[Below are just very brief introductions to these important commentaries]
Pete Garcia
Having just finished a month-long email debate with two men from an online Prewrath ministry...
after a month being berated, belittled, and generally not having my questions answered in any kind of coherent or logical manner, I pulled a Pilate on these two and washed my hands of the whole affair. I don’t mind a good debate now and again, especially if we conduct it in such a way that is honoring to God (iron sharpening iron), but these two “ministers” were quick to go ad hominem on me the moment they felt like they were losing the argument.
One troubling aspect to this whole affair was the reality that they were not interested in the truth of what Scripture actually says, but only in their interpretation of what they want it to say. Furthermore, they put more emphasis on personal prophetic hearings, visions, and a ‘word of knowledge,’ then on how those compare with what Scripture actually teaches. Even more troubling, was what they were accusing me of applying a literal/grammatical/historical hermeneutic of Scripture;
a) God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33)
b) God is not going to contradict His own word (Num. 23:19)
c) God is not the only supernatural being out there (Ephesians 6:12, 2 Cor. 11:14-15)
However, let me just set the record straight once and for all, up front, and in bold font,
The Bible teaches only ONE eschatological view on prophecy
Just like the Bible teaches only ONE soteriological view on salvation.
Just like the Bible teaches only ONE ecclesiological view on the church.
The Bible is NOT a choose-your-own-adventure book
Here are several questions I have used to debate the two Prewrath devotees, and found them either quite unwilling or unable to answer coherently. Keep in mind; this is using the PW view of how things play out as the backdrop.
1. If the Seals 1-5 are not the wrath of God, but rather, are the wrath of man/Satan/ Antichrist….HOW do they (man/Satan/Antichrist) initiate said seals.
a.) If the Church is not raptured, and we are still on the earth, then how then do we when these have begun (if Man or Satan initiates these)? IOW, how do we know specifically when the first Seal has been opened?
b.) How is the “wrath of man” or “wrath of Satan” any different from what has already occurred in history? In the 20th Century alone, we have documented hundreds of millions killed due to crime, war, persecution, starvation, genocide, pestilence, murder, abortion, holocaust, etc.…and yet, we could not point to a single moment when the rider on the white horse could have arrived. More Christians have died in the 20th-21st century then the previous 20 centuries combined.
b.) How is the “wrath of man” or “wrath of Satan” any different from what has already occurred in history? In the 20th Century alone, we have documented hundreds of millions killed due to crime, war, persecution, starvation, genocide, pestilence, murder, abortion, holocaust, etc.…and yet, we could not point to a single moment when the rider on the white horse could have arrived. More Christians have died in the 20th-21st century then the previous 20 centuries combined.
2.) If the first Seal is marked by the arrival of THE Antichrist (rider on the white horse), how will one know who it is? Paul states in 2 Thess. 2:7-8 that the man of lawlessness (The Antichrist) cannot be revealed UNTIL the one who restrains, is taken out of the way.
a.) Who/what is “the one who restrains?” Here are your options-
– Michael the Archangel (not omnipresent)
– Human Government (not capable or willing)
– The Holy Spirit
– The Holy Spirit filled/sealed Church
– Satan (seems to not be in his own interest to do so)
b.) What physically happens on the earth when “the one who restrains” is removed? How will we (those of us on earth) know exactly when this “restraint removal” happens?
– Michael the Archangel (not omnipresent)
– Human Government (not capable or willing)
– The Holy Spirit
– The Holy Spirit filled/sealed Church
– Satan (seems to not be in his own interest to do so)
b.) What physically happens on the earth when “the one who restrains” is removed? How will we (those of us on earth) know exactly when this “restraint removal” happens?
3. In Revelation 3:10, Jesus tells the Church at Philadelphia (and those who have an ear to hear) that I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. If this is not a picture of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church, then what is it?
a.) If it has already happened, when and where did it happen?
b.) Why does Jesus make a distinction between “those who dwell on the earth” and presumably, those who do not?
c.) Since when do those who do not dwell on the earth (presumably heaven or hell), have to worry about any issues on the earth anyway?
d.) Why would Jesus make this distinction in light of this seeming redundancy?
b.) Why does Jesus make a distinction between “those who dwell on the earth” and presumably, those who do not?
c.) Since when do those who do not dwell on the earth (presumably heaven or hell), have to worry about any issues on the earth anyway?
d.) Why would Jesus make this distinction in light of this seeming redundancy?
By Jonathan C. Brentner
We live in a time when believers are “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Eph. 4:14). This is especially true in regard to the return of Jesus. Today, we face a myriad of differing “schemes” regarding the rapture and other end time events.
How do we find our way in the midst of such confusion?
Paul gives us a huge clue in Ephesians 4:14: the errant waves come from “human cunning” of reasoning apart from the words of Scripture. It’s the words of the Bible that keep us grounded in truth.
In making my distinctions between the rapture and Second Coming, I assume a premillennial belief. Without beliefs in a literal seven year tribulation, Jesus return to earth after this time, and the setting of a millennial rule that includes Israel, these distinctions would be not make much sense.
Below I begin my list of seven reasons why we should regard the rapture as a unique event.
By Jonathan C. Brentner
In my last post, I began listing reasons why we should regard the rapture as a separate event from the Second Coming. Much confusion exists today over this mater.
Because so many today fail to make the distinction between the two events, or fail to even believe in a rapture, it’s important to understand why it is different than the Second Coming.
As in part 1, I include this important note: In making my distinctions between the rapture and second coming, I am assuming a premillennial belief. Without beliefs in a literal seven year tribulation, Jesus return to earth after this time, and the setting of a millennial rule that includes Israel, these distinctions would be mute.
Here are my remaining 3 reasons why we should regard the rapture as a unique event.
The New Testament nowhere describes the Second Coming as a mystery, as something new. The rapture, however, is described as a mystery, a new and fresh revelation for the church!
Why all the fuss in separating the rapture from the Second Coming? It matters because it relates to our expectation of what comes next for us.
If they are the same event, then our immediate prospect is not Jesus’ appearing but seven frightful years of devastating tribulation on the earth for which we need to prepare as we see the many signs of the approaching tribulation. On the other hand, if they are distinct events separated by seven years, then we live in anticipation of suddenly being in Jesus’ presence.
This is the essence of biblical perspective on life, that of living in hope of Jesus’ imminent appearing to take us home!
1 comment:
Refreshing.
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