I was at the local library yesterday and saw a book on the shelf called The Truth Behind Left Behind. I've personally believed for a few years now that the claim that Jesus will rapture the church away before Earth's last great tribulation period wasn't true. Anyway I thought The Truth Behind Left Behind was going to expose some of the errors that are so commonly believed in the Christian community.
I was wrong. Instead the book tried to make the case that a pre-tribulation rapture was biblically solid and that the church would be raptured before the antichrist was revealed.
*sigh*
2 Thessalonians chapter 2 proves that's not true. In fact it so obviously states that the antichrist is revealed before the rapture that you'd have to be foolish to keep supporting wolves in sheep's clothing like Tim Lahaye, Jerry Jenkins and any other so-called theologians who makes the same claims they do.
Here are verses 1-4 with some notes from me in brackets.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, [the rapture as it's commonly called]
2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 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;
2 Thessalonians 2:4 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.
Did you notice the sequence of events? A falling away first plus the man of sin/antichrist is revealed before our gathering together with Jesus. That is unmistakably crystal clear. I think these so-called theologians who say the church is raptured before antichrist is revealed are wolves in sheep's clothing. I find it very difficult to believe so many so-called experts could misinterpret that sequence of events for so many years without having their error pointed out to them by people like me. Yet they keep peddling the lie.
Continuing in verse 8 we are told the antichrist will be consumed and destroyed with the brightness of Christ's coming -- not reign supreme for another 7 years. There is no 7 year tribulation period after the rapture!
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
That is in perfect harmony with what it says in Revelation chapter 16, regarding the end times and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The last 7 plagues are symbolically referred to as "vials of the wrath of God" (bowls of wrath in many modern English versions).
Here is the sequence of events of events in Revelation chapter 16. Each plagues is listed in sequential order; first, second, third, etc.
In verse 12 the 6th plague happens.
In verse 15 Jesus declares His triumphant return.
In verse 17 the 7th and final plague happens.
So Jesus returns after the 6th plague then the 7th and final plague destroys all of the wicked on earth.
Let's recap this one more time:
2 Thessalonians chapter 2 says antichrist is revealed, then the gathering/rapture or whatever terminology you prefer happens when Jesus returns... and also the antichrist is destroyed at Christ's return. And Revelation chapter 16 confirms this, telling us the world destroying final plague happens right after Jesus returns. So where is the supposed 7-year tribulation? Nowhere in the bible. Obviously there will be a final 7-year period of time before the end of the world and I'm sure it will be quite an ordeal but when Jesus returns there will be "sudden destruction" not 7 years for the unsaved "and they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
I pray this has been eye-opening for you. That said, in the past I've angered Christians who think I do nothing but try to pick apart what is wrong with their churches or doctrines. Please don't be upset. I'm not trying to tear anybody down, I'm trying to build up the truth. Defending the bible and sharing its truths to the best of my ability is my duty.
Jesus warned in these last days we should take heed that no man deceives us. Study to show yourself approved; don't just nod your head in agreement when so-called experts make claims about the bible no matter how popular or respected they are within the Christian community. I'm trying to help keep my fellow Christians safe. If they get angry so be it. My goal is to serve Jesus.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Amen
I was wrong. Instead the book tried to make the case that a pre-tribulation rapture was biblically solid and that the church would be raptured before the antichrist was revealed.
*sigh*
2 Thessalonians chapter 2 proves that's not true. In fact it so obviously states that the antichrist is revealed before the rapture that you'd have to be foolish to keep supporting wolves in sheep's clothing like Tim Lahaye, Jerry Jenkins and any other so-called theologians who makes the same claims they do.
Here are verses 1-4 with some notes from me in brackets.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, [the rapture as it's commonly called]
2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 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;
2 Thessalonians 2:4 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.
Did you notice the sequence of events? A falling away first plus the man of sin/antichrist is revealed before our gathering together with Jesus. That is unmistakably crystal clear. I think these so-called theologians who say the church is raptured before antichrist is revealed are wolves in sheep's clothing. I find it very difficult to believe so many so-called experts could misinterpret that sequence of events for so many years without having their error pointed out to them by people like me. Yet they keep peddling the lie.
Continuing in verse 8 we are told the antichrist will be consumed and destroyed with the brightness of Christ's coming -- not reign supreme for another 7 years. There is no 7 year tribulation period after the rapture!
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
That is in perfect harmony with what it says in Revelation chapter 16, regarding the end times and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The last 7 plagues are symbolically referred to as "vials of the wrath of God" (bowls of wrath in many modern English versions).
Here is the sequence of events of events in Revelation chapter 16. Each plagues is listed in sequential order; first, second, third, etc.
In verse 12 the 6th plague happens.
In verse 15 Jesus declares His triumphant return.
In verse 17 the 7th and final plague happens.
So Jesus returns after the 6th plague then the 7th and final plague destroys all of the wicked on earth.
Let's recap this one more time:
2 Thessalonians chapter 2 says antichrist is revealed, then the gathering/rapture or whatever terminology you prefer happens when Jesus returns... and also the antichrist is destroyed at Christ's return. And Revelation chapter 16 confirms this, telling us the world destroying final plague happens right after Jesus returns. So where is the supposed 7-year tribulation? Nowhere in the bible. Obviously there will be a final 7-year period of time before the end of the world and I'm sure it will be quite an ordeal but when Jesus returns there will be "sudden destruction" not 7 years for the unsaved "and they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
I pray this has been eye-opening for you. That said, in the past I've angered Christians who think I do nothing but try to pick apart what is wrong with their churches or doctrines. Please don't be upset. I'm not trying to tear anybody down, I'm trying to build up the truth. Defending the bible and sharing its truths to the best of my ability is my duty.
Jesus warned in these last days we should take heed that no man deceives us. Study to show yourself approved; don't just nod your head in agreement when so-called experts make claims about the bible no matter how popular or respected they are within the Christian community. I'm trying to help keep my fellow Christians safe. If they get angry so be it. My goal is to serve Jesus.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Amen
