Chapter 13 – CONCLUSION

Why does this topic vex us so? There is a deep divide between the two major camps of pre- and post-tribbers. This should not be so. But then, we should all rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Tim 2:15). Still, I’d like to see folks handle themselves with a bit more love toward each other when things like this come between us. 

John 13:³⁴ “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

To me, this subject is simple and clear, more so than some of the major doctrines of the faith. Yet, here we are on chapter 13, because I have tried to be thorough (and cover other subjects), but I could have simply shown you the posttrib teaching of the Bible in just a few verses.

The Dead in Christ Rise First, Then the Living

1st Thessalonians 4:¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

To me, that says everything we need to know about the rapture. It happens when the Lord returns and when He raises the dead saints to life. But since this does not mention the timing of His arrival, we need only look to the Lord’s teaching on the Mount of Olives.

It occurs after or during God’s wrath, which is after the tribulation.

Mathew 24:²⁹ “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. ³⁰ 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. ³¹ 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.”

And there you have it. Those two passages say it all – the rest is just support. And much support there is, as I have (hopefully) aptly shown you here in this study. When you hear someone (yourself maybe) say, “but what about…” take a long, hard look at what comes next. I guarantee that it will not contradict what you have read in this study (if it comes from the Word of Truth). Whatever problem is perceived, it will be in the interpretation of it, not the text. For me, these verses are simply too clear to refute biblically. 

Learn the difference between Eisegesis and Exegesis. The pretrib view can only work when using the flawed eisegetical approach.

If you still cannot bring yourself to accept this teaching from the Word, I recommend asking yourself “Why?” Is it because the prospect of the tribulation and God’s Wrath frightens you?

2nd Timothy 1:⁷ God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Do not fear. The Lord is with us.

If, on the other hand, you do not give yourself over to the Lord on a daily basis, then perhaps you should fear. If you have not had the Holy Spirit of God regenerate your soul and lead you into repentance and accepting the Lord’s propitiatory sacrifice on your behalf, I have nothing else for you for sainthood (the preferred state of Humanity 2.0).

Lastly, we should not judge the Word of God by the men who teach it. If you highly regard a particular teacher who expresses a false view, it doesn’t mean he is a heretic or a false teacher per se. It just means that he has bought into the complex invention that the pretrib story is. This does not mean to encourage tolerance of false concepts coming from the pulpit. In my opinion, the pretrib view can only come about through much indoctrination (as in at a seminary, which is an extension of the satanic cult we call “education”.) It certainly isn’t apparent in simply reading the Bible. In other words, we do not accept a doctrine of man over the clear teaching of scripture based on the one who exposits the doctrine. To do so would have us being tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4)

And don’t be fooled into believing what you WANT to believe. Paul warned us of this as well.

2 Timothy 4:³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Or put another way, 

³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (NLT)

Since the natural desire is to avoid pain and suffering, it is a great temptation to chase after those who teach a doctrine that sounds good to the ears. And between post- and pre-trib, the obvious choice of desire would be pre. Be courageous. Keep the faith. Stay strong to the bitter end. 

And as I said in the preface, this matter should not be a dividing wall between the brethren. If we think of this timing issue as more important than our fellowship, then the devil has won a vital skirmish. 

Christ be with you.

PREVIOUS | NEXT

Preface/Introduction
Ch 1: Ezekiel’s War
Ch 2: The Tribulation
Ch 3: 3rd Temple Built
Ch 4: The Great Tribulation
Ch 5: The Wrath of God
Ch 6: The Return of Christ
Ch 7: The Resurrection of the Dead in Christ
Ch 8: The Rapture
Ch 9: Armageddon
Ch 10: The Millennium
Ch 11: The Judgment
Ch 12: The New Creation
Ch 13: Conclusion
Ch 14: Summary
Glossary