ANDY WOODS: REVELATION 3:10 DOES NOT SUPPORT THE PRETRIB RAPTURE

 One Verse That Proves the Pretrib Rapture | Andy Woods

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).

Mondo Gonzales (Prophecy Watchers) and Andy Woods discuss Revelation 3:10 and its alleged affirmation of the pretrib rapture of the church. 

Woods homes in on the Greeek τηρήσω ἐκ "I will keep {you} out of". There are two issues to consider 1 the context and the definition of "the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world"; 2 the application of τηρήσω ἐκ to Revelation 3:10 and John 17:15.

Gonzales and Woods make the assumption that "the hour of trial" is the tribulation, but this interpretation is problematic. The great tribulation applies to believers, whereas "the hour of trial" will come upon the whole world i.e. the earth dwellers. During the tribulation, believers are called to perseverance during a period of unprecedented persecution and martyrdom. (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 3:8). The hour of trial is the direct wrath of God (the day of the Lord's wrath) that comes upon the whole world after the great tribulation. (Revelation 6:17; Matthew 24:29). The churches in Philadelphia and Smyrna are faithful and do not receive a rebuke from the Lord. Philadelphia is promised:  I will keep you from the hour of trial.. whereas Smyrna is given the conditional promise: The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:9-11). The severe warnings pronounced against the compromising churches are prefixed by "I have this against you". One can only assume that unfaithful churches i.e. those who compromise will suffer the wrath of God along with the world unless they repent. (Revelation 2:5,16,21-22,3:3,16). Revelation 3:10 is addressed more fully by Alan Kurschner: Revelation 3:10 Archives | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES          

Woods addresses the well-known objection to the theory that Revelation 3:10 refers to a pretrib rapture. He cites John 17:15 where the same construction τηρήσω ἐκ is used. Since John was the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation and both are direct quotes from Jesus, it is reasonable to interpret τηρήσω ἐκ similarly to affirm the idea that Revelation 3:10 means literally to“keep from” rather than "preserve through".

John 17:15 consists of two phrases:

I do not ask that you take them out of the world (ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου)

but (ἀλλ’) that you keep (τηρήσῃς) them from the evil {one}. (John 17:15).

Woods: "What people do is they look at the wrong object. The ἐκ and τηρήσω go with the evil one, not with the world."  ?? Gonzales and Woods profess to be skilled in the original languages, but I am hesitant about accepting Woods' interpretation of John 17:15. I do not claim to be an expert in biblical Greek, but I would read this verse differently. The object of the first phrase is the world and ἀλλ’ is the conjunction. In my view, the reading of John 17:15 is that Jesus rejects taking His followers out of the world (ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου), in favour of the contrasting course i.e. to keep (τηρήσῃς) them from evil (or the evil one). I do not think this verse refers to the rapture; rather it seems to have the sense of the Lord's prayer "deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13 cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 John 5:18). 

Ellicott: "We have to bear in mind also that the present passage occurs in the second 'Lord's Prayer,' and that His prayer for them may with probability be interpreted in the same sense as the words in which He taught them to pray. On the whole, therefore, it seems likely, but yet is by no means certain, that we ought to read here, 'that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.'" 1 

Strong's: The Greek conjunction 'ἀλλά' (alla) is used to denote contrast or exception. It is often translated as 'but,' 'rather,' or 'on the contrary' in English. This word serves to introduce a statement that contrasts with or opposes what has been previously mentioned. It is a critical conjunction in Greek for clarifying distinctions and emphasizing differences in thought or action.2  

Two examples of ἀλλά

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but (ἀλλὰ) a sword. (Matthew 10:34). 

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but (ἀλλὰ) seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:22).

Woods' faulty definition of the tribulation is a huge problem. There is a clear distinction in the scriptures between tribulation (thlipsis) and wrath (orgé). Woods' denial of the critical information that God's direct wrath begins after the tribulation is a disturbing contradiction of the scriptures.

Immediately after the tribulation (thlipsin) 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. (Matthew 24:29-31).

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath (orgēs) has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

The following verses quoted by Woods allegedly teach a pretrib rapture. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled. (John 14:1-4). 

Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 413-18).  

For Woods, if these verses do not indicate a pretrib rapture "..it is not much of a comfort." Citing individual verses as evidence of a pretrib rapture is irresponsible and dangerous. These verses/passages do not specify the timing of the rapture and critically not one verse in the bible teaches a pretrib rapture. The call to faith is a tough call! Believers are repeatedly warned about the extreme cost of discipleship. (Luke 14:27-28; Matthew 24:9; John 16:2-3; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 1 John 13:13 etc.) 

The pretrib rapture fallacy is likely to have severe repercussions for the body of Christ and I am aghast that Woods and others shamelessly persist in promoting it. Woods et al are so entrenched that they have created an almost impenetrable stronghold. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:12). I pray and hope they will humble themselves before the Lord and repent before it is too late. (1 John 4:1).  

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, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19).

A further word of caution 

Prophecy Watchers give a platform to false teachers such as Jonathan Cahn who claims to be "prophetic", "Reverend" Donna Howell, and recently disgraced spiritual abuser Jimmy Evans.4 Prophecy Watchers are closely involved with and are tainted by the heretical TV network Daystar.3  Prophecy Watchers: "A NEW DAY is dawning at our ministry. After the TBN building and studio acquisition … after Daystar Television accepted our program.."5 This is a severe compromise and smacks of the NAR! Like many false ministries, Prophecy Watchers constantly peddle their merchandise. (2 Corinthians 2:17). Several pretrib teachers appear on Daystar including LA Marzuli, Bill Salus, Billy Crone, Tom Hughes, David Jeremiah, and Jack Hibbs who endorses Che Ahn!6 Jack Hibbs' unbiblical response to Michael Grant when challenged about his compromise and the doctrine of separation is very telling: They Actually Responded & It Wasn't Good IMHO (My Take on the Situation) Unfortunately Andy Woods seems willing to sacrifice almost anything on the altar of the pretrib rapture! (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 16:17-18).

  

1. John 17:15 Commentaries: "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
2. Strong's Greek: 235. ἀλλά (alla) -- but, rather, on the contrary
3. Shows | Daystar Television
4 .Jimmy Evans: A Line in the Sand - The Prophecy Watchers
5. Meet the New Co-Host of Prophecy Watchers!
6. Jack Hibbs Endorses NAR Che Ahn l HR1154 "Conspir@cy The0rists" bill l Temple on earth @ FOT timing