PAUL WILKINSON: DUMBING DOWN THE RAPTURE

The Simple Truth About the Rapture | Paul Wilkinson | Prophecy Watchers

It is difficult to see how Paul Wilkinson expects discerning viewers to take his contribution seriously when he chooses to appear as a guest on Prophecy Watchers with Gary Stearman. The ministry has accumulated substantial criticism: its heavy commercialisation, its constant product‑driven framing, its acquisition of a former TBN studio, and its self‑promotion through associations with networks like TBN, Daystar, CTN, and Cornerstone. Prophecy Watchers itself highlights these network connections as ministry “breakthroughs", presenting the TBN building purchase and Daystar acceptance as divine endorsements rather than routine media expansion. The platform is also widely perceived as excessively commercial, with nearly every teaching segment tied to DVDs, books, bundles, subscriptions, or “ministry support” packages, creating a closed loop where theological claims feed product sales. External observers echo this perception, describing the ministry as a money‑making scheme with paywall‑adjacent practices.1 In addition, Prophecy Watchers regularly features teachers whose doctrines are considered highly questionable in many conservative theological circles. Wilkinson’s appearance suggests that, for him, alignment on pretribulation eschatology overrides concerns about commercialisation, doctrinal instability, or platform credibility.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10)

Wilkinson: "Paul is giving comfort to God's people, which is why Paul says in verse 18 at the very end, 'encourage one another. Comfort one another with these words'. Not 'scare the living daylights out of each other' as many in the church are doing with their tribulationism, but 'comfort, encourage one another.'"

The phrase “peace and security” is not a rapture marker; it is a Day‑of‑the‑Lord marker. It signals the shift from thlipsis (tribulation) to orgē (wrath). Believers are not appointed to wrath, but they will experience the tribulation. (Matthew 24:8,21, 29; Revelation 6:17; 12:17). Wilkinson collapses the distinction between thlipsis and orgē, yet scripture maintains that distinction with clarity.

It is the duty of every responsible interpreter to warn believers about the coming tribulation, not to give them emotional platitudes and false hope. We comfort one another with our ultimate hope, but there will be tribulation, both in the general sense and also in the ultimate sense, before the day of the Lord. Pretrib interpreters fail to prepare believers for this difficult time.

Wilkinson: "I believe this is pertinent to the church with all the talk of tribulationalism. 'You are going to go halfway through it, you are going to five-sevenths of the way through it, you are going to go all the way through it.. or there is no rapture.. we are in it now.' 'But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity (ἁπλότης) that is in Christ'  (2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV). What does Satan want to do? He wants to complicate, he wants to confuse.."

Scripture explicitly places the rapture after the breaking of the sixth seal. (Revelation 6:17; Matthew 24:29–31). This is not an invention of prewrath interpreters, nor is it speculation. It is the plain sequence given in the text. Wilkinson doesn't engage in any technical discussion with the prewrath position; he simply lobs ad hominem attacks and mocks the word of God. 

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure (ἁπλότης) devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3). 

The Greek noun ἁπλότης is translated in several ways across the lexicons. Although the NKJV and some other versions render it as “simplicity",  the term does not mean simplicity in the sense of something reduced, basic, or intellectually minimal. According to Strong’s, it derives from ἁπλοῦς and carries the sense of singleness — subjectively, sincerity without duplicity or self‑interest; objectively, generosity expressed in open‑handed giving.2 The core idea is an undivided, straightforward purpose that manifests as transparent sincerity and liberal generosity, not a call to simplistic thinking.

Wilkinson’s appeal to the “simplicity of the rapture”, combined with his assertion that he wrote his book for the Gypsy church because they are largely uneducated, functions as a calculated exploitation of a vulnerable population. He identifies those least equipped to resist him as the most suitable recipients of his claims. The same pattern is visible among Prophecy Watchers viewers, whose lack of discernment leaves them equally exposed. His dubious doctrinal assertions are funnelled toward those he presumes cannot test or critically evaluate anything he says. (1 John 4:1). Scripture repeatedly warns believers not to remain simple‑minded (naive) but to pursue understanding. (Proverbs 8:5; 9:4, 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).* Peter explicitly acknowledges that some of Paul’s writings are hard to understand and are twisted by the ignorant and unstable to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16). In other words, not everything is simple, and responsible interpretation requires effort, study, and discernment. This does not require academic training, but it does require a deliberate willingness to seek understanding from the Lord — a request He answers when believers genuinely desire discernment. Wilkinson’s model bypasses this biblical expectation and instead treats doctrinal “simplicity” as a virtue, though scripture never does. Scripture teaches that spiritual truth is spiritually discerned, but this does not create an intellectual hierarchy or endorse a passive, unquestioning faith. It means the Spirit grants understanding as believers engage, examine, and think. No group is exempt from this responsibility, whether educated or not. Wilkinson’s effort to package the pretribulation rapture as a “simple” doctrine for an allegedly vulnerable audience does not shield them; it leaves them exposed to error with serious—potentially catastrophic—consequences. (Matthew 24:10).

Wilkinson says, “The rapture is not about a doctrine as such; it is about a Person… the Person of the rapture.” He is correct in principle, yet it is striking that when the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of His coming and the end of the age, His first response was a warning: See that no one leads you astray. (Matthew 24:4). In other words, devotion to the Person does not negate the need for doctrinal clarity or vigilance against deception.

In technical terms, the rapture occurs between the sixth and seventh seals of Revelation. Since no one knows the day or the hour, this is the only biblically responsible approximation available. To dismiss or mock what God has explicitly revealed about the timing of the rapture is not a minor offence; Wilkinson will ultimately answer for his contemptuous rejection of this clear biblical assertion. As I have repeatedly argued, those who ignore the scripture's explicit warnings about the tribulation will be disoriented and unprepared when confronted with the persecution of the Antichrist. Teachers like Wilkinson function as modern Hananiah figures—false prophets who refuse to rightly divide the word of truth and who cultivate false hope rather than sober readiness. (2 Timothy 2:15; Jeremiah 15:1–16).

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).

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 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, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5).

1. Prophecy watchers-cult? : r/cults

2. Strong's Greek: 572. ἁπλότης (haplotés) -- Simplicity, sincerity, generosity, liberality

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie)

Microsoft Word - Imminency versus Prophecy 3.7.doc

* Topical Bible: Simple-minded

CHRIS QUINTANA: WHITEWASHING CHUCK SMITH

Did Chuck Smith Make a False Prophecy? Here's What Scripture Says

Above: Chris Quintana's defence of Chuck Smith and his prediction that the rapture would occur in 1981 due to a misunderstanding of "this generation" in Matthew 24:34.

Chris Quintana spent several minutes insisting that Smith’s prediction was not a “Thus saith the Lord” prophecy—in other words, it was not a direct revelation from God. That distinction functions as an excuse, but it does not resolve the issue. Date‑setting is inherently reckless, and Calvary Chapel has been trying to defend Smith’s misstep ever since. Quintana’s approach feels like an attempt to whitewash a serious error—one that Smith never explained, never corrected, and never owned publicly.

Chuck Smith "I believe that the generation of 1948 is the last generation. Since a generation of judgment is forty years and the Tribulation period lasts seven years, I believe the Lord could come back for His Church any time before the Tribulation starts, which would mean anytime before 1981.

..However, it is possible that Jesus is dating the beginning of the generation from 1967, when Jerusalem was again under Israeli control for the first time since 587 B.C. We don’t know for sure which year actually marks the beginning of the last generation.”

“If the generation begins in 1967 instead of 1948, the timeline shifts, but the expectation remains within that window.” (1967 variant). pp. 35–36 of Chuck Smith’s 1978 booklet End Times. 

Smith’s 1981 rapture prediction was not an isolated remark; he repeated it in print, including in Future Survival (1973) and Snatched Away (1976), as documented by Calvary Chapel Wiki’s entry on the 1981 prediction.1  

People who acknowledge their mistakes demonstrate genuine integrity—something vital for all believers, but especially influential Bible teachers who carry public trust. Refusal to admit error is driven by fleshly impulses: fear of consequences and the instinct to preserve one’s image. Scripture offers no justification for either. Chuck Smith should have addressed his error publicly, but he chose not to. It is neither wise nor honest to excuse this or to attempt to sanitise his legacy by glossing over it.

Addressing the question: "this generation"

In Matthew 24:34, “this generation” is usually explained in one of three ways.

1. Preterist: Jesus is referring to His contemporaries.

2. Futurist: A future “fig tree generation”—the group alive when the end‑time events begin will live to see them completed.

3. Corporate Israel: “Generation” refers to Israel as a persistent, covenant‑breaking people, echoing Isaiah 6 and the recurring biblical theme of Israel’s resistance to God and rejection of the Messiah until the end of the age.

I find myself resonating with the third view, especially after hearing Peter Goeman’s argument.*

Further Concerns

Chuck Smith was ecumenical and made the unequivocal assertions that Roman Catholics are Christians! In his book, Answers For Today (1993), he made the following ecumenical statement:

"We should realize that we're all part of the Body of Christ and that there aren't any real divisions in the Body. We're all one. What a glorious day when we discover that God loves the Baptists! -- And the Presbyterians, and the Methodists, and the Catholics. We're all His and we all belong to Him. We see the whole Body of Christ, and we begin to strive together rather than striving against one another" (p157). (emphasis mine).

On another occasion, Smith stated unequivocally that Roman Catholics are Christians: "I had a cousin who was a mother superior in the Catholic Church and she was just a wonderful Christian. I loved her and we had great conversations together and I didn't try to convert her from Catholicism, nor did she try to convert me into becoming a Catholic.. it is just we both recognise that we had the same Lord and the same faith and so forth.." He goes on to say that the differences between Christians and Catholics are not that great - his conclusion: "Catholics are basically Christians too." 2  

Apart from Smith's false rapture prediction and ecumenism, he regularly appeared on the apostate TV network TBN. False teacher Paul Crouch referred to Smith as a "dear friend" after his death.3 Smith was also a "good friend" of false teacher Rick Warren. Friendships and associations with deceivers such as Paul Crouch and Rick Warren should be unacceptable to any believer committed to biblical integrity.

Smith also continued to sanction the ministry of his close associate, Don Stewart, after his adultery. Don Stewart left his wife and two teenage daughters for no good reason and married another woman in 2011. (Matthew 19:19).4 Smith and Stewart had a long association going back to the early days of Calvary Chapel at Costa Mesa, and they jointly hosted Pastors Perspective for a number of years. Don Stewart continues a high-profile ministry in association with Calvary Chapel despite being an adulterer! He is another "prophecy expert" and false teacher who relentlessly promotes the pretrib rapture error.

Chuck Smith, Paul Cain and the Branham Movement

John Collins, founder of William Branham Historical Research and the Leaving the Message YouTube channel, has documented extensive, verifiable connections between Chuck Smith and Paul Cain, whose ministry is explicitly framed as a continuation of Branham‑style, Latter Rain‑adjacent revivalism. Smith’s early ministry context placed him within the same networks. Collins has published evidence of a 1989 confrontation involving Paul Cain, Chuck Smith, and Jack Deere, following Smith’s public exposure of Cain’s homosexuality, high-flying lifestyle, financial misconduct, and fraudulent spiritual gifts. During that meeting, Cain warned Smith that “certain things could come out”, a statement Cain himself acknowledged as “spiritual blackmail”. Smith subsequently backed down, issued a public apology, and retracted his accusations.5

John Collins links this event to the rise of "cover-up culture" within Charismatic Christianity, and he asks some very pertinent questions: "And they (the allegations) would have caused Paul Cain severe damage to his ministry, and I don't know that he really would have recovered from this. And again, look at this intersection in time. Had Paul Cain been stopped, then would there have been an IHOP KC, if not an IHOPKC, how far would the NAR have developed with its seven mountains mandate agenda?"6 

 

In 2004 Cain admitted to being an alcoholic and a homosexual and agreed to a process of restoration.6 

Chuck Smith's theological departures are too substantial to minimise or whitewash. His date setting, ecumenism and associations with dubious figures such as Paul Cain represent serious breaches; they are not peripheral missteps. This pattern indicates his willingness to subordinate scripture when it conflicted with his objectives.

I value Chris Quintana’s ministry and regularly listen to his verse‑by‑verse teaching on YouTube. Even so, his loyalty to Chuck Smith is misplaced and contradicts the scriptures. Calvary Chapel’s commitment to the pretribulation rapture introduces yet another significant doctrinal problem, deepening the already‑troubling theological legacy associated with Smith. Chris Quintana would be well advised to reconsider his alignment with Smith and engage honestly with the documented evidence.

*   (543) 144: Defining "This Generation" in Matthew 24 with Dr. Peter Goeman - YouTube

1. Calvary Chapel Wiki / 1981

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc9bNm62SCU

3.  https://www.tbn.org/press-releases/dr-paul-crouchs-statement-passing-pastor-chuck-smith

4. http://scatteredsheepreport.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-20-2012-show-my-perspective-on.html 

5. paul_cain_blackmails_chuck_smith_jack_deere_1989-10-09.pdf

6. Chuck Smith and the Rise of Cover Up Culture in Charismatic Christianity | 545

Further Links

http://calvarychapel.pbworks.com/w/page/. /1981 

Chuck Smith - William Branham Historical Research

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie)

PAUL WILKINSON: PRETRIB RAPTURE UNDER ATTACK

The Rapture Is Under Attack… Here’s Why | Dr. Paul Wilkinson

In the above video, Paul Wilkinson explains that the inspiration for his latest book emerged in 2022, after a young minister in an evangelical Gypsy church asked him to provide evidence that the church does not go through the tribulation.

Brandon Holthaus: "The rapture comes under a lot of attack, and in the last five years.. it has been just viciously attacked, unlike I have ever seen. I mean, to the point that they call it 'cultic', they call it 'hasty theology', 'this is John Darby making up stuff', even saying 'this is a Zionist movement'... Why do you think, in your opinion, the rapture is being attacked like this?" 

Paul Wilkinson: "I think because this is what the apostle called 'our blessed hope'. Titus 2:13. That is the hope of every true born-again, spirit sealed, believing Christian that makes up the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, that at any moment our Lord Jesus, our heavenly bridegroom is coming to catch us away and our salvation is going to be completed through the redemption of our bodies. And so it makes absolute sense that Satan, our adversary, the accuser of the brethren, who hates God, hates the Lord Jesus, that he would do everything in his power, his limited power, to rob the church of her blessed hope, to distract the church, to confuse the church, to get the church fighting against one another.

The “blessed hope” expresses the believer’s expectation of final redemption at Christ’s second coming. The “glorious appearing” is understood as a reference to the rapture. (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). The two descriptions belong together, pointing to a single, simultaneous event that marks the Parousia. Unlike Wilkinson and other pretrib proponents who regard the Parousia as a two-stage event, prewrath proponents view the rapture and the resurrection as the initial event that will happen when Christ's Parousia begins. This can be demonstrated in various passages of scripture, e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Matthew 24:27–3.1  Titus 2 connects the expectation of Christ’s return with a call to godly living, as does Hebrews 10:24–25. Titus 2—and scripture as a whole—does not present Christ’s appearing (the rapture) as an imminent event. 

Wilkinson: "The Daniel 9 prophecy is the clearest statement as to why we will not pass through the tribulation, because you get the tribulation defined as a seven-year period, the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. And the angel Gabriel on behalf of Almighty God says, 'This period of 70 weeks or seventy sevens, including the final seven, the final seven years, is for your people, Daniel, and your holy city, which is Jerusalem, the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem.' And then Gabriel makes it very clear what the purpose is to put an end to their sin and transgression. 

No interpreter with intellectual honesty can exegete Daniel 9 and extract a seven‑year tribulation from the text.  

Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him. (Daniel 9:24-27).

Seventy weeks represent 490 years (70 × 7). The sixty‑nine weeks conclude with the death of Jesus Christ — “the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing.” This leaves the final seven‑year period, the last “week". That week is marked by “a covenant with many", understood as an agreement between the Antichrist and Israel. Biblically, a covenant is a binding agreement or contract; it does not state or even imply the tribulation, and in fact suggests the opposite. Although the text does not specify the covenant’s content, only that it is “confirmed” or “made strong” for seven years, the one detail that can be inferred is that the Mosaic temple sacrifices and offerings are reinstated as part of it.

The midpoint of the seventieth week is the decisive turning point: the covenant is broken, sacrifice and offering are halted, and the abomination of desolation is set in place. Pretrib teachers such as Wilkinson have been repeatedly reminded that the period of the great tribulation is 3.5 years — “cut short” (Matthew 24:22). 

Wilkinson goes on to point out that theology was distorted by certain influential early church fathers and later reinforced during the Reformation. He observes that we have inherited a legacy of presuppositional theology and long‑standing distortions rooted in tradition rather than scripture. Consequently, Israel is dismissed, and the unbiblical claim that the church is the continued Israel has become the dominant position within many denominations. I agree that the Reformation ultimately distorted Christian soteriology and replaced the early church’s premillennial expectation with allegorised eschatological systems such as amillennialism and postmillennialism—positions that diverge sharply from the outlook of first‑century believers. 

While I share Wilkinson’s concerns about what I regard as "stunted theology" within certain Protestant denominations, I would point out that pretribulationalism is equally constrained by its own presuppositional framework—particularly the innovations introduced by John Nelson Darby, whose nineteenth‑century systematisation did much to entrench the pretrib rapture as a normative expectation. In practice, pretribulationalists have hindered sound premillennial eschatology by attaching it to a non‑biblical “left behind” narrative that many critical thinkers have dismissed and ridiculed as a theological train wreck. The early church consistently affirmed premillennialism but did not teach pretribulationism. Nevertheless, persuading committed pretribulationists of this distinction remains challenging, even in the face of compelling scriptural evidence. Prewrath teachers often struggle to have their material assessed fairly, because they are frequently viewed as adjacent to pretribulationism—a perceived synthesis of pre, mid, and posttrib positions—and are dismissed under the same assumptions.

The Imminency Problem

Wilkinson quotes John 14 in support of imminency. Imminency functions as the central pillar of the pretrib rapture framework, and its advocates tend to filter nearly every doctrine through that lens. Wilkinson describes the rapture as a “signless event"; in other words, no prophesied events must occur beforehand. According to Wilkinson, nothing needs to happen first; the rapture could take place at any moment: "The rapture could be right now, before we even finish this interview".

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. (John 14:1-4)).

Imminence is not actually stated in these verses; it has to be inferred. Additionally, the text itself does not teach a signless, any‑moment return.

Holthaus: "What does imminency do for the believer as far as sanctification is concerned?" Wilkinson's response was twofold. Firstly, he claims that imminency is an incentive to preach the gospel since "we may not get another chance". 

The mandate to preach the gospel is not grounded in any doctrine of imminency. Scripture presents the motivation differently: Christ desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Wilkinson has attempted to attach imminency to the Great Commission, but that connection is not supported by the biblical text. The genuine urgency arises from human mortality—each person has only the span of their own life in which to respond. 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20).

Wilkinson: "Number two, you are the bride. So watch how you live. Don't get yourself corrupted by the world. Don't be slumbering and sleeping, but be alert. Be vigilant. Gird up the loins of your mind because the bridegroom is coming."

The motivation to live a godly life is the desire of genuine spirit-filled believers to pursue a lifestyle that aligns with the teachings and character of God. It is a relational response to God’s love as defined in the gospel; it is not a reaction to an invented doctrine of imminency. Wilkinson alludes to 1 Timothy 4, which concludes with the command to "keep a close watch on how we live". This chapter is based on the danger of being corrupted by false teachers; it is not about imminency. 

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16).

Bible Hub: "Living a godly life refers to the pursuit of a lifestyle that aligns with the teachings and character of God as revealed in the Bible. It involves embodying virtues such as love, humility, integrity, and obedience to God's commandments. This pursuit is central to the Christian faith, as believers are called to reflect God's holiness and righteousness in their daily lives."2 

Wilkinson: "So to put the church absolutely right to put the church in the tribulation destroys imminency because the essence of imminency is you just don't know but it's at hand. It is at hand. It is so close. So I think you know with John chapter 14 when the Lord Jesus he doesn't teach the rapture but he introduces it. "  (21:00 mark)

The Greek verb ἐγγίζω (eggizō) means “to approach” or “to draw near.” It comes from the root ἐγγύς (engys) meaning “near.” According to Strong’s 1448, the verb consistently expresses proximity—coming close, being near, or approaching.3 It does not carry a technical sense of imminence, nor does it inherently communicate that an event could occur at any moment.

A responsible interpreter who prioritises accuracy over theological prejudice will not import the concept of imminence into a verb that does not contain it.

Furthermore, Luke 21:25–33 shows that specific, identifiable signs must occur before the event in question. 

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the eavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Luke 21:25-33).day

The day of Christ  v The day of the Lord     

Pretrib interpreters identify "the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:6,10; 2:16) as the pretrib rapture, while reserving "the day of the Lord" for Christ’s return with His saints, when divine wrath is poured out. Alan Kurschner notes, however, that although the KJV reads "the day of Christ" in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, the earliest and strongest manuscript evidence overwhelmingly supports the reading "the day of the Lord".4 

Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 present the rapture and the onset of God’s wrath as posttribulational events occurring on the same day, both introduced by cosmic disturbances. Revelation 6 further locates the beginning of "the day of the Lord" after the opening of the sixth seal, at the close of the tribulation. The text itself establishes this sequence:

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).  

Joel 2:31 supports the prewrath position by showing that the cosmic disturbances occur immediately before the day of the Lord. The sequence is explicit: the signs in the heavens precede the onset of God’s wrath.

The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Joel 2:31 cf. Isaiah 13:6; Zephaniah 1:7,14).

The pre‑trib rapture view is emotionally appealing, but it does not align with the scriptural evidence. When someone persists in an interpretation that can be shown to be incorrect, the matter ceases to be merely academic; unless they reconsider, they will ultimately give account to the One whose word they are handling. (Romans 14:12). I recognise that the pre‑trib position is deeply ingrained for Paul Wilkinson and others, yet sincerely held beliefs must still be tested when they fail to match the testimony of scripture. For that reason, I appeal to Paul Wilkinson to re‑examine his position, turn from error, and rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

Wilkinson urges pre‑trib believers to "stay away" from those who disagree with him and accuses them of "mishandling God’s word". That is a serious allegation—one he should first apply to his own view, given the identifiable weaknesses within the pretribulational framework. Charges of mishandling scripture carry real weight, and in this instance, the caution of 1 John 4:1 is more fittingly directed back toward him.

1.The Second Coming (Parousia) Begins with the Rapture | Bible Prophecy Answers with Alan Kurschner 

2. Topical Bible: Living a Godly Life
3. Strong's Greek: 1448. ἐγγίζω (eggizó) -- To draw near, to approach, to come near
4. Does the 'Day of Christ' and the 'Day of the Lord' Refer to the Same Event? | Bible Prophecy Answers with Alan Kurschner

Further Links

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie)

Prewrath copy

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY

PAUL WILKINSON STILL PEDDLING THE PRETRIB RAPTURE

 The BEAUTIFUL SIMPLICITY of the RAPTURE | Paul Wilkinson

"How is the Rapture so beautifully simple to understand? Join guest Dr. Paul Wilkinson and hosts Tim Moore and Nathan Jones of the Lamb & Lion Ministries evangelism team as they share their Prophetic Perspectives." 

In the above video, pretrib advocate Paul Wilkinson promotes his book 'The Beautiful Simplicity of the Rapture'  which has been endorsed by various diehard pretrib proponents such as Thomas Ice, Randall Price, Andy Woods, David Reagan, Mark Hitchcock etc.1 Wilkinson explains that his book was written as a result of his association with the Gypsy Church in the UK and their request for him to produce a simple explanation for believers with very limited education, setting out why “we as the church cannot, will not, and must not go through the Tribulation.” 

This emphatic statement typifies the antipathy of pretrib leaders towards anyone who disagrees with them. Wilkinson actually relegates pretrib opponents to the status of being agents of Satan. According to Wilkinson, "Satan does not want us to believe the pretrib rapture.." This line of defence evades the theological argument and demonises those who question it, resulting in a crass, openly hostile response. There is substantial biblical evidence that believers will face the great tribulation, and it is Wilkinson who mishandles the text and positions himself in open opposition to God on this point. (2 Timothy 2:15). As with many doctrinal errors, ignorance serves the adversary well; the pre‑tribulation claim is no exception, as it risks leaving believers disoriented when its promised escape fails to materialise (Matthew 24:1).

Wilkinson has been challenged many times about the pretrib error, and it is very sad to see him continuing to expend his efforts in this way. I am at a loss to understand how he fails to process the biblical information exegetically, but it appears that he either cannot or will not. Rather than repeating the prewrath arguments yet again, I have reposted Chris White's excellent film, 7 Pretrib Problms and the Prewrath Rapture, which goes point by point through the problems associated with the pretrib rapture. It will be a very bad day for Wilkinson and his pretrib associates when they stand before the Lord and give their answer for propagating this serious error. (2 Corinthians 5:10).

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).

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 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, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

1. The Beautiful Simplicity of the Rapture - Ariel Ministries™  

The Church and the Great Tribulation: A Biblical Perspective - Biblical Times – And Being Prepared

ISRAEL: ADAM FANNIN'S INSUPPORTABLE DENIAL OF MODERN ISRAEL

Zionism is the Synagogue of Satan

Adam Fannin's outspoken anti Zionist rhetoric is very dangerous and unscriptural.

Fannin: "The great falling away is happening right now".  In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul links the falling away (apostasia) to the appearance of the Antichrist at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel, when the great tribulation begins. During the great tribulation, it appears many who profess the name of Jesus Christ will apostasize completely. At that time, there will be unprecedented betrayal and global violence against true believers. It is undeniable that, for the most part, the churches are asleep and have been hijacked by false teachers. However, as bad as things are, this situation does not indicate that we are in the eschatological apostasy referred to by Jesus Christ and Paul. 

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion (apostasia) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3 cf. Matthew 24:9-14).

Simply defined, Zionism is a Jewish national movement that seeks the creation, support and continuation of a Jewish national state in the historic land of Israel.2  

Amongst those who support the modern state of Israel are hardcore pretribulational dispensationalists like Andy Woods, Tom Hughes, Olivier Melnick, Lee Brainard, Prophecy Watchers, etc. It seems that nothing will prevent these teachers from persisting in the pretrib rapture error, no matter how much evidence to the contrary is presented to them from the scriptures. (1 John 4:1). The latter half of Daniel's 70th week focuses heavily on Israel; however, there is clear evidence that the church will also face unprecedented persecution during this period. (Revelation 6:9; Daniel 7:21; Revelation 12:17, 13:7, 14:12; Matthew 24:9). Pretrib false teachers are setting up their followers for unprecedented disappointment and disaster due to the false hope that they will escape the persecution of the Antichrist. Thankfully, in recent years, a growing number of believers have rejected the lethal pretrib rapture teaching. My own research into some of their leaders' shady antics is very troubling. (Matthew 7:20).3 

Christians deconstruct dispensationalism for a range of reasons, most notably the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, repeated failures in date-setting or prophetic sensationalism, and the absence of historical precedent prior to the nineteenth century. Once a single foundational assumption is destabilised, many begin to question the entire theological system, with historic (or classic) premillennialism emerging as the most common alternative. Historic premillennialism is posttribulational and preserves belief in a future millennial reign of Christ while omitting the dispensational framework of distinct ages, a separate rapture event, and a strict Israel–Church divide. Alternatively, prewrath premillennialism affirms the 70th week of Daniel and more accurately reflects the teaching of the scriptures and the early church fathers. Prewrath locates the rapture of the church after the sixth seal of Revelation is broken. (Revelation 6:12-17; Matthew 24:29-31). Prewrath is often presented as a corrective to dispensationalism’s timing of the rapture, but it preserves one of dispensationalism’s core structural assumptions: a functional distinction between Israel and the Church in God’s prophetic program. Fannin seems to have merged prewrath and historic premillennialism, but this is highly problematic in one key area; there is no evidence to support the belief that the church is the true Israel or that ethnic Israel has no unique role in future prophecy. 

Fannin: "Genesis 12 is not for the modern state of Israel, and Romans 11 is not for the modern state of Israel.. By the way, Romans 11 literally says Israel is not elect, and Israel has been cast away." Fannin explains that he is not a replacement theologian; rather, he maintains that the church existed before Israel, and he quotes Genesis 4:26b. 

Paul emphatically spurns the idea that God has rejected the Jewish people. He describes their present unbelief as an opportunity for the Gentiles to be grafted in. 

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. (Romans 11:1-2).

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! (Romans 11:11-12).

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. (Romans 11:17-18).

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
“and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.” (Isaiah 27:9 and Isaiah 59:20-21).

As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29).

See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:38-39). 

"This is a direct quote from Psalm 118:26 a messianic psalm that was traditionally sung during the Passover. It was also shouted by the crowds during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9). The phrase signifies recognition of the Messiah and acceptance of His divine mission. It points to a future fulfilment when Jesus will be acknowledged as the Messiah by the Jewish people, often interpreted as a reference to His second coming."1 

God makes two distinct promises to Abram (Abraham). Genesis 12:1-3 applies to "all the families of the earth", whereas Genesis 13:14-15 is a specific promise regarding Abrahams physical offspring and the land. After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. Genesis 14:14,26:2-5). The possession of the land is promised עולם עד "for ever". The promise of God is unchangeable. While the blessings and curses in Deuteronomy 28 are contingent upon the Israelites' behaviour, God's covenant with them is everlasting and stands firm. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. (Genesis 17:7,13,19,48:4). 

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject or despise them so as to destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their fathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 26:44-45).

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” (Exodus 32:13).

For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:31).

..then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:3-6).

He is the LORD our God;
His judgments carry throughout the earth.
He remembers His covenant forever,
the word He ordained for a thousand generations—
the covenant He made with Abraham,
and the oath He swore to Isaac.
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
“I will give you the land of Canaan
as the portion of your inheritance.” (Psalm 105:7-11).

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10).

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”(Jeremiah 31:33-34).

I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. (Jeremiah 32:40).

Thus says the Lord: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.” (Jeremiah 33:25-26).

“For thus says the Lord God: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant, yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account ofi the covenant with you. I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.”Ezekiel 16:59-63).

The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and of the people of Jerusalem may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn, each clan on its own: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, and all the remaining clans and their wives. (Zechariah 12:1-14).

In the whole land, declares the Lord,
two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
and one third shall be left alive.
And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” (Zechariah 13:8-).

A Jewish remnant, literally one-third, is specifically identified in relation to the number of Jews who will survive and repent after being tested by fire. 

In conclusion, it is undeniable that God's covenant with Israel is unbroken and irrevocable. Those who deny this or say that it has already been fulfilled produce insupportable arguments and distort the scriptures.

Historically, Israel never possessed the entire land promised to Abraham and his descendants between the two rivers, i.e. the Nile (in Egypt) and the Euphrates (in Mesopotamia). (Genesis 15:18). The peak of Israel's territorial control was achieved under David and Solomon, specifically Canaan, not Egypt or Mesopotamia. The literal futuristic view is that Israel will possess the full territory promised in Genesis 15:18 in the future Messianic age. 

The estimated future possession of Israel is 932 miles (1500 km)

This is the approximate straight-line distance between the two rivers. The actual territory would be wider and irregular, covering parts of Modern-day Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt.

   

1.Matthew 23:39 Study Bible: For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
2. Zionism | Definition, History, Movement, & Ideology | Britannica
3. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: LEE BRAINARD AND TOM HUGHES: PRETRIB DISHONESTY

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie) 

THE KIRK CAMERON PROBLEM: CHRONIC ITCHING EAR SYNDROME

 Kirk Cameron Denies 'Eternal Conscious Torment,' Is Now An Annihilationist? - Protestia

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.. (2 Timothy 4:3).

Those who support the heresy of annihilationism must face the chilling fact that they are directly contradicting unequivocal scriptural evidence that hell is eternal conscious torment.  

And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:24 cf. Mark 9:44)

Study Bible: "The 'worm' and 'fire' are metaphors for unending decay and punishment. Isaiah chooses decay imagery to stress unending shame. A maggot-consuming corpse normally finishes its work; here the process 'never' ends. Jesus cites this phrase verbatim for Gehenna (Mark 9:47-48), affirming eternal, conscious punishment.

The incongruity of the two images shows that they are not to be understood literally; but both alike imply everlasting continuance, and are incompatible with either of the two modern heresies of universalism or annihilationism."1 

Bible Hub: "No hint of annihilation appears; the torment is ongoing, not terminated.

Fire in Scripture pictures God’s wrath (Hebrews 12:29). It is 'unquenchable,' meaning no outside force can lessen or end it (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

The permanence of the fire matches the never-dying worm—dual metaphors underscoring one reality.

This affirms the literal, eternal nature of hell, a place prepared for the devil and his angels yet shared by all who persist in rebellion."2

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46) .

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2).

 

The contrast and dual destiny between eternal life and eternal punishment are found in both the New and Old Testaments. It is possible for those who question eternal conscious punishment to use the same twisted logic to question eternal life. As such, annihilationism strikes at the very heart of the gospel itself. Those who view annihilationism as a secondary or even a tertiary issue should think again!

Bengel's Gnomen: "The Bible has no metaphysical distinctions, therefore it has no one word to express eternity; this it expresses by long periods joined with one another indefinitely. Αἰῶνες = עו̇לָמִים, æva: very long periods, which, multiplied indefinitely, give the only notion we can form of eternity. Ὡρα (Th. ὃρος, terminus), a definite space of time: καιρὸς, the time, the fit time: χρόνος, time, in its actuality, marking succession: αἰὼν, an indefinite course of time, without the notion of an end. See Tittm. Syn. Gr. Test. Ἀπʼ αἰώνων = from all eternity, a parte ante. Εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας = to all eternity, for ages, for ever, a parte post. As these phrases are applied to the eternity of God Himself, and as, moreover, αἰώνιος is applied to ζωὴ, which none deny to mean everlasting life, no objections (such as have been lately raised), from the meaning of αἰὼν, will hold good against the everlasting duration of punishment."3

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41).

And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:11).

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. (Luke 16:19-31).

As unpalatable as we may find the doctrine of eternal torment, the only way around it is to deny the scriptures. Those who choose this course may find themselves facing the very fate they seek to deny! (Galatians 6:7; Job 4:8; Hosea 8:7; Romans 2:6).

 

Mike Winger: "I'm open to the possibility of annihilationism or conditional immortality."4

Ray Comfort (Living Waters) is a longstanding associate of Kirk Cameron, although strangely, he denies having had any "official involvement" with him for over ten years. Comfort has consistently denied annihilationism, maintaining that the traditional doctrine of eternal conscious torment is the correct biblical view. He has publicly addressed Cameron's recent comments on annihilationism, emphasising that Cameron's views do not align with Living Waters' long-held position.5  Comfort regularly appears on the apostate channel TBN, and he and Cameron hosted a joint fundraiser on TBN last year.6 😞

Cameron previously supported the pretrib rapture view and starred in the "Left Behind" film, which was released in 2000. "Left Behind" pretribulational theology is not biblically accurate and has been widely criticised and debunked by various bible teachers. Cameron subsequently changed his view from pretribulationism to posttribulationism following discussions with Joe Schimmel (Blessed Hope Chapel). Once again, Cameron did not do his due diligence and he failed to recognise the flaws in Schimmel's posttribulational eschatology. (1 John 4:1). More recently, Cameron has promoted a more world-and-life view, focusing on family, history, and cultural renewal rather than "apocalyptic fear". He now claims that the rapture may not happen for millennia.7  This view aligns more with postmillennialism, although Cameron has not formally identified with any particular tradition. Cameron's disjointed history indicates that he is not a reliable source and is unqualified to teach theology. (2 Timothy 2:15). The scriptures state that no one knows the day or the hour, and we should watch rather than speculate about the time of Jesus' Parousia. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:36,42,25:13). Furthermore, the scriptures do not hold out an optimistic eschatological view; in fact, just the reverse. 

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, , unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 cf. Matthew 24:12; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 1:18 ).

I suggest that we take the advice of the apostle and mark and avoid Kirk Cameron. (Romans 16:17-18).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5).  

1. Isaiah 66:24 Commentaries: "Then they will go forth and look On the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be quenched; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind."
2. Isaiah 66:24 "As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind."
3. Matthew 25:46 Commentaries: "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

4. (152) 20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 99) - YouTube
5. Addressing Kirk Cameron’s New Thoughts On Hell – Living Waters Down Under | Ray Comfort
6. Bing Videos
7. A Worldview of Optimism and Vi… - The Gary DeMar Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Further Links

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: edward fudge, david reagan: the heresy of annihilationism

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie)

Articles of Prewrath

Microsoft Word - Prewrath - Early Church Fathers.docx

MARK HITCHCOCK: SIGNLESS RAPTURE, TPUSA "REVIVAL" AND SPIRITUAL DECEPTION

Why This Prophetic Shift Should Alarm Us

In his latest offering above, "prophecy expert" Mark Hitchcock highlights the alleged dangers of AI.

Hitchcock: "Think about how AI will explain the rapture.. You know what is going to happen when the rapture takes place. The whole world will turn to Chat GPT or whatever its future equivalent might be, to ask the question, 'What's just happened?' People all over the world are going to go to AI, trying to find out, 'What's going on here, what has just taken place?' And I am sure that AI will come up with some sensible, plausible explanation for the disappearance of millions of people that will calm the chaos and pacify the panic that will exist in the world.."  

I have pointed out a number of times in previous posts that the rapture is absolutely not a signless event. When the rapture occurs, after the great tribulation, the world will know exactly what has happened. Below are specific rapture passages that totally refute Hitchcock's false pretrib teaching. The scriptures explicitly refer to "a great earthquake, cosmic disturbances, the sign of the Son of Man, a loud trumpet, a loud command, the voice of an archangel, every eye will see him."  

And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62).

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 cf. Acts 1:9-11).

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).

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain 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).

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. (Revelation 1:7).

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 has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

Hitchcock is closely associated with false teacher Jimmy Evans, and they have co-authored a number of books as part of "A Tipping Point Series", including "What's Next" and "Look Up". Jimmy Evans suffered a severe loss of credibility last year due to his abusive behaviour towards Jonathan and Suzy Lamb and his official approval of Joni Lamb's adulterous marriage.1 

More recently, Evans compounded his incompetence by date-setting the rapture, strongly hinting that it would occur on Rosh Hashanah. One would expect sound teachers to distance themselves from Evans, but some have shown their true colours and have continued their association with him. This is particularly true of Mark Hitchcock. (1 Timothy 6:10).

Hitchcock's inaptitude is compounded by his support for TPUSA. He recently described Charlie Kirk as "..a courageous godly young man who is impacting an entire generation for Christ and righteousness.."2 Whatever Charlie Kirk was, he was certainly not a biblical Christian! Amazingly, the people who have praised Charlie Kirk seem to have missed the elephant in the room, or have they? In reality, it was impossible to miss Kirk's ecumenical agenda, his racism, and his unstinting support of the seven mountain mandate.3  

Hitchcock claims that support of TPUSA events amounts to a "revival". However, nothing could be further from the truth. TPUSA downplays doctrinal differences, and in the process, they dilute and pollute sound doctrine. Speakers like Hindu Vivek Ramaswamy and false teachers like Mark Driscoll are anti-Christian indicators. It is patently obvious that TPUSA has never been about the true gospel of Jesus Christ. 

TPUSA is now getting far more negative feedback, with some recognising that it is a far-right political organisation that is alien to biblical Christianity. Some even compare TPUSA to far-right Naziism. 

Higher Education Inquirer: "Turning Point USA (TPUSA), brands itself as a conservative youth movement dedicated to free markets and limited government. In reality, a growing body of investigative reporting, watchdog research, and student testimony reveals an organization built on intimidation, manipulation, and close ties to extremists. Students should be aware of the risks before engaging with TPUSA in any capacity."4

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:2-3).

1. https://youtu.be/H4a23HS7qu0
2. When Wickedness Increases | Marking the End Times
3. Charlie Kirk and the Ecumenical Agenda
4. Higher Education Inquirer : Campus Warning: Avoid Contact with Turning Point USA

Recommended Link

Have You Joined The Church Of Charlie Kirk Yet? Pt.4 - Pastor Brian Dunlop-Sunday Evening, Nov. 16th

JOSEPH MHLAKELA'S FALSE RAPTURE PROPHECY SEPTEMBER 2025

South African "pastor" Joseph Mhlakela's false prophecy that the rapture would occur on September 23-24, 2025, on Rosh Hashanah, went viral on social media platforms, gaining 560,000 views. This nonsense was echoed by many other false prophets. Mhlakela now proclaims that the rapture will occur on October 6-7. Mark and avoid this false prophet. (Romans 16:17-18).

And the LORD said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. (Jeremiah 14:14).

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44).


WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JIMMY EVANS DATE SETTING THE RAPTURE!
Pastors apologize for false rapture prediction that sent social media into frenzy

JIMMY EVANS DATE SETTING THE RAPTURE!

Jimmy Evans - Is the Rapture Happening This Rosh Hashanah?

Jimmy Evans is suffering from a ruined reputation and severe lack of credibility as a bible teacher and marriage counsellor, mainly due to his abusive behaviour towards Jonathan and Suzy Lamb and his official approval of Joni Lamb's adulterous marriage.1 Having publicly failed, the obvious course of action would have been to repent and quietly step down. However, Evans ignored the entire issue and subsequently announced that he would be focusing all his energy on eschatology as a "prophecy expert". 

Evans' first mistake in this video is that Rosh Hashanah will fall between October 2-4 this year! Actually, Rosh Hashanah begins on September 22, 2025, at sundown, and it concludes at nightfall on September 24, 2025.*

While assuring us that he doesn't set dates, Evans says, "I am very aware that during the feast of trumpets that Jesus could come and rapture the church, and I think it is a very exciting thing.. Do I believe He will come this year? I sure hope so; there sure has been a lot going on in this year after October 2nd and the two eclipses on the religious new year and the civil new year very significant and again you know I don't set dates but I'm sure looking for Jesus to come this year. I really pray He comes this year, there's just nothing else has to happen prophetically, and look what's happening in Israel right now, surrounded by their enemies.."

It is important to mark and avoid Jimmy Evans and anyone associated with him. (Romans 16:17-18). In this video,  Evans announced a conference on September 20-21, when various false pretrib teachers will share a platform with him, including Billy Crone, Max Lucado, Ed Young, Lee Cummings, Jonathan Cahn and Mark Hitchcock. Evans expressed his regret that false teacher David Jeremiah is unable to attend.   

Evans took the opportunity in this video to promote his book  'Where Are the Missing People: The Sudden Disappearance of Millions and What Happens Next', so that Christians can leave copies for unsaved people to read following the alleged pretrib rapture. No doubt many naive people will purchase this book, and Evans will make a lot of money from its sales. 

The pretrib view depends on the false assumption that the rapture of the church occurs before the 70th week of Daniel (pretrib teachers wrongly refer to the 70th week as the "tribulation"). The pretrib camp makes the further assumption that the eschatological wrath of God begins when the first seal of Revelation is broken, based on 1 Thessalonians 5:9. This post provides scriptural evidence that the rapture occurs after the 3.5-year great tribulation between the sixth and seventh seal of Revelation and that the eschatological wrath begins at the seventh seal. (Revelation 8:1-6).

The explicit wording "the great day of their wrath has come" (orgé) (Revelation 6:17) occurs after the sixth seal is broken. The verb has come / ἦλθεν is aorist indicative active. Many pretrib teachers wrongly interpret this to mean the wrath of God began when the first seal was broken. However, the aorist tense is characterised by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. The context of Revelation 6 necessitates that the wrath of God becomes imminent following the rapture of the church when the sixth seal is broken i.e. the wrath is about to happen. 

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).

The phrase "the great day of their wrath" refers explicitly to God's eschatological wrath. This phrase is often associated with the "Day of the Lord" in biblical prophecy. The "great day" signifies a time of unprecedented divine intervention in human history when God's wrath is revealed. This phrase aligns with Old Testament prophecies such as Joel 2:31 and Zephaniah 1:14-18, which describe a day of darkness and destruction. Significantly, Joel 2 specifically states that the celestial disturbances will occur "before" the day of the Lord: The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Joel 2:31).

Alan Kurschner: "..there is a comparison between the seals and the Olivet Discourse. This illustrates a consistent sequence of events leading up to the sixth seal: beginning of birth pangs, great tribulation, celestial disturbances. Accordingly, in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, he teaches everything that happens before the celestial disturbances relates to the world’s depravity and Antichrist’s great tribulation."2  

In Revelation 6, the four living creatures orchestrate events on God's behalf, beginning with the summons to the four horsemen: "Come" (ἔρχου). (Revelation 6:1,3,5,7 cf. Revelation 4:6-9,5:6-14,14:3,15:7,19:4). 

The four living creatures are found in Revelation 4:6-9,5:6-14,6:1-8,14:3,15:7,19:4. Got Questions: "The texts that describe these creatures do not indicate that they are figurative—they are real, actual beings. The four living creatures (literally 'beings') are a special, exalted order of angelic beings or cherubim. This is clear by their close proximity to the throne of God. Ezekiel 1:12–20 suggests that they are in constant motion around the throne."3

The first seal: So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer. (Revelation 1:2).

The second seal: Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword. (Revelation 6:4).

The third seal: Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales. And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.” Revelation 6:5-6). A "voice" among the four living creatures determines economic hardship and scarcity of necessities. However, the oil and the wine are not to be harmed. 

The fourth seal: Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:8).

The pivotal message of the three angels (probably during the fourth seal) constitutes God's final ultimatum to humanity: 1 The eternal gospel is proclaimed to the inhabitants of the earth. (Revelation 14:6-7); 2. The fall of Babylon is announced. (Revelation 14:8); 3. The full strength of God's wrath will be the fate of those who worship the beast and its image or receive the mark of the beast. (Revelation 14:9-11). This final warning immediately precedes the rapture (the harvest of the earth). (Revelation 14:14-16). This information confirms that the direct wrath of God follows the rapture after the sixth seal is broken. (Revelation 6:12-17).

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:9-11).

The fifth seal: And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, jst as they had been killed. (Revelation 6:9-11). The martyrs do not have resurrected bodies and are referred to as "souls". They are each given a white robe in anticipation of God's wrath and are told to "rest a little while longer.." The description of the martyrs during the fifth seal period is an obvious indication that the rapture has not yet occurred. 

The sixth seal: A critical shift occurs when the sixth seal is broken. The first four seals and the summoning of the four horsemen refer to earthly judgements during the Antichrist's tenure. When the sixth seal is broken the focus shifts from the tribulation to direct intervention from heaven beginning with fearful cosmic disturbances. 

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. (Revelation 6:12-14).

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). Note the unmistakable parallels between Revelation 6 and Matthew 24. There can be little doubt that the cosmic disturbances and the rapture happen in rapid succession after the sixth seal is broken. 

The seventh seal: After the seventh seal is broken the seven angels prepare to blow the trumpets for the commencement of the trumpet judgements. (Revelation 8-9). The bowl judgements (the third woe) follow the trumpet judgements chronologically. The four living creatures direct angels to inflict the wrath of God upon the earth via the seven plagues.

And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. (Revelation 15:7-8).

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come. Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

For more information, I recommend the following excellent resources.

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)

* Dates of Upcoming Jewish/Israeli Holidays and Festivals

1. https://youtu.be/H4a23HS7qu0
2. A Reply to Pretrib Thomas Ross and His Faulty Understanding of the Aorist Greek Tense-Form in Revelation 6:17 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES
3. Who are the four living creatures in Revelation? | GotQuestions.org