Refuting the article: Pre-Tribulation Rapture Arguments Debunked (part four) The post-trib advocate writes, “The pre-tribber says… “There are no signs leading up to the rapture! It could happen at any time!” He continues by asking, “Really? Do you have scripture for that? Why did Jesus then tell us to watch? Watch for what? He lists as proof that his perception of the pre-trib position is incorrect as being: Matt 24:42 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matt 24:33 “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Luke 21:31 “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” I must point out that this is a straw-man argument that twists the pre-trib view out of context. The pre-trib view is that there are NO PROPHECIES regarding the end time that must be fulfilled before the rapture or catching away of the Church. This is in contrast to the post-trib view that demands the completion of the Seventieth Week of Daniel before the rapture or catching away of the Church can be realized. The straw-man question posed by the post-trib advocate does present two questions that are interesting. Why did Christ admonish that we should WATCH so that that day would not catch us unprepared? What is it that we are to WATCH for? First, it must be pointed out that Christ gives the answer as to why we must watch and be prepared. He said, “Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him. (Matthew 24:42-44) May I point out that from the moment the agreement is signed by the coming anti-Christ and the leaders of Israel, the Church should know that the 2nd Coming of Christ occurs seven years later? May I further point out that from the time the anti-Christ enters the temple to proclaim himself a god to be worshiped that the Church should know that the 2nd Coming of Christ is only 3 ½ years away? How does one leave the Church in the dark as to when the 2nd Coming occurs? How does the 2nd Coming come upon the Church as a thief in the night when the prophecies clearly point to the chronological markers of events? If there are no prophecies that are required for fulfillment before the rapture of the Church, then what did Christ intend for us to “watch” for? Christ gives the answer. He said, “Learn a lesson from a fig tree. When its branches sprout and start putting out leaves, you know that summer is near. So when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time has almost come. (Matthew 24:32-33 CEV) But is this not a prophecy that requires fulfillment before the rapture of the Church? Therein lies the reason Christ stated that one must WATCH and be prepared. From Matthew 24:33 please circle the phrase “the time has almost come.” From that phrase please underline the word ALMOST. We are to watch for the budding and the putting out of leaves of the fig tree in order that we may know that the times and the seasons are almost upon us. Once these events occur, a generation will not pass away before the beginning of the Seventieth Week is realized. It must be pointed out that it appears that non-pre-trib advocates have yet to realized that the budding of the fig tree occurred in the latter part of the 19th century and within the early part of the 20th century. Those of Jewish ancestry began making their way back to the land that belonged to their fore-fathers. In 1948 and in 1968 the fig tree began to put on leaves marking that summer or the beginning of the Seventieth Week is near. Simply put, the events that we were to be WATCHING for has already appeared leaving nothing required for fulfillment before the rapture of the Church. This explanation is more than adequent in answering the proposed post-trib question. But there is one more matter I would like to point out regarding the “proofs” of the post-trib advocate. Please note that he pointed to Luke 21:31 to show that we are to be WATCHFUL for events that must be fulfilled. Again, his point is that the requirement of being watchful demands that the reader understand the pre-trib position is incorrect. The rapture cannot happen at any moment because there things we are to be WATCHING for. I am greatly curious as to why the post-trib advocate did not share the entire passage of his supposedly “proof” of a pre-trib error? Please allow me to share the passage. Luke 21:31 So, when you see these things happening, you know that Gods kingdom will soon be here. Luke 21:32 You can be sure that some of the people of this generation will still be alive when all of this takes place. Luke 21:33 The sky and the earth wont last forever, but my words will. Luke 21:34 Dont spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you Luke 21:35 like a trap. That day will surprise everyone on earth. Luke 21:36 Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you. Please note that Christ gives another reason for WATCHING. Please circle the phrase “PRAYING THAT YOU CAN ESCAPE ALL THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.” This passage shows that the post-trib advocate has be hoisted by his own petard! Please underline the phrase “YOU CAN ESCAPE ALL THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.” How does the Church escape the GREAT TRIBULATION as it is a matter that will come upon the WHOLE EARTH? (Revelation 3:10) The post-trib answer states that the Church is somehow “protected” during the events of the Seventieth Week. This is illogical inasmuch that many believers of Christ (Tribulation saints) will be beheaded. They did not escape, but rather died a gruesome death. Further, 3/5ths of the world population will be killed during the cosmic and geographic calamities that occur. That is over three billion people who lose their lives. To put it more succinctly, why does Christ advise us to pray that we can escape (please circle the word escape) ALL THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN if we must go through ALL THAT HAPPENS as the post-trib position demands? The post-trib position is not tenable. The rapture of the Church occurs before ALL THAT HAPPENS in Daniel’s Seventieth Week happens. And there are no prophecies that must be fulfilled before this can occur.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:47:26 +0000
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