LEE BRAINARD DEMOLISHING THE PREWRATH RAPTURE - NOT!

 (348) Demolishing The Prewrath Rapture - YouTube

Lee Brainard: "Many folks today are rejecting the pretrib rapture and flocking to the prewrath rapture. The main argument for the prewrath rapture claims that the wrath of God and the tribulation are not the same, but rather that the wrath of God arrives during the tribulation, being heralded with the opening of the sixth seal and arriving with the first trumpet. Is this theory correct?"

The reason Lee Brainard keeps banging on about the pretribulation rapture is that his favourite false doctrine is failing and discerning Christians are rejecting it. (1 John 4:1). The pretrib rapture theory has troubled the church since the mid-19th century, and it presents a considerable threat to believers, especially those who will be alive during the 70th week of Daniel. There is no evidence that the early Fathers taught pretribulationism despite Brainard's best efforts to prove otherwise.1 I find increasingly that there is little to choose between NAR false prophets and pretrib "prophecy experts" who speculate and fail to rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). The pretrib camp are not doing the church any favours with their continual misapplication of Old Testament prophecies such as Psalm 83, Isaiah 17, Ezekiel 38 and Jeremiah 49. Although believers are instructed to "keep watch" (Matthew 24:42), some are cashing in on the current world situation by promoting questionable theories about end-time events. The speculators would not take such delight in anticipating the day of the Lord if they knew they would face the Antichrist! (Amos 5:18). False prophets make great boasts and wonderful promises, but ultimately their words lead to false hope and tragedy! (Jeremiah 23:16).     

Defining "the day of the Lord" in the scriptures.  

To clarify the prewrath position: The rapture and the day of the Lord are back-to-back events i.e. the day of the Lord begins on the same day as the rapture after the sixth seal is broken. Brainard's skewed perception of the prewrath view of "the day of the Lord" is incorrect. He claims, it is wrong to view the day of the Lord as "a static chunk of time" separated from the first five seals. Brainard: "It doesn't start small and get big it starts full-blown wrath and it ends full blown wrath." The day of the Lord is distinguished from the previous 70th-week catastrophes during the first four seals (i.e. war famine and death). After the seventh seal is broken there is a pause (Revelation 8:1), and God begins to pour out His wrath directly from heaven via the seven angels' trumpet and bowl judgements. There is a progression as each trumpet judgement unfolds. (Revelation 8:6-13; 9:1-20, 16:1-20).    

Brainard: "Okay we got a three-and-a-half-year tribulation and immediately at the end of that tribulation these signs in the heavens happen. If they happen after the tribulation, they can't happen during the tribulation. They're going to happen at the second coming. there's zero room here to squeeze in one day much less 6 months or a year. This tribulation comes to an end, the Lord descends from Heaven he takes the Antichrist the false prophet throws those foul beings into the Lake of Fire.. " (29:00 mark)

If we accept Brainard's pretrib view, it is impossible to reconcile Matthew 24:29 and Revelation 6:12-17. Furthermore, Brainard fails to take into account that the tribulation will be cut short. (Matthew 24:21-22). We must therefore conclude that the great tribulation ends immediately before, or coincides with, the sixth seal cosmic disturbances if we are to harmonize the scriptures. (2 Timothy 2:15).

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. (Matthew 24:29).

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, slaved 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).

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 24:21-22).

The biblical pattern

The symbolism of the plagues of Egypt foreshadows "the day of the Lord". The day of the Lord is not a literal 24-hour day, it will be a period of unknown duration, lasting at least five months. (Revelation 9:5,10), when the Lord will bring ultimate judgement upon the world.

Alan Kurschner: "There is a biblical pattern where God supernaturally rescues his people just before he executes divine judgment upon the wicked. For example, this is memorably portrayed in the story of God’s plagues against Egypt, culminating in the deliverance of Israel from the hands of Pharaoh’s army that was ultimately destroyed in the Red Sea.. The day of the Lord is not a mere literal twenty-four day. It is the unified complex-whole of events starting with deliverance of the saints and followed by an undetermined period of judgment.2  

The locust plague in Joel 1:1-15 is viewed by the prophet as prefiguring the far worse calamity i.e. the day of the Lord. 

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown:"5. day of the Lord—(Joe 2:1, 11); that is, the day of His anger (Isa 13:9; Ob 15; Zep 1:7, 15). It will be a foretaste of the coming day of the Lord as Judge of all men, whence it receives the same name. Here the transition begins from the plague of locusts to the worse calamities (Joe 2:1-11) from invading armies about to come on Judea, of which the locusts were the prelude."3  

Who are the 24 elders?

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4).

Brainard's attempt to place the rapture before the opening of the first seal and his argument that the twenty-four elders are representative of the church is based on a single verse of scripture. However, there is no mention of "a great multitude" in Revelation 4 and 5, whereas "a great multitude" (the redeemed) appears in Revelation 7. 

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.. Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9,13-14).

Revelation 5:8-11 and different interpretations

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 5:8-11). 

The KJV differs from the majority of versions bible versions: ..And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 

Alan Kurschner argues for the third person as the correct interpretation of the ransomed, as against the first person in Revelation 5: 8-11. Instead of "made us a kingdom" and "we shall reign on the earth", according to Kurschner, the best and oldest manuscripts use the third person "them" and "they".4  If this interpretation is correct, the twenty-four elders are not included in the ransomed people of God. 

Kurschner's argument is confirmed by various commentaries:

Pulpit Commentary: "And didst redeem unto God by thy blood out of every kindred, etc. Though the reading 'us' is supported by various manuscripts, and similarly the first person is used in ver. 10. yet, on the whole, it seems better to omit it, the phrase being taken in a partitve sense - 'Thou didst redeem unto God by thy blood some out of every kindred, etc., and hast made them, etc., and they shall reign.'"5

Cambridge Bible: "us] Should be omitted. The elders probably represent the whole multitude of the redeemed, but they are not here said to belong to their number, and the living creatures certainly do not. The true reading is, 'Thou wast slain, and hast purchased to God by Thy Blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nations, and hast made them unto our God a kingdom and priests, and they [shall] reign upon the earth.'”5   

Brainard's argument that the twenty-four elders represent the church fails on a number of levels. As demonstrated above, the majority of bible versions differentiate between the twenty-four elders and the church. Furthermore the KJV describes the four living creatures as "redeemed". However, the four living creatures are angelic beings who are not part of the redeemed church. 

And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, 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).

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. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

     

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Lee Brainard (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. The Day of the Lord Begins with the Rapture | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
3. Joel 1 Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary (biblehub.com)
4. Twenty Four Elders Archives | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
5. Revelation 5:9 Commentaries: And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. (biblehub.com)

MARK BILTZ: 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE SORCERY

The total solar eclipse to cross North America on April 8, 2024 has given rise to negative speculations from various suspect bible teachers. According to NASA, "The Monday, April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean.."1 

False teacher and date setter Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries claims to be the first person to have discovered the blood moon phenomenon.2 These baseless speculations were promoted primarily by Mark Biltz, John Hagee, and Jonathan Cahn in 2014 and 2015. These three false teachers continue to speculate about the end times regardless of their past failures.

Wikipedia: "The prophecies stated that a tetrad (a series of four consecutive lunar eclipses—all total and coinciding on Jewish holidays—with six full moons in between, and no intervening partial lunar eclipses) which began with the April 2014 lunar eclipse was the beginning of the end times as described in the Bible in the Book of Joel 2:32, Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12. The tetrad ended with the lunar eclipse on September 27-28 2015." 3

In his latest offering, Biltz refers to the 2024 total solar eclipse: "The first of Nisan has a huge biblical meaning. It’s the beginning. And just like it’s the beginning of the inauguration of the Tabernacle, I believe it’s going to be the beginning of judgment upon America."4

Paul Begley: "It is truly a prophetic sign in the heavens, no doubt about that.. "5

Alton B Don Billingsley: "In view of Prophetic Biblical teachings, connected with major disastrous events, now occurring, and projected to worsen on a national and international scale over the next few years, strongly implies Jesus Christ will be standing on this earth in the year-2029."6

Genesis 1 describes the creation of the heavenly bodies and God's practical purpose in separating the day from the night and establishing time and seasons. 

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. (Genesis 1:14-19).

Amplified Bible: Then God said, “Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years;

Brown-Driver-Briggs: "8 signs, tokens of changes of weather & times Genesis 1:14 (P; of heavenly luminaries) אוֺתוֺת הַשָּׁמַיִם Jeremiah 10:2 (changes of the heavens as omens to frighten the nations) compare Psalm 65:9.7 

Genesis 1:14-19 is a powerful witness of God's attributes and allows no excuse for atheism: For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20).

A stern warning was given to the ancient Israelites regarding replicating the superstitions of "the nations" or "the heathen" and their practice of foretelling portents in the heavens. Jeremiah 10:2-3 is an allusion to the condemned Babylonian practice of astrology which corresponds to sorcery. (Isaiah 47:12-13).

Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. (Jeremiah 10:2). 

Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror. You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. (Isaiah 47:12-13).

I am no fan of John Calvin, but in this instance, he gives a good sense of Jeremiah 10:2 "..certain inquisitive persons abuse this passages to give color to their frivolous predictions: I call those men Chaldeans and fanatics, who divine everything from the aspects of the stars. (69) Because Moses declares that the sun and moon were appointed for signs, they think themselves entitled to elicit from them anything they please. But confutation is easy: for they are called signs of certain things, not signs to denote whatever is according to our fancy. What indeed does Moses assert to be signified by them, except things belonging to the order of nature? For the same God who here ordains signs testifies by Isaiah that he ‘will dissipate the signs of the diviners,’ (Isaiah 44:25;) and forbids us to be ‘dismayed at the signs of heaven,’ (Jeremiah 10:2.) But since it is manifest that Moses does not depart from the ordinary custom of men, I desist from a longer discussion. The word מועדים (moadim,) which they translate ‘certain times’, is variously understood among the Hebrews: for it signifies both time and place, and also assemblies of persons. The Rabbis commonly explain the passage as referring to their festivals. But I extend it further to mean, in the first place, the opportunities of time, which in French are called saisons, (seasons;) and then all fairs and forensic assemblies. (70) Finally, Moses commemorates the unbounded goodness of God in causing the sun and moon not only to enlighten us, but to afford us various other advantages for the daily use of life. It remains that we, purely enjoying the multiplied bounties of God, should learn not to profane such excellent gifts by our preposterous abuse of them. In the meantime, let us admire this wonderful Artificer, who has so beautifully arranged all things above and beneath, that they may respond to each other in most harmonious concert."8  

Geneva Study Bible: "God forbids his people to give credit or fear the constellations and conjunctions of stars and planets which have no power of themselves but are governed by him, and their secret motions and influences are not known to man and therefore there can be no certain judgment of it, De 18:9."9

Clarke: "Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed - The Chaldeans and Egyptians were notoriously addicated to astrology; and the Israelites here are cautioned against it."10

No astronomical signs are mentioned by Jesus concerning the end of the age until the sixth seal is broken. (Revelation 6:12-14). The signs that believers are specifically warned about in the Olivet Discourse are spiritual deception, wars and rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes, persecution, apostasy, and the abomination of desolation. (Matthew 24: 4-15).

Extraordinary signs

Extraordinary signs relating directly to Jesus Christ:

Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2).

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45).

The scriptures give information about specific extraordinary astronomical signs linked to end-times events. In particular, the sixth seal cosmic disturbances will be seen and experienced globally - they indicate the rapture and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

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 when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, 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 cf. Joel 2:10,3:15; Isaiah 13:10,34:4).    

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. (Revelation 16:17-20).

Speculation regarding the coming eclipse go specifically against God's command not to learn the way of the heathen or to be dismayed by events in the heavens. Biltz and other fearmongers are nothing less than sorcerers and astrologers and should be avoided. (Romans 16:17).

For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:11-13).

1. 2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When - NASA Science
2. 'Blood moon' brings prophecies of end times – but Nasa says not to worry | Religion | The Guardian
3. Blood moon prophecy - Wikipedia
4. https://www.wnd.com/2024/02/biblical-expert-solar-eclipse-mark-beginning-judgment-upon-america/
5. Breaking "7 Planets In Line During Solar Eclipse" (youtube.com)
6. Biltz: Judgment of USA begins with solar eclipse April 8, 2024; Billinglesy: Jesus will be on earth in 2029; COGwriter: Accept God’s criteria for a prophet - Church of God News
7. Strong's Hebrew: 226. אוֹת (oth) -- a sign (biblehub.com
8. Genesis 1:14 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org
9. Jeremiah 10:2 Commentaries: Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them; (biblehub.com)
10. Jeremiah 10 Clarke's Commentary (biblehub.com)

Further Links

False Teacher and Failed Date Setter Mark Biltz Makes a Most Dangerous Statement: 'We are safe and have another seven years' (alankurschner.com)
The Questionable Teachings of Mark Biltz | Creation Today

JOEL RICHARDSON: SABOTAGING PREWRATH!

(210) The Pre-Wrath Rapture Strengths & Weaknesses THE RAPTURE & ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS - YouTube

Given my misgivings regarding Joel Richardson's ministry, I have some skepticism about his motives and whether he really does have genuine questions about the prewrath rapture view, or whether this is an attempt at sabotage. Reading the comments below this video, Richardson appears to have succeeded in putting his listeners into a spin! In any event, I will attempt to refute what Richardson refers to as prewrath "weaknesses" below for the benefit of those he has thrown into confusion. 

The day or the hour (Matthew 24:36)

According to Richardson, one of the common objections to the posttrib rapture view is that Jesus' return can be determined by calculating the time between the point at which the Antichrist takes his seat in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4) and Armageddon (Revelation 19:19). The period referred to in Revelation 11 and 12 is 1260 days, 42 months, a time, time and half a time based on a 360-day prophetic year. Daniel also refers to 1,290, 1,335, and 2,300 days. (Daniel 8:14,12:11-12). The posttrib camp amalgamates the tribulation and the wrath of God, and according to this view, the period referred to is exactly 42 months or 3.5 prophetic years. If the posttrib camp were to calculate the precise day of Jesus' return, I believe they would base it on 1260 days. Richardson's speculations regarding the various time periods specified in Revelation and Daniel are rather muddled.     

Two comings?

The information that Jesus will appear in heaven/come on the clouds of heaven immediately after the tribulation following the cosmic disturbances is unequivocal and is recorded in all three synoptic gospels. As such there can be no doubt that this is precisely when the rapture will occur.     

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. Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27 cf. Revelation 7:14).

Richardson: "No matter how you slice it, the prewrath perspective has more than one coming of Jesus."

Richardson's misrepresentation of the prewrath view as "two comings" is a criticism often levelled against the pre-trib camp. Alan Kurschner and other prewrath scholars have demonstrated repeatedly that there is no disconnect between the rapture and the second coming (the Parousia). Rather the rapture initiates part of a unified complex event that begins following the cosmic disturbances.1  When the prewrath view is understood correctly as a unified complex event, this alleged "weakness" is easily debunked. 

Christ cannot return until all His enemies have been defeated?

Richardson argues that Jesus Christ cannot leave heaven until his enemies are defeated based on Psalm 110:1 and Matthew 22:44. The context of Psalm 110, particularly verse 5, reveals that this argument is deficient.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies." Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth. The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide. He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore He will lift up His head. (Psalm 110:1-7).

Following the great tribulation and the cosmic disturbances, the defeat of God's enemies is a foregone conclusion. (Revelation 6:16-17). Psalm 110:1 is an overview, whereas a more detailed description of what will occur follows. Before the rapture of the church, the mediatorial reign of Christ from heaven at the right hand of God is stated as His primary function. (Hebrews 7:25). Once the rapture has occurred there will be no more occasion for Christ's mediatorial reign. 

Bengel's Gnomen: 1 Corinthians 15:25. Δεῖ, He must) for it has been foretold.—αὐτὸν, He) Christ.—βασιλεύειν, reign) ררה, reign Thou in the midst of Thy enemies, Psalm 110:2.—ἄχρις οὗ ἄν, until) There will be no further need of the mediatorial reign.—θῇ, He hath put) viz. the Father.—πάντας, all) Paul brings in this, to prepare for a transition to what follows.—τοὺς ἐχθροὺς, enemies) bodily and spiritual, supply His, from that expression, His feet, to wit, the Son’s: but it is now elegantly elliptical; since Christ has long ago destroyed these enemies, in so far as they were the enemies of Christ; He will destroy them [their destruction is still future], in so far as they are our enemies. The remaining part of His victory bears the same relation to His triumph already achieved, as any frontier or corner does to the whole extent of any human monarchy which has been subdued. 2

In Psalm 110:5 there is a major shift in the activity of the Godhead. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in Psalm 110:1. In verse 5, the Father (Adonai), is at the Messiah's right hand in the day of His wrath. This shift occurs at the onset of the day of His wrath i.e at the breaking seventh seal of Revelation. 

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:1-5). 

Following a momentous silence in heaven for about half an hour, the seven angels who stand before God are given trumpets. Another angel offers much incense with "the prayers of all the saints". This indicates that the prayers of the saints are complete and confirms that the rapture has occurred. During the day of His wrath, Jesus directs the angels via the trumpet and bowl judgements from heaven. As such, Jesus no longer sits at the right hand of the Father following the prewrath rapture and during the Day of the Lord. 

Richardson's postrib "hybrid" view is problematic. When Jesus returns at Armageddon, His enemies are not literally under His feet until He has defeated them! The idea that Jesus must be seated next to the Father until His enemies are literally defeated is unsustainable.

The Last Trumpet?

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15).

The post-trib view makes the assumption that the church will be on the earth when the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15 is sounded. However, there are a number of reasons why this cannot be the case. Revelation 7:9-17 situates the resurrected saints between the sixth and seventh seal i.e. a great multitude suddenly appears in heaven prior to the breaking of the seventh seal. It is explicitly stated: These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; (Revelation 7:14). 

It is not possible for the seventh trumpet to be sounded before the breaking of the seventh seal. 

The seven trumpets in Revelation 11 signify judgments, they do not signify gathering. 

The announcement of the third woe immediately precedes the seventh trumpet. (Revelation 11:14). 

The narrative continues in Revelation 15-16 with the final seven plagues of God’s wrath poured out in the seven bowl judgments. (chapters 15–16). 

Paul knew nothing about the Book of Revelation. 1 Corinthians was written around 55AD, whereas the book of Revelation was written around 90-95AD, approximately forty years later. As such, the final trumpets of God's wrath were not in Paul's mind when he wrote this epistle.

For further details please refer to Alan Kurschner's article below. 

The tribulation must last for three and a half years?

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:25).  

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 24:22; Mark 13:20).).

A critical aspect of the prewrath view is that the great tribulation will be cut short (koloboó). Literally "to mutilate (Polybius 1, 80, 13); hence in the N. T. of time (Vulg.brevio) to shorten, abridge, curtail: Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20.."3 Some describe this event as an amputation. i.e. the saints are physically amputated or snatched away at this time. The remainder of the seven-year period facilitates sufficient time for God to pour out His wrath. 

My concern is that Richardson's equivocations are likely to put a stumbling block in the way of those seeking answers to the rapture question. What is needed is a robust argument that stands up to genuine criticism, and in my view prewrath achieves this. 

1. Will Jesus Come FOR HIS CHURCH at the Rapture, But WITH HIS CHURCH at the Second Coming? - Ep 145 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
2. 1 Corinthians 15:25 Commentaries: For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. (biblehub.com)
3. Strong's Greek: 2856. κολοβόω (koloboó) -- to curtail (biblehub.com)

Further Links

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)For THIS Reason the 'Last Trump' Cannot Be the Seventh Trumpet - Ep. 169 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
A Response to Joel Richardson (alankurschner.com)
Why are Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch not discerning within their own camps? - UK Aplogetics Library (ukapologeticslibrary.net)
The Islamic Antichrist Theory Debunked - FULL 8 HOUR - AUDIO BOOK - Bible Prophecy (youtube.com)

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture

JOEL RICHARDSON MUDDYING THE WATERS: PREWRATH VS POSTTRIB RAPTURE

The Pre-Wrath Versus the Post-Tribulational Rapture THE RAPTURE & ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS (youtube.com)

Joel Richardson has a very neat way of coming on board and then muddying the waters by undermining the very teaching he claims to support. He has employed this technique against the prewrath rapture view previously. 

Richardson describes his own view regarding the timing of the rapture as a "kind of hybrid" between prewrath and posttrib. His "initial introduction" makes this topic more confusing than it already is. The following summary is sufficient to introduce the subject minus Richardson's various nuances.

The pretrib rapture view ~ The rapture occurs at an indeterminate point before the 70th week of Daniel.
The prewrath rapture view ~ The rapture occurs after the tribulation following the cosmic disturbances in between the sixth and seventh seal in the book of Revelation.
The posttrib rapture view ~ The rapture occurs at Armageddon i.e. at the end of the 70th week of Daniel.

Richardson describes the prewrath view as "a relatively newer position". His poor research into this subject is obvious and he is inaccurate on many points. It is reasonable to say that the prewrath interpretation is not a new position, rather it has been defined this way in recent history. Many of the early Church Fathers have been described as "posttrib" erroneously since they taught significant aspects of the prewrath view. It therefore appears that the early Fathers were generally prewrath without applying the "prewrath" label. 

Richardson: "..there was no one that held to prewrath in the more specific limited sense, for example the form of prewrath that would be articulated by Alan Kurschsner. There's no one throughout church history that's going to hold to that view right, they're going to largely hold more to a posttribulation perspective." Alan Kurschner argues that many early Church Fathers were, in fact, prewrath without using the "prewrath" label.1  

Robert Van Kampen was the primary mover in developing the prewrath view during the 1970s and 80s.2 Marvin Rosenthal was formerly a staunch pretribulationalist and it took some time for him to be persuaded by Van Kampen. Rosenthal began to adopt the prewrath view in 1986 much to the ire of the pre-trib camp. In 1990 Rosenthal's book The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church popularized the prewrath view. Rosenthal was one of those rare pre-trib teachers who had the courage of his convictions. He was removed from his position as Executive Director of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry in 1989 due to his prewrath stance.3

Richardson points out the massive ramifications to the church if pre-trib teachers are wrong. The pretrib rapture view could indeed ruin a large portion of the church. Sadly many staunch pre-trib teachers appear to be blinded to the devastating implications of this dangerous error. Nevertheless, I pray that many believers will re-think this question and will consider the prewrath position. 

Richardson: "..prewrath vs posttrib.. I don't care about arguing. I personally wholeheartedly believe that prewathers and posttribers need to unite and essentially work together and expose the deception the dangerous deception of pretribulationism." thinks arguments between prewrath and posttrib are "the dumbest thing to fight about" because both camps agree on the important distinction that believers will face the persecution of the Antichrist. I may have agreed with this perspective at one time, but having thought about it more deeply, I see that it is necessary to present an accurate and credible argument to pretrib believers. (1 John 4:1). The posttrib view has some serious flaws that any thoughtful pretribber will easily pick up. A flawed argument that integrates the prewrath/posttrib views is likely to lead pretrib believers to reject any argument that believers will face the Antichrist. For clarity, we need to present a sound theological argument, and the prewrath view achieves that criterion. Richardson claims to have found "some problems" with the prewrath rapture view which he says he will articulate in a later video. Richardson: "In reality I don't know, I don't have absolute confidence, and I don't care.. who cares?"  This is perverse. If he doesn't know, if he hasn't got confidence, and if he doesn't care, then it begs the question: Why does he feel that he is qualified to critique the prewrath rapture view or make recommendations? Richardson's narrative demonstrates his negligent attitude toward sound teaching: "..it's not worth dividing over, we do need to unite.." I would not reject a posttrib teacher/believer or regard them as unsaved. However, having studied Joe Schimmel's posttrib view, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that he has mistaught the book of Revelation for years. (Revelation 22:18-19).4 Schimmel refuses to even acknowledge or address the questions that I have put to his ministry. The same applies to Sam Adams of Independance Baptist Church. 5 When posttrib teachers will not even acknowledge identifiable problems associated with their view then it is difficult to have any respect for them.

Joel Richardson's "interesting" history and his strange friends

Richardson's history and questionable associations demonstrate that he does not care about sound teaching. 

Richardson: "I got saved in the Assemblies of God. It's is a denomination that I greatly esteem, it's one of the most rock-solid missions-focused, most globally influential denominations in the world. I mean you know in terms of out there throughout the Middle East on the ground the Assemblies of God is a great denomination."  I profoundly disagree with Richardson about the Assemblies of God (AOG). I attended the AOG myself in Leicester some years ago and I am horrified by their unbiblical teachings. Many AOG churches promote the New Apostolic Reformation and are lethal places to attend. It is perverse that the AOG officially rejects NAR teaching and yet their practice in many instances is the very opposite. Holly Pivec: "..many churches that remain part of the Assemblies of God actively promote NAR teachings--even inviting NAR apostles and prophets into their churches."6 

In previous posts, I have catalogued a number of serious problems associated with Joel Richardson's "ministry". (summarized below).

Richardson's "prophetic endorsement" by "Latter Rain" false prophet Paul Cain who he claims was the catalyst that kick-started his "ministry".

Richardson's previous associate and co-author false teacher Walid Shoebat and their case for an Islamic Antichrist. 

Richardson's association with false teacher Dalton Thomas who was recently ejected from Frontier Alliance International Studios (FAI).7

Richardson's false teaching regarding Identificational Repentance. 

Richardsons Metatron heresy.

Richardson's false teaching that the Antichrist will be killed and not thrown "alive" into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20).

Richardson's attempt to shoehorn the Antichrist into Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Richarson's recent association with false teacher and "deliverance" guru Vlad Savchuk.9 

Richardson describes himself as a "friend" of false teacher Chris Reed, the new head of apostate Morningstar Ministries, formerly led by false teacher Rick Joyner who is a member of the Ecumenical Knights of Malta. Reed claims to have had a vivid dream allegedly from God revealing that John the Apostle has been living in a cave in Turkey for the last 2000 years! John the Apostle is supposedly going to come out of hiding and reveal how to interpret the book of Revelation (NOT)! You really can't make this stuff up!10 

For more information please refer to: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

UK Apologetics Library: "Not only has Joel Richardson gone along with Mormon (Glenn Beck) but also other notable names of false teachers and organizations that are promoted, this includes Jim Bakker, Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Walid Schoebat, Paul Wilbur, TBN, Pat Robertson 700 Club, CBN News, Joel Rosenberg (listed 2009), IHOP (International House of Prayer), Jonathan Cahn, Mark Biltz, Chuck Missler, Daystar TV. Joel Richardson is a frequent Speaker at Billy Humphrey's IHOP Atlanta".11

Given the plethora of information that identifies Richardson as a false teacher, it t is very concerning that he is endorsed by Zion's Hope and is a speaker at their conferences.12 

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17 cf. 1 Timothy 6:3-5).

1. Microsoft Word - Prewrath - Early Church Fathers.docx (alankurschner.com)
2. Robert Van Kampen - Rapture Ready
3. https://lionandlambapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Another-Look-at-Rosenthals-Pre-Wrath-Rapture-McLean-1.pdf
4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joe Schimmel Blessed Hope Chapel (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
5. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Sam Adams Independence Baptist Church (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
6. The Assemblies of God and the NAR — Holly Pivec
7. Founder of Missions Group FAI Resigns Over Sexual Infidelity (julieroys.com)
8. Is the Disciple John Alive? - Chris Reed on the Elijah List (youtube.com)
9. 20231020 LIPS YT VSL ExplainerUGC 03 JW NoGH (youtube.com)
10. (3) Joel Richardson - An Important Update: Many of you who have been... | Facebo
11. Why are Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch not discerning within their own camps? - UK Aplogetics Libra ry (ukapologeticslibrary.net)
12. Zion's Hope (zionshope.org)

Further Link

Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)

SAM ADAMS INDEPENDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH: DERANGED ANTI-SEMITIC RHETORIC

(177) Scofield's Hyper-Zionists: The Useful Idiots of Talmudic Judaism - YouTube

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

They say that in war, truth is the first casualty. In other words, facts are often distorted or suppressed during a conflict. It is virtually impossible to understand exactly what is happening between Israel and her enemies, and how much the deep state is involved. We are largely at the mercy of the media and self-appointed "experts" engaging in newspaper eisegesis. The scriptures are the only reliable source for Christians to somehow make sense of world events. 

Tragically, many dispensational pre-trib believers have been taken in by leaders promoting the false teaching of cult leader John Nelson Darby and the corrupt Scofield Reference Bible which was widely circulated during the 20th century. It is a tragedy that many have been deceived by these charlatans, and the fallout from their deception continues to damage the body of Christ. Pre-trib dispensational teachers are the worst culprits who constantly speculate about the timing of the rapture and the "tribulation" which they wrongly define as a seven-year period.1 Those "prophecy experts" who incessantly churn out end-time speculations about an imminent rapture should know better. The false hope of a pre-trib rapture is a critical issue that has divided the body of Christ. I fear this dangerous nonsense will end badly for many unless there is urgent repentance. (Proverbs 13:12; Matthew 24:10).   

There are some critical points in Sam Adams' deranged "sermon" regarding Jewish Israelis and the land of Israel that are important to reject. 

Adams' reaction to what he describes as the "hyper-Zionist manifesto" is an opinion that is difficult to corroborate! He describes the Jews as highly aggressive warmongers..

Adams: "As a result of their rightful claim to the land, Israel has a right, just as they did in the days of Joshua, to wage wars of aggression to drive out the Canaanites, now known as the 'Palestinians' to occupy and take over their land and their homes. That is basically what these people believe. No one I know will actually come out and say this is their position, but the fact is, this is their position.." Adam's views are based on pure speculation since no such thing has been stated. (1 John 4:1). (54:00 mark)

Adams further speculates: "Point 5 of the hyper-Zionist manifesto: 'Those who claim to be Palestinians should move to Jordan or to some other location, and if they refuse to move then they must actually surrender their civil liberties or convert to Judaism.' Again, most hyper-Zionists will not say this is their position.."  (56:00 mark)

Adams: "..today Israeli Jews have not even come near to the place where they will receive the Lord Jesus as their Messiah and until they come to that place which I do not believe will happen until the end of the tribulation when Christ returns in power and Glory. Until that time we can presume that their house is left unto them desolate and they have no claim to all that land. That's right and all we can also presume that Jerusalem will be trod to the Gentiles until that wonderful day comes when Jesus does return in power and glory.. (52:00 mark) And yet the Jews are beloved!  As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. (Romans 11:28).

In a previous video, Adams claims: "The Jews have no claim to that land..  not one verse in the bible that shows that the Jews will be restored to all the land before the end of the tribulation.." 2 Adams' narrative is very dangerous! No one that I am aware of is arguing that the Jews have a right to all the land of "Palestine" at the present time. As such this is a moot point. The land allocated to Israel in 1948 doubled after the six-day war in 1967. Whether the land taken during the six-day war was warranted is highly debatable - there are strong opinions on both sides. This is a very complex situation that is not helped by speculative inflammatory judgements. (2 Corinthians 13:1). Why does Adams bring this up if not to fuel Antisemitism? Are Christians to make judgments about those outside the church? (1 Corinthians 5:12-13; Luke 12:2).

The other side of the argument is that Israel's very survival depends upon her ability to defend herself against her enemies. It seems certain that Israel would be obliterated if they did not defend themselves! The slogan "Free Palestine from the river to the sea"  implicitly advocates the dismantling of Israel, and is a call for the removal or extermination of the Jewish population of the region.3

Israel's existence was determined by the United Nations following the horrors of the Holocaust. The Jews did not make an arbitrary decision to occupy the land as their "right". As many have pointed out, the land of Israel is a tiny speck compared with the vast lands of the surrounding Muslim nations in the Middle East. Before Israel’s Declaration of Independence on the 14th of May 1948, the land of Israel was sparsely populated and no one was interested in it. (Deuteronomy 28:63). This is borne out by many sources, including Mark Twain's travel book The Innocents Abroad following his trip to Israel in 1867. Twain described "a desolate country – devoid of both vegetation and human population". 

Twain: “..A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds… a silent mournful expanse…. a desolation…. we never saw a human being on the whole route…. hardly a tree or shrub anywhere. Even the olive tree and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.”4 

It is clearly God's will for the Jews to return to their ancestral land at this time. God's unconditional promises to the true descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are irrevocable. I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you. (Genesis 15:18,26:3-4; Exodus 6:8 etc.). The presumption in the New Testament is that the Jews will occupy the land of Israel before Jesus' return. Ezekiel 37 describes the Jews returning to the land in an unregenerate state. Christians cannot possibly object to the Jewish occupation of the land, but inevitably their presence is objectionable to the enemies of Jesus Christ, as well as a significant number of professing Christians. 

Is Adams' hostile rhetoric about the Jews helpful to anyone at this critical time, or has he gone beyond his remit?

Adams ignorance of the scriptures

Another assumption by Adams is that Charles Spurgeon was "post-trib". I am not sure why Adams should seek confirmation from the writings of Calvinist Charles Spurgeon whose eschatology was unclear.

The Master's Seminary Journal: "Lewis A. Drummond states, "Spurgeon confessed to be a pre-millennialist."1 Peter Masters, current 1 Lewis A. Drummond, Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1993) 650. 184 pastor of Spurgeon's church, The Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, stated, "Spurgeon . . . would have stood much closer to amillennialism than to either of the other scenarios recognized today"2 Erroll Hulse firmly declared Spurgeon to be postmillennial.3 2Peter Masters, 'Spurgeon's Eschatology,' The Sword and Trowel (December 1989):39. 3Erroll Hulse, The Restoration of Israel (London: Henry E. Walter Ltd., 1968) 154. Some in the 'Theonomist' movement (which holds postmillennialism as a cornerstone of its system) in their writings have implied that Spurgeon was postmillennial. See Gary DeMar and Peter Leithart, The Reduction of Christianity (Tyler, Texas: Dominion, 1988) 41. Spurgeon could not have held all these positions. However, in which, if any, did he fit? The issue is an important one, as Spurgeon continues to be one of the most popular Christian authors in print, even a century after his death. Men of different positions seek to marshal support for their prophetic interpretations by appealing to Spurgeon." 5 

Spurgeon appeared to believe that believers would go through the tribulation. However, we cannot assume that he was post-trib as he might just as easily have been prewrath. 

Adams seems ignorant of the fact that the tribulation ends with the cosmic disturbances before the wrath of God is poured out on the ungodly (the Day of the Lord). The rapture of the church becomes imminent after the cosmic disturbances and occurs before the seventh seal is opened as the scriptures indicate.  

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. (Mathew 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, slaved 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).

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. Israel vs Palestine -- "Anti Semitic" vs. Anti-TRUTH (youtube.com)
3. From the river to the sea - Wikipedia
4. The Innocents Abroad, p. 361-362)
5. TMSJ 7/2 (Fall 1996) 183-212

Further Links

Israel and the Church - Dave Hunt (youtube.com)
Israel's borders explained in maps - BBC News
Six-Day War | Definition, Causes, History, Summary, Outcomes, & Facts | Britana
Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie) (youtube.com)

DOES SPENCER SMITH THINK THAT THE RAPTURE DEBATE IS A JOKE?

Spencer Smith seems oblivious to the seriousness of the rapture debate. Smith is in serious error regarding the alleged pre-trib rapture, and his challenge to false Calvinist amillenial teacher Keith Foskey is in the worst possible taste. God's word is not a joke nor something to make jokes about. Neither of these false teachers has bothered to study the scriptures in any depth to ascertain whether their eschatological beliefs are viable. (1 John 4:1). Those who change the scriptures are in rebellion to God! (Revelation 22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6). While these two bozos are playing at being tough guys the body of Christ is being led astray into catastrophic error!

CRAZED CULT LEADER JD FARAG PREDICTS THE RAPTURE BEFORE 25TH SEPTEMBER 2023

 (12) “RAPTURE BEFORE Sep 25, 2023?” PASTOR JD Farag - “Rapture before Sep 25, 2023?” - YouTube

Farag: "We may very well be raptured before Monday, September 25th..  It seems to me that they are making a pretty big deal about 2030, and 2030 minus seven is 2023.. By faith I am not going to be available on Monday September 25th, and you won't be either for real. I truly believe with all my heart that the rapture can happen before Monday September 25th."   

This is just the latest in a long line of rants and false prophesies from Farag regarding the timing of the rapture. Farag is behaving more and more like a crazed cult leader and should be avoided by genuine believers. (Romans 16:17).

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22 cf. Jeremiah 23:16).

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15).

LEE BRAINARD'S PRE-TRIB WORD GAMES

 (94) The Didache — Explosive Pretrib Information - YouTube

Lee Brainard continues his bogus claim that the early Church Fathers taught a pre-tribulation rapture. On this occasion Brainard's word games have extended to The Didache: The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. The general consensus is that the Didache is an ancient document written during the first century AD.

The Didache. Chapter 16. Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord. Watch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come. But come together often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you are not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but those who endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet. And third, the resurrection of the dead -- yet not of all, but as it is said: "The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him." Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven. 1 

Imminence

Brainard: "We have no idea whether we have days, months or even a few years left before the rapture". (6:00 mark) Brainard's statement that the rapture could occur within "days and months" is incorrect. Jesus Himself states that the rapture will occur when the tribulation is cut short. (Mathew 24:22). There is a very short window of time in which the rapture will occur after the sixth seal is broken following the tribulation, before the outpouring of God's wrath. (Revelation 6:12-17). 

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Matthew 24:36).

Jesus' statement above follows His description of various preceding signs concerning the end of the age in Matthew 24:3-14. Jesus specifically states that the rapture (i.e. the gathering of the elect) will follow the tribulation. Although that specific day and hour is unknown, certain fearful events in the heavens will immediately precede it. This critical information demolishes the pre-trib concept of imminence i.e. the argument that no event must precede the rapture.

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).

Brainard's spurious claim that τελειόω (perfect) and doxazó (glory) are synonyms

Didache 16: But come together often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you are not made perfect (τελειόω) in the last time.

Brainard: "In last days contexts, this verb (τελειόω (teleioó) is more or less equivalent to glorified, and it constitutes a reference to the rapture/resurrection." (6:30 mark) Brainard's so-called "legitimate paraphrase" is an absurd attempt to crowbar the rapture into this sentence. It makes no logical sense to say: "for the whole time of your faith will profit you nothing if you are not glorified in the rapture in the last time." In context, this sentence is an exhortation to meet together often and is relevant to "the whole time of your faith". 

The Greek word for glory is δοξάζω (doxazó) = To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious. 2

Christians are in the process of being made perfect (τετελείωκεν) during this lifetime i.e. they are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14). When the rapture occurs our bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body i.e. into conformity with the body of His glory. (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:51 cf. 1 John 3:2). 

The Greek word for perfect is τελειόω =  To bring to an end, to complete, perfect

Usage: (a) as a course, a race, or the like: I complete, finish (b) as of time or prediction: I accomplish, (c) I make perfect; pass: I am perfected.

Cognate: 5048 teleióō – to consummate, reaching the end-stage, i.e. working through the entire process (stages) to reach the final phase (conclusion). See 5056 (telos). 3 

Examples of teleióō

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly (τετελειωμένοι) one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:23).

By this is love perfected (τετελείωται) with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. (1 John 4:7).

The scriptures are our primary source, not scraps of information mistranslated out of context from the scriptures, the Didache or any other early church document as is Brainard's habit. 

Brainard refers to Theodoret of Cyrus' commentary of Hebrews 11:40. (11:30 mark) 

Theodoret: "God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.. all of these therefore distinguished in godliness, shall be the first to enjoy the resurrection." 

..since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect (τελειῶθωσιν). (Hebrews 11:40). 

Paul confirms the unity and joint perfection (consummation) of Old Testament and New Testament saints at the event we know as the rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4:15). ..the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This information demolishes the pre-trib argument that the rapture of the OT saints will occur separately at Armageddon. 

Matthew Poole: "That they without us should not be made perfect; the final cause of this gracious providence was, that the former and later believers might be completed together; they shall not reach that perfect state of grace and glory by a re-union of their bodies and souls until the general resurrection, when they shall not prevent us, nor we them; but as soon as the trumpet alarms the dead to rise, in the same moment, and twinkling of an eye, shall the living be changed, and all be caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall be ever with the Lord, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. The ground of which perfection of all believers in all ages being in the last time, is from his choosing them all to be but one body of Christ, and him their Head; so as one member cannot be perfected but in the perfection of the whole, Matthew 8:11 Ephesians 4:4. In which perfection of it, God is resolved to be all in all; not in one, or in some, but when Christ hath subdued all his enemies, and gathered all his members, then shall his body and kingdom be perfected, and God be all in all, 1 Corinthians 15:28."  4 

Partial resurrection at the second coming?

Didache 16: "And third, the resurrection of the dead -- yet not of all." Brainard: "'Yet not of all' refers to the Old Testament saints and the tribulation martyrs that are going to be raised at the second coming. The church is already raised, and when the Lord returns at the second coming, the church is coming with Him." (11:40 mark) The correct (traditional) view is that the Old Testament saints will be resurrected along with the church at the rapture.

..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 15:52).

Brainard also quotes Eusebius - Fragments in Luke, Migne, vol. 24, p. 561 and Origen - Contra Celsum, 4:29. In all three of these short excerpts from the Church Fathers, the pre-trib rapture is entirely absent. All three agree that "perfection" occurs simultaneously with the rapture at the end of the age. However, none of these Fathers use the word "glorification" as a synonym for "perfection". This spurious assertion is Brainard's own invention.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1). 

Brainard claims that his mission is: "Truth, truth at any cost, truth above any other consideration." I do not regard Brainard merely as an abysmal bible expositor, although that is not in doubt. His teaching is blatantly at odds with the scriptures and equates to false prophecy! The scriptures specifically admonish us not to be deceived regarding end-time events. (Matthew 24:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:3). Brainard may have achieved some notoriety among naive believers within the pre-trib camp, however, he and his associates are in danger of reaping severe eternal consequences for the offensive pre-trib outrage. (Matthew 24:11).

 

1. Didache. The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (translation Roberts-Donaldson). (earlychristianwritings.com)
2. Strong's Greek: 1392. δοξάζω (doxazó) -- 62 Occurrences (biblehub.com)
3. Strong's Greek: 5048. τελειόω (teleioó) -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect (biblehub.com)
4. Hebrews 11 Matthew Poole's Commentary (biblehub.com)

WILL UFO'S DISGUISE THE RAPTURE? BILLY CRONE, JAN MARKELL, MARK HENRY

 (84) Will UFOs Disguise the Rapture? - YouTube

"Pastor Mark Henry and Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries, sit down with Pastor Jeff Kinley to discuss how the world may use aliens and UFOs to explain the events of the rapture. This excerpt is taken from the "Understanding the Times" prophecy event held at Revive Church on August 3, 2023." 

Billy Crone's slant on the recent UFO phenomenon is yet another example of futile pre-trib speculation and headline-grabbing. (1 Timothy 1:3-4). At the UFO Congressional Hearing on the 26th of July, former Air Force Major David Grusch claimed that "non-human remains from an alien craft" have been recovered at alleged crash sites. 

Billy Crone: "I think this is all part of a custom-tailored last days deception to explain away the very event that God says is next on His prophetic calendar, and that event is called the rapture of the church, and that is when God evacuates all born-gain Christians, takes them off the planet before the worse time in the history of mankind is thrust upon the planet. The bible calls that time 'the seven-year tribulation'." 

According to Billy Crone, God's enemies will seek to find a credible excuse to explain why millions of people, specifically Christians, will have disappeared in the pre-trib rapture. Crone refers to an "alien deception" and he regards the alleged non-humans as demons. The New Testament consistently refers to demons as disembodied spirits; in other words, demons are precluded from having physical remains. (Matthew 12:43-45). Crone's failure to make the distinction between demons and fallen angels is no small blunder from yet another pre-trib "prophecy expert" (not). Ancient Jewish texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls specifically refer to demons as the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim giants who perished at the time of the flood. The nebulous nature of Grush's claims suggests that the alleged "UFO phenomenon" may very well be a psyop. If Grush's claims are genuine, then in my view, fallen angel activity more accurately describes the alleged "UFO phenomenon" currently in the news.

The issue with Crone's speculation is that it is dependent upon an alleged "pre-tribulation rapture" occurring before the 70th week of Daniel. (Daniel 9:27). It suits the purposes of the pre-trib camp to misrepresent the tribulation period as the entire 70th week of Daniel. However, the length of the tribulation is actually 3.5 years (cut short). (Matthew 24:21-22,29). 1 

The failure of bible teachers to teach sound doctrine regarding the rapture question is one of the biggest scandals of our time. (1 John 4:1). The pre-trib rapture is a doctrine that can be almost entirely attributed to the false teaching of megalomaniac and cult leader John Nelson Darby. This destructive doctrine of false hope is a tragedy for Western Christianity. Pre-trib teachers will have to answer to God for setting up many believers within the body of Christ for a terrible fall! (Romans 14:12; Matthew 12:36). I hasten to add that it is not too late for Jan Markell, Mark Henry, Billy Crone and others to repent, and I urge them to do so. It would be far better for these teachers to admit their error now and suffer loss of face, rather than face God with the damage this false doctrine will shortly create.

When the rapture happens, no one on earth will be in any doubt about what is happening! 

The scriptures locate the rapture of the church after the tribulation i.e. after the sixth seal is broken. The prewrath rapture is not a doctrine that I relish by any means. However, the scriptures are clear that believers will face the Antichrist. As such the wise course of action is to recognise the need to prepare our hearts for this time of testing rather than fall into pre-trib escapism and false hope. Far from being a signless event, the rapture will be preceded by fearful cosmic disturbances and the sign of the Son of Man. 

Immediately after the tribulation of those days:
‘The sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.'
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. 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 the heavens 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. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

JOE SCHIMMEL'S APPALLING ESCHATOLOGY

 (71) NAR, Seven Mountains and Witchcraft in the Church - YouTube

I agree with Joe Shimmel's assessment of the NAR and I have no issues with his presentation in this respect. However, it is regrettable that he rushes through his material. A number of Christians are now knowledgeable about the NAR thanks to people like Holly Pivec and Doug Geivett etc. Those with some knowledge of the NAR can probably follow Schimmel without too much difficulty. However, I think those who are new to this subject will find it very difficult to digest the information Schimmel rattles out at break-neck speed, and they may even abandon the video. In my view, a slower pace would benefit the people who need this information the most. I don't know why Schimmel and Davidson feel that they have to rush through presentations and impose unrealistic time limits upon themselves.

Schimmel is something of a double-edged sword in that while his teaching is sound in many respects, his eschatology leaves much to be desired and is counterproductive. An essential principle for teachers to follow is to ensure that their own theology is sound, otherwise, they simply give ammunition to false teachers, with the inevitable result that further damage and confusion ensues. Schimmel's rapture theory is a stark example of inadequate research and sloppy exegesis. See the link below for Schimmel's "traditional" post-trib view regarding his concurrent-recapitulation view of the sixth seal, sixth trumpet, and sixth bowl.

In the above video, another glaring example of Schimmel's poor eschatology is exposed. Shimmel: "He lets His own children, by the hundreds of millions perhaps, go through the tribulation period.." (57:30 mark)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9-14).   

The logical event that defines the appearance of the great multitude in heaven is the prewrath rapture following the sixth seal cosmic disturbances. (Revelation 6:2-17). The great multitude consists of the full number of living and dead believers from all generations, rather than those who specifically go through "the great tribulation" of Matthew 24:21. In my view, not too many believers will "go through" the great tribulation since many of them will have been persecuted and martyred. (Matthew 24:9-10,22; Revelation 13:7,15-17; Revelation 20:4). Following the deliverance (rapture) of the great multitude, the seventh seal is opened. After about half an hour of silence, the wrath of God is executed chronologically from heaven by the seven angels: When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (Revelation 8:1-2).

Ellicott: "Are we to limit the expression to the special and peculiar afflictions of the last great trial? There is no doubt about the emphasis which the definite article (unfortunately, ignored in our English version) gives: it is the great tribulation; but while there may yet be in store for the Church of Christ trials so great that they may be called, in comparison with those which went before, the great tribulation, it yet seems out of harmony with the spirit of the Apocalypse and the complexion of this vision to limit the phrase to some special season of trial. Is not the great tribulation the tribulation which those must encounter who are on the side of Christ and righteousness, and refuse to receive the mark of worldliness and sin on their heart, conscience, and life? In all ages it is true that we must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God; and the vision here is surely not of those who will come safe out of some particular trials, but of the great multitude from every age and every race who waged war against sin, and who, in the midst of that protracted conflict, endured the great tribulation which is to continue until Christ’s return." 1

Pulpit Commentary: "The repeated article is especially emphatic. The question arises What is 'the great tribulation' referred to? Probably all the tribulation which has been passed through by the redeemed, all that which pertained to the life through which they have passed. This tribulation is now completed and past, and is therefore referred to as 'the great tribulation.' 'These are they which have passed through the great tribulation of their life on earth.'" 1

1. Revelation 7:14 Commentaries: I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (biblehub.com)

Further Links

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joe Schimmel Blessed Hope Chapel (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)