Bible Question: I believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture and in my meager efforts as an apoligist am making the case for this. My question is, can somebody give me examples of G-d's consistency relative to removing believers from wrath? I've thought of two, those being: 1) The great flood, and 2) Sodom and Gomorrah. Can you help me with other examples, I'm toast and brain dead on the issue at this juncture. :-) Thanks! Kathy |
Bible Answer: Hi Kathy, In view of your question, “My question is, can somebody give me examples of G-d's consistency relative to removing believers from wrath?” Where the problem is, isn’t the removing of the believers from God’s wrath but what actually constitutes the wrath of God. Revelation is very clear on the issue that God’s wrath doesn’t start until Chapter 6 verses 15, 16, 17 Rev. 6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Everything up to that point is the evil that’s present in the world along with the vengeance of Satan towards God’s people. The devil is still the god of this world. 2 Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Just as the church age and the temple in Israel ran together for a while until AD 70, even so believers in Christ and Daniel’s 70th week will run hand and hand for a while before the rapture removes the believers. The next exhibit of God’s wrath, to the world, will be fire. 2 Thes. 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: These past verses refer to God’s wrath, fire. The next verse tells us when it will happen. 2 Thes. 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. The rapture takes place sometime during the last part of the tribulation and “before” the wrath of God is poured out. Just like it was the (day) the floods came and just like it was the (day) Lot left Sodom. The removal of believers and the wrath of God happen all on one and the same day. No fictitious left behind nonsense, that’s a deception! As soon as the believers are removed God will strike with fire and all the world will know what’s going on because it will be the most spectacular event in all the history of the world; no silent sneaking away. Believers and unbelievers alike will see God coming. Rev. 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. The Believers that endure the tribulation will be looking up and the unbelievers will be also; only the believers will be delivered or saved in a moment, in the blink of an eye, from God’s wrath and the unbelievers will be looking for a cave to hide in because they will know what’s coming next. Believers that “aren’t” expecting tribulation before the rapture are going to be devastated. 2 Thes. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Things are going to be so tough for believers because nothing as bad as they are going through has ever happened before. Matthew 24:21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. The days are shortened for believers because of the rapture taking place. The shortening of the days is only for believers in Christ Jesus with reference to the period that Daniel spoke of in the prophesy of the 70th week. I use to go along with the pretrib concept and I sure wish it was true but Scripture says otherwise. Why bother to warn believers if they are supposed to be gone before all the trouble starts? You might want to check out the following. http://www.solagroup.org/ Have a great day, CDBJ |