MICHAEL GRANT: THE SECOND COMING

The Second Coming - How Will It Happen?

I regard Michael Grant as a good pastor overall, although I do not agree with him on some aspects of theology. Eschatology is a subject that many leaders regard as "non-essential", and many accept the view of their denomination and are resistant to anything that challenges the "party line". Unquestioning acceptance of any doctrinal view based on specious evidence prevents many teachers from applying the same criteria to eschatology that they would normally apply to any other teaching. In particular, the pretrib rapture presupposition prevents teachers from studying eschatology in any depth, and they often go along to get along. In other words, they make the error of taking someone else's word for it without testing the spirits. (1 John 4:1). In my view, this is a terrible mistake, particularly in light of Jesus' admonition not to be deceived and to "watch". (Matthew 24:4,42). Michael Grant is one of the leaders influenced by John MacArthur's theology, and it seems likely that this is where his support of the pretrib rapture originates. In common with other false teachings, the pretrib rapture is received without due diligence on superficial evidence. (Matthew 12:36-37). Like many false teachings, the pretrib rapture is based on false hope that will likely devastate the faith of its proponents in the last generation. (Matthew 24:10). 

Like many pre-trib teachers, Michael Grant conflates Matthew 24 and Revelation 19. He fails to appreciate that Matthew 24:29-31 is a rapture passage rather than a description of Jesus' physical return to the earth at Armageddon. This information turns the pretrib rapture on its head since this event happens "after the tribulation".

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. (Matthew 24:29-31)

And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” (Revelation 6:12-17). 

Interestingly, identical cosmic disturbances are described when the sixth seal is broken in Revelation 6. Far from being signless and imminent, the rapture will be preceded by terrifying cosmic signs and a great earthquake. This then is how "every eye will see him":  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. (Matthew 24:30; cf. Revelation 1:7).

It is very encouraging that a growing number of believers are questioning the pretrib rapture doctrine. I urge anyone seeking to understand this subject to avail themselves of the excellent resources below. 

ESCHATOS MINISTRIES | Alan Kurschner, Ph.D. is the founder of Eschatos Ministries, teaching Bible prophecy from a futurist, premillennial, prewrath perspective.
7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie)