The Promise Of Jesus' Sudden Return

1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Our text passage vividly describes the Pretribulation Rapture. Perhaps the greatest promise from God in the Bible, next to His promise “TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE” (1st Corinthians 1:21b), is the promise of Christ's return.

Pastor Jack Hyles used to explain it this way:

• Jesus came 2,000 years ago TO His own (John 1:11).
• At the Pretribulation Rapture Jesus is coming FOR His own (1st Corinthians 15:51-58).
• At Christ's Second Coming 7-years later, He is coming WITH His own (Jude 1:4).

I humbly think the following Bible prophecy chart is accurate. ...

I am firmly convinced that if one takes the inspired King James Bible at face value, we can only conclude a Pretribulation Rapture.

Reading Into The Scripture What It Doesn't Say

First, let me say that I don't like the way that some preachers wrestle the Bible to fit their agenda. A perfect example of this is found in Revelation 4:1, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” I have heard numerous Baptist pastors, college Bible professors and evangelists claim that the phrase “Come up hither” refers to the Pretribulation Rapture. I have a big problem with that shoddy type of Bible interpretation, simply because the Word of God doesn't say that this is the Rapture. The invitation to come up hither in this passage is for the Apostle John alone. Dear reader, never assume (ass-u-me) what the Bible means. If we do, then we are no better than the pseudo-Christian cults (e.g., Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, et cetera).

Another popular example is found in 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-5, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” Like many other Scripture passages, this is one of the most controversial passages in the Bible. In 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-7, there is no exegetical or theological matter that makes a Pretribulation Rapture impossible, or even improbable.

I have heard numerous believers attempt to use this passage from 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 to errantly claim that the Rapture will happen AFTER the Antichrist appears, but this would contradict numerous other Scripture passages, which clearly indicate that the Rapture must occur BEFORE the Tribulation begins. Jesus made it clear that NO ONE knows the time of His return. Certainly, this must include the Rapture, lest we know when He would return. Thus, only a Pretribulation Rapture maintains this element of secrecy.

To be honest in Bible study, nobody can claim to be dogmatic on the intended meaning of 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-2, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” I read Pastor Oliver B. Greene's (1915-1976) commentary for this passage and I agree with him. Dr. Greene thinks that the phrase “by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” refers to Jesus' Second Coming AFTER the 7-year Tribulation, while the next phrase “and by our gathering together unto him,” refers to the Rapture BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation period. Although we cannot verify that this is the intended meaning, Dr. Greene's interpretation agrees with the whole of Scripture.

There's Nothing 'Comforting' For Saints About The Tribulation

For example: The Apostle Paul plainly was teaching about the coming Rapture in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Now, Paul said in 1st Thessalonians 4:18 to “comfort one another with these words.” But what comfort would there be if saints living today knew that they would be going into the dire Tribulation period, when the sun and moon shall be darkened and billions of people upon the earth will be killed. In the book of Revelation 9:1-11, we read of terrifying creatures that will torment humanity with stings that will cause them excruciating physical pain for 5 months. The Bible says in Revelation 9:10 that these scorpion-like creatures will have the power to hurt men for 5 months. That is frightening, not comforting. What comfort would there be for the saints of Thessalonica, if Paul's intended meaning was for the Church to suffer through the horrors of the Tribulation?

In Revelation 16:3 says that an angel will afflict the sea and every living soul will die. Dear reader, remember that Bible prophecy is history written in advance. I agree with Pastor Max D. Younce that God created TIME, so that He could share with His friends (we the saints) what He is planning to do next on His prophetic calendar. Revelation 16:4-7 foretells that the third angel will pour out his vial of judgment upon the rivers and fountains, turning it all to blood. Is there any comfort in these words?

Revelation 16:8-9 foretell that the fifth angel will pout out his vial upon the sun, which will scorch men alive with an intolerable burning heat. Humanity will blaspheme God, still refusing to glorify the Lord as all men ought to do. Revelation 16:10-11 says that the sixth angel will pour out his vial of judgment upon the Beast and his followers who all have the Mark of the Beast (in their right hand or forehead). They will be afflicted with sores and pain so excruciating, that the Bible says in Revelation 16:10b-11a that “his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”

Please understand that this is not referring to salvation by good deeds. When the Ninevites turned from their evil way, the Bible says that GOD SAW THEIR WORKS (Jonah 3:10). The Ninevites (the capital city of Assyria) didn't get saved, they just repented of their sinning. That is, they changed their mind about their wicked lifestyles and decided to reform, for which God spared their nation imminent judgment and annihilation at the time. We know that they didn't get saved, because from Genesis 15:6 to Revelation 7:14 we are taught in the Bible that salvation is by God's grace, through faith alone, without works (cf. Acts 10:43).

Revelation 16:20 says, “And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” Wow, say goodbye to the island of Guam during the Great Tribulation! In Revelation 16:21 we are told that during the Great Tribulation that 75 pound (one talent in weight) hailstones will fall upon the earth. To clarify, the last 3 1/2 years of the 7-year Tribulation period (i.e., the 70th week of Daniel's 70 weeks of Bible prophecy) is known biblically as the, “Great Tribulation.” Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

How do we know that the Tribulation will last for 7-years? ...

Daniel 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

So, during Daniel's 70th week of prophecy, in the “midst” (middle) of the week, the Man of Sin (Antichrist, or “in place of Christ”) commits the Abomination of Desolation (cf. Matthew 24:15), stopping the Jews from worshipping their Jewish God and demanding that instead they worship him (Antichrist) as God (cf. 2nd Thessalonians 2:4).

And also, please read:

Daniel 12:11-12, “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.”

In the preceding passage we see that there will be 1,290 days (3 1/2 years) from the Abomination of Desolation in the “midst” of Daniel's 70th week of prophecy (i.e., the Tribulation). Since there is 3 1/2 years after the “midst,” then logically there must also be 3 1/2 before, which equals 7-years. This is where we get a 7-year Tribulation timeframe. Pastor Steven Anderson says that he rejects the word “Tribulation” to describe this time period, because he says it is not in the Bible. Well, he chooses to often use the word “Rapture,” which is also not found in the Holy Bible. And for that matter, neither are the words “Trinity” or “Bible” found in the Bible, but he uses them too. After the Church has been removed at the Rapture from the world, things will start to turn ugly quickly.

Dear reader, are any of these words “comforting”? Does not 1st Thessalonians 4:18 command us as redeemed saints to “comfort one another with these words”? Yes, most definitely, the Scripture does! But what comfort is there if saints alive today must suffer through the Tribulation period? Kindly said, Pastor Steven Anderson is arguably the biggest denier today of a Pretribulation Rapture. Brother Anderson is also the biggest promoter today of postribulation Rapture, which is effectively a total denial of the Rapture altogether, since he teaches that Christ's Second Coming is the Rapture.

No One Knows The Time Of Jesus' Return

My biggest argument in support of a Pretribulation Rapture is the fact that Jesus repeatedly said that no man, nor even the angels in Heaven, know the timing of His return. ...

Mark 13:32-37, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

Now, if the Rapture were to happen at any later time than the very beginning of the 7-year Tribulation period, then WE WOULD KNOW exactly when Jesus is coming back. 

Respectfully, Pastor Steven Anderson is the biggest denier of a Pretribulation Rapture. Quite frankly, Brother Anderson is WRONG! I know he is wrong because the Bible plainly teaches that no one know WHEN Christ will return.

Whereas, Pastor Anderson claims that the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, and professes to be the Messiah, God, demanding worship from the world, on penalty of death. The Bible calls this prophetic event the 'Abomination of Desolation' (or, the Abomination that Maketh Desolate - Matthew 25:15; Daniel 12:11). Daniel 12:11, “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” So, again, we learn here from Daniel 12:11 that from the event of the Abomination of Desolation until the end of the Great Tribulation (the last half of Daniel's 70th week of prophecy) will be 1,290 days (or, 3 1/2 years).

Daniel 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [7 years]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

To recap my earlier point (because repetition is the key to learning), by doing some simple math we can logically conclude that if from the “midst” (middle) of Daniel's 70th week will be 1,290 days, then we can also know that there will be 1,290 days before the middle of the 70th week. This adds up to 2,580 days, or a 7-year Tribulation period. The preceding logic is how we can know that the Tribulation period will last for 7-years.

The preceding logic is also why we can safely deduce from these known facts, that the Rapture must happen BEFORE the Tribulation period, because any later time for the Rapture would allow us to track Christ's return to the very day!!! It disappoints me that Pastor Anderson actually SETS A DATE for Jesus' return, which is a big violation of the Scripture.

In the following chart from chapter 2 of Pastor Anderson's YouTube movie titled: 'THE BOOK OF REVELATION,' you can see in comment number 15 that he errantly teaches the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the Abomination of Desolation. This is DATE SETTING, a big no no for any preacher to do. Mark 13:32-37 plainly warns that NO MAN knows the time of Christ's return, not even the angels in Heaven.

The inspired King James Bible, if you rightly divide the Word of Truth, teaches a Pretribulation Rapture. That is, the timing of the event of the Rapture will happen BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation period (which is the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy).

The Bible plainly teaches God's promise of the coming unpredictable Rapture:

1st Corinthians 15:51-58, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

I cherish verse 58, which promises that all my hard and sacrificial ministry labor won't be in vain. Instead of boating, traveling, snowmobiling, surfing, partying, playing in a band, fishing and living large; I have spent the past 21 years buckling down in intense labor to build my website ministry for Jesus Christ, and by His grace I have done just that. I admit that I have lived a pretty boring existence, a total homebody, lonely without a wife all these many years, but God is my best friend and ministry co-laborer. 1st Corinthians 3:9,  “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” I now that it will be worth it all when I see Jesus. But for now I must suffer in bodily pain, loneliness and frustration, until my heavenly Father calls me home from my work. Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

We Are Commanded To Look For Jesus Christ, Not The Antichrist

Also, we're not supposed to be watching for signs of Christ's return; but rather, LOOKING FOR CHRIST HIMSELF!!! Respectfully, Pastor Steven Anderson is doctrinally wrong to teach that, “The Rapture simply cannot happen at any moment.” According to Pastor Anderson THERE WILL BE SIGNS before Christ's return; namely, the appearing of the Man of Sin. This is how we know that 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 cannot mean that the Antichrist must appear before the Rapture cannot happen, because this would be a dead giveaway of Christ's imminent return.

Understanding 2nd Thessalonians Chapter Two

I admit that trying to grasp the meaning of 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-7 is difficult as regards the timing of the Rapture. If taken by itself, one would naturally conclude that the Man of Sin must appear before the Rapture can happen. However, as I have shown you on a few different levels, such a claim would violate multiple other passages of Scripture. In this blog we've been addressing Paul's command in 1st Thessalonians 4:18b to “comfort one another with these words.” You absolutely cannot comfort a fellow shaken believer, who is worried that they may have missed the Rapture, by scaring them half to death with horrifying details of the Tribulation period.

Thus, in my humble opinion, the Apostle Paul was simply telling the saints at Thessalonica that they Christ's Second Coming cannot come until first the Man of Sin appears, and none of this can happen until first the Rapture happens. It is evident from 2nd Thessalonians 2:5 that Paul had orally taught them about the Rapture, Tribulation and Second Coming; but they either weren't paying close enough attention, were confused or had forgotten. 2nd Thessalonians 2:5, “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” Had they fully understood what Paul had told them, there wouldn't have been a need for Paul to further address these important issues in a second epistle. By the way, these are some of Paul's earliest epistles.

Pastor Curtis Hutson Taught A Pretribulation Rapture

One of my favorite preachers, Dr. Curtis Hutson (1934-1995), believed and taught a Pretribulation Rapture. Dr. Hutson rightly said: “A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one.”

Although 2nd Thessalonians might seem clear to some, any honest Bible student would have to readily admit that this is a very vague passage. Since we don't know what Paul orally said to the Thessalonian believers previously, we simply cannot know exactly what Paul means in 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-7 as regards the timing of the Rapture. 2nd Thessalonians 2:5, “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” We simply do not know what “these things” were. But I totally reject the plethora of bad theologians who assume (ass-u-me) that “a falling away” is definitely the Rapture. We simply cannot say with any certainty that this is the Rapture. I won't add to the Word of God where the Bible is silent, and neither should you (Proverbs 30:5-6).

Obviously Brother Anderson and the Bible are in conflict. I believe that Dr. Curtis Hutson did an excellent job explaining the matter, and I agree with him concerning the Rapture, because he agrees with the Holy Bible. You must decide for yourself my fine non-feathered friend. You have just read the Scripture for yourself, which plainly teaches for us to LOOK FOR JESUS, not signs. Brother Anderson is telling us to look for signs, saying that Jesus' return must be preceded by signs. Respectfully said, Pastor Steven Anderson is WRONG...

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.” —𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗟. 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 (01:27:05 video)

The inspired King James Bible teaches that Jesus COULD come back TODAY!!! Jesus could return this very moment. ...

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝟮:𝟭𝟯-𝟭𝟰, “𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁; 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗺 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝘇𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀.”

Why would the Bible tell us to LOOK FOR JESUS if the Man of Sin (Antichrist) must appear first? Pastor Anderson errantly teaches that the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the biblical event called the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION in Matthew 24:15 (cf. Daniel 9:27, 11:21, 12:11), when the Antichrist shall stand in the future temple in Jerusalem and profess to be God, committing blasphemy (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). At this time the False Prophet will demand that the world worship the image of the Beast, or be killed; every human being will be required to have a mark, or won't be able to buy or sell to survive (Revelation 13:15-18).

The Forming New World Order Is Here To Stay

Already, we are becoming a cashless society. I only use cash now less than 5% of the time, all other financial transactions are electronically processed with either credit cards, debit card or online banking. The Beast system is already in place. The world is just awaiting the Man of Sin himself (the False Messiah). The Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return. Consider Acts 1:9-11, “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” This cannot refer to the Rapture; but rather, Jesus' Second Coming after the Great Tribulation (cf. Matthew 24:29-51).

Some preachers say that the apostles in their four gospels weren't referring to the Rapture, because it was still “a mystery” until Paul revealed it in 1st Corinthians 15:51-58. However, did not Jesus provide vivid details of the Tribulation period, which had never been revealed before? Yes, I think He did. Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 (aka, The Olivet Discourse) contain new information about the Tribulation which were not known previously from the Old Testament. Jesus as God had knowledge of the future that no one else had. I will leave it up to you to decide dear reader, if The Olivet Discourage makes any mention of the Rapture. It would appear not, except that Christ said NO MAN knows the time of His return.

The 45 Day Judgment Of The Nations

As I have humbly mentioned numerous times, we KNOW that from the midst of the Tribulation to the return of Christ will be 1,290 days (3 1/2 years). The Judgment of the Nations will immediately follow, which is why the Bible says “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days” (Daniel 12:12). The extra 45 days is for the Judgment of the Nations, which will be a judgment of separating the tares (unsaved) from the wheat (saved). I do not think it will be a judgment of China, then Russia, then Ukraine; but rather, a judgment of the whole world who live in the nations.

The Rapture Versus The Second Coming

THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH AGE & THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

There is a growing number of believers who think that both the Rapture Of The Church Age and the Second Coming Of Jesus Christ occur at the same time, and are the very same event. This makes no sense, nor is it biblical.

1.) Scripture itself explains the Rapture Of The Church Age and the Second Coming Of Jesus Christ, as two clearly and completely different events.

RAPTURE — All saved born believers meet the real Jesus Christ of the Bible in the air and clouds just before the satanic Antichrist appears on the global royal red carpet.

SECOND COMING — The real Jesus Christ of the Bible returns bodily, literally & physically on the white horse from heaven to the Mount of Olives (enter the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem City) to set up His 1000 years of kingdom reign on earth.

RAPTURE — The Mount of Olives is unchanged.
SECOND COMING — The Mount of Olives is totally divided and split in two, forming a valley east of Jerusalem.

RAPTURE — All living believers obtain supernatural glorified bodies.
SECOND COMING — Living believers remain in same bodies.

RAPTURE — All believers go to Heaven.
SECOND COMING — Glorified believers come down from Heaven with Jesus Christ and His angelic warriors, and earthly believers stay on earth.

RAPTURE — World is left behind and living in total sin.
SECOND COMING — World is judged and righteousness is established for 1000 years.

RAPTURE — Depicts deliverance of the Church Age from God’s wrath.
SECOND COMING — Depicts deliverance of the Jews who endured wrath.

RAPTURE — NO SIGNS precede it.
SECOND COMING — MANY SIGNS precede it.

RAPTURE — Revealed only in the New Testament. But foreshadowed characters of the Old Testament.
SECOND COMING — Revealed both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

RAPTURE — Deals with only the saved folks.
SECOND COMING — Deals with both the saved folks and unsaved folks.

RAPTURE — Satan remains free.
SECOND COMING — Satan is bound (chained) and thrown into the Abyss (Bottomless Pit) for 1000 years.

Here are many more comparisons, which I am confident if you will honestly take into consideration, you will also conclude a Pretribulation Rapture. ...

32 Differences Between The RAPTURE And The SECND COMING

Scripture is very clear that the Rapture Of The Church Age and the Second Coming Of Jesus Christ are completely two different & separate events that do not occur at the same time, this would rule out all these Post-Tribulation Rapture, Pre-Wrath Rapture, Mid-Tribulation Rapture, Partial Rapture, and Pan-Out Tribulation scenarios.

If you believe that the UP and the DOWN are one same event, then if everybody is raptured at the end of the Tribulation Period, who is going to populate the earth during the millennial kingdom reign of Jesus Christ? Those who deny a Pretribulation Rapture don’t seem to have an explanation for that.

So let us be watching and ready for Jesus' imminent arrival in the air and clouds at anytime. Praise His holy name forever! To God be all the glory, hallelujah!

The Pretribulation Rapture is indeed the Blessed Hope!

I keep hearing all those folks who deny a Pretribulation Rapture, that it's not an issue worth dividing over, and yet they shove their heresy down our throats more than anyone. There is no argument that Pastor Steven Anderson has done more than anyone to destroy the biblical teaching of a Pretribulation Rapture. And yet, Pastor Anderson is guilty of DATE SETTING, claiming that the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the event called THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION (Matthew 24:15).

MARANATHA! (i.e., THE LORD IS COMING!)

Pastor Steven Anderson Is Wrong On The Rapture

Titus 2:13-14, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

The Bible teaches to LOOK FOR JESUS! Now, we cannot look for Jesus if the Man of Sin (Antichrist) must appear first, which is the case if you deny a Pretribulation Rapture.

In his booklet titled, “The Second Coming Of Christ,” Dr. Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) teaches on page 11 concerning the Pretribulation Rapture. ...

“Jesus Christ could come for His own at any moment. There are no signs that precede His coming. The Bible does not say to watch for signs but we are to watch for the Savior, the Son. 

For instance, Philippians 3:20 states, 'Our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior.' Not looking for signs but for the Savior.

Titus 2:13, 'Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.' Not looking for signs; looking for the Savior.

Hebrews 9:28, ' . . . And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.' We are not told to look for signs but for the Son, the Savior.

There are no signs that precede Christ's coming for His own. His coming is imminent and has been since New Testament times. The Apostle Paul thought Jesus Christ would come in his lifetime and said in I Thessalonians 4:17, 'Then WE which are alive and remain . . . ' Paul thought he would be living when Jesus came.

...The coming of Christ for His own is imminent. It could happen any second. No signs have to be fulfilled. He could have come day before yesterday. He could have come last year. He could have come in Paul's time. HE MAY COME TODAY! We are to live in constant expectancy of His coming.

SOURCE: Pastor Curtis Hutson, THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST, p. 11; copyright, 1981 - Sword of the Lord publishers; Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Amen! We're not supposed to be watching for signs of Christ's return; but rather, LOOKING FOR CHRIST HIMSELF!!! Respectfully, Pastor Steven Anderson is doctrinally wrong to teach that, “The Rapture simply cannot happen at any moment.” According to Pastor Anderson THERE WILL BE SIGNS before Christ's return.

Obviously Brother Anderson and the Bible are in conflict. I believe that Dr. Curtis Hutson did an excellent job explaining the matter, and I agree with him, because he agrees with the Holy Bible. You must decide for yourself my fine non-feathered friend. You have just read the Scripture for yourself, which plainly teaches for us to LOOK FOR JESUS, not signs. Brother Anderson is telling us to look for signs, saying that Jesus' return must be preceded by signs.
Respectfully said, Pastor Steven Anderson is WRONG...

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.” —𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗟. 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 (01:27:05 video)

The inspired King James Bible teaches Jesus could come back TODAY!!! Jesus could return this very moment. ...

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝟮:𝟭𝟯-𝟭𝟰, “𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁; 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗺 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝘇𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀.”

Why would the Bible tell us to LOOK FOR JESUS if the Man of Sin (Antichrist) must appear first? Pastor Anderson errantly teaches that the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the biblical event called the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION in Matthew 24:14, when the Antichrist shall stand in the future temple in Jerusalem and profess to be God, committing blasphemy. At this time the False Prophet will demand that the world worship the image of the Beast, or be killed (Revelation 13:15-18).

In the following chart from chapter 2 of Pastor Anderson's YouTube movie titled: 'THE BOOK OF REVELATION,' you can see in comment number 15 that he errantly teaches the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the Abomination of Desolation. This is DATE SETTING, a big no no for any preacher to do. Mark 13:32-37 plainly warns that NO MAN knows the time of Christ's return, not even the angels in Heaven.

This Is Not The Laodicean Church Age

Revelation 3:14-18, “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

There is a popular heretical doctrine taught by Pastor Clarence Larkin (1850-1924), Pastor Peter S. Ruckman (1921-2016), Pastor William P. Grady and other Bible teachers. I humbly disagree with their teachings in this matter, although I love and respect these soulwinning men of God.

1. There is no such thing as the 'Universal Church.' The Bible teaches that there are only local New Testament churches. The Churches of Asia Minor in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 were literal local churches (today located in the region of the country of Turkey). By the way, I am shocked that several months after 50,000 people were killed in February of 2023 by a massive Mw 7.8 earthquake in Turkey, we hear nothing in the news about it anymore; yet nearly every week we still hear about the death of Princess Diana in 1997. Go figure! Anyway, there is no worldwide church today. There is the Body of Christ, but we have never all been gathered together yet. This gathering will occur for the very first time at the Rapture, when all saints (dead and living alike) are transformed in the twinkling of an eye and CAUGHT UP into the air to meet Jesus in the clouds (1st Corinthians 15:51-58). For now we simply have local churches throughout the world.
2. I reject the manmade doctrine of Dispensationalism. Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) is one of my favorite free grace preachers. I love the guy! However, Dr. Ironside greatly promoted dispensational teaching at Moody Church and Moody Bible Institute. Dr. Ironside pastored Moody Church between 1930 to 1948. He died of a heart attack in New Zealand in 1951, the country where he loved to visit and preach the Gospel. I think perhaps Mr. Ironside somehow got a glimpse of Moody Church 75 years later, seeing how Moody Ministries today has turned Calvinist and publishes Dr. John MacArthur's heretical literature, and it stopped his heart...lol. Seriously, Pastor Ironside would have totally rejected the Lordship Salvation garbage being taught today at Moody Bible Institute and Moody Church. Dr. Ironside was not a Calvinist to any degree!!!
   
   Anyway, dispensational teaching alleges that the 7 churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are really church ages (time periods), but the Bible doesn't teach that at all. It is wrong to attribute something to the Bible which the Bible doesn't actually teach. We should accept these 7 churches as literally local churches, and no more. We must be careful not to spiritualize and read into the Bible what it doesn't say.
   
   Dispensationalists make 7 or sometimes 8 divisions to God's Word, but the Lord Himself has already made TWO GREAT DIVISIONS of THE LAW and THE GOSPEL; or respectively, OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS.
3. There are Bible colleges and churches today that resemble the wicked church at Laodicea. Pensacola Christian College (PCC) and Bob Jones University (BJU) are doing much damage today to the cause of Jesus Christ, by denying that we have an inspired Holy Bible today. Instead, these ungodly cults errantly teach their tens of thousands of students that only the non-existent original autographs of God's Word were inspired. So according to BJU and PCC we don't have a perfect, incorruptible, inspired King James Bible today. Please RUN from these cesspools of iniquity!!! Also, PCC and BJU preach a counterfeit plan of salvation, which requires your behavior to change to prove that you are saved. They misunderstand this to mean Bible repentance, but they foolishly misunderstand the true meaning of repentance, which is simply a change of mind from unbelief to belief. Repentance does NOT result in behavior modification, which would be WORKS (Jonah 3:10). SHAME on PCC and BJU. Like the wicked church at Laodicea, PCC and PCC think they are prospering because they have tens of millions of dollars and plenty of students, but as Jesus said about the church of Laodicea, they are spiritually naked, wretched, blind, miserable and poor. It is hellholes like PCC and BJU why America is going to ruin today, while they bask in their disgusting 6-digit salaries, apostasy, abusive authoritarian cult leadership, rejection of hurting individual people like me, and their Satanic stiff-necked arrogant pride.
4. We CAN still have revival today. Dispensationalists errantly claim that this is the age of Laodicea, so that we can no longer witness large city-wide revivals or widespread revival in the churches. But they are oh so wrong! We CAN have revival still today.
   

“Old-fashioned, Spirit-filled, Christ-honoring, sin-hating, soul-winning, Bible preaching! It is the hope of the church! It is the hope of the nation! It is the hope of the world!” —Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001)

Does Revelation 16:9 Teach Turning From Sin To Get To Heaven?

Revelation 16:8-11, “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”

No, I do not believe Revelation 16:9 has anything to do with getting born-again. Notice that Revelation 16:9 says they "repented not to give Him glory." That is, they refused to change their mind to show God some respect. The Bible say that they repented not to believe to be saved. This is not about salvation, but honoring God.

In Jonah 3:10 the Bible says that the Assyrian Ninevites turned away from their evil ways, and God spared judgment upon the land. Jonah 3:10, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” The Bible says in Jonah 4:11 that they didn't know their right hand from their left. God knew that they hadn't been blessed to know the truth. The Ninevites were ignorant of truth. God even cared about the animals, which you can read in Jonah 4:11. If the Lord destroyed the people, then no one would have remained to care for all the animals, and they would have died. Our great God is so good and ethical that He even cared about the many cattle in the land. That is a wonderful God!

So Jonah 3:10 is similar to Revelation 16:9. These are not matters of salvation, but of respecting and fearing God. The Ninevites did not get saved, they feared God so that God spared them imminent doom. Sadly, one hundred years later the Ninevites went back into wickedness, so that God sent the prophet Nahum to pronounce judgment upon the Ninevites, and the Babylonians came and defeated and conquered the Assyrians.

The United States today and its associated territories like Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are wicked. We are guilty of murder (abortion), sexual immorality (adultery, divorce, homosexuality, fornication), public nudity wherever there is water, lying greed and taking advantage of each other, idolatry, rebellion, indifference, false religion, et cetera. I am fully convinced that Revelation chapter 18 vividly describes the coming nuclear destruction of the United States in one hour by fire, which will ripple throughout the world and cause the impoverishment of sea merchants and everyone whose wealth is dependent upon trading with the USA. I am so sick of the filth, pride, arrogance, hatred and wickedness of the American people.

When God spared judgment upon Nineveh, Jonah was angry about it. Jonah warned Nineveh to burn! Admittedly, I want America to burn too! But unlike Nineveh who didn't know their right hand from their right, Americans today know exactly what they are doing, because we have Bibles and preachers which the Assyrians didn't have. As Jesus warned, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, than it will be for these modern wicked cities and nations who have preachers, but still refuse to repent.

So we learn that even though a group of people won't get saved by faith in Jesus Christ, God is often still willing to honor repentance from sin. Of course, we know that repenting of sin is NOT part of the Gospel. Know such teaching is found in the inspired King James Bible. Only the Devil's corrupt modern Bible versions teach that a person must forsake their sinning to be saved, but the accurate King James Bible has no such teaching. The ONLY thing that a person must repent of to get to Heaven is their UNBELIEF.

As we saw in Jonah 3:10, the Bible says that God saw their WORKS, that they repented (change their mind) to TURN from their "EVIL WAY." The Gospel of John in the New Testament, teaches to simply BELIEVE ON HIM (Jesus) to be saved, We see this in John 3:16, 35, 47; 6:29-30; 11:25. John never tells the reader to forsake sinful ways to be saved. This same Apostle John penned the Epistle of John, showing us how to KNOW that we are saved. In his epistle John is writing to believers, whereas the Gospel of John is written to everyone, particular the lost.

God wrote the Holy Bible to all mankind, but only the saved man can understand spiritual things (1st Corinthians 2:14-16). I've heard people say that God only wrote the Bible to the saved, but that is not true. In Acts chapter 7 we read about the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, but he couldn't understand it. So Phillip showed him how to be saved, and he did get saved; and then water baptized as a new believer.

The Gospel of John is God's Gospel tract to humanity according to John 20:31. All that Christ requires, as stated in John 6:28-29, is that a lost sinner BELIEVE ON CHRIST to be saved.

I Believe Revelation 18 Describes America!

Twenty-Eight Old Testament Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled On Jesus' Crucifixion Day

On the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, all the prophecies concerning His suffering were fulfilled in every detail—a lasting testimony that Jesus truly is the Messiah. The first prophecy, the oldest of all, had been given by God at the time of Adam and Eve’s sin: 

1) The serpent would bruise the seed of the woman.

Prophesied: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

Fulfilled: “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” (John 12:31-33).

2) The Messiah would be cut off, but not for Himself, as prophesied by Daniel.

Prophesied: “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” (Daniel 9:26).

Fulfilled: “Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” (John 11:50- 52).

3) The betrayal of Jesus by Judas was foretold by David.

Prophesied: “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalms 41:9).

Fulfilled: “And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him” (Mark 14:10-11).

4) Jesus Christ would be forsaken by His disciples, as prophesied by Zechariah.

Prophesied: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones” (Zechariah 13:7).

Fulfilled: “And they all forsook him, and fled” (Mark 14:50).

5) The price of His betrayal was also foretold by Zechariah.

Prophesied: “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.  So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zechariah 11:12).

Fulfilled: “And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15).

6) Zechariah also foretold what would be done with the betrayal money.

Prophesied: “ And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them.  And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (Zechariah 11:13).

Fulfilled: “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in” (Matthew 27:3-7).

7) Isaiah prophesied that Jesus Christ would be sacrificed as the Passover Lamb of God.

Prophesied: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

Fulfilled: “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” (1st Corinthians 5:7b). “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1st Peter 1:18-21).

8) Isaiah also prophesied the scourging and mocking that He would suffer.

Prophesied: “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:6).

Fulfilled: “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.” (Matthew 27:26-30).

9) Both Isaiah and David prophesied that Jesus’ body would be mutilated.

Prophesied: “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:” (Isaiah 52:14). “I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me” (Psalms 22:17).

Fulfilled: “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” (Matthew 27:26). “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him” (John 19:1).

10) David prophesied the shame and dishonor that Jesus would suffer, being condemned as a criminal.

Prophesied: “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. …Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalms 69:9, 19-20).

Fulfilled: “In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me” (Matthew 26:55). “What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death” (Matthew 26:66).

11) David also foretold that false witnesses would testify against Christ.

Prophesied: “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. ” (Psalms 35:11).

Fulfilled: “And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands” (Mark 14:55-58).

12) Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would not make an effort to defend Himself at the trial.

Prophesied: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

Fulfilled: “Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly” (Matthew 27:13-14).

13) Isaiah also foretold Jesus Christ’s crucifixion as the sin offering for the world.

Prophesied: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all... Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11).

Fulfilled: “Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:16-19).

14) As Isaiah had prophesied, He was numbered among lawbreakers.

Prophesied: “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).

Fulfilled: “And also two other malefactors were led away with Him to be put to death. And when they came to the place called ‘Skull,’ there they crucified Him and the malefactors, one on the right and one on the left” (Luke 23:32-33).

15) David prophesied that His hands and His feet would be pierced.

Prophesied: “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalms 22:16).

Fulfilled: “And they crucified Him” (Mark 15:25). “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:25-27).

16) The parting of His garments was also prophesied by David.

Prophesied: “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (Psalms 22:18).

Fulfilled: “They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did” (John 19:24).

17) In another psalm, David prophesied that they would give Him vinegar to drink.

Prophesied: “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Psalms 69:21).

Fulfilled: “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink” (Matthew 27:34).

18) David also prophesied that many would be watching Jesus during the crucifixion.

Prophesied: I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me” (Psalms 22:17).

Fulfilled: “And sitting down they watched him there;” (Matthew 27:36). “And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned” (Luke 23:48).

19) Among those watching would be Jesus’ family and friends, who would stand at a distance.

Prophesied: “My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off” (Psalms 38:11).

Fulfilled: “And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things” (Luke 23:49).

20) Some of His observers would shake their heads at Him.

Prophesied: “I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads” (Psalms 109:25).

Fulfilled: “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:39-40)

21) Even the words of His reproachers were prophesied by David.

Prophesied: “He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him” (Psalms 22:8).

Fulfilled: “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth” (Matthew 27:43-44).

22) Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would make intercession for sinners. This intercession began even during His crucifixion.

Prophesied: “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).

Fulfilled: “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34). 

23) David prophesied the thoughts of Jesus at the height of His suffering.

Prophesied: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?  why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” (Psalms 22:1).

Fulfilled: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

24) Zechariah prophesied that His body would be pierced with a spear.

Prophesied: “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10).

Fulfilled: “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. ...And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced” (John 19:34, 37).

25) David prophesied that Jesus would commit His spirit to God.

Prophesied: “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth” (Psalms 31:5).

Fulfilled: “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost” (Luke 23:46).

26) David also prophesied Jesus’ last words.

Prophesied: “They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this” (Psalms 22:31). The Hebrew literally reads, “For it is finished.”

Fulfilled: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).

27) As no bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken (Exodus 12:46), not a bone of His would be broken

Prophesied: “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken” (Psalms 34:20).

Fulfilled: “Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken” (John 19:32-36).

28) His burial in the tomb of a rich man was foretold by Isaiah.

Prophesied: “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation?  for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth” (Isaiah 53:8-9).

Fulfilled: “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed” (Matthew 27:57-60).

The Pretribulation Rapture Has Been Taught Throughout Christian History

THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE IN HISTORY - NOT OF DEMONIC ORIGIN

Many people sometimes wonder who has taught the Pretribulation Rapture before J.N. Darby (1800-1881). This question is often stated as an objection. These objections are often very bitter and harsh. Modern pre-tribbers have responded by citing Morgan Edwards (1722-1795), a Baptist pastor who presented a Pretribulation Rapture in the 18th century. Edwards writes:

"...the dead saints will be raised, and the living changed at Christ's 'appearing in the air' (1st Thessalonians iv. 17); and this will be about three years and a half before the millennium, as we shall see hereafter: but will he and they abide in the air all that time? No: they will ascend to Paradise, or to some one of those many 'mansions in the father's house' (John xiv. 2), and so disappear during the foresaid period of time. The design of this retreat and disappearing will be to judge the risen and changed saints; for 'now the time is come that judgment must begin,' and that will be 'at the house of God' (1st Peter iv. 17)..." (Quoted in "Morgan Edwards: Another Pre-Darby Rapturist," by Thomas Ice)

Two objections are generally made to this quote. First, it is claimed that Morgan Edwards (as a historicist) was only presenting a hypothetical case for a "term paper." Second, many argue that this obscure writing had no effect or influence on Christians in the mainstream, and that it cannot be seen as setting the stage for Darby's later rapture view. They assert that Darby got his view from someone claiming to give an inspired "revelation" in the early 19th century. After Morgan Edwards, post-tribbers have simply put forth a greater demand.

They now call upon pre-tribbers to not only present a Pretribulation Rapture before Darby, but to also present a "significant" case(s) that would have "influenced" Darby (and modern dispensational eschatology). They now demand that pre-tribbers establish a clear historical progression. Otherwise, they still maintain that Darby was influenced by an Irvingite "utterance." Wisdom often calls us to stand upon the shoulders of our forefathers. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for post-tribbers to request from us an historical chain of thought in regard to the rapture. It is, however, unreasonable for them to conclude that, simply because certain details may be cloudy, that this must mean the Pretribulation view arose from a demonic or Irvingite "revelation." The same claim was made in regard to futurism ("It is from the Jesuits"), and earlier, premillennialism itself ("It is from the Jews"), etc.


Margaret McDonald and the Irvingites

Tregelles (in 1864) made the claim that the pre-trib teaching arose from an utterance in Irving's church:

"But when the theory of a secret coming of Christ was first brought forward (about the year 1832), it was adopted with eagerness...I am not aware that there was any definite teaching that there would be a secret rapture of the church at a secret coming, until this was given forth as an 'utterance' in Mr. Irving's church, from what was there received as being the voice of the Spirit. But whether any one ever asserted such a thing or not, it was from that supposed revelation that the modern doctrine and the modern phraseology respecting it arose." (Tregelles, "The Hope of Christ's Second Coming," 1864)

Tregelles does not document this "utterance." G.H. Lang therefore writes:

"No evidence is available that any of the Powerscourt circle took the idea of a secret rapture from the Irvingite utterances, no evidence beyond Tregelles's assertion, and for this he gives no proofs." ("The Disciple," 1954)

In "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin," (1973), Dave MacPherson does his best to make his own far-fetched idea "believable." He attempts to link the origin of the Pretribulation Rapture view with a young lady named Margaret McDonald. However, he fails considerably in offering any evidence that this young lady influenced anyone on ANY Biblical subject (other than perhaps, whether or not Apostolic gifts were reviving). To start with, she was in Scotland (not England, where Irving's church was located). As to M. McDonald's particular "revelation," she appears to teach that the "Spirit-filled" will be "kept" from deception in the MIDST of the Tribulation (i.e. the Post-tribulation view)! She has the faithful (including herself) on earth when the Antichrist is revealed:

"I saw the people of God in an awfully dangerous situation. Now will the wicked one be revealed with all power...It will be a fiery trial...Nothing but what is of God will stand...I said, Now shall the awful sight of a false Christ be seen on this earth; and nothing but Christ in US can DETECT this awful attempt of the enemy to deceive...This is the trial THROUGH which those are to pass, who will be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man...The trial of the Church is from Antichrist. It is by being filled with the Spirit that we shall be kept. I frequently said, Oh be filled with the Spirit - have the light of God within you, that you may DETECT Satan..."

It is obvious that by being "kept," McDonald means Christians are kept from DECEPTION while the Antichrist is manifested!

McPherson erred by stumbling onto a book written by Robert Norton in 1861 which claimed that Margaret McDonald originated the Pretribulation Rapture view. The book was titled, "The Restoration of Apostles and Prophets in the Catholic Apostolic Church" (i.e. Irving's movement). In 1852, Norton wrote "Reasons for Believing the Lord has Restored to the Church Apostles and Prophets." By 1861, the Pretribulation Rapture view was a well-established doctrine among premillennialists. Isn't it reasonable to conclude that Norton (a member of the Catholic Apostolic Church) would greatly desire to argue that something "significant" originated from someone exercising a restored "Apostolic" gift? Notice his words in describing Margaret McDonald's supposed "revelation" of the Pretribulation Rapture (i.e. two-stage coming):

"Marvelous light was shed upon Scripture, and especially upon the doctrine of the Second Advent BY THE REVIVED SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. In the following account by Miss M.M...we see first the distinction between the final stage of the Lord's coming...and His prior appearing..." (emphasis mine; MacPherson, p.47)

Sadly, Norton (1807-1883) was simply a victim of his own wishful thinking. He read into M.M.'s "revelation" in order to argue that "marvelous light" (i.e. the pre-trib rapture teaching which was WIDESPREAD among prophecy students at the time) had come forth from his own restoration movement. Why would he need this type of prop? Because the majority of Christians at the time thought his movement was inspired by the Devil and that Norton himself was "fanatical"! How advantageous it would be to argue that the prized teaching in regard to the two stages of the Lord's Coming was first manifested by someone with a supernatural gift. Yet, he failed in offering anything other than his own assertions to validate his claims. MacPherson repeated the mistake (for different reasons).

But let us pretend that M. McDonald is indeed teaching some type of pre-trib rapture. What would this prove? It would simply show that McDonald was INFLUENCED (in the realm of eschatology) by the scholarly, prophetic teachings around her at the time and was simply coughing them back up as a self-deceived or pretended "inspired" utterance. If not, and something more diabolical was at work, Matthew 8:29 and Acts 16:17 reveal that devils often attempt to oppose truth (especially new or revived truth) by AGREEING with it, thereby attempting to bring confusion in regard to its source.

But we should read the quote by Tregelles a bit closer. Why did he use the phrase "secret rapture" instead of "Pretribulation Rapture"? It is perhaps because he knew that the Pretribulation Rapture was certainly taught before anyone in Irving's church ever uttered a word! Whether or not it is "secret" is of no consequence and depends upon what one means by "secret." The debate is over whether or not there is a PreTribulation escape. The Bible itself is the foundation for the Pretribulation teaching (see Luke 21:36, Revelation 3:10, Hebrews 11:5, etc., as well as other Scriptures that have historically been used to teach the view such as Matthew 25:10, Revelation 12:5, 14:3, etc.). This teaching is found wherever there is a revival of premillennial thought (literal interpretation). In the 17th century, premillennialism was revived in the mainstream. Therefore, we should be able to find the foundational elements of the Pretribulation Rapture scheme OPENLY presented in the 17th century.


Joseph Mede and the Rapture

Joseph Mede (1586-1638) was the most popular premillennialist of his age. Edward Bickersteth (1786-1850) called him the "father of modern interpretation." Therefore, his writings were certainly still influential in the 19th century. David Brown called Mede the "prince of Millennarians." Wilbur Smith stated:

"Probably no work on the Apocalypse by an English author from the time of the Reformation down to the beginning of the 19th century, and even later, has exercised as much influence..."

Mede's work on the Book of Revelation became the most popular book (outside the Bible itself) of that day. The main prophetic view of Mede's age (among premillennialists) was the historicist view of the Tribulation period (i.e. the judgments of the Book of Revelation are fulfilled figuratively throughout the whole of Christian history).

The literal, futurist view (that which I embrace) did not become widespread until the 19th century when many historicists adopted a "double" view of the 1260 days (e.g. T. Evill, Purdon, E. Bickersteth, etc.) interpreting them literally (i.e. as future days), and at the same time, prophetically (i.e. as years). Burgh, Govett, Darby, and many others would lead the way in abandoning the historicist view altogether. Within his historicist view, Mede suggested the possibility of a RAPTURE before the final "conflagration" (i.e. burning of the earth) in the final days immediately before the 1000-year Kingdom. This would correspond somewhat to the final age of the futurist (i.e. modern dispensational) system. Mede suggested that this particular burning would only be a purification and not a total annihilation of the earth - which he placed after the Millennium ("Works," Book III, p.617). In regard to the rapture, Mede writes:

"I will add this more, namely, what may be conceived to be the cause of this RAPTURE of the saints on high to meet the Lord in the clouds, rather than to wait his coming to earth....What if it be, that they may be PRESERVED during the Conflagration of the earth and the works thereof, 2 Pet.3:10, that as Noah and his family were preserved from the Deluge by being lift up above the waters in the Ark; so should the saints at the Conflagration be lift up in the clouds unto their Ark, Christ, to be preserved there from the deluge of fire, wherein the wicked shall be consumed?" ("The Works of Joseph Mede," 1672, London edition, Book IV, p.776)

Notice the word "rapture," the use of 1st Thessalonians 4, the analogy of Noah, and the "preservation" in contrast to the wicked, etc. All of these items are the very nuts and bolts of the modern Pretribulation Rapture system. There was a train of thought (from Mede to Darby) that surely influenced Darby in regard to the rapture. This suggestion of Mede's had considerable influence on other students of the prophecies. He is later actually quoted by William Cuninghame (which we will discuss shortly) as one of the earliest advocates of the Pretribulation Rapture view! Therefore, whether or not one agrees that Mede's quote is foundational in regard to the Pretribulation Rapture is beside the point. Cuninghame took it as being an early and undeveloped example of his own viewpoint and built upon it. From the point of view of the historian, Mede takes his place in history as being one of the first scholars to revive the Pretribulation Rapture concept.


Frere, Cuninghame and the Rapture

The next influential prophecy writers to continue laying the foundation for the two-stage coming of Christ (i.e. Pretribulation Rapture) were James H. Frere (1779-1866) and William Cuninghame (1775-1849):

"Faber, Cuninghame, and Frere were unquestionably the three most prominent expositors in Britain in the early part of the nineteenth century." (Fromm, Volume III, p. 279)

Both Frere and Cuninghame later participated in the Albury Park conferences (1826-1828). Some historians have noted that Irving was a DISCIPLE of Frere in regard to the prophecies. When Mede's idea of a "rapture" of believers (to escape the end-time destruction on the wicked) was added to a two-stage second coming of Christ, historicism began to look a lot like futurism at its final "head." The foundation for this two-stage coming was indeed laid by Frere and Cuninghame over a decade BEFORE the Albury meetings took place.

This teaching would be "refined" at the Albury meetings. It is therefore no wonder that after the Albury conferences had ended (1828), articles began appearing in Irving's "Morning Watch" (June-September, 1832) advocating a view that held to both the year-day and literal-day interpretations at the same time. A new breed of "historicist-futurist" scholars would arise that combined Mede's "rapture" with Frere's and Cuninghame's two-stage, end-time scenarios. From that point, this "new breed" (plus many pure historicists and pure futurists) would all begin to issue commentaries and articles advocating a two-stage coming and a Pretribulation Rapture escape. The popularity of Frere and Cuninghame in the early part of the 19th century has already been demonstrated. And it is obvious that these men (and their peers) had an influence on Edward Irving before (and at) Albury Park. Yet, let us document how these men laid an early foundation for the two-stage coming of Christ: In 1815, Frere writes:

"...the sitting of the Ancient of Days is mentioned in the 9th verse of the seventh chapter of Daniel, and precedes the death and destruction of the ten-horned Beast...The sitting of the Ancient of Days and the judgment of the saints mentioned in Daniel, must therefore CONSIDERABLY PRECEDE the sitting of the saints in judgment at the commencement of the Millennium...and must be cotemporary with a period in the Revelation of Saint John, prior to that of the battle of Armageddon...("A Combined View of the Prophecies," London: 1815)

Frere looked for the Jews to be restored to the land, followed by a time of trouble to come "such as there never was...", which would cover a period of 45 years. He saw two blessed periods for the saints; one before this trouble, and one after it (i.e. the Millennium). There is no mention of a translation; yet, the foundation for two stages is clearly being set. Many of the futurists would see a Tribulation period about that length (Seiss, Govett, Larkin, etc.) William Cuninghame actually put out his first edition of "A Dissertation on the Seals and Trumpets of the Apocalypse" in 1813. The following quotes are from his 1817 edition:

"In the interpretation of this passage, I am compelled to differ from most expositors of the Apocalypse. Bishop Newton and Mr. Faber both apply the vision of the Lamb with the one-hundred and forty-four thousand, to the state of the true Church during the reign of the Beast...They therefore consider this mystical number of one-hundred and forty-four thousand, as continuing to represent the true Church from the times of Constantine to the dawn of the Millennium...the state of these followers of the Lamb, does not at all agree with the condition of the Church during the reign of the Beast...According to the system of most writers whose works I have had access to, it does not appear what becomes of the Church after she returns from her secret retreat in the wilderness, till she is exhibited to us in the nineteenth chapter, as having made herself ready for the bridal ceremony......it may be proper, before I close the subject, to take a short view of those great events, which the prophecies both of the Old and New Testament lead us to expect...The first of these is the conversion and restoration of the Jews...their restoration is to happen during a time of trouble, such as there never was since there was a nation...The number of the elect 144,000, who are sealed, for preservation from the last awful calamities, will have been completed, by means of that final preaching of the Gospel...the elect of God shall be gathered from the four winds of heaven to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and the final judgments shall be let loose against those nations which have named the name of Christ, but have not departed from iniquity... A question will here naturally suggest itself to the mind of the reader. What is to become of the righteous in the awful period described in the foregoing prophecies? Now, the answer to this inquiry has been given, in considering the seventh chapter of the Apocalypse...This tribulation is manifestly that of the closing period of the earthquake and vials; and we are thus assured, that the righteous are to be preserved during the final display of divine wrath...a call is given to the righteous to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb...These considerations ought surely to awaken the Christian to pray more earnestly for his country, and to quicken his diligence, that he may individually be accounted worthy to ESCAPE the approaching wrath, and to stand before the Son of Man...Our Lord Himself has emphatically assured us, 'behold I come as a thief...' from these words we may certainly conclude, that He will come at a time, when few even of his own people expect it...No human power or wisdom can avert the terrific events which are approaching. But if, through faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we wash our robes, and make them white in the Blood of the Lamb, then we shall individually be numbered with that great multitude, who shall come out of the great tribulation..." ("A Dissertation on the Seals and Trumpets of the Apocalypse," 1817, pp. 273-275, 290, 334, 340, 347, 354)

Before reading the next excerpt from Cuninghame, it might be helpful to read over these words in 1813 one more time! All of the elements of the two-stage coming and Pretribulation Rapture are beginning to come to fruition in 1813-1817 (years before the Irvingite manifestations or McDonald).

In the following years, Cuninghame built upon his own views and developed a clear two-stage coming of the Lord. Cuninghame would quote Joseph Mede and some early Jewish writings as earlier sources of the Bible's Pretribulation Rapture teaching. He would also become more clear about what happens to the ready saints during the time of trouble. They would be "translated"!:

"There is a double gathering of his saints unto our Lord, during his abode in the air; first of the 144,000 sealed ones, and secondly, the white-robed palm-bearers (Rev.vii.9-17). The former is at the first moment of the Advent, and the last at a later period...There are two events selected by our Lord himself, as the special types of His Advent, and the state of the world in that day...it is manifest that the Coming of the Lord is to find the world in a state of peace...the ten virgins...are all...found slumbering and sleeping...as soon as the Lord comes and takes to himself the Wise Virgins, the torrent of calamity which is to destroy the prophetic earth shall immediately thereafter break forth...But I remark that there is another class of passages, which no less certainly indicates that his coming shall be in a season of shaking and alarm and fear..." (1836 -perhaps a later edition)

From The Kingdom Alert, #117 (6-9-01)
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Pastor Joey Faust
Kingdom Baptist Church
700 Cordes Dr., Venus, Texas, 76084