DALTON THOMAS: MISREPRESENTATION OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

 Demonic Torment, Divine Judgment and the Beginning of the End of All Things - YouTube

It was very concerning that Joel Richardson misrepresented the prewrath position regarding the salvation of Israel last week. {1} Since he has not bothered to correct this error, it is necessary to refute him again here and to reiterate the prewrath position: All Israel are saved at the end of the 70th week of Daniel, not at the rapture. 

This week, Dalton Thomas continues to distort the book of Revelation with his warped teaching regarding the fifth and sixth trumpets (the first two woes) in Revelation chapter 9. Dalton Thomas rejects the prewrath position entirely and has come up with his own bizarre scenario for the first six trumpet judgements. He teaches that the church will be present on earth following the sixth seal terror aka the cosmic disturbances of Revelation 6:12-14, and that the persecution of Israel (Jacob's trouble) will continue into the trumpet judgements. 

Dalton Thomas begins his eisegesis of Revelation 9:1 by claiming that the star fallen from heaven to earth does not fall but rather just comes down to earth. The Greek verb piptó is unquestionably "fall". {2} 

And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen (peptōkota) from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. (Revelation 9:1).

According to Dalton Thomas, the context of "the releasing of the trumpet events" is that the church will release judgements on the military coalition of the Antichrist. Specifically, he claims that the prayers of the saints will release the first four trumpets. (Revelation 8:3).

It should be noted that Revelation 8:3 refers back to the prayers of the fifth seal martyrs who are in heaven: When he 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 witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.(Revelation 6:9-11).

The prewrath position maintains that the rapture of the church becomes imminent after the sixth seal cosmic disturbances, and that the "great multitude from every nation" described in Revelation 7 are the complete number of resurrected believers from all time. The church therefore is not present on the earth during the trumpet judgements. (Revelation 7:9-13)

Dalton Thomas: The people of God like Moses and Aaron are quietly releasing the judgements of God on the Antichrists empire and the rebellious of the nations who refuse to submit to the leadership of God in the midst of his judgements as He releases judgements on those who are targeting the Jewish people and the people of the covenant, believers in Jesus.. We are releasing judgements on the empire, the coalition, the military ..that is targeting the Jewish people for annihilation. that is the context of the releasing of these trumpet events. 

The above speculations are extremely problematic for a number of reasons.

The scriptures provide compelling evidence that the Day of the Lord i.e. the eschatological wrath of God, begins immediately after the tribulation..   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.’ (Matthew 24:29).  We know that the Day of the Lord becomes imminent after the cosmic disturbances due to the terrified cries of the kings of the earth. (Revelation 6:17). The Antichrist's persecution against Israel and the church therefore comes to an end before God's wrath is implemented via the trumpet and the later bowl judgements. Revelation 8 and 9 describe the angels as the agents who sound the trumpets and release the judgements. We see no process of negotiation/proclamation involving human agencies associated with these events, as was the case with Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7 and following. Rather, the previous prayers of the fifth seal martyrs in heaven are being addressed here. (Revelation 6:9-11). NOTE: The two witnesses will be prophesying and performing signs during this time, and one of these witnesses may in fact be Moses. (Revelation 11:4-14).

Apart from the specific scriptures that inform us that the tribulation precedes the Day of the Lord, there are also further considerations. According to Dalton Thomas, the Antichrist coalition will be carrying out a campaign against Jews and Christians during the devastating trumpet judgements. We should bear in mind that the trumpets follow the cosmic disturbances and the rapture, and that the wicked will have seen the sign of the son of man in heaven.. (Matthew 24:30-31). Their reaction at this point is pure panic: “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 6:16-17). During the five month demon locust torment, everyone without the seal of God on their forehead will be in such extreme distress and sickness that they will seek death and will not find it. (Revelation 9:6). Any suggestion that the Antichrist coalition will be capable of undertaking a supposed campaign against Jews and Christians during this period is untenable. Similarly the second woe entails the mass slaughter of one third of mankind. Once again it is insupportable that a campaign against Jews and Christians will be ongoing during this time.

So the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number. (Revelation 9:15-16). 

The problem with inaccurate teaching about the rapture is that it skews the rest of the book of Revelation and it confuses believers. It is not recommended that we tamper with the book of Revelation. (Revelation 22:18-19).

The eschatology of both Joel Richardson and Dalton Thomas is very twisted. I would advise believers to test the spirits and avoid these men. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11 cf. Romans 16:17-18). Frontier Alliance International is a slick operation, {3} but we should be aware that outward appearance is not indicative of sound teaching or of God's approval. (1 Samuel 16:7). Whatever is going on with Richardson and Thomas at the Golan Heights is unsound and makes me very uneasy. {4} 

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOEL RICHARDSON'S PREWRATH RAPTURE CONUNDRUM (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. Strong's Greek: 4098. πίπτω, (piptó) -- to fall (biblehub.com)
3. Visit FAI’s Global Offices // FAI MISSION
4. mikereynolds.org

JOEL RICHARDSON'S PREWRATH RAPTURE CONUNDRUM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsatQIfGjCA
The Second Exodus in the Book of Revelation: Maranatha Global Bible Study 24

In the above video, Joel Richardson explores the differences between the prewrath and the post-trib models and the imagery of the Exodus in the Book of Revelation.

Joel Richardson's Prewrath Conundrum: When is Israel saved?

Richardson: "This is a big problem for the prewrath camp..  if they are to be consistent they have to say that all Israel gets saved at the Parousia, at the time of the rapture, which would be some time in the middle of the final three and a half years." (22:00 mark)

Joel Richardson is in error when he states that the prewrath position teaches that all Israel is saved at the Parousia/rapture. The prewrath position states that the 144,000 remnant of Israel are sealed before the seventh trumpet is sounded. (Revelation 7:1-8), and that "all Israel" are saved at the end of the 70th week of Daniel in order to fulfil the 490 period:

Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. (Daniel 9:24-25).

Richardson continues his distortion of the prewrath position and asks some very confusing questions. (24:21 mark). 

Richardson: "The prewrath camp is now faced with a conundrum.. Is Israel saved after the trumpets and the bowls, or are they saved back at the Parousia/rapture when they look at the one that appears over them? That's a significant difficulty... So if the goal is to wait until the end of the final three and a half years, why do they have to wait, they all get saved before this, or they get raptured before this.. If Jesus appears, where does He go? Does He go back up to heaven, or does he come down to earth? Paul the apostle says that when Christ is revealed, we will be revealed with him.." Richardson misquotes this verse. Paul actually states that we will appear with him in glory: When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4). Richardson continues: "The inference is, it sounds like he is coming back, not that he comes in the clouds, we are raptured, and then we go back up with Him. Well does he go back up there, does He come down, is he executing judgement on the ground or is He in heaven for a while.. and then He comes back?"

If Joel Richardson had paid any attention at all to prewrath teaching, he would know that there is no conflict between Matthew 24:29-31 and Zechariah 12:10-14. Richardson inappropriately aligns Matthew 24:29-31 and Zechariah 12:10-14. He fails to mention that Jesus quotes directly from Joel 2:10 in this passage. (Matthew 24:29). (21:00 mark). Both Matthew 24:29-31 and Joel 2:10 refer to the cosmic disturbances. Matthew continues to describe the rapture preceded by the sign of the Son of man when every eye will see him, even those who pierced him (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). 

The prewrath view is explicitly delineated as follows:

* "All Israel" are saved at the end of the 70th week of Daniel.
* When Jesus appears every eye will see Him. (Revelation 1:7).
* The rapture occurs at some point between the sixth and seventh seal of Revelation, after the great tribulation before the wrath of God is implemented, (Revelation 6:17).  

* After the rapture Jesus will usher God's people before the Father's throne in heaven. (John 14:1-3, Revelation 7:9, and 2 Corinthians 5:10).

* The saints return with Jesus at the battle of Armageddon. (1 Thessalonians 3:13). 

Richardson concludes this video with a pep talk which verges on indolence. He glosses over the differences between the prewrath and post-trib rapture positions and he muddies the waters by making statements like: "It is ok to not settle on a clear position..  there is tension no matter which position we take..  there are no rewards for whoever has the perfect timeline." I would not argue against him that the way we live as Christians is critically important. However, the way we live should not be at the expense of applying ourselves to studying the scriptures. Although it is possible to be saved and hold differing opinions about the rapture, I think it is irresponsible to downplay these differences. I actually think that it is possible to come to a clear understanding on the rapture question, and that there will be rewards for those who diligently search the scriptures and sincerely hold on to sound doctrine. 

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16 cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).

Richardson's perversion of the prewrath position is either based on ignorance, or else it is a deliberate attempt to sabotage prewrath teaching. Whichever is the case, he has completely misrepresented the prewrath position, and in the process he has created a "conundrum" of his own making. This is very unfortunate and adds to the confusion surrounding the rapture question. 

Richardson obviously does not value the principle of biblical separation. His appearances on TBN and CBN with various questionable characters is alarming to say the least. (Romans 16:17; Ephesians 5:11). One way or another, Joel Richardson and his latest questionable associate, Dalton Thomas (Frontier Alliance International), do more harm than good with their eschatological distortions. Beware of Frontier Alliance International {1}

1. mikereynolds.org

Further Information: 

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie) - YouTube

DALTON THOMAS (FAI) FALSE TEACHING: THE DAY OF THE LORD

 (1) Daniel 11: The Despicable King - YouTube

Dalton Thomas is the founder of Frontier Alliance International Studios (FAI) and is a close associate of Joel Richardson.  

This follow up post is aimed at exposing Dalton Thomas' distorted teaching concerning the rapture and the Day of the Lord based on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5. 

Dalton Thomas: "He comes and gathers his people, that's the Day of the Lord.. Paul says it is a day, it is an actual day.. Jesus comes and gathers his people, that's the Day of the Lord.. it's a singular day..  

They (the Thessalonians) are confused because there is disagreement over the issue of the Day of the Lord. Some people said the day of the Lord has already come." 

Dalton Thomas continues to reiterate this teaching and puts words into the apostle Paul's mouth: "Let me define the day of the Lord for you.. there is no way you missed it, I promise. Jesus comes and gathers His people, that's the Day of the Lord. That didn't happen.." (14:00 mark).

The Day of the Lord is not one literal day..

The Day of the Lord as Defined by the Scriptures:

The Old Testament scriptures say nothing about the rapture and they define the Day of the Lord as God's ultimate wrath upon the wicked. (e.g. Isaiah 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5, 30:3; Joel 1:15, 2:1,11,31; 3:14; Amos 5:18,20; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:7,14; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi 4:5). 

The New Testament gives specific information about the Day of the Lord: (Acts 2:20; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 6:17; 16:14).

What does 2 Thessalonians 2 actually say?

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5).

Revelation 6:17 informs us that the wrath of God becomes imminent following the cosmic disturbances: ..for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? However, since Christians are not appointed to wrath, the Day of the Lord cannot commence until Jesus effectuates the rapture. (1 Thessalonians 5:9). It seems accurate to affirm, along with Chris White and others, that the Day of the Lord is initiated by the rapture. I believe that we can correctly determine that God gathers his people on the Day of the Lord. However, that particular day involves both the rapture and the onset of God's wrath which lasts more than a single day, as demonstrated in Revelation 9:5. 

The Thessalonians were under the false impression that the Day of the Lord had come i.e. the Day of the Lord is at hand, or literally, is present. In other words, the Thessalonians believed that the Day of the Lord was either present, or that it was imminent. 

Meyer: "ὡς ὅτι ἐνέστηκεν ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ κυρίου] as if, or, like as if the day of the Lord is already present, or, is even on the point of commencing[44] (comp. Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 3:22; 1 Corinthians 7:26; Galatians 1:4).." {1} 

The phrase "the Day of the Lord" does not refer to a single day as Dalton Thomas teaches. The Day of the Lord is an unspecified period of time, lasting for at least five months, in which the wrath of God progressively unfolds. (Revelation 9:5). The Hebrew word yôm (day) has a number of definitions in the Old Testament and is not necessarily limited to a literal twenty-four hour day i.e. yôm includes the possibility of referring to an undefined, indeterminate period of time. {2} The Old Testament prophets used the phrase "the Day of the Lord" to refer to the specific eschatological period in which God's wrath is a progressive event. Furthermore, 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 demonstrates that the Thessalonians believed that they were experiencing the Day of the Lord as a period of time rather than a literal twenty-four hour day. 

Dalton Thomas continues by identifying the "restrainer" in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 as Satan. I have dealt with this subject in my previous post. {3}

Apparently FAI is a veritable can of worms beset with moral failures and connections with IHOP. {4} Dalton Thomas also has connections with the man known as "the apostle of obfuscation", NAR defender, Dr Michael Brown. {5}

1. Thessalonians 2:2 Commentaries: that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (biblehub.com)
2. H3117 - yôm - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (KJV) (blueletterbible.org)
3. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOEL RICHARDSON & DALTON THOMAS: MARANATHA BIBLE STUDY - SOME DIFFICULT QUESTIONS (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
4. mikereynolds.org

5. Covenant and Controversy // FAI STUDIOS

PROPHETIC STANDARDS RACKET

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (John 2:13-17).

CHARISMATIC HERETICS PROPHETIC STANDARDS STATEMENT

Prophetic Standards Statement

But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. (2 Corinthians 10:12).

The Prophetic Standards Statement (PSS) recently published by Pentecostal and Charismatic leaders is a dismal attempt to legitimize false prophets. The false Trump prophecies of 2020 are just the tip of the iceberg and are the latest in a long line of questionable activities by NAR charismatic "apostles and prophets". These latest false prophecies regarding Trump have left their already dubious credibility in tatters, but true to form, they continue to defend the indefensible regardless!

The PSS was constructed by USCAL members Michael Brown and Joseph Mattera. It has a façade of officialdom in the style of a statement of faith, but as with everything these people do, it is deeply flawed and biblically unsound. The supposed purpose of this document is: "..to help provide scriptural guidelines for the operation of the gift of prophecy and the functioning of the ministry of the prophet, while at the same time affirming the importance of these gifts and ministries."  

The concept of "prophetic and apostolic ministries" is a misnomer. These vainglorious individuals put themselves on the same level, and even elevate themselves above, New Testament apostles and Old Testament prophets. In other words, they have raised themselves above the scriptures and have made themselves unaccountable. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). In many cases, they deny the sufficiency of the scriptures by teaching the heresy of Dominionism. (2 Timothy 3:16). This contradicts the book of Revelation which teaches that that the church will suffer unequaled persecution at the end of the age before the return of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 24:21). Furthermore, the majority of these false apostles/prophets/teachers are ecumenical and they embrace the false gospel of Roman Catholicism. In other words, these so called "prophets and apostles" cannot rightfully call themselves Christians, and they certainly have nothing legitimate to say to the Body of Christ. Jude rightly says of them: These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted.. (Jude 1:12)

The Illegitimacy Of The Five-fold Ministry 

PSS: "WE BELIEVE in the five-fold ministry of the prophet, recognizing that such prophets will also be used to bring correction, instruction, and directional clarity to the Body, but not independent of other leaders, and therefore different from the model of the independent Old Testament prophet."

The sole proof text these charlatans use to support the five-fold ministry concept is Ephesians 4:11-13. In case they hadn't noticed, the canon of scripture is closed! The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.. (Ephesians 2:20).  The false foundation laid by the NAR/charismatic movement is an attempt to usurp the true foundation of Jesus Christ and His prophets and apostles. These heretics teach a different Jesus, they have a different spirit and they teach a different gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4). For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). By denying the sufficiency of the scriptures, these people are a blight on the church, and they can have nothing of any value to say to the Body of Christ on any level, whether it be spiritual, political or personal. 

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Spiritual Fortune Tellers

PSS: "WE RECOGNIZE that prophets do not serve as spiritual fortune tellers or prognosticators, nor is their role to satisfy our curiosity about the future or reveal abstract information. God’s purpose in prophecy is redemptive, calling for repentance, giving supernatural guidance, bringing comfort, deliverance, restoration, and glorifying Jesus as Lord."

On the contrary, these false prophets are precisely fulfilling the role of spiritual fortune tellers. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth and guides us into all truth. (John 16:13). These people are operating from the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6). No lie comes from the truth, and yet time and again the so called prophecies of these individuals have proved to be false. (1 John 2:21).

PSS: "WE UNDERSTAND that prophecies can be conditional and that many prophecies will take time to come to pass. We also recognize that prophetic language is often mysterious and symbolic, requiring interpretation and insight. This means that prophecies that do not contradict the Bible or that are not contrary to fact should be evaluated over time and not immediately rejected.
On the other hand, if a prophetic word is delivered containing specific details and dates in which the stated prophetic word will come to pass and that prophecy contains no conditions to be met in order to be fulfilled, and that word does not come to pass as prophesied, then the one who delivered the word must be willing to take full responsibility, demonstrating genuine contrition before God and people.
Any statement of apology and/or explanation/clarification should be delivered to the audience to whom the erroneous word was given. For example, if it was given to an individual, the apology (and/or explanation/clarification) should be delivered to the individual. If the word was delivered publicly, then a public apology (and/or explanation/clarification) should be presented. This is not meant to be a punishment but rather a mature act of love to protect the honor of the Lord, the integrity of prophetic ministry, and the faith of those to whom the word was given."

Biblically, a "prophetic word" that does not come to pass is evidence that that "prophet" is a false prophet and has no business in the ministry. No amount of prevarication or apology can alter that fact. The scriptures call these people "deceitful, presumptuous, greedy for gain, sensual, worthless, flatterers, blasphemers of the way of truth..

Mark and Avoid False Prophets

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

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. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. (Romans 16:17-18).

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1).

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).

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).

Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading. (Lamentations 2:14).

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash, say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! (Ezekiel 13:8-11).

And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken. (Ezekiel 22:28).

ANDY WOODS PREWRATH RAPTURE ONSLAUGHT (PART 7)

Rapture Sermon Series 48. Explaining Pre-Wrath, Part 7. Matthew 24:31, 40-41. - YouTube

The critical question: Is Matthew 24:31 the rapture, or is it the regathering of the Jews?

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. 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 (episunagó) His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

Illegitimate Totality Transfer..  episunagó - to gather together

Andy Woods has utilized DA Carson's "Illegitimate Totality Transfer" fallacy (i.e. the explicit or implicit transfer of all the meanings of a given word into any given passage.) {1} One such alleged example of this fallacy, according to Andy Woods, is gather/episunagó in Matthew 24:31 as it is applied to 2 Thessalonians 2:1.

Now concerning the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered (episunagó) together to him, we ask you, brothers.. (2 Thessalonians 2:1)  

The pre-trib habit of limiting their comparisons to particular verses falls foul of the many demonstrable parallels between 1 and 2 Thessalonians and the Olivet Discourse. Some examples: Matthew 24:30/1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Matthew 24:36/1Thessalonians 5:1-2; Matthew 24:43/1 Thessalonians 5:2,4; Matthew 24:37-39/1 Thessalonians 5:3; Matthew 24:8/1 Thessalonians 5:3; Matthew 24:42/1 Thessalonians 5:4; Matthew 24:49/1Thessalonians 5:7. These parallels demonstrate that Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 is the source of Paul’s doctrine. (2 Timothy 2:15).

While the word episunagó by itself in Matthew 24:31 does not prove the rapture, there is evidence that both passages do in fact refer to the rapture. 

Matthew 24 addresses the specific question relating to Jesus' return: What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? (Matthew 24:3). The chronology of events immediately following the great tribulation are (1) the cosmic disturbances. (Matthew 24:29; Revelation 6:12-14); (2) the sign of the Son of Man i.e. the visible manifestation of Jesus ..coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 6:16); (3) 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 24:31). Matthew 24:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 all refer to the resurrection of believers (the rapture) at the trumpet  call. Paul refers to "the trumpet of God" and "the last trumpet". Matthew 24:31 refers to the sounding of "a loud trumpet call". Jesus is undoubtedly referring to His coming (parousia), He is not talking about a "horizontal" regathering of Israel. Luke also affirms that the rapture (parousia) is in view: 

At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:27-28). 

  

Meyer: "εἰς ἡμέρ. ἀπολυτρ.] for the day of redemption; when at the Parousia the certainty of the deliverance unto salvation, indicated by ἐσφραγ., becomes reality. As to ἀπολύτρωσις, comp. on Ephesians 1:14; Luke 21:28; also Romans 8:23." {2}

The resurrection in Matthew 24 

Jesus' source for the Olivet Discourse was Daniel. (Matthew 24:15). In Daniel 12:1-2 there is a distinction between your people (Israel) in verse 1, and the many in verse 2 which references the resurrection of believers after the great tribulation. (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21).

At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1-2).

For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. (Matthew 24:21).

Posttribulationist and Christian Hebraist Samuel Prideaux Tregelles was one of a number of noteable bible scholars who opposed John Nelson Darby's concept of a pre-trib rapture in the 19th century. Tregelles' interpretation of Daniel 12:2 places the first resurrection at Revelation 20:4. Isaiah 26:19-21 is definitely prewrath, but Tregelles amalgamates Israel's deliverance and the first resurrection which is problematic. Alan Kurschner regards the beheaded martyrs who participate in the first resurrection as thematic rather than sequential. "..and they lived εζησαν and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4). εζησαν verb - aorist active indicative". {3} 

Tregelles: "And many from among the sleepers of the dust of the earth shall awake; these shall be unto everlasting life; but those [the rest of the sleepers] shall be unto shame and* everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2)

Tregelles: "The word which in our Authorised version is twice rendered “some” is never repeated in any other passage in the Hebrew Bible, in the sense of taking up distributively any general class which had been previously mentioned; this is enough, I believe, to warrant our applying its first occurrence here to the whole of the many who awake, and the second to the mass of the sleepers, those who do not awake at this time. It is clearly not a general resurrection; it is 'many from among'; and it is only by taking the words in this sense that we gain any information as to what becomes of those who continue to sleep in the dust of the earth.*

I have given, I believe, the most literal rendering of this verse;* it speaks of a [select] resurrection, not the general, when all shall be called forth, but one of an eclectic character, 'many [not all] from amongst the sleepers'. Just so in Rev. 20, after 'the first resurrection' has been mentioned, we are told, 'the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.' It is at the coming of the Lord Jesus that Israel is delivered; it is then that the first resurrection also takes place. Just in the same manner do we read of a resurrection in Isa. 26: 19, in connection with the Lord coming out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: 'Thy dead men shall live; they shall arise my dead body.' [Such are the words literally. Identified with Christ as being His members.]

[* NOTE. The 'and' here, should be understood as a disjunction, separating two distinct groups of disembodied souls presently waiting (in “Hades”- (for this is the place, 'in the heart of the earth' where the souls of all the dead presently are: Matt. 12: 40; 16: 18; Luke 16: 29-31; Acts 2: 27, 34; Rev. 6: 9, 10, R.V.).
Therefore, those described above as 'the rest of the sleepers' are resurrected when 'the thousand years should be finished' (Rev. 20: 3, R.V.), (1) The words 'unto shame,' – are a description of the regenerate who will not be 'recompensed in the resurrection of the just' (Luke 14: 14): and (2) the words 'everlasting contempt' - are a description of all the unregenerate - 'not found written in the book of life,' and 'cast into the lake of fire' (Rev. 20: 15).

See Luke 20: 35; Phil. 3: 11; Heb. 11: 35b; Rev. 20: 4-6, etc. R.V. All these texts describe a select resurrection “out of dead ones,” into a MILLENNIAL REWARD. See Acts 7: 4, 5; Rev. 2: 25-27; 3: 11, 21, R.V. cf. Rom. 8: 23-25; Heb. 11: 6, 26, 40; 1 Pet. 1: 5, 9, 11b, R.V. etc.]" {4}

The Christian Journal: "Samuel Prideaux Tregelles alleged that John Nelson Darby's concept of the rapture was taken from one of the charismatic utterances in Edward Irving’s church (at a prophecy conference held in 1830 at Powerscourt Castle, Ireland). Since Tregelles regarded the utterances as “pretending to be from God,” his implication is that Darby’s rapture is from a demonic source. Dave MacPherson built upon Tregelles’s accusation, and claimed the source for Darby’s rapture was from an utterance of Margaret MacDonald." {5}

Apostasia/Rebellion

Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion (apostasia) occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:3). 

Biblical scholars of integrity unanimously interpret apostasia as rebellion. However, Andy Woods, who is in league with Thomas Ice, has come up the dubious interpretation that apostasia is a "departure" i.e. the rapture. This bizarre interpretation has been debunked, even by renowned pre-trib scholars. It appears that some pre-trib teachers will say almost anything in order to pervert the eschatological teachings of the New Testament.

Dave MacPherson: "THOMAS ICE — Protector of the shrinking Principality of Pretribulatia — believes that his 'texas receptus' interpretation of II Thess. 2:3 is much better than that of his mentor, the late Dr. John Walvoord!" {6} 

One will be taken and one left

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept (airo) them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken (paralambanó ) and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken (paralambanó) and one left (aphiémi). (Matthew 24:36-41 cf. Matthew 24:28).

I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken (paralambanó) and the other left (aphiémi). . "And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” (Luke 17:34-37).

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take (paralambanó) you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3).

Typically paralambanó is an affirmative verb meaning to receive or to take to oneself. {7} The meaning of aphiémi is to send away, leave alone (in this context it has the sense of abandonment). {8}

The pre-trib camp identify those being taken with the wicked taken for judgement following the battle of Armageddon. They connect the proverbial saying: "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather"(Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37) with Armageddon, where the birds literally gorge themselves on the flesh of the wicked i.e. the flesh of the men and horses slain in the battle. (Revelation 19:17-18, 21 cf. Ezekiel 39:17-21). However, the birds are gathered at this event, not the wicked. Furthermore the context of Matthew 24 is the coming of the Son of Man (parousia) and the gathering of the elect i.e. the rapture. (Matthew 24:3,27,30,37,39,42,43,44). This event should be distinguished from Armageddon.

The example of Noah illustrates that the wicked were swept away (airo) by the flood waters to perish, whereas the ark rose above the flood waters. Considering the meanings of paralambanó and aphiémi, the meaning of airó in this context is to sweep away i.e. to take away or to remove by the action of the flood waters. It is inappropriate to interpret airó "to raise or to lift up" in the pre-trib sense that the wicked are taken and the righteous remain on the earth. {9} Similarly, Genesis 19:1,12-22 is a vivid illustration of the involvement of angels in the deliverance of Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom. (Luke 17-28-29 cf. Matthew 24:3).

The parable of the ten virgins also confirms the prewrath view of one taken and one left. The wise virgins go in with Jesus to the marriage feast, whereas the door is shut to the foolish virgins and they are left behind. (Matthew 25:10-11). 

Pulpit Commentary: "As (ver. 31) the angels are sent forth to gather the elect, the 'taken' are of this class, who are caught away to meet the Lord and his saints (1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:3), while the others are left for judgment and reprobation (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)." {10} 

Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on the Sabbath.

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,' described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. And let no one in the field return for his cloak. How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on the Sabbath. Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on the Sabbath. (Matthew 24:15-20).

The above passage does not signify that Jesus' reference to the Sabbath applies to unbelieving Jews. This will obviously be a tough flight for believers, especially for the vulnerable, such as pregnant and nursing mothers. If their flight were to coincide with the winter or the Sabbath, the difficulties will be compounded, hence Jesus' instruction to pray that it won't. Following the covenant the Antichrist makes with "many" and the reinstitution of animal sacrifices, it is conceivable that Sabbath limitations in Jerusalem/Judea will be enforced to a degree that conditions will be highly unfavourable for believers to undertake a flight to the mountains. (Daniel 9:27 cf. Luke 21:20). It is reasonable to assume that significant numbers of believers will flee Jerusalem/Judea following the abomination of desolation event when the Antichrist announces that he is "god". The ominous situation, combined with a limited window of opportunity to flee, and perhaps also a certain amount of panic, are not conducive with the restrictions imposed by the Jewish Sabbath. 

In conclusion..

The various accusations that Andy Woods has levelled against Robert Van Kampen regarding so called "illegitimate totality transfer" and grammatical errors, are, for the most part, invalid. Andy Woods has demonstrated throughout this series, that his own interpretive skills, whether by accident or by design, are highly questionable!

The timing of the rapture is supposedly a secondary issue that does not impact on the doctrine of salvation. If this is true, then the pre-trib camp's aggressive determination to foist their teaching onto the Body of Christ, and their constant habit of attacking those who disagree with them, is out of all proportion. Their teaching permeates every aspect of their worldview and political observations. My view is that the timing of the rapture is a critical question for believers due to the very real possibility of apostasy occurring as a result of the Antichrist's persecution. (Matthew 24:9-11). The pre-tribulation rapture fallacy is one of the biggest deceptions to blight the church in modern times. (Jeremiah 23:1). Technically pre-trib teachers are false prophets who pervert the critical warnings given to the church by Jesus Christ Himself. (Revelation 22:18-19; Proverbs 30:6). There will be consequences for those who teach this false doctrine! (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

1. The "Illegitimate Totality Transfer" Fallacy Illustrated - Ancient Hebrew Poetry (typepad.com)
2. Ephesians 4:30 Commentaries: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (biblehub.com)
3. The First Resurrection ~ Timing Often Misunderstood | The Orange Mailman (wordpress.com)
4. Tregelles on Daniel (themillennialkingdom.org.uk)
5. Pre-Tribulation Rapture is a hoax, and here is why! (christianjournal.net)
6. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: WALVOORD MELTS ICE (II THESS. 2:3) BY DAVE MACPHERSON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
7. Strong's Greek: 3880. παραλαμβάνω (paralambanó) -- to receive from (biblehub.com)
8. Strong's Greek: 863. ἀφίημι (aphiémi) -- to send away, leave alone, permit (biblehub.com)
9. Strong's Greek: 142. αἴρω (airó) -- to raise, take up, lift (biblehub.com)
10. Matthew 24 Pulpit Commentary (biblehub.com

ANDY WOODS PREWRATH RAPTURE ONSLAUGHT (PART 6)

Rapture Sermon Series 47. Explaining & Refuting Pre-Wrath, Pt. 6. Daniel 9:27. Dr. Andy Woods - YouTube

When you see.. (Matthew 25:15).

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.(Matthew 25:15-20).

According to Andy Woods, Jesus' warnings refer to Jewish individuals living on the earth at the time the temple is desecrated. These warnings are addressed to the disciples, and by extension to the church.

Three Parts? 

And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator. (Daniel 9:27).

Andy Woods confirms that the 70th week of Daniel is divided into two halves i.e. two periods of 3.5 years. (Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6, 13:5; Daniel 7:25, 12:7, 12:11). However, he fails to take into account explicit scriptures that elaborate on this two part framework and he superimposes the tribulation onto the entire seven years. *The Olivet Discourse is unequivocal ~ the great tribulation begins and ends at specific points during the 70th week: 

For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. Matthew 24:21)

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. Revelation 6:12-17 ).

The above verses indicate that the sixth seal cosmic disturbances occur immediately after the tribulation of those days. The tribulation is "cut short" for the sake of the elect, before the 3.5 years are completed. (Matthew 24:22). The gathering of the elect (the rapture) becomes imminent, and the Day of the Lord is specifically indicated as portending following the sixth seal cosmic disturbances. (Revelation 6:12-14). The wrath of God occurs towards the end of the 70th week after the seventh seal is broken. (Revelation 8:1- 9:20, 15:1,8, 16:1-17).   

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 6:15-17). 

And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Joel 2:30-31).

With such clarity available to us in the scriptures, it is difficult, if not impossible, to understand Andy Woods' objection that the prewrath view imposes an artificial construct on Daniel's 70th week by separating the great tribulation from the Day of the Lord.  

Larry B Pettigrew's flawed arguments:

In his paper Interpretive Flaws in the Olivet Discourse, Larry Pettigrew grossly misrepresents the prewrath position below:

Israel will be protected in the wilderness for the period of the tribulation and also during the period of time that the wrath continues, in all, 1260 days. However unlike Israel, the church will be raptured before the Day of the Lord commences.

..and the woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. (Revelation 12:6).

Pettigrew: "The bible never divides the 1260 days into two 630 days."  Prewrath teachers do not claim that the 1260 years will be split in half! In fact, Pettigrew's points are not only inaccurate, but they appear to be a deliberate distortion of the prewrath position. We need to ask the question: Why do pre-trib teachers find it necessary to resort to disreputable tactics in order to misrepresent the prewrath rapture? The tendency of pre-trib leaders to 'win the argument' by fair means or foul reflects very badly on their supposed integrity! (Ephesians 4:25).

Pettigrew: "Another flaw in the pre-wrath interpretation of Matthew 24:22 is its logical failure to explain properly the reason that the great tribulation is shortened. The reason given is that if it were not, no flesh would be saved. The point of the Scripture is that when the great tribulation is over, something easier and better comes on the scene. In the pre-wrath scheme, however, something more horrible occurs—the Day of the Lord. If no flesh would have survived a continuation of the great tribulation through the full forty-two months, surely no flesh would survive if the great tribulation were to be cut short and followed by the awesome Day of the Lord.

Moreover, Matthew 24:21 says that the great tribulation will be the worst time ever. So, how can it be replaced by the Day of the Lord which is more horrible in that it consists in God’s wrath on the world? In fact, the great tribulation (Matt 24:21) and the Day of the Lord (Dan 12:1; Jer 30:7) are both said to be the worst time ever, so they must be the same time period or at least overlap one another. How much better is the pretribulational interpretation of Matthew 24:22 which says that when the great tribulation concludes at the end of 1,260 days, Christ returns, judgment on the earth ceases, and the millennial Kingdom begins!" {1} 

Pettigrew directly contradicts the specific distinction between tribulation and wrath in Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-17. Scripturally, the two periods are not the same time period and they do not overlap. As already stated, the Olivet Discourse is unequivocal, the great tribulation begins and ends at specific points during the 70th week.* 

Andy Woods also quotes an article written by George Zeller entitled Pre-Wrath Confusion: "The PRE-WRATH view teaches that the Day of the Lord begins after the Great Tribulation and that the Day of the Lord is the time of God’s wrath. Matthew 24:21, Daniel 12:1 and Jeremiah 30:7 all teach that the Great Tribulation is the greatest time of trouble that the world has ever known. Therefore, if the Day of the Lord is distinct from the Great Tribulation, then the Day of the Lord must be LESS SEVERE than the Great Tribulation. But how can the great day of God’s wrath be less severe and less troublesome than the Great Tribulation?How can God’s wrath be less severe than man’s wrath? How can the trumpets and bowls be less severe than the fifth seal? How can God’s wrath be less severe than Satan’s wrath? How can unregenerate men and Satan cause more trouble for this world than the wrathful JUDGE Himself? The PRE-WRATH view, when compared with Matthew 24:21 and these other verses, makes the Day of the Lord an ANTICLIMAX! " {2} 

Andy Woods applies the phrase no flesh would be saved to all humanity: "God is not going to allow the second half to exceed its allotted time frame because if that happened no one would survive.. if this time period of great tribulation goes outside this seven years everyone would be dead."  The problem with Andy Woods' argument is that the great tribulation will be cut short before its allotted time frame for the sake of the elect. The pre-trib camp are obdurate in their unwillingness to differentiate between the scriptural designations (thlipsis) and wrath (orgē) during this period. The application of the great tribulation is unprecedented persecution against believers # the elect # the church. (Matthew 24:15-22). Daniel 12:1 and Jeremiah 30:7 refer to unbelieving Israel (your people/Jacob). It is evident that the unequalled distress of the great tribulation does not apply to the world, since the world will not suffer the persecution of the Antichrist. The Day of the Lord follows the great tribulation and the rapture and is directed against the world. 

..let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.. 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 24:16,21-22).

Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7).
At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. (Daniel 12:1).

The Great Multitude (Revelation 7:9-17)

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 (erchomai) out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:13-14).

To paraphrase Andy Woods: "The present tense participle (erchomai) describes a process of continuous action. This cannot be the rapture because erchomai is a process, whereas the rapture happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. (1 Corinthians 15:52)." It may seem that at last Andy Woods has found the Achilles heel in the prewrath view. However the preponderance of evidence is against him. 

The reference to "the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation" is attached to a sequence of two Greek verbs in the aorist tense. i.e. "have washed" and "made" These verbs refer to the timing of the event as a completed action. One of the elders asks: .. from where have they come (elthon)? He did not ask where are they coming from, rather the past tense of the Greek verb (to come) is employed. This is further corroborated by: ..they have washed (past tense) their robes and made (past tense) them white in the blood of the Lamb.

The context of Revelation 7:13-14 gives a fuller view of the great multitude in heaven: 

# The appearance of the great multitude in heaven is sandwiched between the sixth seal cosmic disturbances when the rapture becomes imminent, and the breaking of the seventh seal and the onset of the Day of the Lord via the trumpet judgements. (Revelation 8:1-13 cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:9). This scene precisely parallels Jesus timeline of events in Matthew 24:29-31, i.e. the cosmic disturbances follow the great tribulation and then the angels gather the elect from the four winds.

# The phrase a great multitude that no one could number from every tribe and language and people and nation in Revelation 7:9 echoes the language of every tribe and language and people and nation in Revelation 5:9, the great multitude in Revelation 19:6 and also God's promise to Abraham: I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. (Genesis 22:17). This scene is the immediate prelude to the opening of the seventh seal and indicates the rapture.

# The prewrath view teaches that the church will remain on the earth until the tribulation is "cut short". (Matthew 24:22). There is no evidence of a "worldwide revival" during the 70th week of Daniel. (Revelation 9:20-21). The sudden appearance of the innumerable multitude before the throne does not correlate well with a worldwide revival. However, this scene does correlate with the rapture and the appearance in heaven of innumerable numbers i.e. the resurrected saints of all time. (2 Timothy 3:12). 

# The saints will receive their resurrected bodies at the rapture. (1 Corinthians 15:35-58 cf. Philippians 3:21). We see the great multitude described in physical terms: ..standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9). 

# Regarding the praises of the great multitude: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” and the subsequent angelic praises: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” This scene suggests that a momentous event has just occurred. The contention of prewrath teachers is that this momentous event is rapture of the church.

The objection that John should have known the identity of the great multitude because he is a foundation stone of the church is clutching at straws. (Ephesians 2:20).  Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants.. is precisely that. If John had been au fait with the entirety of the revelation he was given, there would have been no need for him to receive it. (1 John 3:2 cf. Revelation 21:14). We could ask why John began to weep because no one was worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals. (Revelation 5:3-5). These kind of inane questions are redundant. 

 

The forty seven long weeks that Andy Woods has been teaching and defending the pre-trib rapture is unprecedented as far as I am aware. Tragically, Woods is a hardcore pretribulationalist, despite the fact that he has been made aware of many evidences to the contrary. 

While I believe that many true believers have been sucked into the pre-trib deception by stealth, unfortunately I cannot say the same for their leaders. (Genesis 3:1). Technically, those who teach the pre-trib doctrine fall into the category of false prophets who distort the scriptures. (Revelation 22:18-19). Many pre-trib teachers are hirelings who remain loyal to their denominational label above the scriptures. (John 10:13). The words of Jeremiah come to mind: “Amen! May the LORD do so; may the LORD make the words that you have prophesied come true.. Jeremiah continued: ..the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. (Jeremiah 28:6-15).

Pre-trib teachers will need some good answers when the time comes for them to give an account! (Hebrews 4:13).

1. tmsj13f.pdf

2. The Confusion of the Pre-Wrath Rapture View (middletownbiblechurch.org)