country ought to be thanked and holy hands uplifted—it’s preachers on the firing line for God. I heard Alex say on February 1, 2013 that his daily show is there to straighten out America’s preachers. Kindly, Alex is writing-off all preachers as a whole. Alex regularly expresses contempt for preachers in general. I’ve noticed that there’s a common hatred and contempt for preachers these days. I realized one day that many people are just preacher-haters and are always scrutinizing preachers to find any and every sin, fault and mistake they can find.
False doctrines plague the internet! From the lie of Lordship Salvation to the Post-Tribulation Rapture heresy, Satan is working relentlessly to steal, kill and destroy! One thing that stood out to me as I watched Steve Anderson’s film is that he woefully ignores the Old Testament Scriptures. He also fails to reconcile his position with all the problems it creates. A Post-Tribulation Rapture heresy creates hundreds of doctrinal problems, irreconcilable contradictions and blatant disregard for the holy Scriptures.
It’s not what you’re doing that gets you to Heaven, it’s where you’re looking. Look to Jesus.
Ye Must Be Born Again! | You Need HIS Righteousness! | Believe The Gospel
Analysis Of The History Channel’s Series: Revelation: The End Of Days. What Are The Spiritual Implications To The Unbeliever And To The Christian?
The whole scenario of the last days is frightening to those who are not saved. Even more scary is spending eternity in hell. The great benefit to the born again Christian, is that you are looking forward to the presence of Jesus Christ in heaven, and you art not at all afraid of what will one day come upon the earth, described graphically in Revelation 6-18. The born again Christian will be exempt from the great end times judgments and wrath of God that will be poured out upon the world. [Please refer to several articles on the Rapture Of The Church, One World Order and the Great Tribulation on this blog site under the category called: “Eschatology (End Times Prophecy).” Keep striking “Older Posts” at the end of each page until you find them.] One must be saved from their sins in order to become a Christian. How does one do this? They repent of sin and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation. Only our faith in the Righteous One can make us righteous in God’s sight. Please read II Corinthians 5:21. Jesus died for all of your sins as if He committed them. Other scriptures that are excellent for understanding salvation are : II Corinthians 5:17; John 3: 3, 16, 36; Romans 3: 10, 23; 5: 8, 12; 6: 23; 10: 9-10 (The Roman Road To Salvation); and Ephesians 2: 8-9. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, died for our sins. His perfect sinless life is accepted by God as an atonement (covering) for our sins, and incredibly, Jesus’ righteousness is imputed to believers as our own! We are saved simply by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and the blood He shed for us. When we truly become saved, we repent from sin and are forever led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. God gives us a new heart. (II Corinthians 5:17) If you have experienced the new birth (John 3:3), then you need not fear the Great Tribulation or hell because you are His child. People love and care for their children, how much more does the Heavenly Father and His Son care for those He has saved! If you are not born from above, you should indeed shake in your shoes at the soon to come Great Tribulation; yet you should fear even more so His eternal judgment whereby the unbeliever will be cast into hell forever with no second chance for escape or redemption. Wise men still seek Him. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ while He may be found and before it is too late. Questions? I would consider it a privilege to try to answer them. Leave a comment at this article. This blog site has nearly four hundred articles up to this date, yet none could be more important than the one you are now reading. Maranatha. Make sure of your salvation. Do not leave this life without it.
For His Glory, Pastor Steve
Acts 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house.”
Analysis Of The History Channel’s Series: Revelation, The End Of Days, The Road To Babylon, Part 2
The apocalyptic events in Part 2 centered around the Trumpet Judgments mentioned in the book of Revelation. Here is a summary of the main events: An asteroid hit Minneapolis, starting a chain reaction of catastrophes. Hurricane force winds overtook Chicago. The sky darkened and there was no sun. At the end of the seven year Tribulation Period the United States lost 40% of its’ population. Since the meteor strike, there were only 5-6 hours of sunlight per day and permanent winter. No gasoline was available. Pandemics continued. Society became lawless. Looting dominated in the northern cities. There was no electricity or lights , and the plumbing was limited. The water turned red everywhere, killing the fish. The government claimed the red coloring was dust from the meteor strike. The rapture data given I thought was realistic, with claims of hundreds of thousands of people disappearing. This is a small percentage when compared to the whole population. Thousands of swarms of locusts plagued the earth. The Bottomless Pit was mentioned as well. Smoke, fire and brimstone came from the avenging angels. Men were scorched with fire. A powerful earthquake hit New Orleans. Finally the battle of Armageddon happened followed by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
The Beast, Antichrist, the Mark of the Beast, and Two Prophets were mentioned as well, and their activities recorded. The United States’ Government went up against the Evangelical Christian Militia who called themselves the Tribulation Saints, and used the symbol of a red eagle as their logo. [They played a role nearly identical to the Left Behind Series’ Tribulation Force]. The Antichrist turned out to be the American President Brandon. (In Part 1 he initiated a peace plan in Israel). He set up New Orleans as a “Safe Zone” with law and order, and “Freedom Buses” took the people to this area. In reality, New Orleans is really the new Babylon. By now the Government is killing Christians as well as seniors and the sick. The Antichrist claimed that law and order were restored. The Antichrist, President Brandon, as the master of deception, claimed the Christian Evangelicals shot him, and that he went into a coma and recovered. Now the Antichrist encourages everyone who came to the “safe zone” to be inoculated against the pandemics going around. A barcode put on people’s hands proved that they received the inoculation. In reality, this is the Mark of the Beast! The two prophets from the Christian Evangelicals rise from the dead after they are killed. (They are the two witnesses mentioned in the book of Revelation). The Antichrist dies, followed by Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ.
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It was a very good series, especially coming from secular television, but here are a couple things that did not resonate with me:
1)Again, just as was the case in Part 1, it was suggested that the seven years of torment were to “test the faith of mankind.” Any idea of judgment was omitted, even though it made Noah’s flood look like a bubble bath in comparison.
2)In the later part of this mini series, the perspective of these events was totally from the United States, and the spotlight was taken off of the Middle East and Jerusalem where it belonged. Israel is ground zero for the end times apocalyptic events. I believe the Antichrist will rule from the Middle East. Also, there was not enough mention of the Global One World Government and Global Religion, as well as the United States’ interaction in the universal scheme of these things. In other words, the documentary was entirely focused on the United States towards the end. Furthermore, one of the characters at the end of the movie did not appear to be a born again Christian in the presence of Christ and enjoying the millennium. There was no euphoria or joy emitted at the end of the movie when the thousand year reign of Christ began.
If you want to experience the book of Revelation 6-18 visually, this is the series to watch. I heartily enjoyed it and it is a great reminder of end time events to believers, and a wake up call to the lost as to what is coming down the pike.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Pastor Steve
For further Biblical information on end times prophecy, please go to the category Eschatology (End Times Prophecy) on this blog site. Go to the bottom and keep striking Older Posts because there is extensive information here on the rapture of the church, the tribulation period and the new world order, the second coming, etc., etc.
Analysis Of The History Channel’s Series: Revelation, The End Of Days, The Trumpets Sound, Part I
A Christian must be CAREFUL when watching secular programs- yes, even the History Channel. For instance, last night the History Channel showed the premier of Revelation, The End Of Days, followed immediately by a program that suggested the great flood of Noah was caused by aliens. A Bible believing Christian would say this was truth followed by fiction. The following is a synopsis of Revelation, The End Of Days, Part I. I did not watch the following apostate teachings concerning Noah:
The two hour presentation was fast paced, and filmed like a documentary with the camera often shaking during movement. Bible verses, primarily from Revelation, but also from Matthew, Ezekiel and Daniel were quoted throughout. The book of Revelation was followed verse by verse. Revelation 4:1 was the first one mentioned, and that verse represents when the Lord takes His bride the church home to heaven, and the tribulation period commences shortly thereafter in Revelation 6. The following Bible doctrine were all represented incredibly well: The rapture of the church at the trumpet sound, the tribulation period, the second coming, the four horsemen of the apocalypse, the seven headed beast, a war in the Middle East centered on Israel, the Antichrist and a false “peace” covenant with him, the rebuilding of the temple, and Wormwood which most theologians interpret as an asteroid(s) striking our planet. This is absolutely amazing truly Bible based doctrine from a secular source!
Throughout the two hours of part one of this two part series, all hell broke loose, representing the tribulation period. They presented the eschatological point of view of a pre tribulation rapture of the church, which I personally believe to be correct. Here is what was displayed, all scripture based and in fast motion: Severe storms, high waves, sonic boom sounds that represented God’s judgment and the sounds of the trumpet(s) blowing, endless powerful and bizarre lightning, birds attacking people unnaturally, a child Josh of nine disappearing in Pennsylvania during a storm, several major blasts in Jerusalem, one of which eventually destroyed the Wailing Wall, the worst storms in human history featuring 160 mile per hour winds everywhere, hurricanes, super storms, heat in one place and snow blizzards in another, meteor showers and asteroids, children missing en masse, severe disease outbreaks in shelters, huge earthquakes over 8.0, famines, pestilence featuring people with an extreme aversion to light, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe all attacking Israel at once, killer bacteria, martial law in America, and death in the streets. In America, both the president and vice president died from the pestilence, hence another man came to the oval office.
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I thought it was extremely good, especially considering the source. Here are two points, however, that did not seem to resonate with scriptural truth:
1)A man in the movie who played the role of an understanding theologian, stated that the “Tribulation was allowed by God to test the limits of mankind.” No, I do not think this was a Biblical statement. Millions of people will die during the Tribulation Period. It will be similar to the flood of Noah and the Bible tells us that no time in human history will be like it, hence we are to pray that the Lord will spare us from this awful time. All hell will break loose. This is not a testing of any sort. This is clear unequivocal judgment from God Almighty on fallen man for rejecting His truth.
2)The rapture doctrine seemed to be solely focused on the children, as they seemed to disappear in storms at various times and not all at once like the Bible says. There appeared to be various trumpet sounds (like sonic booms), each representing children taken at different times. The Bible refers to THE LAST TRUMP. It happens one time. Also, there was little mention of adults disappearing. Consider the following scriptures:
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:34-36 KJV
The children taken did not know about or understand the rapture of the church. God apparently took them because they had not reached the age of accountability. Yet the first part of this movie ignored the great portion of adults who the Lord would take home. The above scripture tells people to pray that the Lord would count them worthy to escape the things soon to come upon the world. Hence in Part 1 I thought the rapture of the church was not represented well for two major reasons: a)The adults taken via the rapture were glossed over for the most part. b)The very name of Part 1- Trumpets Sound, indicates a doctrine involving multiple raptures instead of one major “last trump,” followed by the Lord taking home the entire bride of Christ all at one time. Read I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Hopefully I misunderstood their representation of the rapture in the movie, but regardless, I found this presentation to be nothing short of excellent. It was much better than I expected, and it must be a “God thing” that such a good program made it to the History channel. I am looking forward very much to Part 2. Maranatha/The Lord Is Coming, Pastor Steve
For further Biblical information on end times prophecy, please go to the category Eschatology (End Times Prophecy) on this blog site. Go to the bottom and keep striking Older Posts because there is extensive information here on the rapture of the church, the tribulation period and the new world order, the second coming, etc., etc.
Even Steven 
