There has been a fairly long break since Dalton Thomas' and Joel Richardson's last bible study. I was hoping that this was due to the fact that they saw the need to make some radical adjustments to their skewed views. I also wondered whether they had been honest enough to question their legitimacy as bible teachers ~ but apparently not. I will go into this in more detail at the end of this post.
In my previous post I questioned Dalton Thomas' distortion of the book of Revelation and his warped teaching regarding the fifth and sixth trumpets (the first two woes) in Revelation chapter 9. I observed that he had invented his own bizarre scenario for the first six trumpet judgements. {1} The above episode reveals a number of further problems relating to Dalton Thomas' eschatology, in particular his distorted "seventh trumpet" rapture view.
The belief that the "last trumpet" in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 is the seventh trumpet in the book of Revelation is highly problematic.
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
Dalton Thomas' theory does not match the context or the chronology of the book of Revelation.
Dalton Thomas: "There is a 'great trumpet' described.. Isaiah 26 says that right before a great wedding feast in Zion there is going to be a great trumpet blast." There is no "great trumpet" in Isaiah 26. The verse he refers to is Isaiah 27:13 which applies to the return of the Israelites from Egypt and Assyria. Isaiah 26:19-21 confirms that God's wrath follows the resurrection of the dead i.e. the prewrath position.
Dalton Thomas begins with the presumption that Paul's "last trumpet" coincides with the seventh trumpet of Revelation. He resorts to eisegesis in order to justify his presupposition. One problem with this view is that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in about 53–54AD and John wrote the book of Revelation in about 96AD, leaving a gap of about forty years between the books. As such Paul was probably unaware of the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15 (cf. Revelation 8:2-6,12; 9:1,13; 10:7). Dalton Thomas claims that this is a "goofy argument". The forty year gap between Paul and John would not be a convincing argument in isolation, but this is only one aspect of the problematic seventh trumpet/post-trib rapture view. Dalton Thomas fails to grasp the concept that Paul was alluding to the imagery of the shofar in the Old Testament rather than the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15. This explanation fits the context and is more compelling since the shofar was sounded in order to summon the assembly. (Exodus 20:18; Psalm 81:3; Isaiah 18:3; Isaiah 27:13).
Dalton Thomas appears to be teaching a distorted version the classical post-trib rapture view. This view generally promotes the idea that the trumpets and bowls correspond with one another, and that the sixth seal, the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl are the same events. However, there is convincing evidence that the seals, the trumpets and bowls in the book of Revelation are sequential. In a general sense, the rise in the intensity of judgements suggests a sequential rather than a simultaneous view. More specifically, when the fourth seal is broken, Death and Hades are given power over one fourth of the earth (Revelation 6:8). However one third of the earth is the specific figure relating to the first four trumpets. (Revelation 8:7, 9,10-12, 9:15). The intensity of the judgements culminate with the seven bowls ~ for with them the wrath of God is finished. (Revelation 15:1). The trumpet and bowl judgements are not a close enough match to draw the conclusion that exactly the same events are being described. For instance, at the fourth trumpet the sun and moon are struck causing a reduction of the light by one third (Revelation 8:12), whereas when the fourth angel pours out his bowl on the sun, it is allowed to scorch people with fire. (Revelation 16:8). The river Euphrates is mentioned in the sixth trumpet and the sixth bowl, but their purpose is totally different. (Revelation 9:13-14; 6:12). Furthermore there are contextual considerations that Dalton Thomas ignores. For instance, Revelation 7:1-8 describes the sealing of the 144000 Jews which necessarily precedes the fifth trumpet judgement of Revelation 9:4. The sealing of the 144,00 Jews in Revelation 7:1-8 takes place during an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, but its relationship to the seals and the chronology of the events is indisputable. Similarly Revelation 16:2 (the mark of the beast) presupposes Revelation 13:16-18. This event occurs between the conclusion of the trumpets and the beginning of the bowls.
The context of the trumpets in Revelation is specific in that they implement the day of the Lord i.e. the wrath of God following the breaking of the seventh seal. (Revelation 8 ff.). 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 refer exclusively to the rapture, there is no reference whatsoever to judgement/wrath in these passages.
Dalton Thomas explains the forty year gap between Paul and John as "progressive prophecy continuity". Dalton Thomas: "There are not multiple 'last trumpets', the seventh trumpet is the last trumpet." This naïve viewpoint fails to take account of the complexities of the subject and the unresolvable problems related to the seventh trumpet argument. If we take the trouble to examine the scriptures, we discover that the rapture precedes the seven trumpets and occurs immediately after the tribulation:
The above event describes the sixth seal cosmic disturbances. Chronologically the trumpet judgements follow the opening of the seventh seal. (Revelation 6:12-17).
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them... Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.. (Revelation 8:,1,2,6).
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8).
In Revelation 7:9 there is a great multitude that no one could number before God's throne clothed in white robes. This indicates that the number of the resurrected saints is now complete and that the rapture has occurred.
Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:11).
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. (Revelation 7:14). In Revelation 6:11 the martyrs are given white robes and are told to wait a little longer. In Revelation 7:9 the great multitude are clothed in white robes:
Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:11).
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.. (Revelation 7:9).
One has to throw out all pretense of sound hermeneutic in order to justify the Revelation 11:15 seventh trumpet rapture view. Despite this, a number of post-trib rapture teachers are determined to hold fast to their "seventh trumpet". Dalton Thomas refutes the pre-trib rapture view, but problematically his own view is appallingly deficient. This effectively generates further confusion concerning the timing of the rapture and defeats his alleged object of providing clarification.
One has to throw out all pretense of sound hermeneutic in order to justify the Revelation 11:15 seventh trumpet rapture view. Despite this, a number of post-trib rapture teachers are determined to hold fast to their "seventh trumpet". Dalton Thomas refutes the pre-trib rapture view, but problematically his own view is appallingly deficient. This effectively generates further confusion concerning the timing of the rapture and defeats his alleged object of providing clarification.
Alan Kurschner: "..the 'seventh trumpet is when the rapture occurs' interpretation is a skewing domino affect where posttribulation interpreters get almost everything wrong on their interpretation of the book of Revelation." {2}
Dalton Thomas' parting shot - Do not study
"This is how revelation is given, it is not by studying -- you can study all day long and be a demon. Studying doesn't do anything. Studying is not the same as hunger and humility.. Lots of people study for other motivations.. to get certain things and to be something else.. Hunger and humility is the only way.."
I would not argue that hunger and humility are not essential ingredients in order to grow in the Lord. However by denouncing study, Dalton Thomas appears to actively discourage anyone who would test his skewed teaching against the scriptures.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; (Hosea 4:6).
In isolation "knowledge puffs up". (1 Corinthians 8:1). However, the notion that we do not need to study the scriptures is to resort to reductio ad absurdum. We do need to study in order to be properly equipped both to understand the scriptures and to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). I suggest that Dalton Thomas' examines his own motivations for saying such a foolish thing.
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).
Both lifestyle and doctrine are essential requirements for anyone purporting to be an elder or a teacher. (1 Timothy 4:16).
Dalton Thomas does not fulfil the scriptural requirements of a teacher/elder due to his extra marital affair with a single woman on the team of FAI under his leadership. I will not go into details here, but I advise anyone who follows FAI to read the following article by Mike Reynolds: mikereynolds.org The scriptures state that elders should be above reproach. (Titus 1:5-9). Dalton Thomas markets himself as something of an expert, but much of his teaching is based on his own opinions and forced eisegesis, this is what the bible calls "empty talk". (Titus 1:10; Proverbs 18:2; 2 Timothy 1:13). In addition, he has known associations with IHOP, a questionable ministry associated with the New Apostolic Reformation. The above factors constitute more than enough evidence for believers to mark and avoid this man. (Romans 6:17).
I know nothing about Joel Richardson's personal morality, but I do know that a "prophetic endorsement" by "Latter Rain" false prophet Paul Cain was the catalyst that kick started his "ministry". Paul Cain's lifestyle was tarnished by spiritual deception, homosexuality and alcoholism. (Galatians 5:19-21). A "prophetic endorsement" from Paul Cain is a contraindication, not a recommendation ~ and yet Joel Richardson actually boasts about it! {4} Joel Richardson also has associations with TBN and other questionable neo-charismatic "ministries". Richardson is the only person in "ministry" I know of that goes under a pseudonym. Apparently this is because he believes that his family are at risk from harm from Islamic activists due to his questionable Islamic Antichrist theory. If his "ministry" really is legitimate, what would prevent him trusting the Lord regarding possible outcomes? (Psalm 118:6).
Dalton Thomas does not fulfil the scriptural requirements of a teacher/elder due to his extra marital affair with a single woman on the team of FAI under his leadership. I will not go into details here, but I advise anyone who follows FAI to read the following article by Mike Reynolds: mikereynolds.org The scriptures state that elders should be above reproach. (Titus 1:5-9). Dalton Thomas markets himself as something of an expert, but much of his teaching is based on his own opinions and forced eisegesis, this is what the bible calls "empty talk". (Titus 1:10; Proverbs 18:2; 2 Timothy 1:13). In addition, he has known associations with IHOP, a questionable ministry associated with the New Apostolic Reformation. The above factors constitute more than enough evidence for believers to mark and avoid this man. (Romans 6:17).
I know nothing about Joel Richardson's personal morality, but I do know that a "prophetic endorsement" by "Latter Rain" false prophet Paul Cain was the catalyst that kick started his "ministry". Paul Cain's lifestyle was tarnished by spiritual deception, homosexuality and alcoholism. (Galatians 5:19-21). A "prophetic endorsement" from Paul Cain is a contraindication, not a recommendation ~ and yet Joel Richardson actually boasts about it! {4} Joel Richardson also has associations with TBN and other questionable neo-charismatic "ministries". Richardson is the only person in "ministry" I know of that goes under a pseudonym. Apparently this is because he believes that his family are at risk from harm from Islamic activists due to his questionable Islamic Antichrist theory. If his "ministry" really is legitimate, what would prevent him trusting the Lord regarding possible outcomes? (Psalm 118:6).
The eschatology of both Joel Richardson and Dalton Thomas is very twisted. I would advise believers to test the spirits and avoid these two empty talkers. (Titus 1:10; 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11 cf. Romans 16:17-18).
UPDATE
1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: DALTON THOMAS: MISREPRESENTATION OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION(bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. Misidentifying the 'Last Trump' as the 'Seventh Trumpet' | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
3. Strong's Greek: 4704. σπουδάζω (spoudazó) -- to make haste, hence to give diligence (biblehub.com)
