Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord gives all Christians PEACE. Every single one of the Pauline epistles begins with this promise of PEACE for a saved Christian. (See also 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, and Philemon 1:3)
This promise of “peace from God” STOPS when you get to the book of HEBREWS! Why?
Revelation 6:3 ¶ And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. Revelation 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Please notice that the “he” in verse 3 is a reference to the Lamb, who is JESUS CHRIST! (Read Revelation 5 for proof.)
Problem: Paul writes to Christians and promises us PEACE from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet Revelation 6:4 shows that Jesus (i.e., the Lamb) opens a seal which takes PEACE from the earth. So, which one is it? Did Paul lie, or are the Christians gone before Revelation 6 takes place?
2. The mark of the beast vs eternal security
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
There are NO exceptions to this judgment. “Any man” and “whosoever” worships the beast and takes his mark, will face God's WRATH. But, what about a Christian?
Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. God SEALS a Christian and PROMISES them eternal life. He saves US; we cannot save ourselves!
Problem: Revelation 14:9-11 says that anyone who worships the beast, and takes the mark, will face God's wrath. But Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30 both say that a Christian is SEALED and promised eternal life. So which one is it?
3. The origin of the “Post-trib, Pre-wrath” rapture teaching
“Perhaps at this point an important question must be answered. If the thesis of this book is correct; if the church is to be raptured prewrath, at the opening of the seventh seal and, therefore, sometime within the second half of the seventieth week of Daniel, why has this position never been enunciated before? Why, only after more than nineteen hundred years into the church age, does this view appear on the scene? Is it simply a new and fanciful position set forth by an extremist? This is a legitimate issue deserving a satisfactory response.” (Page 265, The Prewrath Rapture: by Marvin Rosenthal. Copyright 1990)
Here is the link to the video showing these actual quotes from the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHlSenT1BGM
After Rosenthal's book came out in 1990, a man named “Roland Rasmussen” released a book entitled The Post-Trib Pre-Wrath Rapture in 1996!
Problem: Why do these “Post-Trib” believers claim that the “Pre-Trib Rapture” position only dates back to the 1830's with John Nelson Darby, while defending a position which was first written about in the year 1990?
4. Church purification?
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
A Christian today is part of the bride of Jesus Christ and also part of Christ's body. Jesus cleanses his church with his written word and nourishes and cherishes her. We are one flesh!
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses a Christian today from ALL sin. We have no further need of purification! Yet, Post-Trib believers insist that the “church” needs to be purified by the “great tribulation”. Where does this teaching come from? Let's take a look at the Catechism of the Catholic church:
The Church's ultimate trial
675 Before Christ's second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.573 The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth574 will unveil the "mystery of iniquity" in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. the supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh.575 676 The Antichrist's deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgement. the Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism,576 especially the "intrinsically perverse" political form of a secular messianism.577 677 The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection.578 The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God's victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause his Bride to come down from heaven.579 God's triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the Last Judgement after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world.580 http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1V.HTM
The Catholic church has taught for centuries that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was NOT enough to completely pay for sins. A faithful Catholic needs further purification through penance, keeping the sacraments, and good works. The Catholic must die in a “state of grace” and then go through MORE purification in Purgatory before entering heaven.
Problem: Why do Post-Tribbers believe that the “church” needs to be purified by the “great tribulation”? Why do they agree with the Catholic Catechism, and NOT with the King James Bible?
5. The Great Tribulation OR the time of Jacob's trouble?
Jeremiah 30:4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. Jeremiah 30:5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Jeremiah 30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? 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.
The nation of Israel and the Jewish people have rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah; so they will be entering into a time of God's wrath and judgment. Let's also look at Daniel chapter 9: Daniel 9:20 ¶ And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Daniel 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. Daniel 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Again, we can clearly see that this time period is going to be for the nation of Israel. Verse 24 also includes the words “thy holy CITY”, which is obviously a reference to the city of Jerusalem.
The Post-Tribbers use the terms “the tribulation” or “the Great Tribulation” to refer to this coming time period. The problem is that nowhere in the King James Bible are either of these phrases used as a unique title for the time of Jacob's trouble!
Problem: Why are Post-Tribbers trying to cover up Jeremiah 30 and Daniel 9, and, instead they are using a phrase (i.e., the tribulation) which is never used as a title for this coming time period?
6. The temple in Jerusalem
2 Thessalonians 2:3 ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:4 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. 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Matthew 24:15 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:) Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
The Bible is crystal clear that there will be a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, where the Antichrist will one day sit on a throne and claim to be God. But how does this work for Christians today, when the Bible teaches that our BODIES are the temple of God?
1 Corinthians 3:16 ¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Problem: If a Christian's BODY is the temple of God, how can the Antichrist sit on a throne inside of Christians? 7. The resurrection of dead saints
1Corinthians 15:51 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Thessalonians 4:16 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: 1Thessalonians 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. 1Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
There is no mention of dead saints being resurrected in Matthew 24, Mark 13, or Luke 17 and 21. ALL Post-Tribbers must go to the gospel accounts to try and prove that the body of Christ goes through the “tribulation”. They claim that the resurrection of dead saints wasn't revealed until Paul. Let's look at what Jesus said in the book of John, and see how it lines up with 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4:
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Problem: The resurrection of the dead was CLEARLY revealed by Jesus to his disciples before it was shown to the Apostle Paul. So why didn't Jesus mention the dead being resurrected in Matthew 24, Mark 13, or Luke 17 and 21?
8. Two bodies OR one body?
Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Post-Trib Pre-Wrath believers will claim that this is the body of Christ in heaven after the rapture happens in chapter 6 of Revelation. But here is the big problem with that theory. Look at what the book of Galatians has to say about Jewish and Greek Christians:
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Problem: Why are saints in the time of Jacob's trouble separated into TWO distinct racial groups, when the Bible clearly says that the body of Christ is ONE group? 9. 2/3 saved?
A Christian is composed of a “spirit and soul and body”, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:23. At salvation the soul is saved (James 5:20) and the spirit is quickened (Ephesians 2:1-6). The body of flesh remains corruptible (Romans 7:14-25) and is not redeemed until the catching away of the body of Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:35-58) So the question is: when will the catching away and changing of our bodies happen?
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 1 Thessalonians 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.
Problem: Post-Tribbers are waiting to see the Antichrist. They teach against an imminent catching away of the bride of Christ. Yet, the three passages which we read all CLEARLY show that a Christian is to look for Jesus Christ, and the redemption of their body!
10. Subject to principalities and POWERS?
Titus 3:1 ¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
1Timothy 2:1 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1Timothy 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 1Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Revelation 13:4 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? Revelation 13:5 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. Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Revelation 13:7 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.
Problem: Paul tells Christians to be subject unto political “powers” and also to pray for them and to be thankful for them. But how is this possible if Christians go into the time of Jacob's trouble, like all Post-Tribbers teach? Wouldn't this force Christians to take the mark of the beast? (Read Revelation 13:16-18) 11. Separated from God's love?
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Problem: If Christians go through the time of Jacob's trouble, then “tribulation” will certainly separate them from the love of Christ; because it is Jesus Christ who is opening the seals of Revelation chapter 6! And what if a Christian submits to the Antichrist (i.e., “powers”) and takes the mark of the beast? Revelation 14:9-11 CLEARLY shows that doing this will separate “any man” from God's love!
12. What is stopping the Antichrist from appearing?
2 Thessalonians 2:3 ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:4 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. 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 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: 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Problem: Post-Tribbers will only read to verse 5, and then they try to claim that the text is teaching that the Antichrist must be revealed before the rapture. Why do they refuse to continue reading the next 5 verses?
Conclusion:
1. The Post-Trib Rapture system is based on a twisting of scripture.
2. Post-Trib Rapture believers are teaching works salvation. 3. Most Post-Tribbers are not preparing to survive the time of Jacob's trouble.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
