Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.You will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7/15-16)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).
Paul Wilkinson is back on the scene after a prolonged absence. Very sadly, this period of difficulty doesn't seem to have done him much good, and he has failed to ask the right questions. In particular, his vice-like grip on the pretrib rapture remains unchanged. If he had sought the Lord about this issue, I believe his difficulties would have been resolved a long time ago.
In this video Wilkinson explains how he came to inflict himself upon an Assemblies of God gypsy church in Wales following an alleged direct word he received from God. The AOG is known mainly for the false New Apostolic Reformation and Charismania and is a huge red flag. My prayer is that the Christian gypsy community in the UK will learn discernment and that the Lord will lead them into all truth. (John 16:13).
In Wilkinson's own words, the pretrib rapture is "our blessed hope".
The phrase "the blessed hope" is found in Titus 2:13. This phrase emphasizes the Christian anticipation of future fulfillment and redemption and refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The pretrib camp has modified this phrase to explicitly refer to the pretrib rapture.
Wilkinson: "Of course there is that threat, there is that wrong teaching of tribulationalism, and it's around; the midtrib, prewrath, posttrib position that just blasts the hope out of the rapture." The prewrath view comes under special assault from pretrib teachers. Wilkinson quotes Tim LaHaye, whose comment reflects his "Left Behind" Mickey Mouse eschatology. Many Christians have rejected the false pretrib rapture in favour of prewrath precisely because it is a theologically bankrupt doctrine with no scriptural evidence to support it. (1 John 4:1).
There was a lot of emotionalism in Wilkinson's talk but very little actual teaching. What concerned me very greatly is that the gypsy church are teaching the pretrib rapture to their children and filling them with false hopes.. and so the deception continues.
Wilkinson briefly mentioned "the hour of trial" inRevelation 3:10.
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. (Revelaiton 3:19).
Pretrib teachers view the Antichrist’s great tribulation (thlipsis) and the day of the Lord’s wrath (orgé) as a single period. However, the scriptures as a whole describe the day of the Lord's wrath in very specific terms as a separate period that follows the Antichrist's tribulation. Believers will be rescued from the hour of trial/the day of God's wrath but not from the great tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 6:12-17; Matthew 24:29). Wilkinson's emotionalism may be persuasive to some, but his self-indulgent displays are not a sign of doctrinal soundness and stability.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12).
In this post, I am focusing on the above video from the 39-minute mark, when Andy Woods and Paul Wilkinson discuss "..rehabilitating John Nelson Darby and C.I. Scofield, and why the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture is under such vociferous attack today". For Woods and Wilkinson, the pretrib rapture is a primary issue, aka "the blessed hope".
Darby's claim of direct revelation
Paul Wilkinson purports to be an expert on John Nelson Darby, having supposedly written a PhD thesis on the subject. In this video, Wilkinson blatantly distorts several facts about Darby, beginning with the false claim that Darby arrived at the pretrib view by studying the scriptures.
Wilkinson: "Where did his (Darby's) understanding of the rapture come from? It didn't come immediately, but as he himself writes, in his own writings, he got it from studying the word.." (49:00 mark)
Darby - in his own words, claimed that God Himself revealed dispensational hermeneutics to him directly.
Darby: "..what God has with infinite graciousness revealed to me concerning His dealing with the Church.."1
"..it was in this the Lord was pleased, without man's teaching, first to open my eyes on this subject, that I might learn His will concerning it throughout."2
Darby's claim of direct revelation from God puts the whole premise of his authenticity and the pretrib rapture on shaky ground. Darby put himself on the same level as the first-century apostles. (Galatians 1:12 cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23). It is not surprising that Darby claimed to receive "direct revelation" since he was associated with the Irvingites, who were pioneers in reviving the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit within the church. There are good reasons to believe that the Irvingites were precursors to the modern Pentecostal Movement.3 In our generation, many have learned painful lessons from recently exposed false NAR "apostles" and "prophets" such as Mike Bickle and Todd Bentley. It is a fatal mistake to buy into an alleged "prophetic word" without rigorously testing it against the scriptures. (1 John 4:1). Darby's claim was absolutely huge! He denied the very words of Jesus Christ Himself by announcing that the warnings in the Olivet discourse do not apply to the church. Wilkinson failed to mention that Darby's "direct revelation" was vigorously challenged by his contemporaries. In my view, the pretrib rapture is one of the biggest deceptions to be foisted onto the modern church. The pretrib camp has worked very hard to shoehorn the pretrib rapture into the scriptures. They have also made exhaustive efforts to prove that pretrib predates Darby and can be found in the Church Fathers. However, in both these endeavors they have failed miserably.4Believers should consider the consequences ahead of time before the false hopes of pretrib leaders fail to materialize and the Antichrist's persecution becomes a reality.
Woods: "My question for you is, is this a secondary issue, because a lot of people say 'don't get wrapped up in this, this is a secondary issue'? My other question.. Is the fact that pretribulationalism is always under assault proof that pretribulationalism is probably the right one?"
Wilkinson: "Is it a secondary issue? Well, the apostle Paul in Titus 2 said it's our blessed hope.. that's my hope, that's the church's hope.. Wilkinson continues with a lot of platitudes but he offers no exegesis of the various texts he cites. He completes his answer by trotting out the overused trope that Christians should be looking for Christ, not the Antichrist.
Woods:"What I am hearing you say is that this is not a secondary issue because what you believe about this changes your focus." Woods brings out another overused trope about bridegroom imagery with the excuse that if we go through the tribulation, then God is a "spousal abuser". This worn-out argument can equally be levelled against the martyrdom and persecution of Christians throughout church history. In the West, Christians are living in a persecution-free bubble, but this is not the case in many other countries. The scriptures warn us to expect persecution. (John 15:20; Matthew 5:11-12; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Philippians 1:29, etc.) When the Antichrist arrives at the midpoint of the 70th week, worldwide persecution against Jews and Christians will escalate exponentially. When God gives explicit warnings then we would be wise to take notice rather than bury our heads in the sand and be taken off guard! The very warnings that Jesus gave to his disciples about the end of the age in the Olivet Discourse are magicked away by pretrib teachers. (Matthew 24:4). Woods and Wilkinson can be in denial as much as they like, but their denial does not invalidate God's word!
Woods: "I don't think it is a secondary issue either and I mark and avoid people. I have a hard time appearing on their shows, appearing at their conferences.. A lot of them have contacted me and wanted to participate at our conferences and when I find out they are aggressively promoting some other perspective, I just have a difficult time unleashing them in front of God's people.."
To paraphrase Woods' second question: 'Because the pretrib rapture is always under assault is proof that it is probably the right doctrine..' This remark lacks depth and fails to adequately explain or respond to the major exegetical problems associated with the pretrib rapture. Woods should know better than to offer this kind of pat answer. The truth will always be attacked by those who oppose the scriptures, but on the other hand, false doctrines also come under heavy attack by those who rightly divide the word of truth and practice discernment. (1 Timothy 2:15).
Is the timing of the rapture a secondary issue?
I feel the same way as Andy Woods in reverse, i.e., I "mark and avoid" those who promote the pretrib view. (Romans 16:16-17). I am not willing to quietly sit in a congregation and watch others passively swallow the pretrib Kool-Aid to their own destruction. At best, I consider pretrib leaders to be heavily deceived; at worst, I consider them to be wolves. (1 Timothy 4:1). My concern is that when the Antichrist's persecution begins, many will fall away and apostatize. (Matthew 24:10). In other words, many will forfeit their faith on the altar of the pretrib rapture. The stakes are incredibly high! Pastors who fail to prepare God's people for the coming persecution are sinfully negligent. What will happen to pretrib teachers who fail to sound the horn? (Ezekiel 33:6). Woods has effectively shut down any challenge to pretribulationism, and it is difficult to miss his particular hostility towards the prewrath camp. He can't even bear to mention the name of Alan Kurschner or any other prominent prewrath teacher.
Woods: "Now we have this very perverted view of Rosenthall, and others came up with this, and there are some younger expondents and proponents of that view that I don't want to mention on this show because I don't want to promote their stuff.. They don't attack mid trib, post trib - they are always aiming their guns at pretribulationism. " This is not true! While the false pretrib rapture teaching is a major concern to those within the prewrath camp, other views have not been ignored! Midtribulationism does not come in for much critique because it is only held by a small minority and is easily debunked. However, postribulationism has received attention from Alan Kurschner and others.5
Paul Wilkinson's appalling distortion of John Nelson Darby
Wilkinson's claim that Darby was an innocuous guy who simply went around teaching the bible is outrageous. How did Wilkinson manage to miss the firestorm against Darby from "Open" Brethren leaders George Müller, Benjamin Wills Newton, Samuel Tregelles, and James Grant? These men denounced Darby as a despot who maligned scripture. Darby was also condemned by Charles Spurgeon and DL Moody. In addition, it is undeniable that Scofield was an absolute scoundrel.* I do not like to call anyone an out-and-out liar, but in this instance, I can't find an alternative explanation for Wilkinson's dishonesty. (Psalm 107:7; Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:25).
For an accurate account of John Nelson Darby, seePapers of John Nelson Darby published by the John Rylands University Library at the University of Manchester.
Charles Spurgeon:
"Mr. Darby is, to all intents and purposes a thorough Pope, though under a Protestant name. He will never admit that he is in error; and therefore very naturally declines to argue with those who controvert the soundness of his views. How, indeed, could it be otherwise? If Mr. Darby holds, which he does, with a firm grasp, the principle that whatever conclusions he and those acting in conjunction with him may come to, express beyond all question the mind of the Spirit; and if those Darbyites who gather together in London, can go so far as to exclude all other denominations, even the most godly among them, 'believing themselves to be the one or only, assembly of God in London,' how need we feel surprised that Mr. Darby, as the 'prophet, priest, and king' of the party, should exercise a perfect despotism within the domains of Darbyism?"6
George Müller: "Scripture declares plainly that the Lord Jesus will not come until the Apostasy shall have taken place, and the man of sin shall have been revealed."7
Anthony Groves:
"As the years passed, he (Groves) became increasingly concerned with the drift of the Plymouth Brethren towards sectarianism under the leadership of Darby and aligned himself with George Müller. The split was complete in 1848 to form the Open Brethren and the Exclusive Brethren."8
Wilkinson: "I have to believe and accept and rightly handle the word of my Lord. That's how I'm going to be judged by my Lord.. Did I rightly teach His word? Did I rightly divide it? Did I faithfully teach it? Wilkinson's nauseating emotional rhetoric is as false as his teaching. (John 4:24; Titus 1:16; Isaiah 29:13).
Jimmy Evans of Daystar infamy continues to spew false teaching despite being exposed and humiliated as a spiritual abuser.1 Evans should have repented and stepped down after this disgraceful debacle, but false teachers do not give up easily. His false teaching on remarriage has probably led many into adulterous marriages, not to mention his blasphemous attempt to sanctify the adulterous marriage of Joni Lamb! Evans is now channeling the entirety of his dubious skills into the pretrib rapture and newspaper eisegesis.
The Restrainer
And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7).
Evans: "He who now restrains, capital H as in God.. Now the 'he' is the Holy Spirit and the church.." The Bible does not identify "the Holy Spirit and the church" as 'he who now restrains'. (2 Thessalonians 2:7). The identity of "the restrainer" i.e. one who holds back the full manifestation of lawlessness, has been widely debated with interpretations ranging from the Holy Spirit, the church, Satan, human government etc. The prewrath view that Michael the Archangel is the restrainer is compelling. Alan Kurschner: " In the April 2000 volume of The Journal of Theological Studies, Colin R. Nicholl published a seminal article, 'Michael, The Restrainer Removed (2 Thess. 2:6-7),' demonstrating that Michael is the Restrainer, which would prove to put an end to the 'Who is the Restrainer' debate given the cogent and convincing argumentation."2
1. Contemporary Jewish literature viewed the characteristics of Michael having eschatological pre-eminence as the chief opponent of Satan and Restrainer of God’s people. 2. Michael is viewed as a celestial restrainer of God’s people in Daniel 10–12, the passage serving as the source for Paul’s exposition in 2 Thessalonians 2:3–8. 3. Daniel’s use of the Hebrew term ʿmd comports with the activity of the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7. 4. The Greek term parerchomai in Daniel 12:1 of the Septuagint (LXX) means, “to pass by,” which corresponds with the ceasing of restraint in 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7. 5. Early Rabbinic interpretation of Daniel 12:1 perceived Michael as “passing aside” or “withdrawing” just after Antichrist’s establishment near or at the temple mount (Dan 11:45), just before the eschatological unequaled tribulation against God’s people (Dan 12:1). 6. Revelation 12:7–17 supports viewing Michael as the Restrainer because it links the cessation of Michael’s war against the dragon with the unprecedented persecution of God’s people, which is consistent with 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 and Daniel 11:45–12:1.3
The Assyrian
Evans' idea that the Antichrist will be "the Assyrian" and that he may be Islamic is based on the poor exegesis of Joel Richardson which has been thoroughly debunked by Chris White.* The Assyrian is mentioned in Isaiah 7:17-20,8:3-7,10:5-19, and Micah 5:5. The prophecy in Isaiah was fulfilled with the defeat of the Assyrians when God protected Jerusalem by sending an angel to destroy 185,000 Assyrian soldiers surrounding the city. The person referred to as "the Assyrian" was the Assyrian king Sennacherib who was killed by his own sons. (Isaiah 37:36-38 cf. 2 Kings 19:35; Ezekiel 31: 3–17). There is no indication in the scriptures that this prophecy has a double fulfilment. Micah 5:5 is a hyperthetical clause within a millennial passage and refers to the Assyrians rather than to an individual. This passage cannot possibly refer to the Antichrist since he will be in the lake of fire during the millennium. (Revelation 19:20,20:10). The Hebrew conjunction "ki" is a versatile particle used to express causation, condition, time, and emphasis and can be translated in a number of different ways i.e. for, because, when, if, surely, indeed, that. The Net Bible says:Should (ki)the Assyrians try to invade our land and attempt to set foot in our fortresses.. (Micah 5:5). Any assumptions built on Richardson's faulty assertions about the Antichrist are undone by close scrutiny and will result in an erroneous picture of eschatology. (1 John 4:1).
The pretrib camp teaches the doctrine of "imminence," i.e. no prophesied event can happen before the rapture. As such, in their view, the rapture must happen before the 70th week of Daniel, i.e. before the first seal of Revelation is broken. It appears that Evans has forgotten the core pretrib doctrine of imminence because in this video he asserts that famine will precede the rapture. In the Book of Revelation, shortages occur during the third seal and famine occurs during the fourth seal.
And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” 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.”And when the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”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 6:5-8).
I was unable to verify the precise meaning of Evans' statement "Prepare for famine before the rapture" because the video was cut short. If viewers want to hear the rest of Evans' substandard teaching on this subject, they will have to join hissubscribers for "exclusive content". The unethical practice of giving paying viewers"special privileges" for "exclusive content" is extremely problematic. (Matthew 10:8; James 2:2-4). The class system created by teachers offering access to extra information for money is another one of Evans' noxious practices. Not only does Evans teach false doctrines, he expects people to pay for them!
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 2:3).
In the above video Tom Hughes and Olivier Melnick discuss Zephaniah 2:4 as it relates to Gaza.
For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. (Zephaniah 2:4 cf. Isaiah 11).
The connecting word "for" appears to refer to the exhortation to "seek the Lord" in Zephaniah 2:3 ..perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord. This prophecy is identified by many expositors as concerning the day of the Lord, i.e. God's eschatological wrath which will begin after the 3.5 year tribulation (cut short) and the rapture of the church. (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 6:12-17). I have discussed the timing of the rapture extensively in previous posts and I will not repeat the prewrath argument here. How far current events play into the eschatological picture is unclear.
Below I will elucidate why Hughes' and Melnick's understanding of the sheep and goat judgment in Matthew 25 is unfeasible.
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’ And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ (Matthew 25:31-46).
Melnick: "It splits into two halves; those who helped the Jews during the tribulation and those who did not. And those who did not go into the lake of fire and brimstone; and those who did enter into the millennial kingdom.. It's the group of people who get saved during the tribulation and they help the Jews out of the kindness of their heartbecause they know it's the right thing to do as believers, as Christians, as followers of the Messiah.. We apply it today to make a difference in Israel.."
Only the beast (the Antichrist) and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire before the millennium. (Revelation 19:20). Unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire at the end of the millennium. (Revelation 20:11-15).
Hughes' and Melnick's application of the sheep and goat judgement in Matthew 25 specifically to believers who help the Jewish people during the great tribulation is perplexing. Jeremiah 30:7 describes "Jacob's trouble" or "Jacob's distress" i.e. the persecution of the Jews by the Antichrist after he takes his seat in the Jerusalem temple. (2 Thessalonians 2:4). It seems highly unlikely that many Gentiles will be saved after the abomination of desolation event due to the extreme consequences of refusing the mark of the beast. i.e. no one can buy or sell etc. (Revelation 13:7-8). Extreme persecution will come upon both unsaved Jews and Gentilebelievers at this time.(Revelation 12:17,13:7). This scenario indicates that it will not be possible for Gentile believers to help Israel during the great tribulation. The scriptures indicate that the Jewish people will be isolated during the siege of Jerusalem and that God alone will defend them. (Zechariah 12:1-4). And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10 cf. Romans 11:26). These events follow Israel’s acceptance of the evil shepherd predicted in Zechariah 11:15-17.
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Revelation 12:13-17).
In the Olivet discourse, Jesus addresses His followers, i.e. Christians; He warns specifically that worldwide persecution will overtake them.
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:9-22; cf. Daniel 12:1).
When Jesus refers to "the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked and the prisoner", He refers to suffering believers, i.e. members of His body. (1 Corinthians 12:2; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 1:18 etc.) When we serve one another we are actually serving Him. ..I was hungry etc. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. See also James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:17.
Bengel's Gnomen: "Matthew 25:35. Ἐδώκατέ, κ.τ.λ., ye have given, etc.[1100]) Of all good and bad actions, those will be especially mentioned which have been performed to the saints, which presuppose faith and love towards Jesus Christ and His brethren, and involve confession of His name, which are most frequent, and remarkable, and conspicuous; and then, from the manifest glory of the Lord, the dignity of His brethren, and the character of good and evil actions towards them, will be manifest; cf. ch. Matthew 10:40-41."1
Barnes: "I was an hungered - The union between Christ and his people is the most tender and endearing of all connections. It is represented by the closest unions of which we have knowledge, John 15:4-6; Ephesians 5:23-32; 1 Corinthians 6:15. This is a union - not physical, but moral; a union of feelings, interests, plans, destiny; or, in other words, he and his people have similar feelings, love the same objects, share the same trials, and inherit the same blessedness, John 14:19; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:21; Romans 8:17. Hence, he considers favors shown to his people as shown to himself, and will reward them accordingly, Matthew 10:40, Matthew 10:42. They show attachment to him, and love to his cause. By showing kindness to the poor, the needy, and the sick, they show that they possess his spirit, for he did it when on earth; they evince attachment to him, for he was poor and needy; and they show that they have the proper spirit to outfit them for heaven, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:17; James 2:1-5; Mark 9:41."2
Typically pretrib teachers do not respond to exegetical problems associated with their view. However, it would be interesting to see a response from Hughes and Melnick on this occasion?
..For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” (Revelation 6:17).
Mark Hitchcock: "It is Jesus, the Lamb who is opening all of those seals.. these are all the wrath of God."
The pretrib rapture view was promoted by cult leader John Nelson Darby in the 18th century from false ideas he usurped from the Irvingites. Pretribulationism was popularized during the 1900s by Cyrus Scofield via the Scofield Reference Bible. This view was further popularized by the "Left Behind" novels written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins during the 1990s. Contrary to various dishonest pretrib claims, it has been demonstrated decisively that no evidence exists that the pretrib rapture was taught before the 18th century.1
The pretrib view depends on the 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 characterized 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."3
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."4
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 strengthinto 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).
Lee Brainard and Tom Hughes 'Hope For Our Times' exhibit further evidence of Brainard's bizarre thought process and flawed interpretation of the scriptures. Brainard's notions should be very concerning to students of eschatology no matter what view they hold about the rapture.
Despite the pretrib view being relentlessly promoted by certain teachers, it is a highly problematic doctrine and fails the test of the scriptures. (1 John 4:1). Pretribulationism is based on the teachings of cult leader John Nelson Darby and defective "Left Behind" theology. Regardless of repeated claims by Lee Brainard and others, the pretrib view originated and became popular in the 18th century. There is no evidence that any early church father taught the pretrib rapture. Lee Brainard's amateurish attempts to reinterpret the writings of various church fathers have been debunkedin every instance.1
Lee Brainard's faulty definition of parousia
The noun parousia is explicitly applied to the coming of Christ in Matthew 24:27; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19,3:13,4:15,5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 1:16,3:4,12; 1 John 2:28. Prewrath scholars define Christ's parousia as a multifaceted extended event beginning with the rapture.
Alan Kurschner: "The rapture, along with the resurrection, are the first events that will happen when Christ’s Parousia begins. Similarly, as the birth of Christ was the first event of his first Parousia, the rapture and resurrection will be the first events of the second Parousia."2
Primarily the noun parousia refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus. It refers to Jesus coming to rapture (harpazó) His church following the great tribulation. (1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 5: 23; James 5:8; 1 John 2:28), and also to Armageddon. The context determines whether parousia refers to the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) or Armageddon.
Brainard has taken it upon himself to redefine parousia by applying it exclusively to Armageddon. Brainard claims that the Greek word apantésis refers to the rapture and that parousia refers to Armageddon.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet(apantésis) the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Strongs:"ἀπάντησις: the act of meeting, to meet (a phrase seemingly almost technical for the reception of a newly arrived official)."3 Specific references to the rapture where parousia is applied are found in Matthew 24:27, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1. The word apantésis is found three times in the New Testament. (Matthew 25:6; Acts 28:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). Brainard's misinformation is either staggeringly ignorant or staggeringly dishonest. To make matters worse, Tom Hughes unquestionably accepts and reinforces Brainard's false assertions. (1 John 4:1).
Brainard: "We talk in a pragmatic way about the Lord descending from heaven twice. The Bible gives us the typology of the Day of the Lord. It presents the rapture as the morning star of the day of the Lord, it presents the tribulation as the dawning of the day of the Lord, and it presents the second coming as the sunrise of the day of the Lord.."
Matthew 24:29 and Revelation 6:12-17 give a specific time frame "after the tribulation" for the day of the Lord: Immediately after the tribulation of those days. (Matthew 24:19).
The dawning of the day and the morning star
2 Peter 1:19 gives interconnected metaphors of the dawn and the morning star. This correlates with the prewrath view that the parousia is an extended event beginning with the rapture rather than the disjointed pretrib view presented by Brainard.
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19).
Revelation 5
Hughes "When we look at Revelation 5.. we have all these voices in heaven.. including those who have been redeemed from the earth, that's us.. pre the first seal.." (26:00 mark) Where are "the redeemed" in this passage? Revelation 5 identifiesthe living creatures, the eldersand the voice of many angels numbering myriads etc.
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:11-13).
According to Brainard, those who miss the redeemed in Revelation 5 are "loose and sloppy". Brainard: "Basically they have to be loose and sloppy and ignore the clues in the passage. We see in Revelation 5:9 that the 24 elders are bought with the blood of Christ.. they are sitting on thrones and wearing their stephanos crowns.."
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:6-10).
The book of Revelation is far too important to make careless assumptions. The twenty-four elders are often interpreted as representing the full number of the redeemed and glorified saints, symbolizing the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the exaltation of believers in the heavenly realm. However, there is no evidence that the entirety of the redeemed are present in this passage. Brainard argues that the "stephanos crowns" and "white robes" worn by the elders in Revelation 4:4 definitively identify them as the redeemed. The "stephanos crown" often, but not always, refers to a victor's crown. (Revelation 2:10,3:11). John also used the expression "stephanos crown" to describe a crown representing authority. (Revelation 6:2,9:7,12:1,14:14). White apparel is the characteristic dress of angels. (Matthew 28:3; Mark 16:5; John 20:12; Acts 1:10). Those who overcome will be dressed in white (leukois). (Revelation 3:5), and bright (lam-pros') linen is given to the bride of Christ in Revelation 19:8. Brainard's argument is inconclusive and by no means settles the matter. The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures perform identical roles i.e. both groups are holding golden bowls of incense (the prayers of the saints), and both groups sing the new song. The four living creatures are identified as angelic beings whereas the twenty-four elders are not identified. The identity and symbolism of the twenty-four elders have been the subject of much theological discussion and we would be wise not to be dogmatic about their identity. Interestingly, the diverse multitude from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages do not appear until Revelation 7:9. Far from being "loose and sloppy", prewrath scholars have been careful not to read anything into the passage that would distort its meaning. (Revelation 22:18-19). If we think we find a "hint" of something in a passage then we should seek to verify our theory with other scriptures. (1 John 4:1; Psalm 119:160).
John 6:16-21 as a type of the rapture ?
When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was already dark, and Jesus had not yet gone out to them. A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading. (John 6:16-21).
Brainard: "The disciples are instantaneously delivered from the storm.. The Lord instead of allowing them to go all the way through the storm comes to them at the beginning of the storm, they receive Him into the boat and they are immediately at the land where they went. This is a picture of the Lord coming to the church at the end of the church age and immediately when He connects with us we are going to be in glory. (38:00 mark)
If this passage is a type of the rapture, then Brainard interprets it incorrectly. The Lord does not come to the disciples at the beginning of the storm.. It was dark, a strong wind was blowing, the sea grew agitated, they had rowed about three or four miles.. This passage would indicate the prewrath rapture, not pretrib.
Apart from the theological bankruptcy of the pretrib view, there are many troubling concerns about the teachers/ministries who promote it.(1 Timothy 4:16). Researcher and author Dave MacPherson accused pretrib scholars of dishonesty on numerous occasions. MacPherson: "When I began my research in 1970 into the exact beginnings of the pretribulation rapture belief still held by many evangelicals, I assumed that the rapture debate involved only 'godly scholars with honest differences.' The paper you are now reading reveals why I gave up that assumption many years ago."4 In common with MacPherson, I have also given up on the idea that pretrib scholars have integrity. Below are some recent examples of pretrib dishonesty.
* Lee Brainard has recently denied the core pretrib doctrine of imminence.5
* Lee Brainard's unscrupulous research into the early Church Fathers.6 * Failed marriage counselor and spiritual abuser Jimmy Evans of Daystar infamy has "transitioned" out of XO Marriage and is now channeling his dubious skills into endtimes.com full-time. I have reported on the murky world of Jimmy Evans in previous posts. Evans' uptake of the name Endtimes Ministries is a usurpation of a completely different ministry called Endtime Ministries. Evans' subsequent unethical takeover of Endtime Ministries slot on Daystar is unsurprising given his previous ungodly behaviour. * Mark Hitchcock is closely associated with Jimmy Evans and has recently endorsed him as an "expert".7 * Mark Hitchcock's recent claim that he has discovered "new evidence" of the pretrib rapture in Irenaeus is a regurgitation of old false claims.8 * Mark Hitchcock openly demonstrates his skewed priorities. He is more interested in promoting his new book coauthored with Jimmy Evans than in the scriptural command to separate from false teachers. (Matthew 6:24).8
* Mark Hitchcock's "subscribers only" section of his YouTube channel is unbiblical. It is extremely problematic when YouTubers give "special privileges" to those who pay for "exclusive content". (Matthew 10:8; James 2:2-4).
* Prophecy Watchers give a platform to false teachers such as Jonathan Cahn who claims to be "prophetic", "Reverend" Donna Howell, Nephilim "expert" LA Marzulli, "prophecy expert" and speculator Bill Salus, and of course, disgraced spiritual abuser Jimmy Evans.9 * Jack Hibbs' shocking endorsement of NAR "apostolic leader" Che Ahn and his continued support of Daystar.9
* Prophecy Watchers are closely associated with Daystar.9 * Date setter JD Farag predicted that the rapture would occur before the 25th of September 2023.10 * It is widely known that Don Stewart 'Educating Our World' is in an adulterous marriage.Stewart is a self-appointed "prophecy expert" who continues to churn out "prophecy updates" and is a regular guest of Tom Hughes 'Hope For Our Times'11
* Tom Hughes' and his dubious guests present a constant barrage of newspaper eisegesis at the expense of sound biblical exegesis.
* Andy Woods credibility issues! Alan Kurschner's strong rebuttal against Andy Woods' "lies" and "evasion of significant arguments" in 2018.12
Those who oppose the pretrib rapture are concerned for believers in the final generation. (Matthew 24:10).
Walters: "What did Jesus say about Transhumanism in the Great Tribulation? What Bible verse links DNA tampering and the cutting short of the Great Tribulation? Does Jesus come back early because of the threat of genetic changes? How is this related to the Days of Noah and Yuval Noah Harari? Click here to watch this Nelson Walters video to discover the answers to all these questions."
Walters suggests that Matthew 24:22 holds profound implications that "go way beyond traditional interpretations when you view these implications through the lens of genetics, technology, transhumanism." His proposal that Jesus' return may be due to genetic tampering and not just persecution hinges on a single Greek word, sarx/flesh, and is highly problematic.
So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then (τότε) there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being (sarx) would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:15-22).
The time allocated for the great tribulation is 3.5 years which is described variously as 1260 days (Revelation 11:2;12:6), time, times and half a time (Daniel 7:25,12:7; Revelation 12:14); and 42 months (Revelation 11:2,13:5). Additional time periods of 1290 days and 1335 days are mentioned in Daniel12:11-12. These additional 30 and 45 days appear to represent transitional periods.* The allocated time of 3.5 years will be prematurely shortened (ἐκολοβώθησαν) by divine intervention. This event has been described by some as an "amputation" and refers to the rapture.
Walters suggests that the abomination of desolation event and the great tribulation period could "overlap" and may not start and end at the same time. He goes on to unpack a confusing scenario, relocating the great tribulation and placing it prior to the midpoint of the 70th week. Walters' speculation and his attempt to relocate the great tribulation runs contrary to the context of Matthew 24:15-22. He does not present anything that remotely conforms to sound exegesis.
Walters: "Many assume that the Antichrist's reign and the tribulation are synonymous, but the bible doesn't equate the two.. For instance, the great tribulation could end before the Antichrist's reign rule and persecution ends."
In context ~ The abomination of desolation event and the great tribulation are linked in Matthew 24:15-22 by the adverb τότε "For then" = then at that time. This sequence of events occurs during the second half of Daniel's 70th week.
Strongs: "Usage: The Greek adverb "τότε" (tote) is used to denote a specific point in time, often indicating a sequence of events or a particular moment in a narrative. It is frequently translated as 'then' or 'at that time' in English. In the New Testament, 'τότε' is used to connect events in a chronological order, providing a temporal framework for the unfolding of biblical narratives."1
Walters also incorrectly suggests that the great tribulation is shortened "for the elect, but not universally." (Matthew 24:22). Walters: "The time of great suffering would end for those raptured at that time, but not for the others (i.e. non-believers)." The scriptures confirm that the great tribulation will end immediately before the cosmic disturbances and the rapture. (Matthew 24:29-30). The persecution (great tribulation) of the Antichrist is directed toward believers, not unbelievers..“So when you see the abomination of desolation.. (Matthew 24 15). Non-believers i.e. the earth dwellers will be fully supportive of the Antichrist and will not suffer persecution from that source. However, they will suffer the subsequent wrath of God. (Revelation 13:7-8).
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).
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 6:12-16).
And if those days had not been cut short, no human being (sarx) would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:22).
Walters builds his transhumanism theory from one word, sarx which translates flesh.
Walters: "..the great tribulation will threaten the human genome as a means to wipe out true humans. This theory balances on the word 'flesh' used in this verse.."
Walters gives the example of Genesis 6:12: And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh (basar) had corrupted their way on the earth.
Walters' example that genetic corruption was involved in the flood is unsubstantiated. Genesis 6:12 says the earth was corrupt and all flesh had corrupted their way, not that their actual flesh was corrupt or that the people had become non-human. Strongs: "The Hebrew word 'basar' primarily refers to the physical flesh of humans and animals. It is used to describe the material substance of the body, distinguishing it from the spirit or soul. In a broader sense, 'basar can also refer to mankind or humanity as a whole, emphasizing the mortal and perishable nature of human beings.. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - σάρξ (sarx) - Strong's Greek 4561, often used in the New Testament to denote flesh, both literally and metaphorically.2This important definition refutes Walters' theory that people are a different non-human species both in Genesis 6:12 and Matthew 24:22. The prewrath interpretation of Matthew 24:22 is: If the Antichrist's persecution were allowed to continue unchecked then no believer (flesh) would be saved. However, for the sake of the elect the persecution/tribulation will be cut short.
The transhumanism agenda is being pursued by various elites such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Klaus Schwab etc. Transhumanism has been described as a satanic ideology in competition with religion as an inversion of the second coming of Christ. The problem with Walters' suggestion is that transhumanism seeks to merge or enhance the human genome with nonbiological technology, it does not replace the imago dei. Transhumanism appears to be an attempt to replicate Babel in Genesis 11 and is based on science (scientism) or "knowledge so-called" (1 Timothy 6:20). There is no hermeneutic or exegetical basis to suggest that transhumanism replaces the human soul or that people cease to become human following reception of the mark. The evidence for this is that "the dead" i.e. lost humans are ultimately held accountable according to their actions and will face the great white throne judgement. (Revelation 20:11-15).
The mark of the beast does bring about a change for those who receive it, but the scriptures do not indicate what precisely the mark is or whether transhumanism is involved. Deciphering the mark of the beast calls for wisdom and understanding, not speculation. (Revelation 13:18). Those who receive the mark will have committed irrevocably to the beast (the Antichrist) and are, from that point, beyond redemption.
And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyoneworships 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).
So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (Revelation 16:2).
And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. (Revelation 13:7-8).
And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:15-18).
Walters is sowing confusion based on eisegesis. Another claim from Walters is that the seventieth week of Daniel began on October 2nd, 2024, during the Feast of Trumpets. As such, he is virtually setting a date for the parousia (Matthew 24:36). Walters' speculations are not biblical and should be rejected.
I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in 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 this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19 cf. Proverbs 30:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 12:32).
There is no evidence to support the claim that ἀποστασία in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is a physical departure i.e. the rapture. A wide range of experts and even some pretrib teachers disagree with this interpretation. Woods has no further evidence to add to this overcooked argument, so why does he rake it up again?
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 (apostasia) 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. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
Blue Letter Bible: "ἀποστασία apostasía, ap-os-tas-ee'-ah; feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly, the state) ('apostasy'):—falling away, forsake."1
During Alan Kurschner's debate with Thomas Ice in 2015, Kurschner attempted to settle this false claim once and for all. It was like pulling teeth, but eventually, Ice admitted that he could not provide any evidence to support this interpretation.
Kurschner: "I just want to reaffirm here. You’re just mention that
apostasia can refer to a physical departure, but you’re not able to produce a
single instance in all of Koine Greek literature that apostasia ever means a
physical departure. Is that correct?"
Ice: "I’m not able but Wayne House was."
Kurschner: "Okay. But you’re not able to give us what Wayne House…"
Ice: "I can’t give it to you here." (Debate Transcript p. 57-58).3
The "Wayne House" document provides no definitive evidence that ἀποστασία refers to a physical departure as in the rapture.4 Some early translations interpreted ἀποστασία as "departure", but in context, this refers to adeparture from the faith. As Kurschner points out, the noun ἀποστασία in Koine Greek never refers to physical departure, it alwaysrefers to political or religious defection.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 is a classic prewrath passage. Paul explains to the Thessalonians that "the day of the Lord" i.e. the Lord's wrath will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:3 cf. Matthew 24:10). There are thirty parallels between Jesus' teaching in the Olivet Discourse and Paul’s teaching in Thessalonians.5
The day of the Lord's wrath (orgé) is specifically tied to the trumpet and bowl judgements which do not occur until after the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:29 cf. Revelation 6:17; Revelation 8-9,15-16; Isaiah 13:9; Zephaniah 1:14-15 2 Peter 3:10).
Andy Woods is highly regarded and well-buttressed by the pretrib camp. However, he is not beyond the reach of the Lord! Woods and other pretrib teachers should consider the devastating effects of this doctrine on the final generation of believers. It is likely that many pretrib believers will "fall away" due to failed expectations of deliverance from the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:10). Tragically, Olivier Melnick has come out of Judaism only to fall for the false pretrib rapture. How will Woods, Melnick, and others answer to the Lord on the day of judgement for leading many believers into apostasy? I fear for all those deceived by this false doctrine and I also fear for pretrib teachers themselves. But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37 cf. Romans 14:12).
The failing reputation of the pretrib camp
Examples:
* Lee Brainard's recent denial of imminence and his defective research into the early Church Fathers.6
* Failed marriage counselor and spiritual abuser Jimmy Evans of Daystar infamy is "transitioning" out of XO Marriage and intends to devote himself to endtimes.com full-time.I have reported on the murky world of Jimmy Evans in previous posts. Evans' uptake of the name Endtimes Ministries is a usurpation of a completely different ministry called Endtime Ministries. Evans' subsequent unethical takeover of Endtime Ministries slot on Daystar is unsurprising given his previous ungodly behaviour. * Mark Hitchcock is closely associated with Jimmy Evans and has recently endorsed him as an "expert".7
* Mark Hitchcock's recent claim that he has discovered "new evidence" of the pretrib rapture in Irenaeus is a regurgitation of old false claims.7
* Hitchcock and Evans recently promoted their new book together.8
* Prophecy Watchers give a platform to false teachers such as Jonathan Cahn who claims to be "prophetic", "Reverend" Donna Howell, Nephilim "expert" LA Marzulli, "prophecy expert" and speculator Bill Salus, and of course, disgraced spiritual abuser Jimmy Evans. 9
* Prophecy Watchers are closely associated with Daystar.9
* Jack Hibbs' shocking endorsement of NAR "apostolic leader" Che Ahn and his continued support of Daystar.9
* Date setter JD Farag predicted that the rapture would occur before the 25th of September 2023.10
* Don Stewart continues to churn out prophecy updates despite his adulterous marriage.11
* Andy Woods credibility issues! Alan Kurschner's strong rebuttal against Andy Woods' "lies" and "evasion of significant arguments" in 2018.12
Critically the pretrib rapture fails the test of the scriptures and is based on the teachings of cult leader John Nelson Darby and defective "Left Behind" theology. (1 John 4:1).
