What Does The Bible Mean: "Except There Come A Falling Away First"

2nd Thessalonians 2:1-10, “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? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 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: 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.”

There is great controversy over the interpretation of this passage of Scripture in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4, “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.”

Let's begin by reviewing a helpful quote from one of my favorite Bible scholars, Dr. John R. Rice (18950-1980), who states in his Bible commentary on Revelation:

Note now the term “the day of Christ,” the same as “the day of the Lord,” when Christ sets up His Kingdom. It is not at hand until certain things occur (vs. 2). 

1. First, there needs to be a “falling away,” literally a departure, that is, as we understand it the rapture of the saints, the “gathering together unto him” of verse 1. The Greek word here is apostacio, so it is natural for people to think that it means a religious apostasy, a falling from grace. But it can hardly mean that. The word is sometimes used for departure, and “the day of the Lord” is the time of Christ's return to conquer and reign. It waits not on a religious apostasy but on the departure of the saints. The Man of Sin cannot appear until that time. (See the book by E. Schuyler English entitled Re-thinking the Rapture.) Dr. Ironside and other scholars agreed that the falling away here means the departure of the saints. 

2. Nothing here is preliminary to the rapture, but a regular schedule of events to follow the rapture. Since we are often warned to expect daily the rapture, the first phase of Christ's coming at any moment, “in the twinkling of an eye,” there cannot be and are not any prophesied events to come before that rapture. So before the rise of Antichrist, before Daniel's seventieth week of years can begin, before the tribulation period, must come the rapture of the saints.

3. But then Someone “who now letteth” or restrains the course of history so that the Man of Sin cannot appear—who is He? That Restrainer is the Holy Spirit. His worldwide influence through born-again Christians makes it so the restored Roman empire cannot rise nor the Antichrist appear until Christians are taken out and and thus the influence through them of the Holy Spirit is removed from its restraining power on the wicked world. 

How many men have tried to build a world empire after the decay of Rome, as such an empire! Charlemagne, the pope, 

SOURCE: Dr. John R. Rice, “Behold He Cometh: A Verse-by-Verse Commentary On The Book Of Revelation,” pp. 134-135; Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1977

Now, I have tremendous respect and admiration for Dr. John R. Rice, but I humbly disagree with his interpretation of 2nd Thessalonians 2:3. It is my humble opinion that to say that this is the Rapture is reaching. I've read Dr. Rice say elsewhere that where the Bible is silent we should be silent. I agree with that statement. Also, Dr. Rice has said elsewhere that the best way to interpret the Bible is to let the Bible interpret itself. Again, I fully agree with that wisdom.

I would now like to quote some commentary from Halley's Bible Handbook, with which interpretation I agree:

II THESSALONIANS 

Further Instruction About The Lord's Coming 

Written, probably about A.D. 52, only a few weeks, or months, after the First Epistle. In that Paul had spoken of the Lord's Coming as being sudden and unexpected. In this he explains that it will not be until after the Apostasy. 

Chapter 1, The Day of the Lord 

The particular feature of the Lord's coming emphasized in this chapter is that it will be a day of terror for the disobedient. In 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul had said that He would descend from heaven, and, at the shout of the archangel, the Church would be caught up forever to be forever with the Lord. 

Here he adds that the Lord will be accompanied with “the angels of his power in flaming fire” (7), rendering vengeance to the disobedient. Jesus had spoken of “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), and “unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43). In Hebrews 10:27 “devouring fire” is connected with the day of judgment. In II Peter 3:7, 10 it is stated that the destiny of the earth is to be burned with “fire” (see note on the passage).

Chapter 2, The Apostasy

The express purpose of this Epistle was to caution the Thessalonians that the Lord's Coming was not immediately at hand; that it would not be until after the Apostasy. 

What is the Apostasy? It is called the “falling away,”  in which a person called the “man of sin,” in the temple of God professes himself to be God, and exalts himself against God (3, 4). A False Church headed by an Imposter. 

The early fathers unanimously looked for a Personal Antichrist, to be manifested after the fall of the Roman Empire. 

The Protestant Reformers, being directly in touch with the awful corruption of the Church of the Middle Ages, believed the Papacy, an institution headed up in  person, usurping to itself authority that belongs only to Christ and being itself responsible for the prevailing corruption to have been a manifestation of the man of sin. 

In our own times, after 2,000 years of church history, there is still wide difference of opinion. There are many who think it refers to a period immediately before the Lord's Coming. 

The spirit of the thing was already at work in Paul's da7 (7). The story of the Church as a whole, even to this day, makes a sorry looking picture. Taking a broad general view of the visible Church, as it has existed from the first century to the present time, it is not inaccurate to call it an Apostate Church. What the final culmination is to be is yet to be seen. 

“That which remains,” (6), was general understood by the early father to have been the Roman Empire. Some take it to mean the Holy Spirit. 

Paul's Ideas of the Second Coming. It is quite common among a certain class of critics to say that Paul “had to reconstruct his ideas about the Lord's Second Coming,” that his “earlier and cruder view” contradicts his later view. This is absolutely not true. Paul's earlier view was his only view, first, last and always. The Thessalonian Epistles are his earliest extant writings. In them he specifically states that he did NOT expect the immediate appearance of the Lord, and that it would not be till after the Apostasy, which in his day was only beginning to work. It may not have been revealed to Paul what the Apostasy would be. But whatever his idea of it, it did not preclude the possibility that the Lord would come in his own lifetime, evidenced by the expression “we that are alive” (I Thessalonians 4:15; I Corinthians 15:52). First and last Paul looked for the Lord's Coming as a glorious consummation, meanwhile anticipating the eventuality of, in death, “departing to be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23); it not being any great matter whether he was in the body or out of it at the time of the Coming. In his last written word (II Timothy 4:6, 8), at the time of his “departure,” his mind was on the “appearing” of the Lord.

SOURCE: Dr. Henry H. Halley, Halley's Bible Handbook, pp. 629-630, 1927

There is nothing, in my own humble opinion, in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 which indicates that this passage refers to the Rapture event, when the Church is taken out of the world. Let us review the Scripture passage in question:

2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4, “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.”

To be frank, we simply don't know for certain what the phrase “a falling away” means. Some Bible students think the phrase refers to the Rapture. (By the way, I always capitalize the word Rapture because it refers to a proper noun, in this case, an event.) Other Bible students think it refers to worldwide Apostasy. Search the internet for articles about "vanishing Christianity" and other similar searches, and you will find umpteen disturbing articles; such as this one.

Why Gen Z is Leaving Christianity

The Decline of Mainline Churches in America (2023)

Listen to what occultist Alice Bailey (1880-1949) said...

“The new world religion is nearer than many think, and this is due to two things: first, the theological quarrels are mainly over non-essentials, and secondly, the younger generation is basically spiritual but quite uninterested in theology. The intelligent youth of all countries are rapidly repudiating orthodox theology, state ecclesiasticism and the control of the church. They are neither interested in man-made interpretations of truth nor in past quarrels between the major world religions.

At the same time, they are profoundly interested in the spiritual values and are earnestly seeking verification of their deep-seated unvoiced recognitions. They look to no bible or system of so-called inspired spiritual knowledge and revelation, but their eyes are on the undefined larger wholes in which they seek to merge and lose themselves, such as the state, an ideology, or humanity itself. In this expression of the spirit of self-abnegation may be seen the appearance of the deepest truth of all religion and the justification of the Christian message.

Christ, in His high place, cares not whether men accept the theological interpretations of scholars and churchmen, but He does care whether the keynote of His life of sacrifice and service is reproduced among men; it is immaterial to Him whether the emphasis laid upon the detail and the veracity of the Gospel story is recognised and accepted, for He is more interested that the search for truth and for subjective spiritual experience should persist; He knows that within each human heart is found that which responds instinctively to God, and that the hope of ultimate glory lies hid in the Christ-consciousness.

Therefore, in the new world order, spirituality will supersede theology; living experience will take the place of theological acceptances. The spiritual realities will emerge with increasing clarity and the form aspect will recede into the background; the new emerging truths. These truths will be founded on the ancient realities but will be adapted to modern need and will manifest progressively the revelation of the divine nature and quality. God is now known as Intelligence and Love. That the past has given us. He must be known as Will and Purpose, and that the future will reveal.” [emphasis added]

SOURCE: Alice Bailey, The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, pp. 201-202

Alice Bailey was a devil. I don't know if you caught it in the preceding quote, but Miss Bailey teaches that Jesus doesn't care if people accept or reject the Gospel, just so long as they have what she terms, “the Christ-consciousness”...

“Christ, in His high place, cares not whether men accept the theological interpretations of scholars and churchmen, but He does care whether the keynote of His life of sacrifice and service is reproduced among men; it is immaterial to Him whether the emphasis laid upon the detail and the veracity of the Gospel story is recognised and accepted, for He is more interested that the search for truth and for subjective spiritual experience should persist; He knows that within each human heart is found that which responds instinctively to God, and that the hope of ultimate glory lies hid in the Christ-consciousness.” [emphasis added]

SOURCE: Alice Bailey, The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, pp. 201-202

In other words, Alice Bailey is teaching people to reject everything that the Word of God teaches, except for Christ's life of sacrifice for others. In the shameful, satanic, world of Miss Bailey, Christianity is summed up and limited to living for others without being born-again. This is why we often hear new agers talking about Christ's love, helping others and forgiveness; but they reject Christ's preaching against sin (John 7:7), the need for the new second birth, His command to “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES” (John 5:39) and the Lord's teachings on everlasting Hell, fire and damnation for the unsaved (Matthew 18:8; 25:41). Effectively, new age retains the outer shell of Christianity, while hollowing out the interior and instead filling it with Luciferian doctrine. Or in other words, new age is repackaging Devil-worship in a Christian wrapper. The Bible warns us that this is how Satan normally operates...

2nd Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

My Christian brethren and sisters, what I have just shared with you ought to complete some of the missing puzzle pieces to explain what is going on in the world today. I believe this worldwide departure from organized religion, into a personal form of spirituality without Bible theology is part of the Apostasy Paul mentioned in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3. Alice Bailey's plot to build a New World Order is premised upon drawing youth away from Christianity and preparing them to embrace the Man of Sin (the Antichrist) when he comes.

Again, I humbly agree with Dr. Henry H. Halley that the intriguing phrase in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3b, “a falling away,” doesn't refer to the Rapture; but rather, to a literal Apostasy in the end times. This Apostasy, I humbly think, simply refers to the world departing from faith in the God of the Holy Bible, to follow after false religion. To accomplish this sinister plot, otherwise known as a New World Order (NWO), Satan knows that he must corrupt the inspired Word of God.

It was mentioned in the news this week that NWO kingpin, World Economic Forum (WEF) chairman, Klaus Schwab is calling for a new Bible revision that will correct the religions. Klaus wants the Bible “rewritten” by artificial intelligence (AI) to create a globalized “new Bible.” Yuval Noah Harari, the senior advisor to the WEF and its chairman Klaus Schwab, argues that using AI to replace scriptures will create unified “religions that are actually correct.” Good luck with that... lol. Dear reader, the Devil is a liar and the father of all murders, liars and thieves!!!

With approximately 900 English Bible versions today (either in part or whole), this is Apostasy. With the Devil's lie of Lordship Salvation being preached in 85% of Baptist churches today, this is Apostasy. With youth worldwide leaving from the churches, this is Apostasy. The world as a whole is headed for something dark and sinister and evil, the coming of Antichrist, also known as, the “Man of Sin” (2nd Thessalonians 2:3).

Many Lost Sinners Will Be Saved During The 7-Year Tribulation

Many people will be saved during the 7-year Tribulation period. They will be saved by faith alone in Christ, just as lost sinners have always been. Some false teachers like Robert Breaker on YouTube, and the late Dr. Peter S. Ruckman (1921-2016) errantly teach that Old Testament saints, and those after the Rapture during the 7-year Tribulation, get saved by keeping God's commandments (i.e., the law). These false prophets (Robert Breaker and Ruckman, and William P. Grady sadly) teach that Old Testament and Tribulation saints get saved by faith plus works. But nothing could be further from the truth. Acts 10:43, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." This Scripture passage plainly teaches that people have always been saved by faith without works.

I humbly believe that the 144,000 saints mentioned in the book of Revelation will be born-again believers, who will be Jews, and they will preach the Gospel throughout the world. Many people will be saved, likely tens of millions. I highly recommend reading some free online books by Pastor Max D. Younce...

I KNOW WHO HOLD TOMORROW:

• https://heritagebbc.com/library/i_know_who_holds_tomorrow_w_charts_web-pdf/
• https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/BTP/Dr_Max_Younce/i_know_who_holds_tomorrow.pdf

REVELATION: GOD'S FINAL WORD TO MAN:

• https://heritagebbc.com/library/the-book-of-revelation-gods-final-word-to-man-by-dr-max-d-younce
• https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/BTP/Dr_Max_Younce/revelation_gods_final_word_to_man.pdf

These are tremendous Bible study books.

Also, here is the helpful book: "SOME GOLDEN DAYBREAK" by Pastor Lee Roberson (1909-2007).

All saints, dead first, then the living, will be removed from the earth at the Rapture (1st Corinthians 15:51-58), which could happen at any time. I believe that the Bible teaches a Pretribulation Rapture, that is, the Church will be removed BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation happens. After the Tribulation, millions of people around the world will wonder what has happened. They will be confused, because MOST professed "Christians" will still be on earth, so how could this have been the Rapture? The Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Roman Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Church of Christ, Lordship Salvationist Baptists and Lutherans (to name but a few cults today) will still be here on earth. They won't get raptured because they are not saved, and never were at all. So very FEW people will be taken at the Rapture.

The inspired Word of God will still be here on earth after the Rapture. Many people will read the Bible, and hear sermons left behind by fundamentalist Bible, free grace Gospel, preachers (e.g., Pastors' Ralph Yankee Arnold, Jack F. Hyles, Harry A. Ironside and Steven L. Anderson), which lost sinners will listen to and be saved. So, yes, many sinners (likely tens of millions) will be saved during the Tribulation, and many of them will be brutally martyred for their Christian faith. At present, in 2023 we just surpassed the 8,000,000,000 population mark for the planet. That number could increase much higher before Christ returns, but we don't know for sure if this is true, since Jesus could come back at any moment. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!!!

Alice Bailey Planned That Youth Would Forsake Religion

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝟭𝟭:𝟯𝟳, "𝗡𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗱: 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀."

I humbly think that the coming Man of Sin, Antichrist (meaning: "in place of Christ," that is, an imposter) will be Jewish. This Scripture passage seems to indicate that the Antichrist will be Jewish and a homosexual. He will not regard the God of his fathers (i.e., the God of Israel). Instead, he will honour the god of forces—new age philosophies, spirituality without theology and mysticism.

Occultist Alice Bailey (1880-1949) plotted and foretold that the Luciferian New World Order would turn young people away from organized religion, and instead lead them into a form of spirituality without theology, to prepare them to receive the coming False Messiah. We see this today—youth turning away from organized religion.

Millennials lead shift away from organized religion as pandemic tests Americans’ faith

December 29, 2021

It’s not uncommon for people to seek God during times of hardship. However, the opposite appears to have happened in the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic.
A Pew Research Center survey, released earlier this month, found 29% of U.S. adults said they had no religious affiliation, an increase of 6 percentage points from 2016, with millennials leading that shift. A growing number of Americans said they are also praying less often. About 32% of those polled by the Pew Research from May 29 to Aug. 25 said they seldom or never pray. That’s up from 18% of those polled by the group in 2007. 

“The secularizing shifts evident in American society so far in the 21st century show no signs of slowing,” said Gregory Smith, associate director of research at Pew Research Center.

That trend is pushing an increasing number of faith leaders to try to engage with millennials on their own turf.

SOURCE: Millennials lead shift away from organized religion as pandemic tests Americans’ faith

And so we see that Alice Bailey's written Blueprint (i.e., "The Externalisation Of The Hierarchy") to usher in Theosophy (Luciferic worship) through infiltrating and corrupting churches is now a reality. Alice Bailey said that Masonic infiltrators must maintain the outer superficial shell of Christianity in the churches, while from the pulpit propagating the new age ancient mystery religion and new age philosophies. Young people today are flocking into shallow so-called "churches" that have no dogma, no morals and no theology; it's just a big party of worldly music, secular psychology, emotionalism and entertainment.

More Young People Are Moving Away From Religion, But Why? 

January 15, 2013

By NPR Staff

One-fifth of Americans are religiously unaffiliated — higher than at any time in recent U.S. history — and those younger than 30 especially seem to be drifting from organized religion. A third of young Americans say they don't belong to any religion.

NPR's David Greene wanted to understand why, so he gathered a roundtable of young people at a synagogue in Washington, D.C. The 6th & I Historic Synagogue seemed like the right venue: It's both a holy and secular place that has everything from religious services to rock concerts. Greene speaks with six people — three young women and three young men — all struggling with the role of faith and religion in their lives.

SOURCE: More Young People Are Moving Away From Religion, But Why?

As time progresses dear reader, things will only wax worse and worse in America. Inflation will increase. It has to in a fraudulent Ponzi Scheme, which is all that the Federal Reserve (a cruel hoax perpetrated upon the American public since 1913), which will ultimately implode. And when our economy implodes and prices are insanely high, and jobs are nearly impossible to find, and wages are not enough to even pay your monthly rent, all hell will break loose in society. Our government's goal before that time happens is to confiscate and ban all guns sales, gun trades and gun purchases. With approximately 600 mass-shootings each year in the United States, the handwriting is on the walls.

Canada in October of 2022 foolishly banned the sale, trade and purchase of guns nationwide. It is a dangerous thing when only the government has guns!!! That is how liberty dies! This tyranny will come to the U.S., it is just a matter of time. Day by day the American people are getting tired of all the shooting massacres. So when the time comes they will lay down to give up their freedoms in exchange for protection from the government.

We are witnessing the systematic dismantling of the United States by criminals in high positions of power (what the Bible calls “spiritual wickedness in high places” in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

After the Tribulation Comes Jesus' Second Coming

Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Respectfully, I disagree with Pastor Texe Marrs, Pastor Steven Anderson and Radio Host Alex Jones, who all deny a Pretribulation Rapture, claiming that it is an Illuminati hoax. May I say, I am firmly convinced that the precious King James Bible teaches a Pretribulation Rapture, and I'll prove it with the Holy Bible!!!

Matthew 24:24-31, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Notice carefully in the preceding lengthy passage of Scripture (which is the primary basis of Brother Anderson's Pre-Wrath Rapture position in his popular film “After The Tribulation,” that the angels are commanded to gather the elect (saved) “from the FOUR WINDS (earth), from one end of HEAVEN to the other.” The angels are gathering the saints from HEAVEN and EARTH. You see, the saints are returning WITH the Lord from Heaven, because they were CAUGHT UP 7-years earlier at the Rapture! Jude 1:14, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” This event mentioned in Jude 1:14 is not the Rapture, but the Second Coming of Christ, which happens 7-years AFTER the Rapture. Matthew 24:24-31 is about the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth

Now, this can get confusing quickly if we don't “rightly divide” 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.” It is not difficult to properly divide (or dissect) the Scriptures in order to interpret them. The key is to never conclude a suggested interpretation of any particular Bible passage as being true, unless the whole of the Scripture are in agreement.

The passage that we are now dealing with in Matthew 24:24-31 is a classic example of what I am saying. Pastor Steven Anderson teaches that Matthew 24:29-31 speaks concerning the Rapture (which he understands to mean a PreWrath Rapture). A “PreWrath” Rapture means that the saints will be “CAUGHT UP” just before God's punishing wrath is poured out upon the earth. In his recent video work titled, “The Book Of Revelation,” Brother Anderson teaches that this PreWrath Rapture happens 75-days after “The Abomination Of Desolation” (the event when the Antichrist stands in the soon to be rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem, and blasphemes by claiming to be God).

The passage in Matthew 24:24-31 may seem confusing at first. Is this passage talking about the Rapture or the Second Coming? Since the elect (saved) are being gathered from Earth and Heaven, it seems like this passage could be referring to either event. To complicate matters, Evangelist Samuel Gipp teaches that this passage only applies to the Jews (Israel), and claims that it has nothing to do with the Church. By God's grace and wisdom, I believe I can help you understand this passage correctly using the Holy Bible.

Please understand that regardless of what you believe concerning the timing of the Rapture, it has nothing to do with receiving the free gift of eternal life. The Lord plainly said that NO ONE KNOWS WHEN He will return. This can only mean a PreTribulation Rapture!

Why Matthew 24 Is Not About The Rapture Or Only Israel

Here are some key observations about Matthew chapter 24... MATTHEW 24 IS ABOUT THE END TIMES AND JESUS CHRIST'S SECOND RETURN, NOT THE RAPTURE! — We read in Matthew 24:3, “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” I respectfully disagree with Brother Samuel Gipp that Matthew 24 refers only to Israel. The disciples came to Jesus and asked Him when the world would end. They wanted to know what the signs would be. Notice the disciples' question: “...what shall be the sign of THY COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD?” (Matthew 24:3).

So Matthew 24 is for every Christian, regarding CHRIST'S SECOND COMING AND THE END OF THE WORLD. The world does not “END” at the Rapture, so this passage cannot be about the Rapture. Even if you believe in a PostTribulation Rapture, the disciples' question was not regarding the SAINTS LEAVING; but rather, CHRIST'S COMING. Regarding Dr. Gipp's claims of Matthew 24 applying only to the Jews, the Antichrist and False Prophet are not going to only murder Jews who refuse the Mark of the Beast, but also, everyone who refuses to worship the Beast's image and receive the mark will be killed.

Revelation 13:15, “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.” Clearly, the Mark of the Beast will be associated with worshipping the Beast, which is why true Christians will refuse it. Jew or Gentile, it won't matter, you will be murdered if you refuse the Mark of the Beast.

So, clearly, the persecution will not be limited to only Jews, but also Gentiles throughout the world. Jews and Christians will be martyred during the Tribulation period. The Christians who will be present and persecuted during the Tribulation, are those who will be saved during the Tribulation. The 7-year Tribulation is plainly called “The Time Of Jacob's Trouble,” which evidences that Israel will be prepared to meet her King, Jesus Christ, at the Second Coming.

I do not believe that the Church replaces Israel; but rather, Gentiles believers have been grafted into the tree of God's kingdom by faith. Old Testament Israel was cut-off because of unbelief (Romans 11:15), but they can be grafted back in by faith (Romans 11:23).
SINCE THE ENTIRE WORLD SEES THE SON OF GOD WHEN HE RETURNS, AND THEY MOURN BECAUSE THEY ARE HOPELESSLY LOST, THIS EVENT IN MATTHEW 24 CLEARLY CANNOT BE THE RAPTURE! —

Also, notice in Matthew 24:30, “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” This Bible verse teaches that everyone upon the earth will see the Son of God at the Second Coming. This cannot be the Rapture, when only the saints will see Christ. The world won't see Jesus at the Rapture, because He is not descending down to the earth; but rather, 1st Thessalonians 4:17 teaches that the saints will be “CAUGHT UP” into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

Revelation 1:7 speaks concerning Christ's Second Coming, when “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.” This event is NOT the Rapture of the Church. These two events are separated by 7-years! So, properly, first comes the Rapture; then comes the Tribulation period for 7-years; and then “After The Tribulation” comes Jesus' Second Coming!

A PREWRATH RAPTURE PRESENTS DOCTRINAL PROBLEMS! Respectfully, Pastor Steven Anderson teaches that Jesus Christ will rapture the Church 75-days after The Abomination Of Desolation. The Bible teaches in Matthew 24:15 that as soon as “The Abomination Of Desolation” happens, the inhabitants of Judaea should flee for their lives into the mountains. Christians will be martyred, along with anyone else, who refuses to accept the Mark Of The Beast; but Brother Anderson teaches that the Rapture won't happen for 75-days after the Abomination Of Desolation.

Humbly, I don't think the Antichrist is going to wait 75-days before he starts brutally murdering the Christians. Biblically, every saved person will be raptured BEFORE the Tribulation. So there will only be a world of unsaved people at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation period. Ah, but then people will begin to be saved through faith in the Gospel, in particular 144,000 Jews, who will become diligent soul-winners, preaching the Gospel to the four corners of the earth. Remember, the Church will be raptured, but not God's Word.

So some people will read the seed of God's Word and BELIEVE the Gospel, and they will be born-again. Another flaw in Steve Anderson's PreWrath theory is that he says only the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week are the Tribulation. And then he says the last 3 1/2 years are called “Wrath” in the Bible. But it the saints are raptured 75 days into the time of Wrath, then wouldn't the remainder of that time in Daniel's 70th week also be a time of Tribulation? Anderson's entire theory is based upon Matthew 24:29, the little phrase, “IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS.”

It just doesn't make any sense what he is teaching! Anderson downplays the term “Tribulation,” saying that it is not taught in the Bible as a 7-year time period. Yet, Jesus Himself referred to the time of wrath as “Great Tribulation” in Matthew 24:21. Please notice that this time of “Great Tribulation” precedes Steven Andersons PreWrath Rapture theory in Matthew 24:29-31. This alone exposes him as a false teacher on this issue. When the Bible speaks of “After The Tribulation Of Those Days,” it is speaking of THE GREAT TRIBULATION!!!

Another flaw in Pastor Anderson's theory is that the Bible plainly tells us that “After The Tribulation Of Those Days,” the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the clouds of heaven in power and glory with His saints and angels. Clearly, this is NOT the Rapture! This is Jesus Second Coming to the earth!!! Please carefully read the following Bible verses, which is the entire basis of Stephen Anderson's heresy of a PreWrath Rapture. Look at is carefully and you will plainly see that THIS IS NOT THE RAPTURE!!!

Matthew 24:29-30, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Folks, the whole earth sees the Lord Jesus Christ at this time, and they mourn. This same event is recorded in Revelation 1:7, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” This is Christ's Second Coming TO THE EARTH. In sharp contrast, the saints are caught up into the clouds at the Rapture, to meet the Lord in the air, and Jesus DOES NOT set foot upon the earth at that time.

MATTHEW 24:29 TEACHES THAT CHRIST'S SECOND COMING HAPPENS 'AFTER THE TRIBULATION,' NOT 'AFTER THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION'! Kindly, Pastor Anderson teaches in his video “The Book Of Revelation” that Jesus will return at the Rapture 75-days AFTER THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION. In sharp contrast, the Second Coming mentioned in Matthew 24:29-31 comes AFTER THE TRIBULATION. The big problem here with Pastor Anderson's reasoning and teachings is that He says the event in Matthew 24:29-31 is the Rapture.

Clearly, this would be IMPOSSIBLE! If, as Pastor Anderson claims, the Rapture occurs 75-days after the Abomination Of Desolation (which Daniel 12:11 says will be followed by 1,290 more days of Tribulation), then the event in Matthew 24:29-32 absolutely cannot be the same Rapture as Brother Anderson teaches. It can only be Christ's Second Coming!!!

I'm not trying to be unkind; but rather, show the inconsistency in Pastor Anderson's PreWrath Rapture heresy. How can Christ return at the Rapture 75-days after the 'Abomination Of Desolation,' and also 'AFTER THE TRIBULATION' in Matthew 24:29? If you carefully read Matthew 24:29-31, it plainly describes the Second Coming of Christ. This is not the Rapture. Clearly, God's wrath has already been poured out upon the earth, and now it is time for Christ's Second Coming and the Battle Of Armageddon. Remember, Jesus is answering the disciple's question concerning: “...what shall be the sign of THY COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD?” (Matthew 24:3). So the answer is regarding Christ's coming at THE END OF THE WORLD.

How “short” will the Tribulation be cut? Here is a helpful exegesis of the Days Of Daniel by Dr. Max D. Younce:

(1). The Tribulation will be cut short by 4 months, and 20 days. In Daniel 12:11, we have 3 years, 7 months. In Daniel 8:14, we have 3 years, 2 months, 10 days. Since both are in reference to the last 3 l/2 years of the Tribulation Period, we can see a difference of 4 months, 20 days; thus, illuminating Matthew 24:21,22.

“For then shall be (the) great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Verse 21).

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake (i.e., the saved of Israel) these days shall be shortened.” (Verse 22).

(2). Comparing Daniel 12:11 with Daniel 12:12, we have the difference of 45 days or a month and a half. The reason we divided this into 30 days and 15 days is because of the three feast days; which, prophetically, have not yet been fulfilled whereas the first four have. These seven feasts as recorded in Leviticus 23 and etc., are types of future fulfillments.

a. “The Feast of Passover” (Exodus 12) is fulfilled in Christ’s crucifixion. I Corinthians 5:7 states “For even Christ our passover is sanctified for us.”

b. “The Feast of Unleavened Bread,” fulfilled in Christ’s sinless life and enjoins the Christian to lead a clean life as stated in I Corinthians 5:7a, “Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump…”

c. “The Feast of First Fruits” is fulfilled by Christ’s resurrection as stated in I Corinthians 15:20,23. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.”

d. “The Feast of Pentecost,” fulfilled fifty days after Christ’s resurrection by the giving of the Holy Spirit. “Pentecost” means fifty, as the Holy Spirit came exactly as promised—fifty days after His resurrection. (Acts 1:3,4),

This, therefore, leaves the last three feasts of “Trumpets,” “Atonement,” and “Tabernacles” to be fulfilled in type, as shown on our diagram. These three feasts cover a period of 15 days. The “Feast of Trumpets” beginning the 1st day of the 7th month (Leviticus 23:23-25); “The Feast of Atonement” beginning the 7th month on the 10th day (Leviticus 23:27); and the “Feast of Tabernacles” beginning on the 15th day of the 7th month, making a total of 15 days. “The Feast of Tabernacles” will continue on into and throughout the Millennium (Zechariah 14:16-19).

(3). The remaining 30 days will be occupied with the Old Testament Saints receiving their resurrected bodies; Christ chaining Satan for a 1,000 years; Christ victorious in the Armageddon battle; and Christ judging the Nations in preparation for His Kingdom Reign. [emphasis added]

READ MORE: Pastor Max D. Younce, The “Days” Of Daniel 12:11-12

Biblically, the Church will be Raptured out of the world before the Tribulation, and then God will deal with Israel during the Tribulation, which is called “The Time Of Jacob's Trouble.” Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Please listen to the MP3 sermon by Dr. Mark G. Cambron, “Israel's Future.” God is not done with Israel. Only born-again Christians (which includes all saved Jews and Gentiles - Galatians 3:26-29) will escape the damnation of Hell-fire and enjoy the Promised Land when Jesus Christ returns. There is much confusion in the churches today concerning who is a Jew.

Although Matthew 24 does teach some things concerning Israel during the Tribulation, it is heresy to say that the Second Coming taught here is only for the Jews. This common misunderstanding comes from assuming that the “elect” refers to biological, ethnic or national Jews. This is wrong in my opinion. I believe that the “elect” refers to the saved (born-again, redeemed, Christians; which includes both Gentiles and Jews according to Galatians 3:29). 

We are all one in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between the Greek and the Jew (Romans 10:12). God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). The nation of Israel is special (holy) unto God, but Jews (unholy sinners) are no more special to God than Gentiles, and to teach otherwise is bigotry and racism. It is important for Christians to understand that God's PROMISE to bless the Jews was always CONDITIONAL.

Israel, as a nation, is God's holy nation. Unfortunately, wicked Jews ran Israel into the ground through spiritual idolatry and adultery. So God cut off the Jews (in 586 BC with the fall of Judah under Babylon) until this very day. Present-day Israel is a counterfeit, established by the Illuminati as a means to overthrow and conquer the Middle East. This will lead into World War III, as foretold by Masonic cult leader, Albert Pike, in accordance with the plans of the Illuminati. True Israel will be established when Jesus Christ returns at the Second Coming.

Matthew 24:14-21, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

There will be 144,000 Jewish soul-winners during the Tribulation, saved at the onset of the Tribulation period. They will preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the entire world, and then the Bible says the end (i.e., last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation) will come. The Antichrist will profess to be God, demanding worship from everyone, or else they will be killed by his animated IMAGE (Revelation 13:15). Many Jews living in Israel will be slaughtered, as will billions of people around the world. When the Antichrist claims to be God in the temple, Matthew 24:16-21 instructs people living in Israel (not just Jews) to flee into the mountains of Judaea. It will be a woeful time of Great Tribulation.

Matthew 24 Teaches That 'After The Tribulation' Comes Christ's Second Coming

The following passage of Scripture is about the Tribulation period. The last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period are called a time of “Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24:21). The following passage teaches that 'AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS,' that is, the end of the Tribulation period, the Lord Jesus Christ returns TO THE EARTH. Pastor Steven Anderson teaches that the Rapture happens 'After The Tribulation,' but that is not what the Bible says here. It says that Christ is coming back, not the Rapture.

Matthew 24:24-31, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

What happens “AFTER THE TRIBULATION”? As you plainly read for yourself above, JESUS CHRIST'S SECOND COMING!!! The saints in Heaven are gathered to return WITH THE LORD to the earth. Jesus came 2,000 years ago TO His own. The Lord is coming at the Rapture FOR His own. And then 7-years later AFTER THE TRIBULATION, Jesus is coming WITH His own to the earth.

We read in 1st Thessalonians that the unsaved world will be overtaken as a thief in the night. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 24:37-9, “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.”

1st Thessalonians 5:1-5, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

As Christian believers, the Bible says in 1st Thessalonians 5:1-5 that we will not be overtaken with the wicked; but rather, praise the Lord, we will be “CAUGHT UP” (1st Thessalonians 4:17) to be with the Lord, and we won't be here for the Tribulation. We are the ones who will be gathered “and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of HEAVEN to the other” (Matthew 24:31), and from the four corners of the earth.

Revelation 7:1 identifies the FOUR WINDS as being upon the earth. So that we can return with Jesus Christ at the Second Coming as Jude 1:14 teaches (also, see Zechariah 14:5). Mark 13:27, “And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” This Scripture from Mark 13:27 speaks of Christ's Second Coming. The elect are the saved.

Pastor Anderson teaches that the Day Of The Lord and the Rapture happen at the same exact time. Or, in other words, Pastor Anderson teaches that the Church will be CAUGHT UP, and then God will pour out His wrath upon mankind. I do agree that the Church must be removed from the world before God's judgment is poured out upon the wicked; BUT, I believe that God will remove the Church BEFORE the Tribulation period begins, not sometime AFTER the Abomination of Desolation.

And may I say, although Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (the writers of the four Gospels) weren't aware of the “mystery” (1st Corinthians 15:52-57) of the Rapture, Jesus understood all things, which is why He was able to prophecy in vivid details about conditions which will exist during the Tribulation period. Although the Lord didn't know the timing of the Rapture (Mark 13:32), He certainly knew that it would occur (Mark 13:33-37). The following Scripture speaks of the Rapture. 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.”

In Mark chapter 13, Jesus is teaching His disciples about future events, but then in verse 33 He makes a personal appeal to them to be on their toes, and WATCH, because they don't know when the Rapture may happen, lest they get caught off guard not faithfully serving their Lord and Master. The only prophetic event which happens without warning is the Rapture, which irrefutably can only mean that it happens BEFORE the Tribulation period (otherwise we'd know exactly WHEN Christ is returning, down to the very day). Pastor Anderson even sets a date (a big no no), for 75 days after The Abomination Of Desolation). I respectfully disagree with Pastor Anderson, although I respect anyone's right to disagree with me.

Why Do I Promote Those With Whom I Disagree?

Some of my web visitors may wonder why I promote the ministries and works of those with whom I disagree (and vise versa). The reasons are simple: Because I promote things that I believe will help my web visitors. I weigh everything in the balance and then decide if I believe something will be more beneficial to promote, or not. I regularly pray for God's Holy Spirit to give me wisdom in this area.

Because I want you to make your own decisions. I'm not afraid that by promoting Pastor Anderson's or Texe Marr's sermons, you might choose to deny a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. I am here by God's grace to influence you for God, but my desire is not to indoctrinate you by sheltering you from opposing views. I want you to hear all sides, and then form your own conclusions based solely upon SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES. Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Someone said that truth is like the sun and moon, that is, their light can only be hid for so long by the clouds.

Because I don't write somebody off just because they disagree with me or criticize me. I learned this precious philosophy from Brother Hyles. Please read, Dr. Jack Hyles, the Friend. I've had fellow believers get upset with me over doctrinal issues and stop promoting my website, but I still promote them, because I want to help my web visitors. My goal is not to satisfy my selfish desires with my website ministry; but rather, to help OTHERS in the Lord. My websites are God's websites.

My preaching is none of my business. God impresses upon my heart through the Holy Spirit's leading in the Scriptures what to share, preach and promote. You don't have to agree with me to be my friend. Brother Hyles wonderfully teaches this great philosophy in his sermon titled, “Make Room For Grief” (I give others room to be imperfect, because we're all just struggling human beings). I choose as Brother Hyles taught, to see people as BROKEN rather than BAD. 

Or as Mrs. Hyles wisely says on her website, “In dealing with people who have inflicted hurt, would it not be wise to go to extra lengths to understand that 'hurting people hurt people.'” Yes, that is so true! So I don't keep an eye on what people think or say about me; but rather, I look upon the needs of my web visitors. YOU are my ministry, and I love you in the Lord.

Jesus Plainly Taught That 'After The Tribulation' Comes His Second Coming

Jesus never said in Matthew 24:24-31 that the Rapture follows the Tribulation; but rather, the Lord said that the sun and moon would be darkened (which will no doubt adversely affect the earth's weather systems), and the stars will fall from the heavens (asteroids/meteorites), and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, “and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30). Revelation 1:7, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Clearly, this event is not the Rapture, because all the earth shall see Him.

In sharp contrast, at the Rapture, only the saved (i.e., born-again Christians) will be “CAUGHT UP” (1st Thessalonians 4:17) to meet with the Lord in the air. When Jesus bodily raised up from the dead, only the saved saw Him. 1st Corinthians 15:6 teaches that over 500 brethren saw Jesus at once. Wow! Likewise, at the Rapture, only the saved (who will all be CAUGHT UP) will see the Lord Jesus Christ. The world will not even know what happened.

In Luke 18:8 the Lord asked a rhetorical question if there would be any faith remaining upon the earth when He returns. The implied answer is a resounding “No,” just as in the days of Noah, when only eight people boarded the ark before a catastrophic flood destroyed all human and animal life. The world today errantly views unsaved Roman Catholics, Mormons, Church of Christ, Lutherans, Lordship Salvationists, Greek Orthodox, Church of England, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah's Witness, Calvinists, Amish and other heretical groups as being true Christians, but they aren't. So when the Rapture happens, 95% of the religious world will be LEFT BEHIND. The heathen world will rule out the possibility of a Rapture, since ALL the religious denominations will still be here, and they will attribute the few disappearances to some other cause. This scenario seems plausible to me.

Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24:37-39 that the world in the end times would return as it was IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, when the heathen ate, drank and lived in adultery until the flood came and took them all away without warning. Christianity is quickly becoming unpopular in America. The Lord inferred that when He returns, there won't be hardly any faith left in the world. In March of 2015, a contemptible 20,562 Presbyterian ministers in 10,083 churches embraced the homosexual agenda, approving of same-sex marriages. Truly, there is little faith in the churches anymore.

The Bible foretold that in the last days “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2nd Timothy 3:13). Mainstream evangelicalism is apostate today. Satan has infiltrated the churches with hundreds of counterfeit Bible versions. Satan has infiltrated the churches with the heresy of Lordship Salvation, which is a half-truth, requiring discipleship for salvation under the pretense of still being a free gift by God's grace. Lordship Salvation is a satanic fraud; it is religion (living the Christian life) without being born-again.

Some people allege that the pretribulation Rapture is a hoax fabricated by the Illuminati, intended to compel Christians to become lackadaisical, refusing to fight against the New World Order. From my own research, it appears that Cyrus I. Scofield was an imposter, who was made wealthy by promoting the heresy of Zionism (idolizing present-day Israel). Albeit, neither John Darby not Cyrus Scofield invented the doctrine of the Rapture. 1st Thessalonians 4:17 plainly teaches the Rapture. And as far as timing, the Lord's admonition in Mark 13:32-37 that NO MAN KNOWETH the time of His return can only mean that the Rapture occurs BEFORE the events of the Tribulation period. It's quite simple.

Although I have found no evidence to support the claim that the Illuminati created the doctrine of the pretribulation Rapture, I have experienced firsthand the pathetic indifferent attitude from some professed Christians, who didn't feel that there was any reason to fight against the NWO, since the Church is going to be Raptured out before it happens. Such an attitude is unbiblical, irresponsible and totally appalling. The Bible teaches that our battle is AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THE WORLD!!!

Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” I like what author Ralph Epperson said: Although we may not be able to stop the New World Order, we can certainly fight against Communism! Christians don't care until tyranny gets in THEIR FACE, and steals THEIR CHILDREN, and afflicts THEM! When the tyranny of the rising police state stomps its boot on YOUR FACE, then for the first time you will get angry, start paying attention, and YOU WILL CARE!!!

Certainly, we ought to form our beliefs and convictions based solely upon the truths taught in the Word of God. The doctrine of the pretribulation Rapture is solely based upon the Holy Bible. Thankfully, America has been blessed with many faithful men of God in the past, brilliant Bible scholars like John R. Rice (1895-1980), Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951), and Curtis Hutson (1934-1995), who all concluded a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. END

Evangelist John R. Rice Teaches The Truth That The "Rapture" Happens Before The Tribulation

“Nobody can love God who doesn't love sinners!”

(by Dr. Jack Hyles, “The Happiest Man” (happiest is the man who will not impute sin to others!)

Beware Of The Heretical New IFB PreWrath Rapture

1st Thessalonians 4:14-18, “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.”

If you take the inspired Holy Bible at face value, you can only conclude a Pretribulation Rapture. There is a lot of disagreement today over the timing of the Rapture. To be more specific, the New Independent Fundamental Baptist (New IFB) movement denies a Pretribulation Rapture. They instead teach a PreWrath Rapture. Essentially, the New IFB began with Pastor Steven L/ Anderson in 2006, when he started the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona. I love and support Pastor Anderson and his soulwinning ministry.

Having said that, I have been under relentless attack lately by followers of the New IFB, who insist that I am wrong and Pastor Anderson is right doctrinally. There are four basic doctrines that we disagree on; namely:

1. A PreWrath Rapture Heresy - I do not believe in a PreWrath Rapture. This is the teaching that the Rapture will happen after the Antichrist appears, but before God's pours out His wrath upon the earth (Hence, “PreWrath”). Pastor Anderson falsely teaches that Jesus' Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation is the Rapture. He also falsely teaches that the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the Antichrist appears. You cannot support any of this nonsense with the Bible. Jesus taught in Mark 13:32-37 that NO MAN knows the time of Hid return, not even the angels. If Christ came back at any time other than before the Tribulation period, we would know WHEN He is coming back.
2. Jesus Burned In Hell For 3 Days Heresy - In Luke 23:43 Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross that they would be together in Paradise that very day. Jesus could not have gone to burn in fire in Hell. Acts 2:27-32 says that Jesus went to Hell. The simple resolution to this seeming discrepancy is found in Luke 16:19-31. Jesus went to Hell (Greek: Hades) which is compartmentalized, with the place of Torment on one side, and Paradise on the other, and a great gulf fixed in between them.
3. The Reprobate Doctrine Heresy - I agree with the Reprobate Doctrine as taught by Dr. Jack Hyles, which is drastically different than the Reprobate Doctrine taught by Pastor Anderson. I believe that there is a point of no return which a lost sinner can cross, to which they will never get saved. Albeit, only God knows where that line is. It is wrong for us to condemn a particular group of sinners, such as homosexuals, to say that they are beyond the hope of the Gospel. The Bible says in 2nd Peter 3:9 that the Lord is not willing for ANY to perish, but that ALL come to repentance (change their mind) to be saved. If a man is a reprobate, it is not because God refuses to save him; but rather, because he refuses to come to Christ to be saved (John 5:40; John 3:20-21).
4. The Heresy That You Must Pray To Be Saved - Pastor Jack Hyles rightly says that he  encourages lost sinners to pray, but they do not have to pray to be saved. The Bible says in John 1:12-13 that as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE on His name. We are saved by receiving Christ, not by praying. The New IFB are preaching another gospel when they teach that you cannot be saved unless you pray. Read the Gospel of John, which is God's Gospel tract (John 20:31), and you won't find any mention of praying to be saved. We do however find the word “BELIEVE” mentioned at least 85 times in the Gospel of John.

I do not like the designations of “Old IFB” or “New IFB.” There is only local New Testament churches. There is Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches, who differ are various doctrines, issues and methods, but we are all in the same boat as believers. To clarify, any corrupt Baptist church that preaches the Devil's lie of Lordship Salvation, or the Devil's misunderstanding of repentance (aka, “turn away from your sins” to be saved) are not fundamentalists, they are unsaved cult members! Sadly, you cannot trust all Baptist churches. Any pastor who says that faith is not enough to be saved is a liar, so RUN away!!! You do not have to forsake a lifestyle of sinning to go to Heaven. No one can turn away from their sins, which is why Christ needed to come into the world and die on a cross to pay for them.

Kindly said, there are doctrinal issues with BOTH the Old and the New IFB. Old IFB churches lack the zeal of the New IFB. The New IFB is wrong to hate homosexuals, because they are sinners for whom Jesus Christ died on the cross. John 3:16 teaches that God loves the whole world, not just saved (righteous) people. It is false doctrine to teach that God hates people. God hates sin and evil (Psalms 97:10). God commands us to love our enemies, not hate them!

I have been attacked lately by followers of the New IFB, as has my ministry friend Norm Diamante on YouTube, who also preaches the truth that you don't have to pray to be saved. Sadly, many of the New IFB are BULLIES!!! If you don't agree with their heresy, they try to shove there beliefs down your throat. One New IFB member sent me 9 emails in one day, throwing a tantrum that I do not agree with New IFB pastors who errantly teach that you cannot go to Heaven unless you pray to be saved. The Bible simply says to believe the Gospel (1st Corinthians 15:1-6).

Respectfully, I know biblically that Pastor Anderson is wrong in his “After The Tribulation” movie, to teach that the Rapture will happen 75 DAYS after the Antichrist appears. That is date setting! I believe in a Pretribulation Rapture, because Jesus could return at any time without warning. Brother Anderson errantly says Jesus could not possibly return at any time. I am saddened and surprised how many thousands of believers who embraced Steven Anderson's heresy of a PreWrath Rapture, which is unfortunate. Pastor Anderson falsely teaches that the Rapture is Jesus' Second Coming. The Bible clearly teaches that these are two separate prophetic events. ...

33 Differences Between The Rapture And Christ's Second Coming

What Things Were Like In The Year 1900

Daniel 12:4, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

An American Classroom In The Year 1900

In the year 1900...

• The average life expectancy in America was 47.3 for women, 46.3 for men, and 33 for blacks.
• Only 14% of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
• 18% of American households had at least one full-time servant or domestic.
• Only 8% of the homes had a telephone.
• Policeman arrested women for smoking in public.
• A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost $11.
• Sugar cost $0.04/pound. Eggs were $0.14/dozen. Coffee cost $0.15/pound.
• There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. and only 144 miles of paved roads.
• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
• Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California. With a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the 21st most populated state in the Union.
• There was $46,000,000 in the U.S. Treasury.
• The average wage in the U.S. was $0.22/hour.
• The average worker made $12.98/week for 59 hours.
• The average American worker made between $200-$400/year.
• A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000/year, a dentist $2,500/year, a veterinarian between $1,500-$4,000/year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000/year.
• More than 95% of all births in the U.S. took place at home.
• 90% of all U.S. physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."
• The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

• The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.
• The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30.
• One in ten American adults couldn't read or write.
• Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school.
• Only 5 percent of households consisted of people living alone while 20 percent had seven or more people.
• Electric traffic lights had not yet been invented.
• Fewer than 1 percent of the nation's men and women (age 15 and over) were divorced.
• There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.
• Public school students were led each day in prayer and Bible reading.
• The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
• There were no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
• Radio and TV had not yet been invented.
• The Ice Cream Cone had not yet been invented.
• Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented.
• Most women only washed their hair once a month and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
• Coca Cola contained cocaine.
• Marijuana, heroin and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and the bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."
• Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason.

Wow, I don't know about you dear friend, but after reading those startling facts, I am grateful to have lived in the latter 20th and early 21st century. We are so blessed today! I am more than amazed how much the world has advanced in KNOWLEDGE, and in man's ability to travel TO AND FRO, over the past century. We are living in a time of fulfilled Bible prophecy.

How Will People Be Saved During The Millennium, Since They Will See Jesus?

John 20:29, “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Someone recently asked me a very good question. Bible prophecy teaches that when Jesus Christ returns, 7 years AFTER the Pretribulation Rapture takes place, He will put down the Antichrist and establish His earth Kingdom from Jerusalem. The next 1,000 year reign of Christ (as all saints helping Him reign - Revelation 20:6) is called in theology: the “Millennium.”

So I was asked how will it be possible for anyone to be saved during the Millennium, since everyone will see Jesus in the flesh. I mean, isn't faith trusting in what you cannot see? No, that is not what faith means! Faith is putting your confidence in Jesus, believing that He is the only begotten Son of God, the Christ. Faith is believing that facts that you are a guilty sinner, and that Christ died in your place on the cross, was buried and then bodily resurrected three days later. If that is your only hope for Heaven, then you are saved dear reader. You are a bonafide born-again child of God.

Scriptural evidence of what I say is found in John 20:29, “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” I love that! John 20:29b, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed...” Here we see clear Scriptural evidence that a person CAN believe in something that is right in front of their eyes. However, Jesus promised that there is a special blessing for those who BELIEVE, but have never seen Jesus in person. What further saith the Scripture? ...

1st Peter 1:7-9, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

As an adopted child of God since I was age 13, by faith I have believed in whom I cannot see. Jesus Christ is my blessed Savior. I believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, my Redeemer, Creator, God, Friend, Lord and Savior. The true account of Thomas in the Bible is proof that lost sinners will be saved during the Millennial period, by simply accepting God's written Word as recorded in the inspired Scriptures, concerning who Christ is and what He did for us and why He needed to do it. To be saved you MUST agree with these FACTS:

• WHO Jesus is - The Christ, the only begotten Son of God (John 20:31)
• WHAT Jesus did - He died on a cross for our sins, was buried and resurrected from the dead the third day (1st Corinthians 15:1-6)
• WHY Jesus needed to die - It is because all humanity are sinners deserving of eternal damnation in Hell (Romans 3:19-23)

Simply BELIEVE IT, oh guilty and needy sinner, and you will be immediately and forever saved!

False Prophet Bryan Denlinger

Bryan Denlinger, who is an unsaved Calvinist, has a popular YouTube channel. Sadly, Bryan is an infidel, an unsaved false prophet, who denies salvation by faith alone...

Bryan Denlinger Exposed - Repentance Blacklist and Works Salvation

Bryan Denlinger hates Pastor Jack Hyles, Steven Anderson and anybody who preaches a free grace Gospel. Mankind by nature wants to help save himself, so he wickedly ADDS works to God's ultimate sacrifice (i.e., His only begotten Son) which was provided solely by Jesus through Calvary's cross. Jesus shed His precious blood and took that blood to sprinkle upon the heavenly Mercy Seat located in the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:12, 22-24; 12:24). Without the shedding of Jesus' blood (God's blood - Acts 20:28) there is no remission for sin. That is what the wonderful book of Hebrews is all about.

Bryan rationalizes that since everyone will physically see Jesus during the 1,000 year Millennium, salvation by faith will not be possible. So, he just assumes redemption will be by works. But, Jacob met the Lord face-to-face and still had faith. Genesis 32:30, “And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Abraham had conversations with the Lord; such as, when Abraham begged the Lord not to destroy Sodom if he could just find 10 righteous people. Jesus' apostles saw Him walk through walls, raise the dead and physically ascend into the clouds (Acts 1:11). Yet they had faith in Jesus, without works (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:4-7). Bryan Denlinger is a darn fool, unlearned and woefully ignorant concerning the Word of God.

Jesus told everyone, everywhere that He went, that if they saw Him they saw God the Father. This is because Jesus came to earth as the Godhead incarnate. That is, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, fully dwelt inside the spirit, soul and body of God the Son on earth (Colossians 2:9).

So faith is not just trusting in the invisible, as evidenced when Jesus rebuked doubting Thomas. The risen Savior had already appeared to the other disciples, but Thomas was out to lunch or something. When Thomas came back, he was so hurt in his soul that he vowed that unless he SAW THE SAVIOR, he refused to believe. So Jesus graciously appeared PHYSICALLY to Thomas, and invited him to touch His nail-scared hands, and thrust his hand into Jesus' wounded side. Thomas did so.

Afterwards, Jesus commended Thomas for his faith, but said blessed are they who have not seen, yet they still believe. John 20:29, “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” I love that. We have a special blessing from God because we trust in a Savior we've never seen, met nor heard. Albeit, the fact that Thomas had faith, ONLY BECAUSE HE SAW, proves that you can have faith even in plain sight of the Savior.

Faith is not always a matter of trusting what we cannot see, but also believing what we can see. We have the Holy Bible, which we CAN see. We have nature, which we CAN see. We have the godly testimony of other saints, which we CAN see. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Most people interpret this verse wrong. They think it means faith is to trust in something invisible. But faith is believing that Jesus is the Savior, who is whom He claimed to be—the Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

Why did Peter trust Jesus, but Judas didn't? So we see that faith is trusting upon the Savior, whether visible or invisible. The Apostles all saw Jesus (God) face to face and ministered by His side for 3 years. All believed upon Him, except one, Judas. It will be the same way during the Millennium period. People will see Jesus, who will serve as our worthy omnipotent King, over the whole earth from David's throne in Jerusalem. Some people will trust Jesus, others won't, but they will ALL see Him, just as all of the apostles and thousands of disciples did.