01 ΣΤΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ TΖΩΝ ΒΟΥΛΓΑΡΗΣ
I still do refinement corrections on these writings,
Please, do not be very critical on them. But receive the advice!! Thank you.
Q: Why do you think the ‘Pre-tribulation Rapture is incorrect?
A: There is no word, phrase, or anything close to the Scriptures that would suggest there is truth in that theory. Some expounders in the attempt to chronologically arrange end time events espoused this idea that the Rapture will happen at the start of the seven year period according to the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27. They started with this idea, and went further into more unstable assumptions as to try to isolate the seven year period into a dispensation, in which the Church of Jesus Christ must have departed and be totally out of the picture. It is a fantasy based on the ‘dispensations theory’ and on a new analysis that would consider more things becoming separate at this last dispensation like previous dispensations. It is true that we can easily do analysis on the past, which is known, and so we can make a successful determination on how the dispensations were divided for the continuation of the Great Plan of God. We can base our work on concrete historical evidence that tells us how the plan was changed from one dispensation to the other, but to do the same for the future, is NOT so easy, and we can run into pitfalls. That is how the ‘Pre-tribulation Rapture’ proponents have fallen into improper assumptions, of which we will examine the faults and inconsistencies below and prove the correct order of events that would not fluctuate from the Scriptures.
The Pre-tribulation Rapture proponents tend to believe that the Rapture will be the indicator of a) the Church age end, b) the absence of the Church will trigger off the series of events of the entire 7-year period and c) God will be dealing with the Jewish nation apart from everything else. That is a huge assumption taken by the dispensationalists to intently teach that God will be deal with the Jewish nation alone.
These thoughts are found short and wrong in most points of the series of events and have no bearing on the rest of the matters of the Plan of God according to the Scriptures.
This theory started in early 1800s and has been developed to be believed up to today by those who haven’t considered the colossal arguments against it. Most of the arguments against it are offered by other views, mainly: a) the ‘Post-tribulation,’ which was the most widely held view in the past since the first centuries after the completion of the New Testament, b) the ‘Mid-tribulation,’ and c) the ‘Rapture Before God’s Wrath’ that emerged rather in recent times and is very close to the Truth, and is being accepted by many. But despite the concrete and more reasonable researches that disprove and refute the Pre-tribulation Rapture, it always draws the most passionate followers among scholars in America, and is being promoted and supported with every possible unjustifiable means.
Why? How can so easily this deception be gulped down in one’s throat?
Obviously, it is the most likable. The Pre-tribulation Rapture teaching moves on because of its favorable propensity it has to our flesh. We would easily accept an idea telling us that we will avoid crisis, suffering, persecution and tortures. Their message is pleasant to the itching ears of our carnal being.
If they would only knew the words they are interpreting from the original Greek do not really mean what they are trying to teach, they would probably stop being so passionate and excited about the whole thing they enjoy, brag and share to others.
Regrettably, they seem unstoppable because of the popularity of all the illusionary remarks they are raising the voice to tell and greet one another. One receives the encouragement of the other to their deception.
They deliberately have a closed ear to the critical Scriptures such as 1 Peter 4:17 saying, “Because the time for judgment (Gr. ‘crisis’) has to begin from the house of God.”
How could so easily anyone swallow down his throat this deceit? This is a theory which is built on the assumptions of very few passages. I believe that if God’s words of wisdom would confront with the full account of Scripture any genuine believer, he will come short of response and he will come to his senses. The concept will crumple as we are to retrace and refute one by one all of their bases in the following:
Assumption A) Their first base is on the phrase the apostle John was called “in the spirit” to witness and write the book of Revelation that reveals his vision. The phrase, “come up here,” ‘anaba ode,’ Rev. 4:1,2, was heard in a voice sounding like a trumpet asking John the Great Prophet of God to come up 'in the spirit', for the purpose to see the things in heaven and describe them, as he did in his writings of the book of Revelation. This voice cannot be confused with “the last trumpet” in 1 Cor. 15:52, because it is not a trumpet, it is a kind of voice that sounds like trumpet. Also, it was not for the first time. Jesus spoke to John in the same kind of trumpet-sounding voice before, in Rev. 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 saying, Write …,” and that was earlier, when Jesus told John to write the letters to the seven churches.
This second call to John in Rev. 4:1, “come up” was with the Gr. word ‘anabaino’ and does not prove the Rapture, because the Rapture will have to be “in the body,” indeed. [John ascended 'in spirit' only, and not 'in the body' and was found down again after the vision on the island ofPatmos where he was before the visit]. So, John’s going up cannot necessarily be taken in symbolic meaning [as a parable] to substantiate the rise of all believers that will be caught up in rapture, nor can match the series of verses that contextually speak of those going up forever in the presence of the Lord. Besides John also Paul had been caught up in the third heaven, and moreover Paul’s visit occurred with the original verb αρπάζω ‘harpazo’ 'harpagenta' from which the word Rapture is translated. In 2 Cor. 12: 2 says, "whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows, this man was caught up [αρπάζω ‘harpage’ =to be up in rapture] in the third heaven, 4 and I know that this man was caught up [αρπαγή ‘harpage’ =to be up in rapture] in Paradise” – but again, even though it occurred with the original verb αρπάζω‘harpazo’ had nothing to contribute in determining the way or the time, or in teaching as a parable about our Rapture how would be in the future, because in the future two things will have to be different: a) then, we will have new bodies, and b) then, we will be caught up to stay up there.
Assumption B. The proponents of Pre-tribulation created the idea to suggest that the event of the Rapture will designate the end of the Church dispensation [or the dispensation of Grace] and it will initiate the start of a strictly Jewish seven-year period the last dispensation of the age. They are placing it as the point of separation, in which they also assume that the Holy Spirit will leave along with the Church [because they also assume that the Holy Spirit is “a restrainer” and doesn’t permit the Anti-Christ to come] and the tribulation time period is assumed to begin(!?) –one assumption over the other. These errors are caused by exaggeration and by misinterpretation,
1) They exaggerate the events into the new dispensation saying that the Church will be totally out, and 2) they misinterpret the Greek word “catekho” where it is used in 2 Thess.2:6-7, as “toh catekhon” and “oh catekhon” to mean ‘to restrain,’ away from the true interpretation which is: to possess, to occupy, to have with an emphasis, to hold on something which is useful [in the good sense] or withhold an area from the rightful owner [in the bad sense]. E.g., the Scripture says, in 1 Thess.5:21, “Do not minimize prophecy΄΄ Prove all (that is being said in prophecy), hold on to which is good,” Can we ever say ´restrain´ to which is good! Of course, not. On the other hand, Would the Holy Spirit withhold an area from a rightful owner?! Never. This word is used for an invader, a grabber, who will seize an area and become the occupier, possessor. Or that fits the Devil, not the Holy Spirit. Can we say, invader restrain something which is good?
Or the Holy Spirit would ever restrain something which is good? A possessor, an occupier, taking away from the rightful owner cannot be any other but the Anti-Christ himself. According to ‘dispensation theory’ in which they sanction the times according to the Plan of God they propose to endorse an implied separation.
They base it on an idea that means ‘dispensation’ but a word for it is nonexistent in the N.T. Their word is borrowed from the Gr. οικονομία [similar word in Eng. economy], though it means stewardship, administrative wisdom, estate’s wealth, household resources, budget. In page 41, Eph. 3:9-11, “the *flourishing plan of the mystery which for ages [Gk. eons, long dispensations of time] has been hidden in God Who created all things” the word means ‘stewardship’ and not ‘dispensation’ and if we check it in context it doesn’t give a proof for rapture before the 70th week of seven years of Dan. 9:26. That is only an assumption with no base.
c) They are basing their Pre-tribulation view on another made up word, which they repeatedly use: ‘imminent;’ ‘imminent coming’ as ‘at any moment.’ Many words are used to describe the nearness of the Christ’s Παρουσία “Parousia,” or the believer’s expectation of it, but none of them proves or requires an ‘any moment’ sense of an imminent event. Προσδέχομαι‘prosdekhomai,’ to wait for [for the Parousia in Luke 12:36, Titus 2:13, Jude 21]; is used of Paul’s expectation of the resurrection of the just and the unjust, Acts 24:15, yet the latter does not occur until after the Millennium.
Απεκδέχομαι ‘apecdekhomai,’ await eagerly [for the Parousia in 1 Cor. 1:7, can refer to creation’s longing for deliverance, Rom. 8:19, which deliverance comes after the Tribulation].Εκδέχομαι ‘ecdekhomai,’ to expect [is used of the Parousia by James 5:7, but the analogy in the concept is with the farmer who waits for his crops –certainly not “any moment!” Προσδοκάω‘prosdokao,’ to look for [Matt. 24:50, Luke 12:46, with reference to the 2nd Coming] is the word used by Peter to exhort believers to “look for” the new heavens and earth [2 Pet. 3:12-14]. Εγγίζω‘eggizo’ be near, and the adjectival form, εγγύς ‘eggys,’ applied to the Parousia in numerous texts, are used of Jewish feasts and the seasons of the year [e.g., John 2:13, Matt. 21:34]. –and these are not “any moment” events. A number of other terms: Γρηγορέω ‘gregoreo’ watch,Αγρυπνέω ‘agrhypneo’ be awake, Νήφω ‘nepho’ be sober, Βλέπω ‘vlepo’ look at] are used to exhort believers to an attitude of spiritual alertness and moral uprightness in the light of the 2ndReturn, but imply nothing as to its time. By themselves, then, these terms do not require that the expectation to which they refer be capable of taking place “at any moment.”
So the adjective ‘imminent’ that is used to the defense of the pre-tribulation position is not stated in the Bible and it is false.
The Lord warns us also in Mark 13:35-37, “Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. “What I say to you I say to all: ‘Be on the alert!’” Are we alert to recognize the world events in relation to the Scriptures?
Diligent responsibility is required from the ministers of God’s Word on the urgency of readiness. It is expounded in Luke 12:40, “Become ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not.” How would the minister try to keep his flock ready? Luke 12:42 says, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them the portion of food in due season? What does it mean portion of food? The minister as ruler over God’s household must have revelation of the proper portion of the Word that is needed according to the season. The original Greek does not say, “Their portion” to mean the part of knowledge that each listener should sustain for his growing, but it says, “The portion” which is due according to the season as it relates to time.
The theme in this parable is urgency in knowing the signs of the times and being together with the faithful in expectancy for the Master’s coming. Time is of the essence and the urgency is for the occasion to not be missed. This is in the context of all verses in this parable as says in Matt, 24:45, “in season,” and in Mark 13:33, “when the season is.”
The question of concern is “when” in Matt, 24:3, “the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, …?”
Q: Why are you so much critical of the belief on pre-tribulation rapture and not on the post-tribulation?
A: It is our uppermost priority to know, it would be great need of preparedness on what it is really coming up. If we have to face the deception of the tribulation times that is going to be so hard that has never been since the beginning of the world, we should not be taken off guard. It would be vital to be able to stand for us and we should be concerned as how to be sure how to give encouragement and help to others who might be weak.
It is honor and virtue in fighting on principle to help others and becomes our duty to carry on a hopeful future for all believers and for our families and for our country, and anyone in perilous or unjust situation.
Q: Do we really need to know the details on future events? Wouldn’t it be better if we try to be good and live moral lives –and so we will be just right for God to take care of us?
A: Yes. That in all cases has to be true; because we may accidentally die, and no one is safe of that. We must always be taught: avoid evil, be good, live moral lives, repent and ask to be forgiven. Pray at all times. But it would be very different if at Tribulation times we will continue to be here, and be going through a ‘Test’ of great deception by the Devil. By the meaning of the word Tribulation the Bible in Greek speaks of Πειρασμός ‘Peirasmos’ = Temptation. In Rev. 3:10, “because you kept (maintained continually) the word of My patience, I also will be to always keep (maintain, safeguard) you (in the same way –continually) from the hour of Temptation which is in the future to come on the whole inhabited world (on those dwelling everywhere on the earth). The disciples asked Jesus, Matt. 24:3, “When these things be?” the things were in reference to the Tribulation period. Then from the mouth of Jesus we hear, Matt. 24:4, His first words: “See that no one deceives you.” How would you able to respond and stand worthy through that level of deception, if you are not prepared???
Q: I don’t think God wants me to worry about end times, and since everybody has his own opinion, who can assure me of the correct teaching?
A: If you say now, ‘I don’t need to know,’ 'I don't need to worry,' you may fall, because Jesus says in the rest of Matthew 24, “he will deceive even the …elect.” You will be found unaware, and you will be wrong, if you thought you were one of the elect, and you are still here, while theΠειρασμός ‘Peirasmos’ ‘Temptation’ occurs and is still going on! Many will be confused in those days, saying, "Why didn't they teach me ?' And they may then conclude: 'All their teaching might be wrong? ?
PRE-RAPTURE FAITH TO HIS VOICE: “I will *keep you from the hour of Temptation
*keep [Gk. τηρέω ‘tereo’ to maintain, keep, preserve, look upon, care for, safeguard,
(continually) We must understand by the connotation (=the implied additional sense) of this verb ‘to maintain’ that suggests continuous, nonstop, constant, uninterrupted protecting, carrying on, watching over, looking after, and it cannot be referred to a suddenly broken apart, catching away, once and for all disposition that would denote the event of the rapture. Rev. 3:10, “because you kept (continually maintained) the word of My patience, I also will be to always keep (maintain, safeguard) you from the hour of Temptation which is to be coming in the future on the whole inhabited world (on those who are everywhere dwelling on the earth).
How can we deliberately ignore the catapult of verses against the Pre-trib teaching? Primarily, 2 Thess. 2:1-3, “We are asking, brethren, with regard to the PAROUSIA-coming [His appearing in the air just for His believers] of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together [EPISYNAGOGUE, being received in Rapture up] unto Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the Day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” Now yes, we do realize the apostasy has been already in motion on the earth [as the symbolism of the 1st white horse rider indicates], but have we seen the man of lawlessness? Has he [by the symbolism of the 4th pale horse riders that must become known], the Antichrist been revealed yet? Who is he? Then, how would we dare to say, “It is now, may be tonight, or tomorrow morning that we might be gone” ?
It is just an allusion for NOT preparing, educating, alerting and teaching one another as a Philadelphia type of church should love and care for those who do not know all about a persecution [by the symbolism of the 2nd and 3rd and 4th horse riders] coming to materialize and have an effect on the weak in faith and shaky believers.
Secondly, we must know about 1 Peter 4:17, “The judgment will start first in the house of God.” It must come a time of 3 1/2 years, up to halfway of the 7year period, called “Temptation” [‘Peirasmos,’ a test imposed by the Devil, trial, as the Devil tested Eve in the garden, Jesus in the desert, and us periodically], a time of persecution when the proposed to be “the Bride of Christ” must be tested. Are we really as selfish and naïve NOT caring for truth which is given in the OT prophecies, the gospels, the epistles, and the book of Revelation? Are we the elect of God? Are we all the Philadelphia church that has the promise Rev. 3:10, “to be preserved [‘teresei’, to be kept, while we are all still on the earth, it does NOT mean we will be caught up yet] during the temptation ‘Peirasmos’ that will come to the whole inhabited earth,” and NOT to care?
The Bible makes it clear and gives a warning [by its direct and symbolical language to each of the other six types of churches, other than Philadephia] to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea that they are NOT ready yet for salvation as they ought to be by the time of Rapture. It is in the Plan of God that the coming “temptation” may bring them to repentance, but the Philadelphia type church as 'loving one another brothers and sisters' we must care to be knowledgeable and stand there to help, encourage, support, and strengthen the faith of those who would suffer during the times of persecution in the beginning years of Tribulation.
Are we, surely, one of those who would know how [by interpreting the prophetic writings correctly and in detail] to be able to help others when it is needed, as we all will be encountering the signs, conditions and circumstances of the TIMES OF TRIAL?
Let us ask that to ourselves, and seek the truth whenever, wherever it can be found.
It clearly says, The Rapture will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. But the churches blindly espouse embrace ing one dare to say, ‘The rapture can happen any time, and that all the signs for the rapture have been fulfilled.’ ? ( How can you say that???) That’s Very, very wrong.
You tend to preach: ‘Suddenly, one of these days, maybe tomorrow, we will be gone.’ Of course, that’s what you would wish to happen, but the Word of God states otherwise:
OUR REVIEW: It will come a TIME that certain things will BEGIN TO HAPPEN. We must pay attention to the meaning of ‘something will begin to happen.’ Since these things will BEGIN TO HAPPEN at a future point, how can you say, ‘these things always were, same as before and the same at the present time ???’
Point B. Your contradiction to the Bible is exposed because it is against the quote in 1 Pet. 4:17, “the TIME of judgment would BEGIN from the house of God,”
