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NASB | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], [Dan 7:25; 8:25; 1 Tim 4:1] |
Subject: Rapture? Pre? Mid? Post? |
Bible Note: Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? There was a rumor going around. They whispered, and watched, as the years went by, one by one, and John grew older and older. "The Master said that John wouldn't die before He would return! Surely He's coming soon!" We know that this rumor wasn't true. But this also tells us that the disciples did not have a reason to think that Jesus wasn't coming back at any time. It would have been a simple matter to say that, no, Jesus didn't actually say that, and besides, He can't come till the temple is destroyed. To which the disciples would have rightfully replied, "Oh, then we don't need to be standing ready at the door, ready to open as soon as He knocks! So He's going to call ahead!" Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. The simple truth is that without imminency, you do not have expectency. This is simple logic. If I tell you to expect the train at any time, and I also tell you that you will see the handcar first, then you will not expect to see the train until you have seen the handcar. The "pre-wrath rapture", as commonly taught, is contrary to the teaching of expectency, because it specifically teaches that Jesus will not return until a series of events has occured. We cannot properly comment on why God did or did not clearly state doctrine and teaching. The Trinity only reveals itself with careful study. The centuries from then til now have been characturized by the profound truths that were brought out of the scriptures in those times, as the church studies this most profound of books. Daniel, a prophecy of the end times, was specifically sealed until the end. If you ever wonder what that sealing was worth, read Sir Isaac Newton's commentaries on Daniel and Revelation. Newton is considered the greatest scientist of all time, and was a committed Christian, who spent decades studying end times prophecies. He penned over a million words of Biblical commentary, yet his grasp of eschatology demonstrates clearly that God had not yet unsealed those prophecies. Some things were not meant to be known until the time in which they came. Just as when Jesus came the first time, most misunderstood, buy a few understood. The prophets did not always understand what they prophesied. There is no difficulty with the rapture at the beginning of the seventieth week. We simply recognize that Jesus can return at any moment, and understand that God can arrange events to happen even very quickly to accomodate His plan. Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;" Jesus says "be ready". He does not say, when you see the antichrist sit in the temple, get ready. Does it seem like a good idea to say "My Lord isn't coming back today, such and such hasn't happened yet"? Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Be ready for the coming of Jesus. |