Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.You will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7/15-16)
Like many of his contemporaries, David James incorrectly describes the tribulation as a seven year period. The "Great Tribulation",
as Jesus Christ referred to it, will last 3.5 years, and not seven years
(Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22; 7:14). The prophetic clock begins when
the Antichrist "makes a covenant with the many" (Daniel 9:27), but this does notindicate start of the Great Tribulation.
It
is obvious that David James has no knowledge whatsoever about the seven seals of Revelation,
the pre-wrath view of the rapture, or much else for that matter. Incidentally, his advice for "discernment" is to "trust your instincts". (Jeremiah 17:5-9)!
Towards the end of the above inappropriately named Livestream broadcast at approximately 01:30, David James is asked a question: "Can you briefly explain what pre-wrath is.....?"
David James response was nothing short of staggering:
David James: "The pre-wrath view is a modified mid-tribulational rapture view......prior to (I think it's the sixth seal or in connection with the sixth seal), at any rate, prior to the Great Tribulation, Jacob's Trouble, the church will be raptured and that the church will go through the first seal judgements including the first four horsemen judgements, and what they say is that these are the wrath of man and the wrath of Satan and we are only said to be preserved from the wrath of God which doesn't start until the mid point or prior to the wrath, which could be after the revelation of the Antichrist. It is kind of a post/mid rapture view..... One problem with that is throughout history God has used human agency, even angelic agency, to accomplish his purposes, but it is still no less the wrath of God, no matter if he uses human agency, and in connection with that, we see that the judgements begin when WHO breaks the seal? Jesus breaks the seal, that means it is the wrath of God no matter whether he uses human agency or not. Of course his means are nature later, early on they are the Antichrist and the armies of the world.
When does David James think that the sixth seal is opened? Does David James imagine that the cataclysmic events described in Revelation 6:12-17 occur prior to the Great Tribulation?
THE PRE-WRATH VIEW IS NOT A MODIFIED MID-TRIBULATIONAL VIEW!
The pre-wrath view does not maintain that the rapture occurs prior to the Great Tribulation.
The difference between the mid and pre-wrath views:
The mid-tribulation view puts the rapture at the mid point of Daniel's 70th week, prior to the Great Tribulation, approximately 3.5 years into the 70th week.
The pre-wrath view puts the rapture after the sixth seal, not before, towards the latter half of Daniel’s 70th week, prior to the Day of the Lord(Revelation6:12-17; Joel 2:28-32). Isaiah indicates this "day" is a literal year (Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, 63:4).
WRATH OR TRIBULATION?
The Book of Revelation describes the Day of the Lord as the apocalyptic time of God's wrath which comes upon the wicked, it is even referred to as"the day of their great wrath"(Revelation 6:17; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Isaiah 13:6-13; Joel 2:30-31; Acts 2:20). Following the opening of the sixth seal, the scriptures plainly statethat the wrath of God has come (Revelation 6:12-17).If the wrath has only just arrived, it cannot have been there previously, you have to directly contradict the scriptures to come to another conclusion!The arrival of the wrath at the sixth seal is an imminent future event; the wrath is poured out during the seventh seal i.e. the trumpet and the bowl judgements. Matthew 24:29 puts the cosmic disturbances described in Revelation 6:12-14 immediately after the tribulation of those days.In other words, the events preceding the sixth seal are not the wrath of God, they are the tribulation. As is their usual practice, the pre-tribulationists have to resort to
eisegesis; they read into the scriptures things which suit their own
presuppositions and agendas (Revelation 22:18-19).
The Day of the Lord is indisputably linked with the rapture i.e. those "caught up" together with Jesus in the clouds.(1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).
DERELICTION OF DUTY
It seems to me that McMahon,Wilkinson et al have a vested interest in promoting
the pre-tribulation delusion. If this is correct, they do so at the expense of the flock. It is a hireling, not a shepherd, who puts his
own interests above that of the flock 1 Peter 5:2; John 10:13).
Paul Wilkinson labels as "heretics" those who reject the
pre-tribulation rapture delusion. He has not acted in a gentlemanly way, but has hurled all sorts of false accusations and abuse against
Joe
Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson. Blame shifting seems to be another problem for Wilkinson, who lays the blame for Colin Le Noury's incompetence entirely at Joe Schimmel's door - apparently because he "tricked and deceived" Le Noury (General Director PWMI) into admitting that "there is
not one verse to support a pre-tribulation rapture". I wonder who Wilkinson will blame for the blunders of David James? May the Lord save his bride
from dishonourable men such as these (James 3:1).
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction..... (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
Are we witnessing a replay of the schism between John Nelson Darby and Benjamin Wills Newton of the Plymouth Brethren in the 19th century? The recent remarks made at the Berean Call Conference by Paul Wilkinson bear an uncanny resemblance to Darby's treatment of, and vitriol towards, anyone who dared to hold a different view to himself.
John Nelson Darby (who did not believe in adult baptism) claimed to be the source of dispensational hermeneutics and the pre-tribulation delusion. Wilkinson credits Darby with "restoring this precious truth" and has obviously swallowed Darby's false claim to have discovered "new truth" or "rediscovered truth" that had been lost since the apostles (2 Timothy 3:13). Claims of direct extra-biblical revelation are of course the trade mark of many false prophets. Nevertheless, Wilkinson expects his hearers to buy into Darby's pre-tribulation delusion in spite of its obvious defects.
The dispute between Darby and Newton became intensely personal on a number of levels. Newton interpreted 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1 as proof of a post tribulation, non-secret rapture. He viewed Darby's
dispensational and pre-tribulation rapture teaching as "the height of
speculative nonsense". The various disputes between the two men resulted in Darby accusing Newton of deception and
dishonesty.These charges were investigated by the elders at Ebrington Street and were dismissed. Actually, Newton's theology was very sound, especially in comparison with Darby's unscriptural rantings. This dispute was not about straightforward non-essential theological differences at all, it was underpinned by a dark spiritual battle between darkness and light. I say this because of Darby's intense hatred, character assassination and outright rejection of anyone who disagreed with him, which was anything BUT Christian. Does this sound familiar?
Brethren leaders George Müller, Anthony Groves and Benjamin Newton suffered intensely at the hands of Darby, who would broker no opposition to his sectarian views. Darby would not even tolerate anyone who wished to remain neutral. Darby's response to ANY opposition was to simply annihilate it. Those who disagreed with him were excommunicated. Why? - Because according to Darby, the Lord had personally revealed dispensational hermeneutics to him directly. In his own eyes this made him "right"and gave him liberty to butcher the body of Christ.It is difficult to argue against against a man with such obvious forcefulness, intelligence and powers of intimidation.
Charles Spurgeon: "Mr. Darby is, to all intents and purposes a thorough Pope, though under a Protestant name. He will never admit that he is in error; and therefore very naturally declines to argue with those who controvert the soundness of his views. How, indeed, could it be otherwise? If Mr. Darby holds, which he does, with a firm grasp, the principle that whatever conclusions he and those acting in conjunction with him may come to, express beyond all question the mind of the Spirit; and if those Darbyites who gather together in London, can go so far as to exclude all other denominations, even the most godly among them, 'believing themselves to be the one or only, assembly of God in London,' how need we feel surprised that Mr. Darby, as the 'prophet, priest, and king' of the party, should exercise a perfect despotism within the domains of Darbyism?. . ." http://spurgeon.org/s_and_t/dbreth.htm
George Müller:
"Scripture declares plainly that the Lord Jesus will not come until the
Apostasy shall have taken place, and the man of sin shall have been
revealed..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M%C3%BCller
Anthony Groves: "He (Groves) became increasingly concerned with the drift of the Plymouth Brethren towards sectarianism under the leadership of Darby and aligned himself with George Müller when the brethren split in 1848 to form the Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren." http://self.gutenberg.org/article/WHEBN0005787956/Anthony%20Norris%20Groves
Was the same divisive spirit insidiously operating at The Berean Call Conference this year? Paul Wilkinson's attempt to discredit and undermine the ministries of Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson in the name of "love and truth" is quite despicable, and having looked into the history, the comparison is hard to miss!
Paul Wilkinson (looking suitably humble):
"This DVD is damaging, it's
destructive, it's dangerous, and it is thoroughly dishonest, and it is
one of the most abominable Christian DVD's I have ever sat through.
.....it is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies."
"These men sadly are not doing what every pastor and every teacher is called ultimately to do if he is faithful to the word of God...."
"You will not hear these men talk about their love for Jesus; you will not see the tears fall down their cheeks; they will speak of the coming of the Lord very academically and very intellectually, but where is the heart, where is the love, where is the longing? It is not there. One of the reasons it is not there is that they are not pastors, they have not been called to take care of the flock, they have not been called to help prepare the bride for the bridegroom. "The integrity of that man! .....it (LBOLA) is thoroughly dishonest on all kinds of levels."
Apart from the above direct quotes, Wilkinson went into considerable detail, claiming: Joe Schimmel "tricked and deceived"Colin Le Noury (PWMI) into admitting that there is not one verse of scripture to prove a pre-tribulation theory. Realising Colin Le Noury's embarrassing blunder, their presumptuous attempt to force Joe Schimmel by dictatorial edict to omit Le Noury's quote from the LBOLA DVD failed! http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
We see a quite a different spirit operating in Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch: Joe Schimmel: "This
isn't something we should divide fellowship over as Christians, because
we recognise that this is an in-house debate. There are wonderful,
beautiful, good Christians on both sides of the issue in this debate." LBOLA
When they do refute the pre-tibulation delusion, Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch do not attempt to assassinate the ministries and reputations of those who genuinely hold this view.
Wilkinson, McMahon et'al should think long and hard about the consequences of attempting to destroy reputations and ministries over what is in fact based on nothing more than the unsanctified opinion of megalomaniac John Nelson Darby. Someone has commented that they should apologise and retract their remarks, but I see no sign of this happening any time soon.
If this is correct, then I do wonder whether God has given these men over
to the pre-tribulation delusion, and in light of their conduct, I also wonder whether there is a hidden agenda here (2 Thessalonians
2:11).
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For
the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the
Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to
keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy,
drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you
before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of
God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-25)
Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? (Job 38:2)
The recent vitriol Paul Wilkinson displayed at the Berean Call Conference against the filmLeft Behind or Led Astray by Good Fight Ministries is an appalling attempt to discredit three dear brothers in Christ who reject the pre-tribulation rapture theory and who variously hold to a post-tribulation or intra-seal (pre-wrath) position! http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
The Berean Call Conference did not live up to its name - in reality they are anything but Bereans (Acts 17:11). Instead of providing us with a reasoned argument supported by the scriptures, Paul Wilkinson tore into Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson like a savage wolf. I have rarely witnessed such an arrogant and abusive outburst against respected Bible expositors, infinitely better qualified to minister to the body of Christ than himself, men who rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Paul Wilkinson: "This DVD is damaging, it's
destructive, it's dangerous, and it is thoroughly dishonest, and it is
one of the most abominable Christian DVD's I have ever sat through.
.....it is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies."
Paul Wilkinson: "The origin of the pre-tribulation rapture..... is found right here in the word of God" (waving his Bible in the air), though he did not care to specify where exactly!
The Bible teaches us to gently warn our opponents (assuming of course that we are right - 2 Timothy 2:25; see also 1 Timothy 5:1-2). It is a pity that Wilkinson could not extend the same grace that Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch extend to their brothers in Christ who hold a pre-tribulation rapture view. Certainly Jacob Prasch has always maintained that the timing of the rapture should not be a divisive issue. His previous respect towards, and friendship with those holding a pre-tribulation view, such as Dave Hunt, bears witness to this. Joel Richardson also came under fire from Wilkinson for daring to express his view without being "a pastor of the flock of Jesus Christ." Wilkinson is outraged thatJoel Richardson "would DARE........ to say that pastors are leading the flock astray." Joel Richardson is an expert on biblical prophecy, an evangelist and a respected author and speaker; just because he is not "a pastor" does not disqualify him from having a view on the matter as Wilkinson infers! Are we back in the Dark Ages? MY QUESTION:How DARE WilkinsonprecludeANYONE, let alone a man of Joel Richardson's calibre, from speaking out and expressing his/her concerns about this critical debate of our time? Wilkinson seems to put greater emphasis on the position of "pastor" (a superior being whom we should bow down and do blind obeisance to apparently) and worldly qualifications that glorify men more than the word of God (Galatians
6:3; 1 Peter 5:3). He has insidiously voiced his own toxic opinion on this matter thereby predisposing his hearers into accepting it without providing any evidence to support it from the scriptures. In the process he has maliciously attempted to harm the good reputation and character of godly men, global experts in their field, who are spiritually and academically head and shoulders above himself. Apparently Wilkinson's "thorough rebuttal" will follow - but this is not the right way of doing things! There is clearly something very wrong here.
Instead of referring to the scriptures, Wilkinson made much of the supposed misinformation put out by Joe Schimmel in this DVD. Wilkinson insisted that Benjamin Wills Newton was NOT present with John Nelson Darby at Margaret McDonald's so called "revelations" in Glasgow.For someone who constantly brags about his own integrity, Wilkinson has blatantly contradicted his own research, as demonstrated below!!!!
"John Nelson Darby and Benjamin Wills Newton, whom the Brethren sent on their behalf to investigate, came to the conclusion that these displays were demonic." Wilkinson, Paul Richard (2007). For Zion's Sake: Christian Zionism and the Role of John Nelson Darby. Paternoster. p. 192–93. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Macdonald_%28Prophecy%29
The connection that Joe Schimmel makes between Margaret McDonald and John Nelson Darby is that she uttered revelations about the rapture prior to the Second Coming, which apparently was a novel idea at that time. What Wilkinson fails to point out is that there are different editions of McDonald's utterance. Apparently the earlier version has at least nineteen instances where the account adds a significant amount of words not found in the more condensed later edition. The link below does in fact show that McDonald's utterance bears some relevance to the pre-tribulation theory, and in this sense she IS part of the history. If there were any doubts about Joe Schimmel's meaning, surely most self respecting Christians would have had the grace to ask him for clarification before accusing him of
dishonesty and vilifying him publicly! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_MacDonald_%28visionary%29
Joe Schimmel: "Darby spent several days listening to Margaret McDonald's prophetic utterances about a secret second coming of Christ, which he and Newton came to believe were demonic in origin.However not long afterwards, DARBY HIMSELF WOULD FORMULATE HIS OWN NOVEL VIEWS ABOUT A SECRET COMING OF CHRIST."
"For years the subject of prophecy had occupied much of his (Edward Irving's) thoughts, and his belief in the near approach of the second advent had received such wonderful corroboration by the perusal of the work of a Jesuit priest, Manuel Lacunza, writing under the assumed Jewish name of Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra, that in 1827 he published a translation of it....." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Irving
We should be very careful about callinganyone "A LIAR" (James 4:11). There are
some very serious anomalies associated with Wilkinson's attack against Joe Schimmel, and I think we should question the motivation behind his vicious outburst!!!
"Paul Wilkinson is the Associate Minister at Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church in
Stockport, England. He was converted to Christ in February 1990 whilst
studying Mathematics and Statistics at the University of York. He has a
BSc in Mathematics and Statistics, a BA and MA in Theology, and a PhD in
Religions and Theology. He has also studied at the International
School of Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. In 2007 his PhD
thesis was published by Paternoster Press entitled, For Zion’s Sake:
Christian Zionism and the Role of John Nelson Darby.
Paul Wilkinson is a member of the Council of Prophetic Witness Movement
International in the UK, and a member of the Pre-Trib Research Center in
Lynchburg, Virginia." http://www.bereanwatchmen.com/index.php/guest-articles/paul-wilkinson
Now that we have got that out of the way and are suitably impressed, let us get on to the subject in hand i.e. the pre-tribulation rapture theory which does not have one shred of evidence in the scriptures! Inconceivably, Wilkinson credits Darby with "restoring this precious truth" .....where did Darby restore it from exactly? Wilkinson cannot argue against the fact that the pre-tribulation rapture was unheard of prior to 1830. To insist upon a theory that no-one in the Christian world recognized until it was invented by Darby?* in the 1830's is to compromise ones spiritual and academic integrity. Wilkinson accuses Joe Schimmel and his guests of propagating "myths", yet ironically there is no greater myth than the secret rapture theory!
Wilkinson must be completely delusional if he really thinks that he
can refute the following statements JUST BECAUSE HE SAYS SO, WITHOUT ONCE REFERRING TO THE SCRIPTURES!His behavior is just like that of his despotic hero John Nelson Darby!
A pre-trib rapture cannot be proven from the Bible. Wilkinson: "YES IT CAN!."
Pre-trib pastors are failing in their role as pastors. Wilkinson: "NO THEY ARE NOT!"
It's history is sordid and scandalous. Wilkinson: "NO IT IS NOT!"
Its origins are occultic and demonic. Wilkinson: "NO THEY ARE NOT!"
The "theory" can be traced in some form to the Jesuits. Wilkinson: "NO IT CANNOT!"
If we consider that the pre-tribulation theory puts Christians in danger of falling away and losing their salvation, then the statement: "Pre-tribulation pastors are failing in their role as pastors" is perfectly reasonable.Those leaders promoting this theory should be warned about teaching as doctrines the precepts of men, a practice which Jesus Christ condemned (Matthew 15:9).
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book....." (Revelation 22:18 see also Deuteronomy 4:2). Error breeds error, and of course the pre-tribulation theory stands in tandem with the error of imminency which is another derived doctrine not explicitly stated in the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15; Galatians 5:9).
The main verses that support a post tribulation/pre-wrath rapture are:
Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION
of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its
light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens will be shaken.Then
will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the
tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming
on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.And
he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will
gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other. The Lesson of the Fig Tree “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.(Matthew 24:29-33, 36, emphasis added).
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of
God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be
with the Lord.(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
The dead in Christ rise FIRST on the LAST DAY preceding the rapture:
"This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:39, emphasis added)
"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:40)
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:44)
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY" (John 6:54) 1 Thessalonians 4 is similar to what Paul says in two other passages, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 and Philippians 3:20-21. At Jesus’ “coming”
or “appearing” those who are still alive will be “changed” or
“transformed” so that their mortal bodies will become incorruptible,
deathless.
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance,
I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole
world, to try those who dwell on the earth.(Revelation 3:10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGi9PBUJwAg
There are numerous proof texts and passages that support a post tribulation/pre-wrath rapture.
The awful accusations Wilkinson levels at Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch are unsubstantiated, they are scripturally deficient, academically devoid of integrity and spiritually toxic. He is embarrassingly guilty of the very accusations he levels at them i.e. dishonesty, false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies. We should not be surprised when Wilkinson's false words come back to bite him (Galatians 6:7).
If Paul Wilkinson is so very confident about the pre-tribulation theory, then he should claim the $10,000 offered by Joe Schimmel to anyone who can show him ONE CLEAR VERSE in the Bible that teaches a pre-tribulation rapture!
For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. (Hosea 8:7)
* Edward Irving published pre-tribulation teachings prior to Darby in his journal "The Morning Watch" (1830). It therefore appears that Darby was a plagiarist, and not the originator of the pre-tribulation theory. http://www.seeking4truth.com/john_darby.htm