The Word of God versus The Pre-Trib Rapture!

 

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IN THE COURT OF GOD’S ETERNAL TRUTH

Judge Logos-Rhema Presiding

THE WORD OF GOD

VS.

THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE

THE CHARGES:  Fraud, Counterfeiting, Intellectual Property Theft, Perjury, Tampering With Evidence, Identity Theft, and Public Nuisance. Other charges pending.

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Many transgressions against the truth have certainly been committed in the fabricating of the Pre-Trib rapture teaching; and those promoting that theory are nothing less than serial offenders! The conflicts between the Pre-Trib theory and the Bible are so grievous and irreconcilable it is evident that only one of them can actually be true. And if the deceitful means and methods used to preach and promote that teaching were utilized in the sectors of finance or commerce they might land some people in Jail!

If you go through the Word of God carefully you will find MANY verses which state truths so remarkably contrary to the pre-trib theory (and dispensationalism in general) that either their doctrine is false or the Bible itself is in error. One of the two is a counterfeit; an injurious fraud (and surely the guilty party is not the Word of God)!

To those who investigate the matter closely there is strong evidence deceptive practices have been employed in the promotion of their chicanery. Deceptions and distractions whose purpose is to steer you away from truths clearly stated in the Bible which speak totally contrary to their fraudulent claims. I am talking about Scriptures that absolutely would not have been worded in such a manner as they are if the pre trib rapture was a reality. A good many of these conflicts deal with the concept of faithfulness and reward. Let’s take a close look at some of this evidence, and you will see what I mean:

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1Peter 5:4

In the 5th chapter of Peter the Apostle was exhorting elders to faithfully feed the flock so they could expect a crown of glory at the Second Coming. Why would the Holy Spirit inspire Peter to say this if they would be rewarded seven years earlier at the pre trib rapture? Did the Holy Spirit not know about this (supposed) prior coming of Jesus?

This idea of the followers of Christ being rewarded at his Second Coming is found many places in the Bible. But the very framework of their erroneous theory necessitates the believers’ reward be given earlier at the pre-tribulation ‘rapture’, or it throws other elements of their doctrine totally out of whack! If we are to be given our reward at the pre-trib rapture it would be a lie for the Scriptures to say we’re rewarded at the Second Coming. Don’t you agree?

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;… …Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2Timothy 4:1+8

If you carefully read this entire passage in your Bible there can be no doubt Paul was saying in verses 1-8 that the day of his, and also our, reward is the day of Christ’s Appearing and Kingdom. This is the Second Coming of Christ at the seventh and last trump (Rev. 11:15-18). It is at this time the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of our Lord!

If the pre trib rapture theory were true, with the believers being rewarded at that time (before the tribulation), it would have been totally out of line for the Spirit to inspire Paul to write these words we see in 2Tim. 4; they would absolutely be untrue! Can two opposing ideas both be true? Does God’s Word contain lies? Here is another example:

That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing (epiphaneia) of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1Timothy 6:14

Strong’s Definitions:    epiphaneia ep-if-an’-i-ah  From G2016; a manifestation, that is, (specifically) the advent of Christ (past or future): – appearing, brightness.

This is another clear cut case of the Word declaring we will be here right up until the Second Coming! If we read this verse in its context, in this 6th chapter of Timothy, we see Paul warns Timothy about coveting and exhorts him we are to obey that commandment right up until Jesus returns and shows himself King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

How could the believers possibly obey this instruction until his appearing, if they are not even going to be here to see that appearing? This is just one of many such examples that shows the pre-trib theory as clearly unworkable. Can you not see that?

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 (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ: 8 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: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: …

…Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ; 1Peter 1:7-10+13

Why in the world would Peter be telling us to hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to us at the Revelation of Christ if that was not when we are going to receive that grace? The pre-trib theory absolutely teaches we receive the fullness of our salvation at their mythical event seven years before the Revelation of Christ. Was Peter speaking error here, or is the pre-trib theory in error? One or the other is not correct about this matter. But there is no doubt in my mind where the truth lays.

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matthew 16:27

The context of the passage this verse comes out of is the reward of the righteous. Their theory says we’ll be rewarded at the pretrib rapture; and they also claim there will be *no angels with Christ at that event in which we receive our reward. Somebody is fibbing here, and I don’t think it’s Jesus! Again, here we see the conflict with God’s Word the pre-trib theory presents is irreconcilable! To refuse to see that is willful blindness; but sadly so very many would choose selective vision over acknowledging the error of their beliefs. It is quite possible to have more love for a doctrine than for the truth of God’s Word. And sadly many do!

* (Pre-trib teachers will take some verses which describe angels in association with Christ’s coming, and some which lack any mention of them, and try to build a case they are describing two separate comings. One with the angels and one without. This is folly. Just because they are not described in a verse does not mean they are not there! Would a passage that fails to describe the sandals of our Lord mean he was barefoot? This angels / no angels ‘insight’ is just another pre-trib proof that never actually gets around to proving anything.)

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the Saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Revelation 11:18

More Scripture here on our reward at his Second Coming. Although some try to explain this one away with the false notion of a later judgment, that notion holds no water. But let’s see you explain away this next one.

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty angels,  2Thessalonians 1:5 7

Considering the usage of the words ‘you’ and ‘us’ there can be no doubt Paul was referencing himself and the Church with these words. This passage shows the Body of Christ being persecuted right up until the Revelation of Christ! Folks who declare the Scriptures don’t show the Church on Earth during the tribulation need to give this passage some prayerful consideration. Seriously!

When Jesus is revealed he is going to hand out paychecks (recompense) to both the persecuted and the ones who are persecuting. This is the ‘wrath’ and the ‘reward’ promised at the Second Coming. Notice Paul put himself in the same body of believers (the Church) with these folk: ‘rest with us’. This is the Church being rewarded for their persecution, including that of the great tribulation they are enduring when Christ arrives! Anyone who says the Bible does not show the Church in the tribulation is speaking contrary to the truth!

…denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:12

Some rapture preachers throw a distraction into this verse falsely saying it is speaking of the two comings of Christ. The rapture being the ‘blessed hope’ and the Return of Jesus being the ‘glorious appearing’. This falsity becomes an irrelevant point when you realize we are being told here to live in this present world looking for the glorious appearing of the Lord! The Holy Spirit would not have told Paul to have us looking for an event we would not be around to see! The pre-trib theory makes this verse untrue. Or is it the other way around?

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming (Greek – Parousia). 24 Then cometh the end… 1Corinthians 15:20-24

There is an important doctrinal statement made in this passage that the pre-trib theory adherents MUST ignore, as it destroys their fable in a devastating fashion! All who belong to Christ are to be resurrected in one fell swoop at his coming (parousia)! Not some here, and some there. Not some now, and some 7 years later (as their theory firmly states). It is speaking of ONE event that transpires at ONE time: The Second Coming (parousia). It would take some pretty serious wresting of the Scriptures to make this passage say differently (but sadly some will try).

I have included here the underlying Greek word parousia which the word ‘coming’ is translated from to encourage you to seek out the various times that word is used in the N.T.. This ‘Resurrection of the Just’ at the coming (parousia) of Christ spoken of in 1Cor. 15:24 is also:

• The very same coming (parousia) of Jesus AFTER the tribulation spoken of in Matt. 24:30!
• It is the same coming (parousia) of Jesus Christ that destroys the Antichrist spoken of in 2Thess. 2:8!
• It is the same coming (parousia) we are waiting for according to Paul spoken of in 1Cor. 1:7!
• It is the same coming (parousia) in which the Church is caught away to meet Jesus in the air spoken of in 1Thess. 4:15!
• It is the same coming (parousia) in which God harvests (us believers) all the fruit of his labors spoken of in James 5:7!

We could add many other references to this list. But the point here is: These are ALL describing ONE event that transpires at ONE time! There is only one Resurrection of the Just, one Catching Away of the Believers, and one Return of Christ in the end-time scenario. Period. It is ALL the SAME event! Let’s get it right!

The pre-trib teaching, with its multiple resurrections, multiple raptures, and multiple Comings of Christ (as well as its multiple conflicts), has no accord with the truth plainly stated in this passage above from 1Corinthians 15; or with the confirming witness we see clearly stated throughout the New Testament. The wrangling and twisting of the Scriptures, and the deceptive practices employed to keep you from an understanding of these things, is nothing short of evil. Yes, the pre-trib rapture doctrine is EVIL! It is a lie from the father of lies.

It is a doctrine of devils carried along by a seducing spirit. And furthermore as such it is a defilement to those seduced into embracing it! I hope that’s not you. 

My sincere hope is you would recognize the pre-trib theory being so out of kilter with these, and so many other verses, as a great big warning sign that something is hugely amiss with that teaching. True Christian doctrine flows with the Word of God and does not necessitate covering up, or explaining away, a continual flow of confusing discrepancies such as we have examined here.

CONCLUSION: If the pre-tribulation rapture were a valid Bible teaching the Word of God would NOT speak as it does in a great number of places! What more proof do we need ?

The notion of a rapture to take the Church away from this world before the time of the great tribulation is a direct contradiction to the Word of God on multiple fronts. It is a bogus theory, and should be rejected by anyone with a love for the truth.

May the Lord grant us ALL that sincere love for the truth of God’s Word;

Paul Benson

http://www.paulbenson.me

This article was excerpted from the new book ‘The Pre-Trib Rapture: A Bucket Full of Holes!’ by Paul Benson. It is available for download at no charge. It can be downloaded in three formats: PDF, E-Pub, and Kindle. For your free copy please visit our DOWNLOAD PAGE.  Alternate link (PDF only) found RIGHT HERE.

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