Why The Pretribulation Rapture Is So Important

1st John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

 

The remedy to getting Christians to live consecrated holy lives is not to corrupt the plan of salvation to bend their arm to do so; but rather, for preachers to lovingly preach hard against sin in the churches, and to (by example) teach believers to walk with Jesus, and to teach others the doctrine of the Lord's glorious appearing at the pretribulation Rapture!

The average church these days doesn't have preaching!!! I mean Biblical, hard, Spirit-filled, preaching!!! Can you imagine attending an Independent Baptist Church, where the pastor spends eight months in Genesis (using expository preaching) and not once mentions Christ's imminent return? Oh, how preachers need to preach on the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Our text verse says in 1st John 3:2, “...when he [Jesus] shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” This can only refer to the pretribulation return of Christ, that is, the Lord is going to return to remove the saints from the world BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation period. This is what the Bible teaches. Some people read the Holy Bible as if it were a newspaper. Since they don't recognize the doctrine of the pretribulation Rapture, they deny it. However, God commands us as believers to “study” the Word, RIGHTLY DIVIDING (dissecting) the Scriptures. 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

The truth of the pretribulation Rapture is obtained by Deductive Reasoning, that is, by comparing truth-with-truth, and forming our conclusion based upon established facts. Dr. Harry Ironside uses this method of Bible study and concludes a pretribulation Rapture, as you can read in his book titled, “The Lamp Of Prophecy,” chapter 8. Here is much more information on The Pretribulation Rapture.

One of the main reasons why I preach so much about the pretribulation Rapture is because the Bible teaches that this doctrine compels men to purify themselves, even as Christ is pure. Jesus may come right now!!! 1st John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” The average church hardly ever preaches about Christ's return. Every pastor ought to preach on a regular basis about the pretribulation, imminent, sudden, unpredictable, glorious return of the precious Lord Jesus Christ. If we as Christians believe that Christ may return at any time, then we are going to stay on our toes.

Jesus taught this truth in Mark 13:32-37. If you want to influence other Christians to live holy, then teach them about Biblical prophecy, knowing that the Lord's return is imminent! As I behold the forming New World Order, and see the whole world embracing the symbols and person of the Antichrist, I'm challenged to live for God more and more each day. Proverbs 4:18, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

The great motivation that we have as Christians to serve God diligently is the truth that our beloved Savior may appear at any time. Titus 2:11-13, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Amen! People who are not serving the Lord are not really looking for the Lord to come back. I heard an awesome Bible study today by Pastor Max. D. Younce titled, “Rewards—The Five Crowns” (MP3).

If we take the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ at face value, we can only conclude a pretribulation Rapture:

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 Lord isn't returning until AFTER the Abomination of Desolation (the event during the Tribulation when the Antichrist stands in the temple in Jerusalem and declares himself as God - Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2nd Thessalonians 2:4), then we would KNOW exactly when the Lord is returning, and there would be no motivation to WATCH for His return. This is simple logic. Anything other than a pretribulation Rapture of the Church contradicts Mark 13:32-37.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Time is running out!

Luke 17:26-27, “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.”

The Irony Of A Noah's Ark Theme Park

1st Timothy 6:5, “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Evangelist Ken Ham of Answers-In-Genesis (which took in over $27,000,000 in 2014) is now operating a much bigger cash cow project in Kentucky, aka, a Noah's Ark Theme Park (priced at $150,000,000 to construct). The plan was to built a life-size replica of the ark, which has now been completed for a few years. The project was privately funded, employing 14,000 workers during the construction, but now employees 900 lasting local jobs. The private owners of The Ark Encounter have so far made BILLIONS of dollars in profits. In my humble opinion it is wrong what they are doing, exploiting the Holy Bible to make a buck.

May I say, Christianity is NOT a business! ...

“Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man's real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index to a man's true character. All through Scripture there is an intimate correlation between the development of a man's character and how he handles his money.” —Richard C. Halverson

In my humble opinion, The Ark Encounter project in Kentucky has less to do with God, and everything to do with money!!! ...

Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

To me, it is incredibly ironic in these Last Days of Bible prophecy that a life-size ark is being built amidst one of the most wicked cultures in human history. What irony! Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The world has always been a wicked place (1st John 5:19), but technology is allowing mankind to delve into the depths of Satan, repeating the days of Noah!

All this gender-bending insanity in American culture today is of the Devil. It is difficult to even comprehend that there are people in the United States, who approve of homosexuals uniting in legal marriage, and then adopting children. That is child abuse! Every child deserves to have a mother and a father, not two Dads! It is impossible for a child to have two fathers! To conceive a child, nature requires a male and a female. God's judgment is upon our nation because of wickedness! Now that the U.S Supreme Court in April of 2022, ruled to overturn their former ungodly 1972 Roe vs. Wade decision on abortion, ungodly women are flocking to liberal states like Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey and California to have abortions. It is wicked.

Woe Unto American's Because Of Wickedness!

Famous singer, Taylor Swift (with a net worth of $200,000,000), has a massive following across the United States, even being embraced by the churches. This reveals how spiritually deceived Americans have become. In Taylor Swift's recent shocking video titled, WILDEST DREAMS, she clearly reveals the Illuminati's Satanism behind her music and videos. Jesus foretold of these perilous times:

Matthew 24:37-39 “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

We are seeing the fulfillment of the Lord's prophecy today. People aren't even trying to work out their marriage problems anymore, they're just divorcing, moving on to another marriage, and another and another. This is what the Lord meant by “marrying” in the Last Days. America is worse today than the ungodly Old Testament city of Sodom, which God destroyed with fire and brimstone in Genesis 19:24-25, “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” The United States is provoking the same holy God in the 21st century...

“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” —Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President (1801-1809)

Americans love eating out at restaurants. It's a blessing from God that is envied by the rest of the world. Americans pamper themselves at millions of restaurants across our nation, stuffing their faces, becoming obese, not glorifying the God in whose hands their very breath is. We are a spoiled rotten nation!

Bars exist across the nation, where people drink alcohol and end up in DUI courts. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels are legally allowed to be high (at .08), so that people will feel comfortable to socially drink booze, knowing they have some leeway. But if the BAC was set at .01, few people wouldn't dare risk arrest, prison time and the high legal costs associated with drunk driving. It's all about money for the greedy lawyers, crooked judges and cutthroat U.S. legal system. In the alleged “Land Of The Free,” 25% of the world's total inmates are incarcerated in the United States. This is because of the love of money which governs our corrupt legal system. Evil abounds today!

Once a divorce is filed, the heathen courts ensure that the couple cannot reconcile. Intimidation tactics are used by thug judges and lawyers, refusing to allow the couple to communicate during the divorce process (to make sure that they don't reunite). The lawyer's allegiance is to the corrupt system, not the troubled couple. And so, divorce rates have skyrocketed in America. Hell will be filed with lawyers, prosecutors and judges, who ruin people's lives while hiding behind the pretense of justice and law!

Actually, for the first time sin recent years, divorce rates are starting to fall in the U.S.; not because marriages are doing any better, but because people aren't even getting married anymore! Fornication (“shacking-up” is the thing nowadays). The Illuminati (i.e., the Lucifierian leaders of this evil world) have removed the Bible and prayer from America's classrooms since 1962, knowing that this would ultimately destroy our society. The Luciferian elite, who control the legal system, prosecute the very U.S. citizens that they deprived of the inspired Word of God.

Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) preaches a great MP3 sermon on this topic titled: 'The Gospel Or Another Gospel,' in which he explains that the same communist Social Gospel that has caused our problems in the United States, tries to remedy it! This is the utter insanity of the secular world! Also, lest you doubt that Luciferians are in control of everything, take a look at this compelling MP4 video presentation, which evidences that our American newsmedia is 100% controlled from one higher source. What saith the Scripture? 2nd Corinthians 4:3-4, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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.” Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born-again.

Few people grasp the horrifying reality that the Illuminati have been plotting to destroy the United States since its very beginning in 1776, exploiting the American people to achieve a sinister New World Order (NWO). The NWO will ultimately become the system upon which the Man of Sin (the Antichrist) rules the world (Revelation 17:10-11). As God's children, we should view all this as Bible prophecy being fulfilled right before our very eyes. What is Bible prophecy? In a sense, it is God's way of sharing with us (His friends) what He plans to do next. Amen and amen! Whereas the unsaved world walk in utter darkness, not knowing at what they stumble, we do know as believers what is going on and we walk in the light of Jesus Christ!

People who live in gross immorality become so used to it that the awfulness of sin is gone. Think with me, if you will, how evil America has become! I encourage you to watch this needful sermon by Evangelist Lester Roloff (1914-1982), titled: “The Lost Fear Of God”...

“The Lost Fear Of God”

Evangelist Lester Roloff (1914-1982)

Americans allow wicked infidels to teach our children the blatant Devil's lie of evolution, without the slightest shred of proof to back up the ludicrous claims. What was once an unproven theory is now arrogantly (and wickedly) taught by wicked men and women as a fact. (And please don't mistake the legitimate science of an Old Earth Creation, for the bogus deception of evolution.) The Bible teaches that the earth is indeed millions of years old, but mankind was created by God at approximately 4,000 B.C. as taught in the Genesis account of Creation. For an in-depth Biblical exegesis on this important matter, please read, THE TRUTH ABOUT EVOLUTION (or don't let Satan make a monkey out of you) by Dr. Max D. Younce.

Hollywood megastar celebrity, Charlie Sheen, stars in one of the most sexually-perverted shows ever to crawl on screen titled, “Anger Management.” “Anger Management” broke a ratings record with 5.74 million viewers on its series debut night, which ranks as the most-watched sitcom premiere in cable history. The shameful sitcom is morally filthy, a continuous flesh pot of dirty-mindedness, sleaze, sexually suggestive talk and lasciviousness. In real life, Sheen has publicly boasted of fornicating with over 5,000 women!

Sad to read, it was just reported in November of 2015 that Charlie Sheen is H.I.V. positive. No one should ever brag about committing sin, but it shows why the Anger Management sitcom is so lewd, filthy and ungodly, that is, because Charlie Sheen DOESN'T fear God. Psalms 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” If men don't fear God today, THEY WILL FEAR GOD THE VERY SECOND THAT THEY PASS INTO ETERNITY AT PHYSICAL DEATH. If you don't fear God now, you will, YOU WILL! Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” In fairness to Charlie Sheen, I DO believe that he is a born-again Christian, as he professes. Lot was a just man, who loved his life of sin. Samson was a believer, who loved harlots. Solomon was a saint who chose to live like a devil. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. Jesus is precious!!! We are all as sheep who have gone astray.

Please understand that I don't condemn anyone, for I am a big sinner just like anyone else. It's only by God's grace that we're not all burning in Hell. Only an unsaved person denies being a big sinner in God's eyes (1st John 1:8-10). I am the biggest sinner I know, because I know me better than anyone (and you ought to feel the same about yourself if you're right with God). James 2:10 teaches that to break even one commandment of God is to become guilty of breaking all, because even one sin will send a sinner to the Lake of Fire forever, if they die IN THEIR SINS (John 8:24) without Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Anger Management is one of the most popular TV shows (or should I say, HELLIVISION). It is indicative of the decadence of our corrupt society in the United States. Truly, every imagination of man's heart is once again becoming continually evil.

How wicked is America? We have slaughtered, brutally murdered over 62,000,000 precious babies since Roe vs. Wade in 1972 (and the number is only going higher and higher). Worldwide, a startling 3,000,000,000 children have been murdered by abortion! Sicko John Wayne Gacy murdered 40 young men and was sentenced to death; yet there are abortion doctors who have murdered THOUSANDS of human beings in the womb, cutting their bodies into pieces like Jeffrey Dahmer, putting their body parts into jars, dumpsters and refrigerators, even selling the BODY PARTS! These ungodly doctors of death are sinfully honored by a wicked society, which desires more and more death, blood and gore on television. TV has completely DESENSITIZED our American society to the horrific evils of killing, death, torture and war. Americans have become indifferent, complacent and spoiled rotten.

I have just touched the tip of the iceberg concerning America's utter wickedness in the sight of God, and the irony of an existing Noah's ark theme park amidst such a wicked people! As I type, homosexual unions (errantly called “marriages”) are now legal in all 50 states. The only “gay marriage” is between one man and one woman. Homosexuality is a disgusting sin which brings the judgment of God (Romans 1:24-32; Colossians 3:5-6; Leviticus 20:13; Jude 1:7). It's just a matter of time. Same-sex marriage was the nails in the coffin of our nation in June of 2015. Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Even in Noah's time we don't read about homosexuals getting legally married, which is the government sanctioning such wickedness. Biblically, God hates all sin (Psalms 97:10; Hebrews 1:9). In Genesis chapter 6, God destroyed the entire world by a flood because of their constant wickedness. We need 40 days of rain today!!!

Think about the irony of a life-sized Noah's ark, a theme park mocking the Bible, amidst a nation of pleasure-seekers, rioters, fornicators, idolaters and blasphemers, who indulge in our smutty magazines, indecency, public nakedness and filthy ways. Look how Americans sue each other in greed, for crossing the street. All over the city of Pensacola I see giant attorney billboard signs along the roadways, provoking citizens to sue everybody they can for money. It is sickening!!! 

I just read about a man in Florida who was charged with a felony for letting a dozen helium balloons go for his fiancée, criminally charged with polluting the environment. What a bunch of nuts! God created earth for man, not man for the earth. Our society is becoming wacky, a land of kooks, quacks and queers! All of this gender-bending insanity is ruining our society! If you're a Christian, stay in the inspired Word of God, which is a LAMP UNTO OUR FEET (Psalms 119:105). I highly encourage you to search YouTube for Alexander Scourby reading the King James Bible for free. If you're not a Christian, please get saved immediately before it is too late dear friend! You may not live to see tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1). Death often comes suddenly without notice. You could suffer an aneurism, heart failure or a deadly stroke. I am ready to meet my Maker, but are you?

Americans have become so corrupt, indifferent and sinful. It was reported in the mainstream years ago in 2014 that when Hillary Clinton was Secretary Of State for 6-years, a whopping $6,000,000,000 vanished without a trace. What a bunch of blatant criminals! The American people have become accustomed to being cheated, lied to and victimized by their government leaders. Hillary Clinton should be put on trial, investigated, and if convicted, be justly sentenced to prison for the rest of her natural life.

I'll tell you what, there are no juries or corrupt lawyers or wicked judges in Heaven! God is the ONLY Judge (James 4:12; Ecclesiastes 5:8), and He knows all (Hebrews 4:13; Psalms 139:1-6) and will judge all men for every word (Matthew 12:36), every thought (Proverbs 24:12) and every deed (Ecclesiastes 12:14). THERE WILL BE JUSTICE (Ecclesiastes 5:8)!!!!!!! Amen and amen! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! No one ever gets away with anything (Romans 12:19-21).

Noah's Ark Encounter “Cash Cow” Is A Mockery Against God

I think it is a mockery against God almighty to build a life-sized replica of Noah's ark in Kentucky for money; so that a murderous, adulterous, lying, perverted, homo-loving, rotten TV-watching, evolution-corrupting, potty-mouthed, dirty-minded, stiffnecked, generation of spoiled and selfish brats can have a religious experience. Go figure!

The Ark Encounter (as it is called) is projected to bring in $4,000,000,000 dollars in revenues over 10-years! And the moronic religious radio celebrates can't seem to get enough of it! I say “religious radio celebrities” because not one of them is a leather-lunged, uncompromising, Gospel preacher!!! Gullible people have already donated $27,000,000 to build the ark. Boy are people dumb! The whole Ark Encounter business is privately owned. It is not non-profit. All I keep hearing about from Ken Ham and everyone involved in the Ark Encounter project is about the money, jobs and better quality of life it will generate for Kentuckians. What about winning souls to the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus foretold that in the End Times, the world would again become saturated with wickedness as in the days of Noah, when people lived only to eat, drink, divorce and remarry, going from one failed marriage to another in adultery:

Matthew 24:37-39 “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

What irony! What an alarming paradox that the United States, once a shining beacon and citadel of Christendom throughout the world, has deteriorated in just three generations into the most wretched hive of evildoers on the planet! Amidst this sad departure from God's Word, and amidst our treasonous leaders and rising police state, and amidst total apostasy and doctrinal heresy in our churches—a Noah's ark theme park? Go figure! God will not be mocked! REPENT AMERICA!

How Heavy Metal Rock Bands Destroy America

America Must Be Destroyed for the Antichrist to rise to power!

(sometimes in order to rebuild something you have to first tear it down)

The Beast System

Revelation 17:10-11, “And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”

The preceding Bible passage refers to consecutive world powers throughout history (i.e., Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. That makes six world powers. The seventh king will be the now forming New World Order (NWO), from which the eighth king, The Antichrist (Man of Sin), will arise and rule over it for 7 years during the Tribulation Period. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!!!

The PreTribulation Rapture Plain And Simple

An excerpt concerning the Pre-Tribulation Rapture from the most comprehensive Biblical exegesis of prophecy available today titled, “I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW” by Dr. Max D. Younce, PhD.

I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW (.pdf file, requires Adobe Acrobat program to open)
Hardcopies Available For Order!

I. IS THE CHURCH RAPTURED BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER THE TRIBULATION PERIOD?

A. The Timing of the Rapture.

The Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost, over 2,000 years ago, and will end with the Rapture. The Rapture will begin the 7 years of tribulation, which will end with Christ coming to the Earth and establishing His Kingdom for a 1,000 years. I will list some of the false claims and show from Scripture why they are not true.

1. The Rapture Is Not The Same Event As The Coming of Christ at The End of The Tribulation.

There are some who teach the Rapture takes place at the end of the Tribulation Period. This has confused many, leading them to believe in what is called the “Post-Tribulation Rapture; i.e., the Rapture does not take place until after the 7-Year Tribulation Period of God’s judgment. Therefore, combining the Rapture and the Revelation both as one event.

2. Refutation:

First of all, at the Rapture, all the saved are “caught up” to be with Christ in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

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: (V.16) 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. (V. 17)

In Matthew, Chapters 24, 25, we have Christ coming to the Earth and judging the nations, which takes place AFTER the Tribulation Period. Matthew 25:40 is used by some, falsely, saying it is the Rapture. As we shall see, it cannot be the Rapture.

“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

Notice, as we quote Matthew 25:31-34, it becomes perfectly clear that this judgment involves 3 things:

1. Christ comes to the earth,
2. He will sit on His throne,
3. He will separate the saved from the lost.

a. Matthew 25:31-34.

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (Vs. 31).

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep (saved) from the goats (lost): (Vs. 32).

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (Vs. 33)

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, INHERIT THE KINGDOM prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

b. Matthew 25:41 Tells Us What Happens To the Lost.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, DEPART FROM ME, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

1. Notice carefully, the difference between the Rapture spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, and Christ’s Coming, spoken of in Mathew, Chapters 24, 25. 

2. At the Rapture, Christ does not come to the Earth, as we are caught up to meet Him in the clouds.

“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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

3. Whereas, in Matthew, Christ COMES to the Earth to establish His Kingdom.

4. Notice carefully, at the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians, the saved are the ones taken to Heaven; while the ones left are the lost.

5. Just the opposite takes place in Matthew.

Those that are taken are the lost, cast into the Lake of Fire; while those that are left are the saved who enter into the Kingdom in their earthly bodies.

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, COME, YE BLESSED of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” (Matthew 25:34)

Therefore, it is imperative for the Bible student to understand that these two events are entirely different; being separated by the Seventieth Week of Daniel, known as the 7-Year Tribulation Period. Without acknowledging the difference between Christ’s coming for his Church and His coming to establish the Kingdom, one will only be led into more error concerning Bible prophecy.

Note: A good principle to remember is, whenever Christ’s Return is spoken of in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, it is never the Rapture; but, rather, the return of Christ at the conclusion of the Tribulation to judge the nations. The Rapture was a mystery, revealed unto the Apostle Paul after the Church Age had begun. (Ephesians 3:1-10) The Church does not go through, or into, the Tribulation Period!

3. A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Is What the Bible Teaches.

Now let us examine the proof: The Church Is Delivered From the Wrath of The 7-Year Tribulation as we learn from 1Thessalonians. 1:10,

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, WHICH DELIVERED US from the wrath to come.”

In examining this verse there are three things we need to recognize: Paul was writing to Christians (1:1 and 5:25).

1. They were already delivered from the wrath of Hell. (John 3:36)

2. Notice “which delivered us” is translated in the past tense. This is incorrect, as the Greek has it in the future tense. It should read as “who delivers us,” or, “which will deliver us.”

3. The “wrath to come” is not in reference to Hell, as they were already delivered from Hell; but, rather, to the Tribulation Period as stated in Revelation 6:17.

“For the great day of his WRATH is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

Therefore, the Christians that are alive at the Rapture will not go into the Tribulation, known as the “day of his wrath.” Notice the word “us,” which includes all Christians, the spiritual and the backslider. As many say, “The Church is not ruptured; but, raptured!”

4. The Church Is "Delivered" From Wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath (Tribulation wrath, same as 1:10); but to obtain salvation (i.e., “deliverance”) by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Greek word for “salvation” is “SOTERIA” and denotes “deliverance, preservation, salvation.” For example: In Acts 27:34, the word “health” is translated from the Greek “soteria.” In other words, in Verse 33, we find the sailors had gone 14 days without eating. In Verse 34 Paul said,

“…take (or eat) some meat: for this is for your health, (i.e. “your deliverance).”

...from getting sick, or dying. Also, in Philippians 1:19, “salvation” should have been translated “deliverance,” since Paul was speaking about his deliverance from prison from where he had written to the Philippians. A literal translation of Verse 9 would read,

“For God hath not appointed us (Christians) to the wrath of the tribulation, but to obtain deliverance from it, when the Lord Jesus Christ comes for His Church.”

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we have the Rapture. Chapter 5 continues with Christ’s Return at the Rapture, assuring all Christians that they will be delivered from the Tribulation Period.

5. Spiritual and Carnal Christians Are Raptured At The Same Time!

The following Scriptures refute the erroneous and false teaching that only the spiritual Christians will be raptured; while the carnal Christians will have to go through the Tribulation. We will continue, as we examine and analyze the next verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:10.

“Who died for us, that, whether we WAKE or SLEEP; we should live together with him (Christ).”

We will look at three important words in this verse.

a. “Wake.” It is the same Greek word “gregoreo” as translated “watch” in Verse 6.

“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us WATCH and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

b. “Sleep.” The Greek word for “sleep” in Verse 10 is the same as that for “sleep” in Verse 6.

“Therefore let us not SLEEP, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Therefore, "sleep" is in reference to those Christians who are “lying down on the job” and not serving the Lord. Some perverted minds try to proclaim that “sleep” here is referring to “death.” If that were true—how would you “watch and be sober” if you were dead? Preposterous!

c. “Together.” The Greek word is “hama” and means “together at the same time.” (Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words). Now, let us put Verse 10 together and write it out, including the meaning of each of the 3 words we have examined.

“Who died for us, that, whether we WAKE (watching and serving the Lord); OR, SLEEP (not serving the Lord), we should live TOGETHER (AT THE SAME TIME) with him (CHRIST).” (1 Thessalonians 5:10)

These Scriptures clearly set forth the truth that ALL Christians, those serving the Lord and those who are not, will be raptured together at the same time.

6. No Partial Rapture.

This is Satan’s trickery to lead one to believe that you must suffer and/or have good works to complete God’s salvation. One must remember that the completion of our salvation is the redemption of our bodies at the Rapture! Notice Romans 8:23,

“…even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY.”

At the Rapture our salvation is completed. Those who have died receive their resurrected bodies from the grave; while those that are alive have their bodies transformed as they go up to be with the Lord.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (V.20)

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Philippians 3:20,21)

The word “conversation “is the Greek “POLITEUMA” and means “citizenship.” It is said of the heavenly status of believers, and should have been translated as such. Those who propagate a partial Rapture have succumbed to Satan’s subtlety. (Genesis 3:1 and 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15). If Satan cannot convince you that good works are necessary for salvation; then, he will attempt, through his ministers, to convince you that those that are backslidden must go into the Tribulation. All false teaching is satanically inspired!

Some that hold this view have told me that, this is to have them suffer for their disobedience and give them a chance to redeem themselves. Thus showing God they are really Christians by now being faithful while being persecuted. Sounds good—EXCEPT it contradicts God’s Word!

This damnable philosophy denies the Judgment Seat of Christ for all Christians,

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Therefore, they do not believe one is saved eternally; but, rather, must have good works in order to maintain their salvation. This is very cunning; as, they accuse God of being a liar and unfaithful to His Word when He promised the believers they would “never perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

7. No Partial Rapture (1 John 3:2).

“Beloved, now are WE the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear WE shall be like him; for WE shall see him as he is.”

The “we” is all-inclusive of the spiritual and the carnal Christian. No distinction between the two is made here.

8. No Partial Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51).

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but WE shall ALL be changed.”

At the Rapture, ALL, or every Christian, whether serving the Lord; or not, will be changed, i.e., receive their glorified bodies. Notice the last 4 words in Verse 52,

“…and WE shall ALL be changed.”

The “WE” is all-inclusive of every Christian. Again, a partial Rapture philosophy disintegrates in the light of God’s Word.

9. No Partial Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

“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.”

Again, the Holy Spirit uses the word “WE.” This eliminates any distinction between the spiritual and carnal Christian; thus, illuminating the false teaching of a partial Rapture.

B. A Post-Tribulation Rapture Is Unscriptural and Unfounded In Scripture.

The word "post" means "after." Here are some final thoughts which seal the fate of the philosophy of a Post Tribulation Rapture. Follow with me as we look at some basic facts:

1. All raptured Christians receive their glorified bodies (Romans 8:22,23; and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

2. There are no children born to glorified bodies. (Matthew 22:23-30

3. All unsaved are cast into Hell before the 1,000 Year Kingdom Reign of Christ. (Revelation 19:11-21 and Matthew 25:41)

If the Rapture is post Tribulation, several problems arise with impossible solutions. Where do the mortal bodies come from of those that are born during the Millennium and rebel at the conclusion of the Millennium? (Revelation 20:7-10). There would be no lost people alive to have children, so they cannot come from them. All of the saved have their glorified bodies. No children can be born to them as a result of a Post Tribulation Rapture

Remember; at the end of Christ’s 1,000 Year Reign there are unbelievers who will give their allegiance to Satan in an attempt to defeat Christ. (Revelation 20:7-10). How would they get their human bodies? Placing the Rapture at the end of the Tribulation and the start of the Millennium makes an impossible situation.

At the Rapture all Christians have their glorified bodies, which do not produce human beings. All the lost are cast into Hell at the end of the Tribulation Period. Therefore, the philosophy of a Post-Tribulation Rapture is impossible.

The Post-Tribulation Rapture philosophy also leads to other false doctrines. Colossians 2:8 is God’s warning concerning false teachers,

“Beware lest any man spoil you through PHILOSOPHY and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

Note. If Post-Tribulation Rapture were true; then, the last generation alive would be the only generation in over 2,000 years since the Church Age began to have to go through the Tribulation. Then, we would have to conclude that God is not a fair God.

Note. If the Rapture occurs at the conclusion of the Tribulation; then, why are we not told to be praying for “that blessed hope and glorious appearing of that blessed tribulation!” Yet, the Word of God tells us, in Titus 2:13, that the Christian is to be,

“Looking for that BLESSED HOPE, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”

C. Final Proof of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

In conclusion, we shall examine one more proof of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture as opposed to a Post-Tribulation Rapture. Our text is recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9.

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (V. 1)

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. (V.2)

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; (V.3)

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. (V.4)

Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?(5)

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.(6)

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (V.7)

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (V.8)

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:1-9)

D. Examination of 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (departure) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

We are now introduced to the Greek word, “apostasia,” which is translated as “falling away” in the King James Translation. The basic meaning of the word is “departure.” One cannot tell from the meaning of the word, itself, whether it is in reference to the departure, i.e., the Rapture of the Church; or, a “departure from the truth,” known as apostasy. “Apostasia” translated as “falling away” is quite misleading, as it does not incorporate the meaning “to fall” or “fell.”

For example, check Matthew 10:29 (“fall”); Matthew 17:6 (“fell”); John 18:6 (“fell”), etc.

These are translated from the Greek word “pipto,” not “apostasia.” Therefore, only by the context in which “apostasia” occurs can it be determined if it is in reference to a departure from the faith; or, the departure of the Church from the world at the Rapture.

It should be noted, that to the best of my knowledge, all English translations prior to the King James Translation translated “apostasia” either as “departing” or “departure.” Also, the Bible known as the Vulgate, about 400 A.D., was Jerome’s Latin translation. Here Jerome uses the Latin word, “discessio,” meaning “departure” for “apostasia.”

With this in mind, one can see that this is in perfect harmony with Verse 1, which ascribes to the Rapture.

“Now we beseech you brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and BY OUR GATHERING TOGETHER UNTO HIM.”

E. The Event of the Rapture.

This is the same as Paul had previously spoken about in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 concerning the Rapture.

“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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Paul gives the principles of the Rapture; whereas, in 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 2, he gives the procedure concerning the Rapture, which is pre-tribulation.

May we make a few more observations which lead us to conclude that the word, “apostasia,” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, is speaking of the Church departing from the Earth, raptured to meet her Savior in the clouds; and not a departure from the faith.

Notice in Verse 7,

“For the mystery of iniquity doth ALREADY WORK.”

Paul states that apostasy from the faith was already present.

1. 1Hymenaeus and Alexander were two of them. (1 Timothy 1:19,20).
2. There were false teachers of the law. (1Timothy 1:4-7).
3. False teachings concerning the Resurrection. (2 Timothy 2:16-18).
4. Read Jude; 1 John 2:18; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-3.

...and we could go on and on.

In other words, from the time of the offspring of Adam and Eve, there has always been apostasy from the faith. To what do we attribute the Flood? In Israel there were the false prophets and priests. It was the same at the time of Christ and ever since, to the present. Therefore, it would be ludicrous to think that “apostasia” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 was in reference to “apostasy from the faith;” when there has never been a time when apostasy has not been with us.

Therefore, how would the Thessalonians recognize any apostasy different from the apostasy that already existed and that has always existed in one way or another? From the context, itself, we know the “apostasia” in Verse 3 is not in reference to departure from the faith, already existent; but, rather, a departure of the Church from the world, or the Rapture. Apostasy already existed as stated in Verse 7,

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work…”

We have the same false teachers today, advocating a Partial or a Post-Tribulation Rapture, as those believers in Thessalonica encountered over 1900 years ago. As we have stated previously, the Christian is admonished to be...

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13)

...NOT, “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the Tribulation Period; i.e. the Day of God’s Wrath!

A final note. Many are not aware that the Roman Catholic Church does not believe in the Rapture. Also, the Evangelistic Lutheran Churches of America (ELCA); the Missouri Synod Lutherans and the Wisconsin Lutheran Synod deny four basic prophetic doctrines:

1. They deny the Rapture,

2. They do not believe in the Restoration of the Nation of Israel,

3. They deny the literal reign of Christ in his earthly Kingdom on Earth for 1,000 years.

4. Both organizations deny that faith in Jesus Christ and His payment for the sins of all mankind is not completely sufficient for the receiving eternal life. Christ’s last words on the Cross in John 19:30 were, “IT IS FINISHED. “Finished” is the Greek “teleo” and means “to bring to an end.” It is in the perfect tense, meaning that nothing can be added to it.

And, both organizations will tell you that Christ paid for our sins, thus, our salvation; BUT, Christ will not give you His salvation until you are baptized. I will let each organization speak for themselves.

First, I will quote from the official document of the Catholic organization, their Catechism. This is found on Page 312, # 1213. “Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God…Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”

Second, Luther states in his Small Catechism, Page 16, and II. “What does Baptism give or profit? It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the Devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this…”

How did they come to these conclusions in denying major portions of the Word of God? Very simple. Their teachings were founded by a man named Martin Luther, who has been dead over 460 years! (Luther, 1483-1546). Maybe they are not familiar with the middle verse of the Bible, Psalm 118:8,

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

The Mark of the Beast, or the Work of the Unholy Trinity

Some Golden Daybreak

Chapter 6 from the excellent book, Some Golden Daybreak,

by Dr. Lee Roberson, D.D. (copyright 1957)

by Pastor Lee Roberson, D.D. (1909-2007)

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. — REVELATION 13

It is exceedingly easy to make a lot of guesses and speculations on matters of prophecy. Many have done so and have likewise brought into disrepute the teaching of the second coming and related events. Therefore, we will continue to follow carefully the Word of God.

In the last message we discussed briefly the coming Antichrist, his characteristics, and his work. We noted that John said, "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1st John 2:18).

There are many antichrists in the world today. All movements and men against our Saviour are antichrists. But let us notice that there is coming an Antichrist. The Antichrist will be a person. He will be a man just as Christ was a man. When the Word of God speaks of the Antichrist, the masculine pronoun "he" is used.

When will this Antichrist appear? He will appear when the church has been raptured and the Holy Spirit has been taken away.

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." II Thessalonians 2:7,8.

After the Christians have been raptured and the Spirit taken, the tribulation will begin upon the earth. The tribulation is that period of time when judgments are sent by God upon a Christ-rejecting world. The terrible plagues which will come upon the earth are described in Revelation 6 to 18. In the forefront during the tribulation time there will be three unholy persons. All three of them are mentioned in Revelation 13.

I. The Dragon

"And the dragon gave him his power. . . . And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast." —vss. 2, 4

This dragon is none other than old Satan. He is the enemy of our Christ. All of sin and sorrow we see today is because of him. All that will come upon the earth will be because of him. In the tribulation Satan will make his last stand and will endeavor to get control of the earth. He will choose a man to be his representative. He will give to this person great power. We know him as the Antichrist.

• The Devil is God's enemy.
• The Devil is every Christian's enemy.
• The Devil is the enemy of all righteousness.
• The Devil is the author of sin, suffering, and death.

Though Satan has great power, Christians can defeat him today. James says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Christ showed us the way when He resisted the temptation of Satan in the wilderness. He won by the sword of the Spirit. We must battle and win in the same way.

The end of Satan is plainly given in the Holy Scriptures. First, we find that he will be bound during the kingdom age. This is given in Revelation 20:1-3:

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season."

The eternal doom of Satan is in Revelation 20:10, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

The Devil does not reign in Hell as a king. He will be tormented in Hell just as the others who reject the Saviour.

II. The Beast

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." —Revelation 13:1

This is the one to whom the Devil gives power and authority. This beast is the Antichrist.

Note the origin of the beast. He will rise up out of the sea. The sea is typical of the Gentile nations. The particular sea in mind is doubtless the Mediterranean for it is the center, so to speak, of the former Roman Empire. The ten horns are a further mark of identification, showing that the Roman Empire is referred to, not as it has been during its entire existence, but as it shall be known in its last form. The seven heads doubtless symbolize the different forms of government in which the Roman Empire has existed from its beginning to the end.

Revelation 13:3 speaks of the restoration of the Roman Empire when it will be a federated empire of ten kingdoms, ruled over by the beast. This beast will be a warlike person, for the world will say, "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" He will be a blasphemer. "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." The Antichrist will be an atheist. He will set himself above all that is called God and will cause the people to worship him.

The Beast as set before us in Revelation 13 is the dragon's masterpiece of delusion. Satan has always wanted people to worship him, and now through the work of the beast they do so, for verse 4 says, "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast."

III. The False Prophet

This is the third member of the unholy trinity — Satan, the beast, the false prophet.

The false prophet will be a man, just as the beast. This is proven by the doom of the false prophet as given in Revelation 19:20. False systems or empires are dealt with by God on earth, but persons are cast into the lake of fire.

The first beast came out of the sea. This second beast or false prophet comes up out of the earth. If the sea symbolizes the Gentile nations, the earth possibly symbolizes Israel. This false prophet, as he is called, may be a Jew, while the beast before whom he exercises his power may be a Gentile.

The first beast will be a dictator and a world ruler. This second beast will be something of a religious leader and will perform wonders and cause the people to worship the beast. The main business of the false prophet is to support the beast. He will be the absolute tool of the first beast.

Seven verses give a summary of his work. Consider Revelation 13:12-15:

"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."

Let us list the work of this evil one:

1. He will exercise the power of the Antichrist, and cause the world to worship the first beast.
2. He will perform great wonders and bring down fire from heaven in the sight of men.
3. He will deceive earth-dwellers by means of his miracles.
4. He will cause the people to make an image of the beast. He will give life to the image and destroy all who will not worship the image of the beast.

And now, may we consider the closing three verses of Revelation 13:

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six."

In the tribulation days it will be either worship the beast or starve. All men, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, will be forced to receive a mark in their right hands or in their foreheads. No one will be able to buy or sell without this mark. Those who would eat must bear the marks or the name or the number of the beast. "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

Many people have tried to figure out the meaning of this number, 666. The outstanding Bible teachers simply say that six is the number of man. It represents imperfection, for seven is God's number of perfection.

Dr. William R. Newell says that God will give full understanding to His saints in the Tribulation when it is needed. The saints of the church age will not be there, but there will be tribulation saints who 'worship not the beast and receive not the mark.' They will know and understand this man. His number will be plain to them, for it is the number of a man.

Many people have tried to arrive at this mysterious number. It has been pointed out that the word Latin is spelled with Greek letters, lateinos, makes six hundred sixty-six in their numerical value. Others have called attention to the same fact concerning Nero Caesar spelled in Hebrew — the numerical value comes to six hundred sixty-six.

But putting aside vain guesses, we know that six is the utmost reach of man. Man was created on the sixth day. God's great human opponents have been marked by the number six. Goliath was six cubits in height. His spear's head weighed six shekels, and he had six pieces of armor. Nebuchadnezzar's image was sixty cubits high and six broad. These are but a few of the sixes which attach themselves to men.

In connection with this number of the beast someone has said that it is interesting that the radio broadcasting wave length of Rome, Italy, is 666.

In the light of the tragic days ahead, there are two things we should do. First, we should rejoice in our own salvation and in the fact that we will escape the terrible things which are coming upon the earth. Second, we should endeavor with all our power to bring people to Christ so that they will be saved and escape the awful tribulation. This is the time to win people before the darkness settles upon the earth. We have darkness now, but not as it will be in that awful coming day.

SOURCE: Chapter 6 from the excellent book, Some Golden Daybreak, by Dr. Lee Roberson, D.D. (copyright 1957)

Table of Contents

The Everlasting Lake Of Fire For the Wicked

Revelation 20:11-15, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

The following information describes a popular play, shown as a video presentation to follow:

“Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flames” is a live high impact dramatic performance involving special sound and visual effects, elaborate stage sets, costumes, and a cast and crew of 50 people. The play begins with the crucifixion of Jesus and depicts His resurrection victory over Satan. The focus then turns to the Gates of Heaven and the coming Judgment where everyone will one day stand before God. A series of vignettes follow depicting people from various walks of life who suddenly and unexpectedly die. Some of them are prepared, others are not. The play graphically depicts the blessedness of meeting Jesus at the Gates of Heaven and the horror of facing eternity in Hell. ~Heaven's Gates And Hell's Flames

Heaven's Gates And Hell's Flames

The problem with the preceding video is that it teaches Lordship Salvation. They present a false gospel, telling people to “invite Jesus into your life” and “Give your life to Jesus!” Judas gave his life to Jesus and went to Hell! The preceding video is HORRIBLE! The video shows preachers requiring the audience to “turn from their sins,” which is nowhere taught in the inspired Holy Bible.

This video is full of damnable heresy! Nowhere does the inspired Word of God say to turn from your sins, surrender to Christ as "Lord," repeat a prayer, invite Jesus into your life or give your life to Christ to get to Heaven. You may do all those things are never be born-again at all. The Apostle Paul defines "the gospel" in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 as three things: Jesus' DEATH on the cross for our sins, His BURIAL and bodily RESURRECTION from the dead after three days. This is the "GOOD NEWS" (Gospel) by which whosoever BELIEVES is saved (Romans 1:16). Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty! The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU. Right doctrine matters!

As I mentioned, Paul defines the Gospel in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4, in which no mention is made of giving your life to Christ, or of inviting Jesus into your life, or of “surrender to Christ as 'Lord' of your life” to be saved! Beware of false prophets!!! The video itself is great, depicting the dangers and torments of Hell. But what good is a play and video about the dangers and reality of Hell, if you then preach a counterfeit plan of salvation? I am Philippians 1:17, “But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”

We will all face God someday in eternity. It matters not if you die as a poor beggar under a bridge, or die as the president of a great country, all men must face God someday. Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Dear reader, there are no atheists in Hell! I promise you that famous atheist's Madalyn Murray O'Hair, Ernest Hemingway, Stanley Kubrick, Gene Roddenberry, Rod Sterling and Margaret Sanger all BELIEVED in God their first 10 seconds in eternity!!!

Dear reader, you were created by God for eternity. God did not create humanity for this temporary lifetime; but rather, for eternity. What will this temporal 70 years or so of life, matter in comparison to trillions of years in eternity? Revelation 14:10 foretells that “time shall be no more,” in the future! So one Google (a big number; a 1 with 100 zeros behind it!) won't even be the beginning of eternity, because there is no time in eternity. I learned from Pastor Max Younce, that God created time as a means of sharing with His friends what He plans to do in the future. God is letting us know as His children, His friends, what He intends to do next! I like that. What a wonderful God.

God's plan of salvation is very simple. Anyone who acknowledges that they are a guilty sinner in the holy sight of God, and receives Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for their sins, believing that Jesus Christ is bodily risen from the dead, is immediately, irrevocably and eternally saved. 1st Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

Dear friend, have you been born again? Hell is real. If God allows suffering, torment and death in this temporal world, then you can be assured that He will allows suffering, torment and death in the next. You have been warned. YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!!!

There Is No Escape From Hell

God Made The Wicked For The Day Of Judgment

2nd Thessalonians 2:9-14, "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Carefully notice the following statements after the Bible says God will send them STRONG DELUSION... "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." These are Christ-rejecters! So first we must conclude that God did not choose them not to be saved. They have a FREE WILL from God to make their own decisions. They freely chose NOT to believe.

In our text passage of Scripture, we read in 2nd Thessalonians 2:9-10, "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." So here we learn that the coming Man of Sin, ANTICHRIST, will work all manner of evil and deception "IN THEM THAT PERISH," because they rejected THE TRUTH. They rejected the truth (Good News) of the Gospel. They are not saved.

I read an interesting Bible verse today from Proverbs 16:4, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” That is a deep thought. God created billions of people, knowing in His foreknowledge that they wouldn't get saved and will burn in Hell forever. Yet God made them! The Bible says God made them for Himself, for His purpose. 1st Corinthians 11:19 teaches that we need false teachers, so that men of God who properly study the Bible and teach sound doctrine can be made known. I was encouraged one day when I read that Bible verse. I have been exposing the apostate Calvinist Bob Jones University (BJU) camp since 2014. I have also started exposing the Pensacola Christian College (PCC) camp since 2018, because they sinfully bid Godspeed to BJU. It is sad that so many pastors today refuse to stand against heresy, falsehoods and sin. They just sinfully want their undeserved paycheck (Luke 16:13).

So, just as God allows there to exist false prophets, to provide a dark canvas (a backdrop) against which true Bible preachers like me can paint the light of THE TRUTH; in the same way, God created people that He knew would become wicked, to provide contrast against which the righteous can be compared. Proverbs 16:4, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” The "day of evil" refers to judgment day. God will send the unsaved wicked "strong delusion" for His own glory and purpose. We see that God did this with wicked Pharaoh, hardening his heart against the Hebrews. God didn't harden Pharaoh concerning salvation, but only concerning releasing the Jews. Likewise, God won't harden anyone's heart not to get saved in the Tribulation, which is what 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 is about; but rather, since they rejected Jesus as their Savior, God will blind them further for His purpose and glory.

The following passage is amazing. The Bible says God will gather the heathen nations against Israel, and then fight against those nations! ...

Zechariah 14:1-3, "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle."

I love that! This is exactly what God did to Pharaoh in Moses' time, so that the Lord could show forth His magnificent power and glory to the universe!

I definitely think one of the ways that God will send strong delusion is that people will believe everything they read on social media. I think the "strong delusion" refers to anything and everything from mainstream society (TV, books, news, internet, podcasts, radio, word of mouth, et cetera). The Antichrist will use every existing form of media to deceive the masses of this wicked world (1st John 5:19). Even today, already we are seeing woeful deception on social media. The Devil is a beautiful liar!

It is shocking to me how much false doctrine has crept into the churches. Over 90% of Baptist churches today are horribly teaching the Devil's lie that you must forsake sinful behavior to get to Heaven. That is keeping the Mosaic law, which is another gospel (Romans 3:19-20; 1st Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 1:6-9). Eternal life is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23), paid for by Jesus' precious blood (1st Peter 1:18-19). NO ONE can, or ever has, turned away from their sins! Even the best Christians still sin all the time (Romans 7:14-25).

Watch this wicked speech given by our shameful Vice President, Kamala Harris, defending abortion. By God's grace, I humbly wrote this blog today to preach against her heresy. The Bible says that God made the unrighteous for the day of judgment. I don't know about you dear friend, but I THANK GOD that I am a born-again child of God. If you do not KNOW 100% beyond any shadow of a doubt that you are saved, please make sure right now...

The Clear Gospel In 4 Minutes
(by Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold)