Subject: RAPTURE: PRE-TRIBULATION OR NOT? |
Bible Note: Tim, this is sort of separate from the previous post I sent. You know Greek better than anyone I know. Please, what does the Greek word that Paul used here mean? I noticed it is only used in the NT four (4) times. EACH time, it deals with a situation of going to meet someone of great importance who is on their way to be with you, and then returning to where YOU were before. Matt. 25:1 and 6 – the story of the virgins who went out to MEET the bridegroom who was coming TO them. They didn’t leave to GO with Him. They went to MEET Him. Acts 28:15 – Paul was traveling TOWARDS Rome. When the brethren in Rome heard Paul was on his way, those in Rome came out to MEET them. Verse 16 explains, “When we came to Rome…” ! Thess. 4:16 – The dead and those alive “hear” the sound of the LAST trumpet and we MEET Jesus in the air, and according to the use of that word MEET – we return back here. So, Tim, WHY would Paul use that term IF we would be staying UP there somewhere? The tribulation is FINISHED when 1 Cor 15:52, and Rev 11:15, and other verses happen. We must agree that the LAST and SEVENTH are one and the same. The rest of Rev 11 explains the results. This world ravaged by Satan passes into the total possession of our Lord and He shall reign forever. THEN WHAT? The time comes for the dead to be judged AND for rewards to be given. And some teach that those rewards will be handed out while the earth is undergoing the tribulation. Wrong. OUR GOD WAS NOT POWERLESS to protect His people from “tribulation” before Moses led them out of Egypt. And I believe HE IS the same today, yesterday and forever. According to my expository dictionary of NT words, the word MEET is used in the papyri of a newly arriving magistrate. It seems that the special idea of the word was the official welcoming of a newly arrived dignitary.” (Moulton, Greek Text. Gram. Vol. 1. p.14) So, Tim, WHY would Paul use that term IF we would be staying UP there somewhere? Bless you, Tim Tom |