Doctrines of Demons (Part 2)

 

Doctrines of Demons (Part 2)

Please read Part I to get our whole theme.  This is on Ron Matsen’s sermon “Doctrines of Demons.”  We are focusing on Satan’s desire to deceive us away from seeing Jesus as God.  Just a side note to begin:  John 3:16, per KJV:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This was a mistranslation because it gives the impression that Jesus was “begotten,” that He began His life with Mary. Here is the correct reading of John 3:16 per NIV:

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.

Now let’s look at specific antichrist cults, whose gospel was perfected by Satan.

Let’s look at the Gnostics first, since that deviation from orthodoxy happened first. Interestingly, the cult was birthed in a seminary in Alexandria, Egypt, during the days of the apostles. So, Satan wasted no time introducing the first heresy.  They believed in another Jesus because their theology taught that material things must have been created by an inferior god, since they believed that no physical thing, no physical body, can be pure and holy.  Those two qualities belong to the spirit realm, which were created by a higher god. (They believed in two gods.) Therefore, Jesus, as a higher god, could not have physically visited the earth, because He was holy. So His “appearance” on earth had to be in a ghost form only. He was an aura. This took away the humanity of Jesus, which was important, as we saw in Hebrews in Part I. Gnosticism was on Satan’s side, because it was against the real, physical Jesus in His incarnation. II John 7 also says:

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Another false doctrine that appeared 200 years later is Arianism. It is associated with Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria (that church with Christian “intellectuals” produced some bad stuff). This belief system posits that Jesus Christ was a created being and not of the same substance as God the Father, which fundamentally challenges the traditional Christian understanding of the Trinity.

 

Arianism came up around AD 300. They taught that Jesus, as the Son of God, is subordinate to God the Father. It asserted that Jesus was created by God and did not exist eternally. Arianism also rejected the concept of the Trinity, which holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons in one Godhead; all eternal.

Arianism was condemned as heretical during the Council of Nicaea, in 325 AD, which affirmed that Jesus is "of one substance with the Father."

Despite its condemnation, Arianism gained traction in various regions of the Roman Empire and influenced several groups, including some Germanic tribes.

· From Wikipedia

Thirdly, let’s analyze the Muslim Jesus.  Keep in mind, if you will, that I am not writing arguments against every one of these “facts” they assert.  I assume that you know enough of the Scripture to know that there is no one named Issa in the Bible, that Jesus’s mother is Mary, etc.  The false stuff that these cults believe is usually because they have an alternative book to the Bible.  It might be the book of Mormon, the Quran, the Watchtower, etc.  Their books they really consider higher than the Bible (they call them “equals,” but if there is a contradiction, their book is correct, the Bible got corrupted).  With lots of Bibles available, how could anyone in this country believe these books were superior to the Bible?  Total disrespect for God’s Word will not do people well on Judgment Day.  We must read it to our kids, tell them that we love God’s Word, that He gave it to us, and it is the only Truth we can be sure of.  Sunday School doesn’t seem to teach theology, except that God is love.

Anyway, here are religious Muslim beliefs surrounding Jesus:  His true name, according to the Quran, is “Issa,” or “Isa.” They did not believe Jesus, or “Issa,” was God.  He was only a prophet, and his main two messages in coming to earth were: Surrender to Allah; and Muhammad is Coming.  God’s original disciples, they say, were Muslims.  Issa’s mother was Miriam (but that name appears in the Bible as a sister to Aaron and Moses, over a thousand years earlier.) Despite the clarity of Scripture and other writings and events as proof, they still claimed that Issa was not crucified and did not die. Those who say otherwise “lied.”  Instead of dying, “Issa” ascended to Allah. This bypasses His death on the cross; thus, it tries to wipe away His redemptive payment for our sin—but that was His main purpose in coming to earth. This doctrine was a serious heresy.  In the Resurrection, they say, Allah will be a witness against Jews and Christians, for believing that Issa died. Muhammad was God’s gift to Christians because he corrected our misunderstanding by writing the Quran.

This hyper-distortion virtually guarantees that religious Muslims are unsaved, and almost all bound for hell if they die believing it.  But some Muslims are additionally a danger to Christians and Jews, because the Quran is extremely antisemitic, and their teaching on End Times is apocalyptic destruction. They also are a State, with their own laws. They believe they are allowed to kill infidels. We do not have the space to deal with it here; just be warned. These people have nothing to tell you.  Turn away from those who preach it.

Next, the Mormon Jesus.  Jesus was conceived, they say, through sexual intercourse between God the Father and a heavenly Mother. Thus He was a created being, not equal to God, and not Eternal.  They believe that Jesus was a “spirit brother” to all humanity, including Lucifer (or Satan). How could anybody believe this? Mormonism rejects the Trinity, teaching that the Father and the Holy Spirit are distinct physically and spiritually. But they are spirits; Jesus came as a human to teach us what God was like, and to die for our sin.

Oddly, they believe that Jesus’ atonement began in the Garden of Gethsemane through the Cross. This takes away from the Cross, alone, as the symbol of our redemption. And you will see few crosses in Mormon iconography. Unfortunately, Mormonism believes in a higher degree of heaven, the Celestial Kingdom--which one can obtain by works, including participation in Temple ordinances. This belief in works to help obtain higher salvation takes away from Jesus’ redemptive power on the Cross.

Yet they have 6.5 million Mormons in the U.S., whose eternal destiny is on the edge of a cliff. If they accept it, and do not think of fighting against this heresy, their destiny is more than likely hell.  Everyone  has a thinking mind; we all have a responsibility to know our Bible, and how our church lines up with that.  If God gives these people the light to see this as insolence against Him, and they are willing to walk away from heretical doctrine, they have a chance for heaven.  Ignorance doesn’t save you from hell’s grasp.

Even worse, if possible, is their statement that Jesus earned His salvation while on earth.. This is another proof of salvation through works. Scripture clearly proves, even in Genesis, that salvation is by faith. In a true Christian, it will result in God-works. Also, it again takes away His divinity, since He had to earn His salvation.  But the Bible clearly teaches that through His grace, our obedience to Him and why He died on the cross is the key on the way to our salvation.

They further claim that Jesus is finite, not infinite, saying He began His existence when He was born on earth. This denies Jesus an essential quality of God, that He is Eternal.  They have made Him immortal instead, same as a higher angel. But Jesus is God; He is infinitely higher than the angels--He created them!

And, they say, He had to submit to a moral law that “began before He did.” But Jesus gave a New Covenant, and was not under the Moses law, as they are implying.  He sets the laws; He is sovereign to it.  The purpose of that Law, for us, was to teach us that we, who have the nature of sin, and frequently act on it, can never be perfect enough to follow the Law, to show that trying to follow it, we cannot obtain heaven.  We were not created so we could brag that our obedience to law brought us to heaven. Note Hebrews 7:18—19:

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless

19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

The “better hope” is Jesus, through whom we have a shot at heaven, by true faith. We must admit that we are sinners; trusting that His redemption on the cross initially saves us.  After that, loving and obeying Him, our Savior, is possible with the Holy Spirit helping. If it doesn’t make us a radically different person, we missed what it is to be truly ‘saved.’

To continue Mormon dogma:  They say, beyond death, we will be just like Him. So we will be little gods?  Here is what their sources say:

Mortals themselves may become gods and goddesses in the afterlife, be rulers of their own heavenly kingdoms, have spirit children, and increase in power and glory forever.

We are not, nor will be, gods. It is blasphemy to take away the difference between the only God and us. It would be fun to have our own heavenly kingdom, and increase in power, and have well-behaved kids. But NONE of this sentence has any spiritual support.

Also, Jesus plainly taught that there will be no marriage in heaven. Matthew 22:30:

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven

Next, the Jehovah Witness Jesus.  Jesus was Michael the archangel before He came to earth. In other words, a created being. Same heresy as the Mormons. After resurrection from the Cross, He was again Michael, leading angels in fighting with the dragon (Satan).  Again, we expose their lack of faith--Jesus was not an angel, He was God. They changed the Bible. Their version, in John 1:1, says “the Word (or Jesus) was a god.” The Bible accurately translates “the Word was God.”)  By adding that little word, they are deliberately vague about Jesus being uniquely God.  That’s because they do not believe in the trinity. 

True, the Trinity is impossible to understand. But various Scripture compels their equality of character and image. We should admit it--there is no way we can understand everything about an infinite God. Scripture teaches it, so we believe it.  (Don’t get on the hobby horse about how we are mindless, etc.—there are plenty of scientific and archeological facts that Prove the Bible is supernatural). We trust God to tell the truth.  Here’s additional proof that they are lowering Jesus. From my source:

They affirm that God—Jehovah—is the Most High. But Jesus Christ is God's agent, they say.

But an agent is not God. In explaining Jesus as “a god,” they say, “the Word was a powerful godlike one. Clearly Jesus is not Almighty God.” Unfortunately, this quote was another step backward—godlike isn’t God. The term Almighty God may suggest the Father’s unique trait to some people, but there is no question that Jesus has infinite power as well, so He deserves the title Almighty as well.

Side note:  their fixation on a date for Christ’s return.  Charles Taze Russell, their founder, began the Witnesses in the 1880’s.  He originally taught that Jesus would return to earth invisibly in 1914. They played this up, and got a huge boost in their membership. They shouldn’t have, since the Bible says that when He makes His Second Coming, we will all see Him. The sky will be dark, then suddenly a bright lightning, then He appears on a horse in the sky with His angels (Matthew 24:27ff)--as Judge of all the earth. What is “invisible” about that?  When the anticipated 1914 passed without incident (how would they know?), they were forced to change that doctrine later.  They really, really wanted to set a date for Christ’s return to earth, so they kept setting dates, and when the date passed, they changed the doctrine yet again.  Here again, the Bible teaches that’s wrong. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says:

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 

BUT He tells us that there are signs so we will know that we are close, Matthew 24:32-33:

Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

The point being, no matter how bad it gets in those last days, there is comfort for a believer if the signs in the world match up, and we can say the Second Coming  is near.  We should not be so enslaved by the future that we forget to live in the present. So we, as Christians, can do some good for the Lord.

When a Mormon or a JW comes to your door, and says “I believe in Jesus,” you shouldn’t fall for the deception and ignorantly say, “Well, I do too.” You have nothing in common with their doctrine, knowing that it was fostered by Satan. They believe in another pseudo-Jesus.  Both cults deny some necessary attribute of divinity, so both cripple the story of His Redemption—because He was God and Human while on earth, and He was sinless and His death could redeem us if we have trusting faith.  Those are anti-Christ, and are bound for hell until they see the Gospel. They have nothing to teach you.

I don’t think most of us could successfully teach such visitors to our door the Truth—they almost always have a second person around to keep you from saying much.  Nothing wrong in you learning how to present the Gospel, but I wouldn’t suggest you engage them if you’re a young one in the Lord.

There are other denominations who have “another Jesus,” but I only had room for the main ones.  Millions of people have been deceived, not only in these groups, but Jesus has been distorted by groups even calling themselves “evangelical.”  Many of my other blogs can tell you about that.  I just hope you will study His Truth, the Bible, before stumbling into a church that betrays Christ. God go with you.

 

 

 

Doctrines of Demons

 

I’ve just heard an excellent speech by Ron Matsen called “Doctrines of Demons.”  He has been a pastor of Calvary Chapel Portsmouth for 30 years, and loves expository (verse-by-verse) preaching.  This sermon, made five years ago, is very relevant today.

He begins by telling us Jesus’ opening remarks about the End Times. From Matthew 24:4-5

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you...Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many…

What does deception do? Deception is a powerful weapon in helping to defeat an enemy.  Think of the great efforts the Allies did pretending to land the D-Day troops at Calais in France.  Nazis were deceived, and put many troops there, so they were not available to hold off the Allies at the actual landing strip, Normandy.  Deception throws your sight off the real truth, and exchanges it for pseudo (partial) truth.

Satan used deception to throw off Eve from truth in Genesis 3. God said not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, or else they would die. Satan, who appeared to her as an attractive figure (God reduced him to a serpent on his stomach after this), blatantly accused God of lying. Satan told her “You will not surely die”, but then he focused her attention on a “lust of the flesh” deception (you will be like God, knowing good and evil).  That deception caused her to ignore the issue of whether it was possible for God to lie, or whether this creature was more credible than God—and transferred her attention to what could feel good (knowing things like good and evil is desirable). So he got her to sin based on pseudo-truth. He told her a truth—she did obtain knowledge of good and evil, by experiencing the evil guilt of disobedience; and he told her a lie, since her body immediately began to assault cells in accordance with mortality, and she experienced spiritual death—separation from God--with full death later (she and Adam were probably initially intended to be with God forever, as immortals).

I have to take a rabbit trail and give you a current batch of deceptions, forwarded by those who are simply expounding “definitions.” Wikipedia is not a believer in the inspiration of Scripture.  So, in our question about Scripture, they divert us with “facts”—but those facts are chosen by “scholars’ theories” instead of Scripture. Those theories sound good, but they steer us away from considering God’s Word as final truth. Nor do they tell us where these “facts” come from.  Check out what Wikipedia says about Eve’s sin:

Genesis 2 narrates that God places the man, Adam, in a garden with trees of whose fruits he may eat, but forbids him to eat from "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." God forms woman, Eve, after this command is given (underline is mine).

What is Wikipedia saying?  They are implying that Eve was possibly not responsible for sin—since she did not receive the command from the lips of God as Adam did. Are they wondering if she got it from her husband? His reliability was speculative—since he was human.  Since we have opened the door for his possible mistake in relaying that information, they’re saying perhaps she did not sin in her act. Well, I have a number of complaints about that—but let’s just go with the obvious:  God said she sinned.  That’s good enough. She was not treated condescendingly. She was cursed (Genesis 3:16) right along with Adam, which effectively said that that was her punishment for her sin.

Wikipedia, in giving their “alternative” explanation, wants women to feel oppressed by the masculine characters around her, who seem too willing to blame her too, when (they say), possibly she doesn’t deserve any of that blame.

Moden Bible scholars are also good at this cleverness. 

Cyrus is mentioned in Isaiah 44 and 45.  But the Book of Isaiah, written by Isaiah, had to be written before Isaiah’s death, estimated by archaeologists to be close to 686 BC. Thus, his mention of Cyrus was a miraculous prophecy—since Isaiah had to write it at least a full 147 years before Cyrus came along as ruler of Israel in 539 BC.  Of course, “Bible scholars” do not believe in the supernatural; they covered their butts on this one by saying, conveniently, Isaiah wasn’t written by Isaiah; the fake author wrote it much later, and pretended it was a prophecy, when he was actually just covering a past event.

Their beliefs, as mentioned by Grok: “Most biblical “scholars” hold that Isaiah 1–39 largely reflects the 8th-century BC prophet, but chapters 40–55 were written by a later anonymous prophet (“Deutero-Isaiah” or Second Isaiah) during the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC.” (Conveniently, when Cyrus ruled).

Likewise, the Book of Deuteronomy wasn’t written by Moses, the “Biblical scholars” say. Of course, Jesus attributes it to him (John 5:46–47; Luke 24:44). But that’s not good enough for the scholars of today. Check this quote about what they call the 4 authors:

“Most biblical scholars reject full Mosaic authorship of the finished Torah (first five books).. The dominant framework (evolving from the classic Hypothesis of J, E, D, and P sources) holds that the Pentateuch is a composite work assembled over centuries from multiple traditions and documents. The final form is generally dated to the Persian period (roughly 5th–4th century BCE), long after any historical Moses (traditionally placed in the 13th–15th century BC.)”

We conclude that Wikipedia and “Bible scholars” allowed analysts who were agnostic to challenge Biblical inerrancy without telling us; so they are using deception, and is not to be trusted for research on fundamental (i.e., miraculous) Christianity.

Well, that was enlightening; that’s our current lesson in deceptive pseudo-truths. Let’s get back to our main theme, the problem of deception pulling us away from God in the End Times. Paul said that some people will be deceived, like Eve was; then he calls the authors of deception “spirits;” and further, “doctrines of demons.” This is based on I Timothy 4:1:

Now the (Holy) Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons

What are “doctrines of demons?”  Dr. Matsen calls them very good at “deception through disinformation.”  That word is not the same as misinformation, which leaves the possibility that it was accidental.  Disinformation, on the other hand, is bad information that follows an agenda.  (Ed. Note: If you are familiar with the term as applied currently, the Deep State will tell us lies that sound good, but they are just “gaslighting” us as they await their chance for a crisis to make us fearful enough, by their disinformation, to abandon important portions of the Constitution in the name of “protecting our security.” That’s their agenda).

Without a doubt, the agenda that Satan would like to fulfill most, of course, would be to spread deceptions on Jesus Himself, to tear down His Godhood. The truth part of his pseudo-truth is the hook, to lead weak Christians in. Then he spreads his lies.

Let me first speak briefly to those who say that Jesus “never claimed to be God.”

In John 8:58, Jesus claims a name that is reserved for God:

'I solemnly declare it: before Abraham came to be, I AM.”  (This was the name God gave Himself when he first communicated with Moses.  In Exodus 3:14 “God replied, 'I am who am. ' 'This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you.”)

In John 14:9 Jesus says:

 “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

John 4:25-26:

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” ²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Jesus also calls Himself Son of Man.  In the context He did that, the title meant Deity.  See Daniel 7:13-14:

“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. ¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

(There is a very good song made from that.)

The Pharisees and scribes knew what He was claiming. They accused Him of blasphemy (dictionary definition: the act of claiming the attributes or prerogatives of deity).  But they couldn’t get around His healing, His raising people from the dead (including Himself).

Let’s get back to our main theme.  Satan’s followers, in tearing down Jesus, may dream up an “alternative creed” (as they currently call it) to “correct the errors of the past.”  Everybody likes modern things; they’re assumed to be improvements, right?  Here’s one such example:  Joseph Smith, the Mormon founder, declared that Christianity became corrupt and apostate over the centuries—it was, he said, an abomination to God. Smith was there to save us with his alternative version, the Book of Mormon. He wrote it around 1835, and since the Bible was finished nearly 2000 years ago, his book is recent. They say it corrects the past. But it’s modern, so it has to be an improvement, right?.

The mixture of truth and deception will appear truthful to those who do not know their Scripture well, or have let their worldly feelings and lusts rule their decisions. With this tactic, unless we know our Bible, we become easier marks for Satan.

I have an important sad fact to mention:  Our ignorance of Biblical doctrines may have a disastrous result when we die. Denying Jesus as God is a damnable event (I John 2:23).  Belonging to a false church which preaches that, and if we ignorantly or willfully don’t challenge it, that means we accept it and are thus guilty of it, and we find ourselves in hell after the Judgment at the resurrection. God says some have believed in “another gospel” (II Corinthians 11:4 and Galatians 1:7), and thus we could be on Satan’s side, not Christ’s side, when Judgment Day comes. Jesus did say that a lot of people would be totally shocked when Jesus rejects them from heaven. See Matthew 7:22-23:

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

I cannot but stress it enough the importance of Bible reading to learn correct doctrine. Paul told Timothy, a young pastor, that he must preach good doctrine; that’s an important reason for teaching, or studying, the Bible. II Timothy 3:16 says:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Here’s the truth:  Christian “orthodox” doctrine (formalized expressions of a foundational belief, from the context of Scripture) maintains that Jesus was both Man and God while on earth. He experienced pain and hunger, but He also knew exactly what people were thinking, knew exact things ahead of time; and could walk on water or through walls, could miraculously heal at will, and could appear and disappear at will. (I haven’t the space to list even a part of all the precise events—guess you’ll have to read the Gospels.)

You may not be desirous of raising the banner to His human side, and declare that the only thing important is that He was God.  I disagree. First of all, God is a spirit, and a spirit is not visible with human flesh. Jesus could not have His influence as an invisible spirit. Further, Hebrews tells us He was made “perfect through suffering;” he felt pain. And, as Hebrews 2:9 says:

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Jesus had to be a Man, “a little lower than the angels,” for a time; He had to taste death and torture to pay for our sin. We are unable to pay for our sin. He had to be tempted through trials of hunger and pain, to show us that we can also defeat sin and temptation no matter the circumstances.  All that made perfect His appearance on earth.   And we can identify with Him when we suffer persecution. So let us thank God for His Incarnation.  We cannot identify with a non-feeling spirit-ghost-person, or even worse as a mysterious, uninterpretable aura of Christ-likeness, whatever that is. (Current anti-Biblical theories.)

Satan is satisfied with tearing down either side of that Human/God concept.  You’ll see details of what I mean next week, as we delve into the deceptions that might take us into perdition, if we are not aware of Satan’s craftiness. We will take a close look at various “doctrines of demons.”

There are three deceptions Satan uses, outlined in II Corinthians 11:4:

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted…

 You’ll recognize “another Jesus” in the spurious doctrines below and next week. I John 2:22-23 tells us how important it is not to reinterpret Jesus:

Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (ie, Anointed One)? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (that’s what Islam does).²³ Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Reading that, you first of all see how the Son (Jesus) is equated to the Father.  Also, you get the idea that how people interpret Jesus is serious enough for God to consider it a litmus test, a line in the sand. Believe in Jesus as God, and act accordingly; then you’ve got an important doctrine on the path that leads to heaven. If you don’t believe that; on the way to hell.

More detail on the “Christian” cults next week.

 

Wrath of God and the Rapture Part 2

 

Wrath of God 2

Now keep in mind that I only proved last week that the rapture does not have to happen before the tribulation. We have proved last week about the wrath, that it is just after the tribulation. But all we know so far is that the rapture is before that event, based on I Thessalonians 5:9:

⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation (this word means “deliverance”) by our Lord Jesus Christ

But how much before the wrath for the rapture? I laid a strong hint that it was at the end of the 6^th seal, based on Revelation 6:12,13, 15-17:

¹² And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; ¹³ And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth… ¹⁵ And the… great men… and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; ¹⁶ And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: ¹⁷ For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

But I’d like a second scripture, but not in this short paper. Read my three blogs on the subject; there you’ll find one, I believe.  You may ask, since the wrath is after the 6^th seal, we could ask, Is the rapture before the 5^th seal? No, the souls of the saved martyrs are still there, and not raptured. Is the rapture before the tribulation, everyone wants to know.

Well, we have a second proof that explicity shows the rapture is not before the tribulation. There is only one Scripture that points to that: II Thessalonians 2:1, 3-4:

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him (i.e., the real rapture)…³ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; ⁴ Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

There is no question that this speaks again of the tribulation, considering what it says about the “man of sin” and the word “revealed.”  Clearly the Antichrist. Further, it speaks of the rapture-- the word “coming” and “gathering together” are typical rapture words. But then it’s explicitly saying, rapture cannot happen until the man of sin is revealed. And when is he revealed? After at least 3-1/2 years of the tribulation. Here’s Daniel 9:27 again to remind you:

²⁷ And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one seven: and in the middle of the seven 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.

Remember, he’s not revealed until he desecrates the holy of holies in the restored Jewish temple—at the midpoint. That means we’re stuck in the tribulation until at least the 4^th seal of Revelation, or after 3-1/2+ years. Remember at the beginning of Revelation 6, when we suggested the first seal was deception? Well, the Antichrist arrives on a “white horse,” allegorically, and wearing a crown, which suggests the return of Jesus, but look what happens afterward—wars, famine, and death of Christian citizens. That’s in no way Jesus--that was an effort at deception. He uses that deception to consolidate his power, and is pretending to be a friend of the Jews while he is otherwise occupied, solidifying his political position, and subtly fomenting wars. But…he is revealed when he commits abomination (placing an idol of himself in the holy of holies, etc) and surrounds Jerusalem by his armies to kill as many of them as he can, so they are urged to “flee for their lives.” They (and we) have already suffered the “beginning of sorrows,” seals 1-3, with wars and its effects, famine and plagues. And the second half of the tribulation shows who he really is—a man of exceeding hatred. He begins hunting us down. Killing the Jews and us.

So, these verses definitively say that Christians (and Jews) will have to suffer tribulation and persecution and mass murder before we/they get raptured. So this is the time period when we are raptured before the wrath. It adds to the idea that it’s at the 6^th seal. So we’re hiding to avoid persecution and even being murdered for the Lord. Don’t think for a minute that this is only for the Jews to suffer. Christians and saved Jews are all the “seed” of Abraham. (Romans 3:28-30; 11:13-20), and when it says “elect,” that always includes Gentiles. .

These II Thess. verses are again proof positive that the pretribulation idea is wrong—and more to the point, it is heresy. I use such a strong word because of the effect that believing in this particular eschatological (future things) doctrine has on people when they find out it’s wrong. At least when the Antichrist begins his murderous rampage, they will be sure that they are in the tribulation—and haven’t been raptured yet. So they will be enormously disappointed in their pastors who teach it as truth, when it is a false doctrine. Their disappointment could very likely increase to apostasy, or falling away from the faith, also mentioned above as happening. (For you “once saved, always saved” Calvinists, this falling away from the faith is in my blog elsewhere). Since they are confused and don’t trust their religious leaders, they would be easy prey for deception. They might even seek “truth” in some form of witchcraft, like tarot cards, “talking” to the dead, following false prophets, etc. All leading them into Satan’s control. I’m saying this doctrine could lead more people to end their lives heading for Hell. Wouldn’t you be averse to a doctrine that has questionable Scriptural basis and such clear negative effects as this? Wouldn’t you want to study it deeply? Can you just say, “Well, I believe in “pan-rapture,” whatever it is, it’ll just “pan out” in the end. You can’t, on this important subject. But are you prepared rightly for the future? I mean, have you explained it to your spouse and children, so they can be prepared? Do you know it enough to be calm when you see wars, and the Antichrist strutting his stuff? Wouldn’t you even know when you saw the seven-year covenant at the beginning of the 7 years that you were taught wrong? How will you react in all this turbulence, knowing finally that God’s future is actually mapped out clearly in His Word?

When the pretribulationists use their favorite Scriptures, like I Corinthians 15 or I Thessalonians 4:16-17:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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 problem is, this verse gives you no clue about WHEN this happens. So the pretribulationists say it’s before the tribulation; does the Bible say that? No, these verses could be anywhere in the chronology. So some people have picked “before the tribulation.” I can easily choose another time. You see what my problem is? II Thess. 2:1-4 clearly says that it will happen in the tribulation. That we will suffer the worst persecution ever; we may be asked if we want to give our life for our Lord. Are you ready for that? Get closer to your God a prepare your mind for that Now. As II Corinthians 13:5 says:

⁵ Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (i.e., reprobates means unsaved.)

It happens that 36% of people are under pastors which teach pre-tribulation, according to a recent Gallup survey. That’s a LOT of people who are primed for deception when that day comes. Study it NOW, not in the future, when you will have to choose between not buying food at the grocery. This is Heaven or Hell. Death or Hell.

Pretribulationists’ beliefs also depend on certain actions of “the restrainer.” He/he has been restraining evil, but in the End Times, he/He will be asked to stop. Obviously, as a result, the outpouring of evil will vastly increase, resulting in the tribulation.

Here is how they figure it: One of the powers of the Holy Spirit is to restrain evil. Through acting in us. So they believe that the Holy Spirit is the restrainer, in us. But the restrainer will be asked to stop and leave. That conveniently leads to a pretrib conclusion that if the Holy Spirit leaves, we will leave too. And since the tribulation involves a gigantic increase in the outflow of evil—that strongly suggests he will have left by then; so we will leave before the tribulation too.

The only verses that pretribulationists are taking all this from is in II Thessalonians 2:6-7:

⁶ And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he/He who now restrains will do so until he/He is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume…

First, the mention of capitalizing “He” (which suggests the Holy Spirit) instead of “he.” This is the translator’s and publisher’s choice, since Greek used all capital letters. So did God’s Word mean He or he—you can’t tell. It may be a person, or a Person.

Second, the restrainer is not named. Pretribulationists chose the Holy Spirit. Could they have done that to buttress their position that the rapture must happen before the tribulation? That’s what their doctrine is, but we don’t know if they made the right choice of the Holy Spirit, because we don’t know who is the restrainer. There are many other possibilities for the restrainer. One suggestion is Michael the archangel. We found him battling Satan in Revelation 12:7 last week. To his (and possibly help from other angels) degree of success, he restrains evil. If you think less of him as only one person, and couldn’t do the job, keep in mind that one angel killed 185,000 evil men in one night. The angels might be doing an outstanding job as restrainers now.

In Daniel 12, we see Michael as a watchdog, a protector, also a restrainer’s role: 

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation…

This reference to ‘time of trouble” is a Jewish term that definitely points to the tribulation. But it doesn’t say that Michael is told to step off, or that he is he restrainer. If Michael is the restrainer in II Thess. 2:7, then God could ask him to leave (Why would He do that?—another subject; I do touch on it later). All this is saying, the restrainer could be Michael instead of the Spirit. If it was Michael, when he leaves, we could still be here. So the Spirit would still be around in us, and able to help us and spread the Gospel, and save more people.

Thirdly, pretribulationalists’ timing of the restrainer’s leave-taking is off; see Rev. 12:8. The verse says something restrains, is taken out of the way, “and then” the lawless one will be revealed. So we conclude that if you are a pretribulationist, the restrainer (Holy Spirit) is not going away—or, we are not going away—until the lawless one is revealed—but this starts 3-1/2 years after the tribulation starts, as we have seen. So the Holy Spirit restrainer doesn’t necessarily pull us out from the tribulation, does He?

Fourthly, pretribulationists believe that people will be saved during the tribulation, right? Scripture evidences that—see Revelation 7:9ff last week. But if the Holy Spirit is removed before the tribulation, how will anyone during the Tribulation be saved? As mostly Calvinists, you have to believe that the Holy Spirit must move in people before they can search for God. But if there is no preaching the Gospel, no one to give testimony, how is anyone saved?

As my personal comment, I must say, I am offended by the effect this doctrine has, since they really want to “take off” before things get bad—and leave our relatives and friends behind, totally lost, and having no clues about what happens next, believing some wild story perhaps about UFOs kidnaping people. They desperately need, more than ever, our help in guiding them away from fear, together with prayers. We could convert many. But the idea that we would take off at that most pressing time? To me, we would be AWOL. It would be an abandonment of what we could do to help. Believing this would mean we are simply comforting ourselves that we expect to avoid suffering, but our friends and relatives—oh, well. This would be callous.

Another point: Pretribulationists ask, Why is the “church” not mentioned in Revelation after John (a member of the church) is mentioned in chapter 4? Isn’t it because they’ve been raptured out of it? My answer: First, a definition: The Greek word for church is ekklesia. It means “assembly” or “gathering of called-out ones,” referring to a group of saved people. Not buildings.

My detail is (I hope you remember these we covered before):

1.   In Revelation Chapter 7, we read of the great multitude in Heaven who will be killed in the tribulation. They were church, they were called-out ones; see also the word “elect” used for God’s chosen ones, referring again to His church.

2.   In Chapter 12, we read how the church will experience the tribulation, which is described as the war that the dragon (Satan) will wage against those who hold fast their testimony about Jesus.

3.    The church is also mentioned in the verses found in Chapters 6, which describe how God’s people will be killed in the tribulation just as the Martyrs in heaven were also killed.

4.   In Chapter 15:1-2 we read about those slain who will be victorious over the Beast, the Antichrist.

I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw… those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. Note: those who are “victorious” are those who maintain their testimony even to the point of death (Rev. 12:11), speaking again of the church.

5.   The church is mentioned explicitly (vs. implied in 1-4) in Revelation 22:16:

 

¹⁶ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

 

6.   I think the reason the word “church” is not explicit in the tribulation is because of the great apostasy; only a remnant of churches and denominations remain. They were in hiding, so they didn’t ”have services.” They didn’t act like churches do today, as we think of the word—so it’s better to not use the word.

One more point—"keep thee” in Rev. 3:10. Normal translation:

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Pretribulationists believe that God will keep us out of the ”hour of temptation,” the being ”tried”—by escaping at the rapture. But…

The Base Greek word for keep is “tereo,” which means ”watch over” or “preserve” or “reserve.” (From W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary, a reputed work.) No suggestion of it as “leave” or “escape.” Defining it as a rapture is a mistake. Protection can come without moving out of the disaster area, but protecting us through it. A better translation is the NLT for Rev. 3:10:

Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.

Thus we’re here during the tribulation, and many are protected. This still does not mean no one is killed. I’m thinking of why God wouldn’t perform a miracle of raising us from the dead right after our martyrdom over and over. It could be that if only Christians were raised up, there would be again people who pretend to love Jesus, but only to be raised up—and save their hide. God would want everyone to show whether they are truly loyal to Him, or--faking it. He hopes that when some see how sinful they are that they’ve been faking Christianity, and are thinking only of themselves, they will repent and realize that heaven and hell are real, and they truly cling to Him. But that’s not my main point here. In any event, with the proper definition of the word, another pretribulationist effort to try to escape by rapture is wrong.

One last thing: Imminence. Pretribulationists have this doctrine of imminence, which means that the rapture has no prophetic signs beforehand. It could happen tomorrow. They say that if we all think about this, we will live a more meaningful life. We will all be on better behavior too; we wouldn’t want Jesus to come while we are thinking or doing something sinful, against His commands. Also, if we were looking intently for certain signs, we would unnecessarily focus on that, and we would be anxiety-ridden.

My answer to that is, first, imminence is destroyed, no question. We look for the covenant of Daniel 9:27, and we can then expect war and famine. So that’s a guideline on what to do—gather extra food or move to a place that we can farm, and “off the grid.” It needs to be away from the wartime nations. When we see the Antichrist reveal himself, we know what to do: Get ready to give our life for the Lord, preach to our friends—or flee to a place that’s isolated from the Antichrist, like Petra (near Israel). Sounds wild, but I suspect there will be lots of Christian communities there.

God never leaves His people in ignorance. He gives many signs about the future in the Bible, so we can make an informed choice and count the cost of following Him (Amos 3:7). He gives those signs to His prophets—so it’s too bad for those cessationists who don’t believe in special signs anymore and won’t listen when they will do them. Joel 2:11b, 28, and 31 are about the last days and predict a revival of these signs that pastors love to dismiss:

^11…  the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?... I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions…³¹ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

Revelation is interesting in that it makes this promise in 1:3 that no other book does:

Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein…

Sure, we are blessed if we read Any book of His Word, but none of them say this in a promise. Let’s take advantage of it; read Revelation intently a dozen or so times, taking notes. I promise it will start to clear up some confusion. (PS: ask for the Holy Spirit to help, not commentarians. They usually have a prejudiced leaning on a critical verse that’s pushed by a denomination or a publishing house. God bless you as you work toward “being a Berean.” I hope I have helped.