TONY PEARCE LIGHT FOR THE LAST DAYS: HEDGING HIS RAPTURE BETS!

Tony Pearce, who supposedly operates within an eschatological ministry, takes the highly irresponsible pre-trib going on "pan-trib" rapture approach i.e. that it will all pan out in the end! Pearce is currently joint Vice President of the Prophetic Witness Movement International (PWMI). 

Light for the Last Days: "Looking at current world events and trends in the light of Bible prophecies about the last days of this age and the Second Coming of Jesus the Messiah." {1}

Tony Pearce: "So we have scriptures, which speak of the Lord coming for the saints and the Lord coming with the saints. This means that there are two stages of the Lord’s return, firstly for the saints (the rapture, a meeting ‘in the air’) and then coming with the saints (the coming of the Lord to the earth). The question which divides those who seek to understand these scriptures is whether these two stages are separated by a period of seven years on earth (the pre-tribulation rapture view), three and a half years on earth (the mid tribulation view) or happen simultaneously (the post tribulation view). If we take the pre tribulation view, we need to be ready for the Lord to come at any time now. If we take the post tribulation view we need to be ready for the events of the tribulation, which include world wars, persecution of believers and the rule of the Antichrist. I take the pre tribulation view, although I acknowledge that those who take the alternative views have valid reasons for their position. Either way we need to be ready to meet with the Lord." {2}

Pearce treats this subject as secondary and is hedging his rapture bets. The fuzzy "Either way we need to be ready to meet with the Lord." proposed by Pearce does not cut it. This statement is not only highly irresponsible, it is presumptuous and wicked! Pearce has no right to issue such a glib statement that trivialises the subject of the Lord's return!

Evidently it will not all "pan out" for many who profess faith in Jesus Christ! The great tribulation will be a time of unprecedented persecution against believers in the history of the world. For many holding the pre-trib false hope, the sudden unparalleled wrath of the Antichrist unleashed against them and the increase in lawlessness will cause the love of many to grow cold. (Matthew 24:9-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:3; cf. Matthew 13:21; Proverbs 13:12).

But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12).
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. (Matthew 24:21).

Particularly nauseating is Pearce's validation of Thomas Ice and his distortion of apostasia:

"Thomas Ice argues argues that the word ‘apostasia’ can mean a departure from one place to another and that in this verse it refers to a moving from one place (the earth) to another (meeting the Lord in the air). In this case the rapture precedes the coming of the Man of Sin, or Antichrist. Other scriptures tell us we should be looking for the coming of Christ, not Antichrist." {3} Ice's definition of apostasia has been widely debunked and condemned by everyone and anyone with the slightest bit of biblical integrity! The Greek term apostasia literally means apostasy/rebellion.{4} Even the rabid pre-trib Berean Call recognise that apostasy is the correct interpretation of falling away (apostasia) in 2 Thessalonians 2:3! {5} 

"Christians who hold different views on this subject should avoid breaking fellowship and denouncing each other. I have taught the pre-tribulation view, but I do understand that there are valid reasons to believe the mid tribulation view and the post tribulation view. In the end only the Lord can cause the events surrounding His second coming to happen. We should be ready for His coming at any time – either at the rapture or at the moment of our death."

Note Pearce's preventative tactic of discouraging anyone from taking issue with the insidious foothold he gives to the devil. The old "do not judge" humbug which we are all so sick and tired of hearing is nothing less than suppression of dissent! Biblically: ..there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. (1 Corinthians 11:19). Pearce substitutes critical thinking with a lie i.e. the mentality of passive acceptance rather than the Berean principle of referring to the scriptures and judging with right judgement. (Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 5:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Ephesians 4:14; 1 John 4:1-6). I pity the congregation at The Bridge Christian Fellowship for the passive mindset that has been foisted upon them. The veiled threat of being labelled divisive if they think differently renders them spiritually impotent. (Galatians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 11:4).

As well as giving acknowledgement to the deviant pre-trib views of Thomas Ice and his apostasia nonsense, Pearce's assumption that that the 144000 Jews in the Book of Revelation are evangelists is completely misguided eisegesis. This further assumption also forms part of the false pre-trib dogma.

"144000 Jewish men who then bring a great multitude to faith in Jesus during the tribulation period."  {6}

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. (Revelation 14:1-5 cf. Revelation 7:4-8).

The Book of Revelation states that the 144000 are sealed Jews who are redeemed firstfruits from the earth/mankind. Revelation says absolutely nothing, zero, zilch, nada, about them being evangelists!

Those pastors who trivialise the rapture by treating it as secondary are a shame and a disgrace to their supposed calling. They are negligent in their duty to their flock. Eschatology is not an easy subject, but nevertheless pastors/teachers are required to devote time to studying the scriptures in order to show themselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus' return and the rapture are given a lot of attention in the scriptures. Do not be deceived by Pearce and his ilk: It is possible to come to a definitive rapture view that is correct. Jesus Christ and Paul were both very specific and warned believers repeatedly regarding the dangers of being deceived about the events surrounding His return.

Jesus Christ: See, I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:25).
Paul: Let no one deceive you in any way. (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.(Revelation 14:12).

Matthew chapters 24 and 25, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and the Book of Revelation ALL specifically refer to the persecution of believers by the Antichrist before the Parousia. These are not just "valid reasons" for taking a different view to pre-trib as Pearce glibly puts it, as if any old view will suffice. These are the explicit teachings of Jesus Christ Himself and His apostle Paul which are also backed up by early church writings such as the Didache: Chapter XVI (c.50-c.120):

1. "Watch" over your life "let your lamps" be not quenched "and your loins" be not ungirded, but be "ready," for ye know not "the hour in which our Lord cometh." 2. But be frequently gathered together seeking the things which are profitable for your souls, for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you except ye be found perfect at the last time; 3. For in the last days the false prophets and the corruptors shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall change to hate; 4. For as lawlessness increaseth they shall hate one another and persecute and betray, and then shall appear the deceiver of the world as a Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders and the earth shall be given over into his hands and he shall commit iniquities which have never been since the world began. 5. Then shall the creation of mankind come to the fiery trial and "many shall be offended" and be lost, but "they who endure" in their faith "shall be saved" by the curse itself. 6. And "then shall appear the signs" of the truth. First the sign spread out in Heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet, and thirdly the resurrection of the dead: 7. But not of all the dead, but as it was said, "The Lord shall come and all his saints with him." 8. Then shall the world "see the Lord coming on the clouds of Heaven." {7}

Are the pan-trib teachers who side step the controversial subject of the rapture inadequate, are they lazy, are they cowards or are they hirelings? (John 10:12-13). Whatever they are, they are without excuse. (John 15:22). 

The Bridge Christian Fellowship supports New Tribes Mission.{8} New Tribes Mission is a member of the International Orality Network (ION) which subscribes to the ecumenical Lausanne Covenant. {9}

How long will you go limping between two different opinions? (1 Kings 18:21 cf. James 1:8; Psalm 119:113). 

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1).

Preaching and teaching the truth takes backbone, a quality that is lacking with so many of these rapture chickens. I regard Tony Pearce's motives for giving credence to Thomas Ice and the pre-trib camp as highly questionable. Is he trying to win the approval of God or men? (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

How I would loathe being part of these lukewarm congregations with cowardly pastors.. and more importantly, how it sickens the Lord (Revelation 3:16; Isaiah 7:13).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-18.

1. https://lightforthelastdays.co.uk/about-us/lftld/
2. https://lightforthelastdays.co.uk/articles/the-rapture-second-coming-and-the-millennium/happens-christians-death-rapture/
3. https://lightforthelastdays.co.uk/articles/the-rapture-second-coming-and-the-millennium/the-rapture-question/
4. https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/apostasia-rebellion-or-rapture-thomas.html
5. https://www.thebereancall.org/content/revival-or-apostasy
6. https://lightforthelastdays.co.uk/articles/the-rapture-second-coming-and-the-millennium/the-rapture-question/
7. http://www.thedidache.com/
8. https://bridgelane.org.uk/who-we-support
9. http://ukapologeticslibrary.net/the-new-tribes-mission/