solookup
09-29-2007, 01:14 PM
http://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/267/
The Armor of God:
The Helmet of Salvation
by Chuck Missler
PURSUE THIS TOPIC:
RESOURCES
Armor for the Age of Deceit
The Sovereignty of Man
The Romance of Redemption - Ruth
Being Faithful in a Faithless World
In our continuing series of articles exploring "the Armor of God" as listed in Ephesians 6, we will now address the fifth in Paul's series of seven:
Wherefore take unto you the whole Armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand... And take the helmet of salvation,
Ephesians 6:13, 17
Why Helmets?
Helmets are a form of security. Most of us have used a helmet of one kind or another. In sports, on a bicycle or motorcycle, in the factory or on a construction site, or in the military. Failure to have the proper helmet can prove fatal.
There's also a difference between wearing a helmet and simply owning one. When things start falling, you can always tell the person with the helmet on from the one who merely possesses a helmet. One is on his feet; the other can be distinguished by all the bandages!
Our most critical "helmet" (whether we realize it or not) is the one that is absolutely essential for the combat we are presently engaged in! It is the helmet designed by God:
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
18 According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:17-19
Salvation
"Salvation" is a very common topic, and yet still subject to much confusion. Salvation is received, not earned.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
It is His gift; not wages. His salvation is for a purpose: to restore mankind to Himself. And it flows from a heart of love.
(Have you ever wondered why He bothered? The answer is in the verse just before the one above):
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7
Salvation is not an optional extra. The classic passage is John Chapter 3, where Nico-demus comes to Jesus by night.
Nicodemus
We know a great deal about this influential character. The Talmud indicates he was one of the four richest men in Jerusalem. He was a Pharisee and a ruler-a member of the Sanhedrin.
He was a member of the aristocratic family that had furnished the Hasmonean King Aristobulus II with his ambassador to Pompey in 63 B.C. His son apparently was the man who negotiated the terms of surrender to the Roman garrison in Jerusalem prior to the final destruction of that city in A.D. 70.1
Nicodemus outranks each of us in every respect: he was among the most wealthy in that society; he had stature; he had knowledge-in fact, he was the teacher.2
Nicodemus was among the most respected and religious among the professionals of his culture. He was certainly ahead of any of us. Yet he was in desperate need. Jesus declared to him, "Ye must be born again."3 If he had a spiritual need, where does that place us?
Our Most Urgent Need
Why should God let you into heaven? You say, "I am as good as the next guy." Strike one.
"I am doing the best I can." Strike two.
"I'll try harder." Strike three.
"Nobody's perfect." That's the problem. Sin is a genetic disease; it has contaminated our very nature. Children never need a lesson in being bad. This genetic disease, sin, makes us ineligible for perfection; ineligible to be in the presence of a holy God.
Eternity
Every one of us will exist forever. The real you-call it "soul," " spirit," whatever-has no mass. It is "software" not "hardware." Having no mass, it has no time dimension limitations. Time is a physical dimension. You are eternal-whether you are "saved" or not!
The problem is, where will you spend eternity? If you are perfect-totally free of sin-you will spend it in the presence of God. If not, you will be denied His presence. You and I cannot begin to grasp what that implies. For eternity: that's a long time.
Who Will Perish?
What separates those who will spend an eternity in hell from those who will not? Heaven will be full of people who have committed all kinds of sin.
Hell is a real place for real people.4 The one who told us the most about it was the Lord Jesus Himself. There are only two categories-those that perish and those that don't:
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Salvation is an arrangement by which His eligibility is substituted for our lack thereof. It is available to us because our debts have been fully paid. Our complete pardon has been purchased and paid for.
Even killing the Son of God was not severe enough to put those men outside the boundaries of God's offer of forgiveness.5
[Is there anything keeping you from accepting God's free gift of salvation right now? If there is any doubt in your mind, bring it to the Throne right now. You don't need an appointment. Don't even read on without nailing this one down... with Him. It's your highest priority over anything-everything-else.]
We don't become saved by acting saved. We don't become married by acting married. Faith bridges the gap between our need and God's provision. Faith is simply the way we say "yes" to His offer.
What are you trusting in? Christ, plus something? Or is your hope and your trust in Christ alone? He did the whole job. To imply something must be added is a form of blasphemy!
Your helmet was purchased just for you. You are entitled to it because of Him.
Wearing Your Helmet
With a helmet on, you're noticeable. If you just possess one, it won't be as obvious. Life after death is not the issue. Life after "birth" is. Are you living as if you are saved? Many of us don't live as if we're saved... We are difficult to recognize because of "blending in." We exhibit fear, anxiety, doubt, and hesitation.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Romans 8:28
What are the most important words in that verse? The first three: "And we know." Not just "suspect," or "hope," etc.
Realize who you are and that Christ paid the full price for your redemption. You have been redeemed, you have been paid for; you are no longer your own.
Put on your helmet; protect your thoughts by realizing who you are in Him. Nothing protects you more from a blow to your head than our "helmet of salvation." Each time you step out your door each day, realize that you have been redeemed.
You already have eternal life. No one can take that away from you. So Satan's darts can't reach you. Nothing, by any means, can hurt you. Re-read Romans 8:28-39.
Take your helmet off and you're vulnerable. Satan will put lying thoughts in your head. Remember this: How many of your sins were yet future at the cross? All of them.
Take the eternal perspective. When did God first start dealing with your problem? Before the world began!6 What a staggering insight! He knew and planned for your destiny from before the beginning of time! (We often joke: I'm glad he picked me back then. Looking at me now, He might change His mind!)
We also need to manifest our helmet. We need to alert others to their need for one and how they can obtain theirs. Make this, indeed, a "New Year!" Put on your helmet and let the world know of your security in Christ. Walk with your head up, free of fear and doubt.
Happy New Year, indeed!
* * *
What could be more terrifying than the slightest concern over your place in eternity? There is no room for the slightest doubt on this issue. There are those who feel that their helmet is a perishable item; that once in hand it can be lost. That His grace is probationary. What do you think? Some of the controversies surrounding this issue will be explored in our next article in this series.
This article was originally published in the
January 1997 Personal Update NewsJournal.
For a FREE 1-Year Subscription, click here.
**NOTES**
1. There are Talmudic links to Nicodemus ben Gorion, brother to the historian Josephus, a very wealthy member of the Sanhedrin in the 1st century. He later lost his wealth and position (a reversal due to his becoming a Christian?).
2. John 3:10.
3. John 3:3ff.
4. Revelation 20:10,15.
5. Luke 23:34.
6. Ephesians 1:4.
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http://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/3/
The Armor of God:
The Adequacy of our Helmet
by Chuck Missler
PURSUE THIS TOPIC:
RESOURCES
Armor for the Age of Deceit
Ephesians
In our continuing series on the various elements of the Armor of God (from Ephesians 6:10-18), last month we explored our "Helmet of Salvation." However, we had left some additional aspects to discuss further this month. How adequate is our "Helmet?"
Durability
We need to have complete confidence in our "helmet of salvation." There is no room for uncertainty about its adequacy or the durability of its protection.
Are you "going to heaven? Are you really sure? Or is it just a vague hope?
Where there is uncertainty concerning how salvation is attained - confusion as to what took place at the Cross - there will be confusion over whether it can be maintained. This issue reveals the reality of the Cross. If our salvation hinges on anything but the finished work of Christ on the cross, we are in deep trouble. Why should God let you into heaven?
• "Nobody’s perfect." That’s the problem.
• "I am as good as the next guy." Strike one.
• "I am doing the best I can." Strike two.
• "I’ll try harder." Strike three.
Try? My best? Church? Believe in God? Contribute? All are woefully inadequate to merit the destiny which He has reserved for us.
How, then? By faith alone. Faith is our response to His offer. He has done the entire job. It is actually blasphemy to suggest that we can contribute anything to what He has already completed.
If our salvation is not secure, how could Jesus say about those to whom He gives eternal life, "they shall never perish"?
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:28-29
"They shall never perish." His is not a probationary life. "No man can pluck them out of My hand." There could not be a stronger statement.
Notice that you are in good hands: both of them. There are two hands involved: "my hand" (v.28) and "my Father’s hand" (v.29). The "eternal fist" of the Father and the Son.
Carefully note the following:
1. We are Christ’s sheep: it is the duty of the shepherd to care for each of his flock. The Shepherd keeps the sheep, not the sheep.
2. To each (already) is imparted eternal life. An ending, or forfeiture, would involve a contradiction in terms.
3. It is given, not merited: thus, we cannot demerit it.
4. They shall never perish. God cannot lie.
5. None is able to pluck them; even the Devil is unable to destroy a single one of them.
6. In the Father’s hand. No disappointments are thus possible. (Jesus handed this responsibility over to the Father in John 17.)
If Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost, 1 and yet we can somehow become unsaved "and therefore undo what Christ came to do" would it not be wise for God to take us on to heaven the moment we are saved in order to insure that we make it? Isn’t it unnecessarily risky to force us to stay here?
If salvation is not a settled issue, how can I "be anxious for nothing?" 2
If a man or a woman ends up in hell, who has at some point in life put his or her trust in Christ, doesn’t that make what Jesus said to Nicodemus a lie?3 If there is a condition "—even one" attached to God’s willingness to maintain a relationship with His children, it is not unconditional.
Are you focusing on your own behavior rather than on Christ? We are never completely free to fasten our gaze on Him until we are sure our relationship with Him is secure.
The Sovereignty of God vs. The Sovereignty of Man
Predestination vs. Free Will is one of the classic debates throughout the entire history of both philosophy and theology. The doctrine of election also lies at the root of the traditional debate between Calvinism and Arminianism.
(When the Lord Himself touched on this issue in Nazareth, they attempted to throw Him off a cliff! 4)
The "Once Saved Always Saved" view is still a very controversial topic among those grappling with the apparent paradoxes emerging from this issue. Our own view is that both views - Calvinism and Arminianism - are correct in what they assert, but both are wrong in what they deny.
This classic debate, we believe, can only be resolved by recognizing that God is outside our domain of time. The great insight of modern physics is the discovery that time is a physical property. Since God is not bound by the restrictions of our physical existence, He is not someone who has "lots of time," but rather One who is outside our domain of time altogether.
While we have complete freedom of choice - within our dimensionality of time - He is outside of that domain and He alone knows the end from the beginning. Thus, it is a courtship between two sovereignties.
It is His faithfulness and unconditional love that we have the opportunity to receive. (We attempt to explore this in more depth in our briefing package, The Sovereignty of Man.)
The Prodigal Son
We all recall the famous parable of the Prodigal son. 5 Unthinkably rebellious, disdainful of his situation, he ends up in a hopeless mess. Which of the son’s good works maintained the relationship between the father and the son in the parable? None.
Yet, had he forfeited any rights to his sonship? This is one of the key lessons of the parable: Once a son, always a son. The relationship was unbroken, even though his fellowship had been interrupted by his misdemeanors.
As a believer, you will never be judged for your sins. 6 It is so settled in the mind of God. However, some of us never seem to get out of the courtroom and into the family room. There is far more than mere forgiveness in store for us, if we are "in Christ."
Adoption
Romans Chapter 7 is sometimes described as "law school." Yet the following chapter deals with our transcendence through adoption. 7 In the culture of that time, the procedure of adoption elevated a child into eligibility for his inheritance.
If salvation wasn’t permanent, why introduce the concept of adoption? Wouldn’t it have been better just to describe salvation in terms of a conditional contract between man and God?
Is your adoption probationary? Why would God choose, before the foundation of the world, 8 to adopt someone He knew He would eventually have to unadopt? Could you ever really put your total trust in a heavenly Father who might unadopt you? (I have heard of unwanted pregnancies. I have never heard of an unwanted adoption.)
To believe we can be unadopted is to believe that man is able to thwart the predestined will of God.
The authors of the New Testament left us with detailed explanations of how one becomes a child of God. If that process could be reversed, doesn’t it make sense that at least one of them would have gone into explaining that as well?
Sealed
We also notice that the New Testament repeatedly applies to us the concept of being "sealed." 9 The term explicitly denotes protection and security; being closed off from outside influences and interferences.
What is the significance of a seal that can be removed and reapplied? What does it really seal? To allow "unsealing" involves a contradiction in terms. (In the Book of Revelation, 144,000 are sealed. 10 The entire group reappears later in Chapter 14. 11 How many were lost?)
[Maybe we’d better just hope for the best: We’d better cross our fingers and hope that Christ ultimately defeats the Antichrist in the end. If mortal man can thwart God’s prophetic will for his own life, think of what a supernaturally empowered world leader could do on a larger scale!]
In Conclusion
Resolve any insecurities you may have with respect to your own eternal destiny NOW. It is clearly the most important issue in your life. Is there anything keeping you from accepting God’s free gift of salvation right now?
If your helmet appears perishable or lacking durability, your potential victory in the spiritual battles you are continually facing will prove fragile. The believer knows his ultimate victory is certain. Reread Romans 8:28-39. And remember who is continually holding you up in prayer: Our Lord Himself! 12
How do you know that you are really saved? Two ways: (1) By trusting in the completed actions by Jesus on that Cross erected in Judea so long ago. And, (2) By experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. You are not saved by your actions, but your actions should demonstrate that you have been saved. It’s not so much an issue of "life after death"; but rather, "life after birth" (your second birth!).
How are you doing? Chat with Him about it. Every day.
* * *
This article was originally published in the
February 1997 Personal Update NewsJournal.
For a FREE 1-Year Subscription, click here.
**NOTES**
1. Luke 19:10.
2. Philippians 4:6.
3. John 3:16-18.
4. Luke 4:25-30.
5. Luke 15:11-32.
6. John 5:24.
7. Romans 8:15-16.
8. Ephesians 1:4.
9. Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Cor 1:21-22; 1 Pet 1:5, et al.
10. Revelation 7:4-8.
11. Revelation 14:1-5.
12. Hebrews 7:25
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http://www.khouse.org/6640/CD009-7/
Our Victory In Christ
Romans 8
66/40 Radio Broadcast
THIS BROADCAST:
We are continuing a study on the book of Romans. This weeks study includes:
* God's Logic For Our Security
* The Seven Questions of Eternal Security
* The Final Guarantee
What is ''the bondage of decay''?
Listen to Part 1 »
''Why do bad things happen to good people?''
Listen to Part 2 »
Can you lose your salvation?
Listen to Part 3 »
What are the seven questions of eternal security?
Listen to Part 4 »
What is the ''Final Guarantee''?
Listen to Part 5 »
///////////
http://www.khouse.org/topical_bible_study/rapture/
Topical Bible Study: Rapture
Introduction:
The Rapture. Harpazo. The "taking out". Who stays? Who goes? When will it happen? Pre-Tribulation? Post-Tribulation? Somewhere in the middle?
Join Bible teacher and scholar Chuck Missler as he examines in detail the many beliefs about this pivotal event in prophecy. He will clear up some common misconceptions, as well as explore some provocative possibilites regarding the Church, the anti-Christ and the nation of Israel.
**STUDY RAPTURE**
Articles
Rapture Questions Continue:
Our Blessed Hope
Pattern is Prologue: The Rapture, Part 2:
The Wedding Model
A Concluding Review:
The Harpazo
The Great Snatch?
Chuck Missler takes a look at the Biblical accounts and prophecies regarding The Rapture.
Ephraem The Syrian
Chuck Missler examines the origins of the Pre-Tribulation rapture theory.
Date Setting?
Chuck Missler examines the perils in trying to set exact dates for Christs return, as well as signs and trends to look for in current events.
This Generation Shall Not Pass...
Chuck Missler answers the question, 'Who is Jesus referring to when he says, '...this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled'?'
Pentecost in May
Chuck Missler examines the historic traditions and prophetic implications behind the many Feasts of the Jewish faith. What significance do they have for us as Christians?
Thy Kingdom Come: The Millennium
Starting with Origen and continuing with Augustine, the Church grew to allegorize the prophecies concerning the earthly reign of the Messiah. However, the Bible treats the Millennium as the literal thousand-year rule of Christ from Jerusalem.
The Rapture Myth
John Loeffler addresses the attacks on the Western Church during these days of 'tolerance', and the dangers of believing the Rapture will rescue us from any tribulation or suffering.
Other Web Sites
-
Pretribulation or Prewrath?
by Ron Graff
http://www.ldolphin.org/prewrath.html#anchor121801
Introduction
Recent publications by Robert Van Kampen and Marvin Rosenthal have presented a new variation in the study of the timing of the Rapture. They have coined the expression "prewrath Rapture" for their position. (The Rapture Question Answered, p. 49, p. 198). The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the key aspects of their theory and compare it to the teachings of the pretribulation Rapture.
Since most of their teaching on the Rapture question is distilled in Van Kampen's book, The Rapture Question Answered, most of our references will be to this book. Some references will be made to The Sign (Expanded Version), Van Kampen's earlier and larger work. Reference notes will refer to Rapture, and Sign, accordingly.
I would like to state at the beginning, that I do not consider those who hold the prewrath position as enemies. The ones I have read love the Lord, are evangelistic, and seem to be very sincere. I am very impressed with Van Kampen's ambition, writing skills, reverence for God's Word, and generosity (his organization sends free copies of The Sign to pastors!). We are all seekers for the truth, and it is my hope that my observations will help all of us become better students of prophecy. (Acts 17:11)
Areas of Agreement
Following Van Kampen's own list of areas of agreement, I acknowledge the following issues of mutual understanding. These matters do not need to be addressed in our discussion.
Premillennialism
Literal hermeneutic
Seven year Tribulation
Second half of Tribulation dominated by Antichrist
Mark of the Beast
Unprecedented persecution of the elect and Israel
Timing of the battle of Armageddon
The Church will not see the wrath of God (Rapture, pp. 33-42)
Problems With The Pre-Wrath View
Van Kampen claims that he was torn between the pretribulation and postribulation views of the rapture. He agreed with his pretribulation friends that the church will not see the wrath of God (1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10). But he agreed with his postribulation friends that the elect will someday become targets of Antichrist's persecution (Matt. 24:21-22; 29-31; 2 Thess. 2:1-8; Rev. 13:3-10; 14:9-12). (Rapture, pp. 42-43)
He felt that there must be a common denominator somewhere in Scripture to balance these teachings. When he considered the signs given in Matthew 24:29-31, he believed he had discovered this common element.
"Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." Matthew 24:29-31(NIV)
Based on this discovery, Van Kampen says that the core truth of their view is this: "The persecution by Antichrist during the great tribulation will be the wrath of Satan (Rev. 12:12), not the wrath of God. When the sign of the sun, moon, and stars is given in the heavens, the wrath of Satan against the elect will be terminated, the faithful to God will be raptured, and then the wrath of God will begin against the wicked who remain, ending with the battle of Armageddon." (Rapture, pp. 47-48)
1A - Antichrist will persecute the Church.
After carefully studying both of Van Kampen's books (The Sign, and The Rapture Question Answered), I believe that this statement of the "core truth" of the prewrath view really does represent the key differences between their position and the pretribulation position. It identifies several questionable elements of their theology. These debatable assumptions are:
1A - Antichrist will persecute the Church.
2A - Satan's wrath ends at the Rapture and then God's wrath begins.
3A - The Rapture takes place when Christ returns in great glory.
The prewrath position does acknowledge the separate existence of Israel and special treatment by God during the Tribulation when she is driven into the wilderness (Rev. 12), but it assumes that they are not saved until the very end, when they think the 144,000 are sealed. This will be discussed more fully later. The big problem with prewrath theology is the assumption that the "elect" which are also "saints" of the Tribulation period are basically the same as the Church. There are two main difficulties with this view. First, the Church is missing. This is also discussed later. Of equal importance, this seven year Tribulation period is definitely the last "week" of Daniel 9:27, and, as such, is a final segment of Israel's history before the Millennial Kingdom. According to The book of Revelation, the events of the period revolve around Israel, The Temple, Jerusalem, the Two Witnesses, and the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel.
1B - Failure to distinguish between Israel and the Church
The fact is, when Jesus gave His explanation of future events, known as the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 and 25), the Church had just been announced (Matthew 16:13-18 ), but it's composition and destiny, including the Rapture, was still a mystery. This information would later be revealed to the Apostle Paul. If Christ had discussed the course of the Church age and the Rapture, it would have been very confusing to the disciples at that time. The Church came into existence on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and little by little, the organization took shape. All of the early believers were Jewish, and the new Church was seen as a continuation of their Old Testament Beliefs.
The "mystery" of the Church was revealed to the Apostle Paul, and described by Him in numerous passages of Scripture. In Romans 11:25 he used the word to describe the temporary "hardening" of Israel: "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in."
The word "mystery" (Greek musterion) meant a "secret," or something formerly hidden, but now revealed. Paul used it in various places to describe aspects of the Church and its mission. (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9-10). The Rapture itself is called a mystery in 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. In Ephesians 3 the Apostle explained in greater detail that the mystery of the Church was part of God's purpose all along to make Gentiles heirs together with Israel.
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.. Ephesians 3:2-11 (NIV)
Van Kampen complains that when the pretribulation teachers relegate the events of the Olivet Discourse to Israel, they fail to teach the entire Gospel message. (Rapture, p. 103) We agree that students of the Word should accept that all Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), and that all of it should be taught. However, not all sections apply to all people. Everything in the Gospels is important and instructive to the Church, but some portions are about the history of Israel, beyond the age of the Church. To fail to make that distinction is to do a great disservice to the Bible student.
2B - Failure to distinguish between the Church and the "saints" of the Tribulation
The prewrath Rapture theory equates Church with the "elect" of Matthew 24:31, who are gathered by angels when Christ returns in power and glory (Rapture, pp. 80-81. There are serious problems with this view. The glorious visible return of Christ as King of Kings is quite different from the promised Rapture of the Church. This will be discussed later.
The church is not named once in the entire account of the Tribulation period in the Book of Revelation Chapters 4-19. This is all the more noticeable since the word is used repeatedly in the first three chapters, where Christ is seen walking among the churches, and then sending messages to seven specific churches. The best explanation for this is that the true Church, the bride of Christ, is taken from the earth at the Rapture. At chapter 4, the Apostle John is told to "Come up here." For the remainder of the vision, he is in the presence of the Lord, looking down on the dreadful events of the Tribulation. This is symbolic of the Rapture of the Church.
During the Tribulation, however, there are "saints." They are also called the "elect." They are undoubtedly true believers in Jesus Christ, because there has been "no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV) Just as it has always been, they may be Jews or Gentiles who have decided to receive Christ as Savior. As the story unfolds in the book of Revelation, these believers will undergo great persecution, and many of them will be martyred for the cause of Christ. Those who die are the subject of the Fifth Seal (Revelation 6:9-11). Those who survive to the end will be gathered together by angels (Matthew 24:31) and will undoubtedly be the mortals who populate the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20).
3B - An unfair test (Rapture or Armageddon?)
Van Kampen suggests a test he has given to prophecy classes he has taught over the years. First read the following Biblical passage:
Matthew 24:27-40
27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
29 "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
Van Kampen has them read verses 27, 30-31 and 37-40, then asks, "Now, decide which event Christ had in mind when He gave this specific instruction to His disciples. Does this passage refer to the battle of Armageddon as recorded in Revelation 19:11-21, or does it refer to the rapture of the saints as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17?" (Rapture, pp. 106-107) He then states that everyone in his classes has always thought it was about the Rapture.
The question itself is flawed. There is no reference in these verses to any battle, much less the specific battle of Armageddon. If the question were to be worded fairly it should ask, "Does this passage refer to the glorious return of Christ as recorded in Revelation 19:11-21, or does it refer to the rapture of the saints as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17." In that case, knowledgeable students would be most likely to choose the Glorious Return.
Van Kampen wouldn't word the question in this way because he evidently does not believe that there are two separate events. In fact, he ridicules the pretribulation view as teaching that the Church should be looking for the second coming, but Israel should be waiting for the third coming. (Rapture, p. 95) Of course, this is not what is taught by pretribulation teachers. It is easily provable that there are two distinct events coming - The Rapture and The Glorious Return. (See "Failure to distinguish between the Rapture and The Glorious Return of Christ" below) Pretribulation scholars refer to both events as "The Second Coming," just as the many events of Jesus' earthly sojourn were all part of His "First Coming."
2A - Satan's wrath ends at the Rapture and then God's wrath begins.
Using Revelation 12:12, and 13:4-7, Van Kampen says that Satan's wrath is the persecution of God's elect. (Rapture, p. 58). These verse state:
Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." Revelation 12:12
Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. Revelation 13:4-7(NIV)
When one studies this passage, it is clear that Satan's wrath is a reaction to God's wrath. God punishes Satan by casting him down to earth. This makes him angry. He is, in fact given power to persecute believers ("the saints") during the last half of the Tribulation (42 months). The proper way of seeing the Tribulation is that it is the time of both God's wrath and Satan's wrath as he struggles against the sovereignty of God.
Even in this present time we can see the same thing, to a lesser degree. Peter says that the Devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, and causing persecution of believers. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
1B - Artificial shift from Satan's wrath to God's wrath
Using the illustrations of the days of Noah and the days of Lot in Luke 17:22-30, Van Kampen concludes that the Rapture will occur on the very day that God's wrath begins, thus ending the wrath of Satan. (Rapture, pp. 56-59).
The passage does not refer to the Rapture, but to the Glorious Return of Christ. The worst expression of God's wrath will be delivered at that time because the battle of Armageddon if fought. But that is not to say that the earlier part of the Tribulation is not also the result of God's wrath.
2B - Assumption that God's wrath does not begin until Christ returns.
The prewrath assumption that God's wrath does not start until just before the battle of Armageddon does not fit the facts revealed in the book of Revelation.
Even in the very first chapter of Revelation we see Christ, not as the Gentle Savior of the Gospels, but as the Judge, with eyes of blazing fire, glowing bronze feet, a voice that sounds like rushing waters, a sword coming out of his mouth, and a face glowing like the sun in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:13-18)
In Revelation 3:10 the Church at Philadelphia was given the promise that they would be kept "from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth." The implication is clear that God's wrath would be poured out on the whole evil world as He had done at the time of the flood.
In Chapters 4 and 5, future events are seen as emanating from God's sovereign throne. Jesus Christ, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was slain, is the only one worthy to open the seals of the scroll. Starting with chapter 6, Jesus opens the seals, one at a time, and each time, events transpire which represent God's wrath and judgment, usually on the whole earth.
In chapter 7 God holds back the strong angels who have power to harm the earth until the 144,000 can be sealed.
In chapter 12, as mentioned before, Satan's wrath is displayed, but it is the result of God's wrath leveled against him.
At the midpoint of the Tribulation, when people must decide whether or not to receive the "mark of the beast," it is said that God's judgment has come.
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth-- to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." Revelation 14:6-11
3A - The Rapture takes place when Christ returns in great glory.
1B - Failure to distinguish between the Rapture and The Glorious Return of Christ
The key passage for the prewrath view is the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 and 25). There is only one return of Christ in view there, and that is at the end of the sequence of events describing the Great Tribulation. Matthew 24:30 states that, "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." Van Kampen says this is the Rapture. However, there are many differences between the Rapture and the Glorious Return of Christ. Here are some of these differences:
THE RAPTURE
THE GLORIOUS RETURN
Christ comes for His own
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Christ return with His own
Revelation 19:14
Believers taken to Father's House
John 14:3 Believers come to Earth
Matthew 24:30
Seen only by believers
1 Corinthians 15:52 Every eye will see Him
Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16; Matthew 24:30
No reference to Satan Satan bound
Revelation 20:1-3
Earth not judged Earth judged
Revelation 20:4-5
A Mystery
1 Corinthians 15:51 Foretold in Old Testament
Dan. 12:1-3; Zech. 12:10; 14:4
2B - Who is left to populate the Millennial Kingdom?
If the Rapture were to take place just before the battle of Armageddon, and all the believers were taken just before the final events of the Tribulation, what people would become believers at the very last moments so that there would be godly people to populate the Millennial Kingdom? Van Kampen's thought is that this is where the 144,000 come in. (Rapture, pp. 53-54).
We agree that there will be many Jewish people who believe at the end when they see the Lord whom they have pierced and mourn for Him. (Zechariah 12:10).
However, according to Revelation 7:3- , the 144,000 are sealed before any destruction occurs:
"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
3B - The Judgment of the Sheep and Goats
According to Matthew 25:31-46, there will be a judgment of "sheep" and "goats" based on how people treated Israel. In the pretribulation view, surviving believers of the Tribulation period will qualify as the "sheep." In the prewrath view, all believers would have been taken at the Rapture and only a remnant from Israel itself would become believers at the very end. It is difficult to imagine that these new converts could be the "sheep" who acted kindly toward Israel.
Van Kampen offers a very unorthodox explanation of this dilemma. Since it is obvious that these Gentile survivors have not yet accepted Christ (or they would have gone up at the Rapture shortly before this time), he says that they will have trusted Christ when they saw Him face to face "when the Son of Man comes in His glory." (Matthew 23:31) (Sign, pp. 403-405)
I didn't notice any mention of this theory in his later book, probably because of difficulties in supporting this view.
4B - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares also refers to the separation of believers from non-believers at the end of this age.
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
"'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
This parable make good sense from a pretribulation point of view because it is similar to the Judgment of Sheep and Goats. In both cases, there are many believers and many non-believers. This takes place at "the end of the age" and the agents are angels. It is difficult for the prewrath position because that view does not allow for a large number of believers at the end of the age.
Again, I did not notice the use of this parable in Van Kampen's later book, The Rapture Question Answered, but is used repeatedly in The Sign. This passage is listed at least 15 times in the Scripture Index of that book. In The Sign, the author usually listed this passage as a proof for the Rapture, saying, for instance,
As we continue, we will see that when believers are received by Christ in the clouds at the Rapture of the church, it will be the angels of God who "gather the wheat into My barn" (Matt. 13:30) and who "gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other" (Matt. 24:31), and that "we who are alive and remain shall be caught up [by God's angels] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4:17) (Sign, p. 296)
Notice the mixing of expressions from this parable with the classic passage about the Rapture. This passage simply can not refer to the Rapture, because it is stated that it takes place "at the end of the age," and even more importantly, the weeds, or tares, are collected FIRST, bundled for burning (presumably at a later time - The White Throne Judgment), and THEN the wheat is gathered into the barns.
Conclusion
I have noticed that a surprising number of young pastors have adopted the prewrath position. One possible reason for this is the normal desire of each generation to "go beyond" the previous one. It is actually a good thing for young scholars to test what they have been taught, and especially to compare it to the Scripture.
Another possible reason for the wide-spread interest in the prewrath theory comes from the fact that most pastors are really not up to speed in eschatology. They realize that nearly one third of the Bible is prophecy, but they have not invested the time to know it well. Van Kampen himself says that he spent nine thousand hours of Bible study and research during eight years to develop his eschatology. ("Join the club, Robert! Every serious prophecy teacher has invested many years in concentrated study). What he did though that gives a huge boost to his teaching, is to give free copies of his large and colorful book to pastors. Hopefully, most of them will continue to read other works to balance their knowledge.
What difference does it make whether we accept the pretribulation or the prewrath viewpoint? To Van Kampen, the stakes are great. He says, "your view of end times may determine whether you, your children, or your grandchildren survive the onslaught of Antichrist or die at his hands." (Rapture, p. 131) Just like the postribulation view, the bottom line for the prewrath folks is survival.
By contrast, the bottom line for the pretribulation view is evangelism and holy living. But let's admit that godly prewrath believers can be just as evangelistic as their pretribulation brothers and sisters. And shouldn't we all be wise enough to prepare for the future? In any case, Jesus expects us to love one another.
-
According To Prophecy - Pre-Trib Research Study Group
The Harpazo Network
Lambert Dolphin - Eschatology
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http://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/444/
Rapture Questions Continue:
Our Blessed Hope
by Chuck Missler
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The Rapture
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The Wedding Model
The Harpazo
The Great Snatch?
Ephraem The Syrian
We continue to receive many questions concerning the "Rapture" of the church and its apparent contrast with the "Second Coming" of Jesus Christ. Where does this strange view come from? Is the term "rapture" even in the Bible?
Clearly, the idea of the Rapture can be considered the most preposterous belief in Biblical Christianity. It reminds me of the famous quote by Dr. Richard Feynman, speaking of quantum physics:
I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics... in fact, it is often stated of all the theories proposed in this century, the silliest is quantum theory. Some say that the only thing that quantum theory has going for it, in fact, is that it is unquestionably correct.
The situation regarding the doctrine of the Rapture is painfully similar.
The Harpázô
The mysterious event known as the Rapture is most clearly presented in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, in which he encourages the grieving Christians that, at the "great snatch," they will be reunited with those who have died in Christ before them.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. 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. 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. -1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
In verse 17, the English phrase "caught up" translates the Greek word harpázô, which means "to seize upon with force" or "to snatch up."
There are those who claim that the word "rapture" isn't in their Bible. That's because they aren't using the Latin translation:
...deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul rapiemur cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus.. -1 Thessalonians 4:17 (Latin Vulgate) 1
The Latin equivalent of the Greek harpázô is the Latin verb rapio, "to take away by force." In the Latin Vulgate, one of the oldest Bibles in existence, the appropriate tense of rapio appears in verse 17. (Raptus is the past participle of rapio, and our English words "rapt" and "rapture" stem from this past participle.)
At the Rapture, living believers will be "caught up" in the air, translated into the clouds, in a moment in time, to join the Lord in the air.
The Promise
This will be the fulfillment of the promise which our Lord confirmed at the Last Supper:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. -John 14:1-3
This thrilling promise wasn't given to everyone, only to His believers. (Judas had already left by then.)
This appears to parallel the promise of the bridegroom in the pattern of the ancient Jewish wedding, where, after the ketubah, the engagement, but before the huppah, the formal ceremony, the groom departed to prepare a new home for his bride, usually an addition to his father's house. The bride was kept in a state of expectancy pending his return-often in the middle of the night, as a surprise.
(The huppah, the wedding ceremony, was followed with a seven-day celebration, etc.)
The Process
The anticipation of a bodily resurrection after life on this earth pervades the entire Bible. In the oldest book of the Bible, Job declares:
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. -Job 19:25-27
Yet, when our Lord comes to gather His church, there will be a generation alive at that time. In his discussion of the Resurrection in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul again deals with this astonishing event:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? -1 Corinthians 15:51-55
(From quantum physics considerations, I suspect that this transformation, "in the twinkling of an eye," will occur digitally in 10-43 of a second.) 2
The Imminent Gathering
Clearly, the Bible teaches us to expect Him at any moment. This is called the Doctrine of Imminency: it is next on the program and may take place very soon.
(The word "imminent" should not be confused with "immanent," which, in theological contexts, means that God is not only transcendent, or far above us, but that He is always with us and active on our behalf. Nor should it be confused with "eminent," which is a title of honor reserved for persons of outstanding distinction.)
Imminency expresses hope and a warm spirit of expectancy, 3 which should result in a victorious and purified life. 4 Believers are taught to expect the Savior from heaven at any moment. 5
Paul seemed to include himself among those who looked for Christ's return. 6 Timothy was admonished to "keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." 7 Jewish converts were reminded that "yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." 8
Some have concluded that the expectation of some were so strong they had stopped work and had to be exhorted to return to their jobs, 9 and have patience. 10
Two Events?
There are many that hold to the view that emerged in the Medieval church (Catholic and Protestant) that the "Second Coming" of Christ and the "Rapture" are somehow the same. Yet there seems to be a number of indications that these are distinct and separate.
In contrast to the imminent gathering of His church, there are numerous passages that deal with precedent events which must transpire prior to the "Second Coming" to establish His kingdom on the earth. Some of the passages referring to the Rapture and the Second Coming are summarized at the the table below.
Rapture
Second Coming
John 14:1-3
Dan 2:44-45
Rom 8:19
Dan 7:9-14
1 Cor 1:7-8
Dan 12:1-3
1 Cor 15:1-53
Zech 14:1-15
1 Cor 16:22
Matt 13:41
Phil 3:20-21
Matt 24:15-31
Col 3:4
Matt 26:64
1 Thess 1:10
Mark 13:14-27
1 Thess 2:19
Mark 14:62
1 Thess 4:13-18
Luke 21:25-28
1 Thess 5:9
Acts 1:9-11
1 Thess 5:23
Acts 3:19-21
2 Thess 2:1 (3?)
1 Thess 3:13
1 Tim 6:14
2 Thess 1:6-10
2 Tim 4:1
2 Thess 2:8
Titus 2:13
2 Peter 3:1-14
Heb 9:28
Jude 14-15
James 5:7-9
Rev 1:7
1 Peter 1:7, 13
Rev 19:11-20:6
1 John 2:28-3:2
Rev 22:7, 12, 20
Jude 21
Rev 2:25
Rev 3:10
Why So Many Views?
There are, of course, many differing views, especially regarding matters of eschatology - the study of "last things." This diversity derives from several factors: the disciplines associated with hermeneutics - the theory of interpretation - as well as the need to integrate an understanding of the entirety of God's revealed plan of redemption: "the whole counsel of God."
The need to relate the various elements of end-time events, such as the Great Tribulation, the events surrounding the Seventieth Week of Daniel, the Millennium, and other related issues, requires precise definitions and diligent study. We will address many of these in our subsequent articles in the hopes that they will prove helpful in understanding these issues and assisting you in formulating your own views regarding these challenges. (We will discover that some of the principal controversies are more an issue of ecclesiology than eschatology! But more of this next time.)
These are not "peripheral" issues (as they may have seemed in the past). We believe we are being plunged into a period of time about which the Bible says more than it does about any other period of human history-including the time that Jesus walked the shore of the Sea of Galilee and climbed the mountains of Judea! It is the most exciting time to be alive! But if we are to be diligent stewards, we need to carefully revise our priorities to match His!
* * *
**NOTES**
1. Bonifatius Fischer, Biblia Sacra: Iuxta Vulgatam Versionem, Ed. quartam emendatam., Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, 1969.
2. For a discussion of the physics of immortality, see our briefing package, From Here to Eternity.
3. 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
4. 1 John 3:2,3.
5. Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:18; 5:6; Revelation 22:20; et al.
6. 1 Thessalonians 4:15,17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1.
7. 1 Timothy 6:14.
8. Hebrews 10:37.
9. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12.
10. James 5:8.
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http://www.khouse.org/articles/2003/449/print/
The Wedding Model
by Chuck Missler
The Wedding Model
In this second article in our series on the Rapture, we will explore another reason why we favor a "pre-tribulation" view of the Harpázô, the "snatching up" of the Church.
All through the Gospels, Jesus relied on the ancient Jewish wedding pattern for many of His parables,1 climaxing in His promise in the Upper Room in John 14 (as reviewed in our previous article). Many of us miss the full import of these allusions if we aren't familiar with the model of ancient Jewish wedding practices.
Jewish Wedding
The first step, the Ketubah, or Betrothal,2 was the establishment of the marriage covenant, usually when the prospective bridegroom took the initiative3 and negotiated the price (mohair) he must pay to purchase her.4
Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was established, and the young man and woman were regarded as husband and wife. 5 From that moment on, the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified - set apart - exclusively for her bridegroom.6 As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride drank from a cup of wine over which the betrothal had been pronounced.7
After the marriage covenant was established, the groom left his bride at her home and returned to his father's house, where he remained separated from his bride for approximately 12 months.8 This afforded the bride time to gather her trousseau and prepare for married life. 9
During this period of separation, the groom prepared a dwelling place in his father's house to which he would later bring his bride. At the end of the period of separation, the bridegroom came - usually at night - to take his bride to live with him. The groom, the best man, and other male escorts left the father's house and conducted a torch-light procession to the home of the bride. 10 Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the time of his coming.11 As a result, the groom's arrival was preceded by a shout,12 which announced her imminent departure to be gathered with him.
After the groom received his bride, together with her female attendants, the enlarged wedding party returned from the bride's home to the groom's father's house,13 where the wedding guests had assembled.
Shortly after their arrival, the bride and groom were escorted by the other members of the wedding party to the bridal chamber (huppah). Prior to entering the chamber, the bride remained veiled so that no one could see her face. 14 While the groomsmen and bridesmaids waited outside, the bride and groom entered the bridal chamber alone. There, in the privacy of that place, they entered into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage that had been covenanted approximately one year earlier. 15
After the marriage was consummated, the groom came out of the bridal chamber and announced the consummation of the marriage to the members of the wedding party waiting outside.16 Then, as the groom went back to his bride in the chamber, the members of the wedding party returned to the wedding guests and announced the consummation of the marriage. 17
Upon receiving the good news, the wedding guests remained in the groom's father's house for the next seven days, celebrating with a great wedding feast.18
During the seven days of the wedding feast, the bride and groom remained hidden in the bridal chamber19 (Cf. Genesis 29:21-23, 27-28) for the seven days of the huppah.20 Afterwards, the groom came out of hiding, bringing his bride with him, but with her veil removed so that everyone could see her.
The Ultimate Bride
The New Testament portrays the Church as the Bride of Christ in Ephesians 5:22-33 (Paul even quotes Genesis 2:24 as the union at the Parousia of the Bridegroom in v.31!); cf. Romans 7:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2; James 4:4. In the opening verses of John 14, the marriage covenant is confirmed. 21 Paul continually reminds us of the purchase price 22 and the covenant23 by which we, the Bride, are set apart, or sanctified.24
Ecclesiology vs. Eschatology
It is this distinctive nature of the Church that is often overlooked by students of prophecy: it is more a matter of ecclesiology than eschatology.
One thing that seems to highlight this distinctiveness is the strange remark Jesus made regarding John the Baptist:
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. -Matthew 11:11
What does that mean? Jesus goes on to explain,
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. - Matthew 11:13
It is John the Baptist that closes the Old Testament, not Malachi. 25 A profound distinction appears to be drawn between the saints of the Old Testament and those of the New.
One of the challenges in fully appreciating Paul's epistles is the need to understand the staggering and distinctive advantages afforded the Church, in contrast to those of the Old Testament saints.26 And it is this role as the Bride of the Bridegroom that is emphasiz
The Armor of God:
The Helmet of Salvation
by Chuck Missler
PURSUE THIS TOPIC:
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Armor for the Age of Deceit
The Sovereignty of Man
The Romance of Redemption - Ruth
Being Faithful in a Faithless World
In our continuing series of articles exploring "the Armor of God" as listed in Ephesians 6, we will now address the fifth in Paul's series of seven:
Wherefore take unto you the whole Armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand... And take the helmet of salvation,
Ephesians 6:13, 17
Why Helmets?
Helmets are a form of security. Most of us have used a helmet of one kind or another. In sports, on a bicycle or motorcycle, in the factory or on a construction site, or in the military. Failure to have the proper helmet can prove fatal.
There's also a difference between wearing a helmet and simply owning one. When things start falling, you can always tell the person with the helmet on from the one who merely possesses a helmet. One is on his feet; the other can be distinguished by all the bandages!
Our most critical "helmet" (whether we realize it or not) is the one that is absolutely essential for the combat we are presently engaged in! It is the helmet designed by God:
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
18 According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:17-19
Salvation
"Salvation" is a very common topic, and yet still subject to much confusion. Salvation is received, not earned.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
It is His gift; not wages. His salvation is for a purpose: to restore mankind to Himself. And it flows from a heart of love.
(Have you ever wondered why He bothered? The answer is in the verse just before the one above):
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7
Salvation is not an optional extra. The classic passage is John Chapter 3, where Nico-demus comes to Jesus by night.
Nicodemus
We know a great deal about this influential character. The Talmud indicates he was one of the four richest men in Jerusalem. He was a Pharisee and a ruler-a member of the Sanhedrin.
He was a member of the aristocratic family that had furnished the Hasmonean King Aristobulus II with his ambassador to Pompey in 63 B.C. His son apparently was the man who negotiated the terms of surrender to the Roman garrison in Jerusalem prior to the final destruction of that city in A.D. 70.1
Nicodemus outranks each of us in every respect: he was among the most wealthy in that society; he had stature; he had knowledge-in fact, he was the teacher.2
Nicodemus was among the most respected and religious among the professionals of his culture. He was certainly ahead of any of us. Yet he was in desperate need. Jesus declared to him, "Ye must be born again."3 If he had a spiritual need, where does that place us?
Our Most Urgent Need
Why should God let you into heaven? You say, "I am as good as the next guy." Strike one.
"I am doing the best I can." Strike two.
"I'll try harder." Strike three.
"Nobody's perfect." That's the problem. Sin is a genetic disease; it has contaminated our very nature. Children never need a lesson in being bad. This genetic disease, sin, makes us ineligible for perfection; ineligible to be in the presence of a holy God.
Eternity
Every one of us will exist forever. The real you-call it "soul," " spirit," whatever-has no mass. It is "software" not "hardware." Having no mass, it has no time dimension limitations. Time is a physical dimension. You are eternal-whether you are "saved" or not!
The problem is, where will you spend eternity? If you are perfect-totally free of sin-you will spend it in the presence of God. If not, you will be denied His presence. You and I cannot begin to grasp what that implies. For eternity: that's a long time.
Who Will Perish?
What separates those who will spend an eternity in hell from those who will not? Heaven will be full of people who have committed all kinds of sin.
Hell is a real place for real people.4 The one who told us the most about it was the Lord Jesus Himself. There are only two categories-those that perish and those that don't:
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Salvation is an arrangement by which His eligibility is substituted for our lack thereof. It is available to us because our debts have been fully paid. Our complete pardon has been purchased and paid for.
Even killing the Son of God was not severe enough to put those men outside the boundaries of God's offer of forgiveness.5
[Is there anything keeping you from accepting God's free gift of salvation right now? If there is any doubt in your mind, bring it to the Throne right now. You don't need an appointment. Don't even read on without nailing this one down... with Him. It's your highest priority over anything-everything-else.]
We don't become saved by acting saved. We don't become married by acting married. Faith bridges the gap between our need and God's provision. Faith is simply the way we say "yes" to His offer.
What are you trusting in? Christ, plus something? Or is your hope and your trust in Christ alone? He did the whole job. To imply something must be added is a form of blasphemy!
Your helmet was purchased just for you. You are entitled to it because of Him.
Wearing Your Helmet
With a helmet on, you're noticeable. If you just possess one, it won't be as obvious. Life after death is not the issue. Life after "birth" is. Are you living as if you are saved? Many of us don't live as if we're saved... We are difficult to recognize because of "blending in." We exhibit fear, anxiety, doubt, and hesitation.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Romans 8:28
What are the most important words in that verse? The first three: "And we know." Not just "suspect," or "hope," etc.
Realize who you are and that Christ paid the full price for your redemption. You have been redeemed, you have been paid for; you are no longer your own.
Put on your helmet; protect your thoughts by realizing who you are in Him. Nothing protects you more from a blow to your head than our "helmet of salvation." Each time you step out your door each day, realize that you have been redeemed.
You already have eternal life. No one can take that away from you. So Satan's darts can't reach you. Nothing, by any means, can hurt you. Re-read Romans 8:28-39.
Take your helmet off and you're vulnerable. Satan will put lying thoughts in your head. Remember this: How many of your sins were yet future at the cross? All of them.
Take the eternal perspective. When did God first start dealing with your problem? Before the world began!6 What a staggering insight! He knew and planned for your destiny from before the beginning of time! (We often joke: I'm glad he picked me back then. Looking at me now, He might change His mind!)
We also need to manifest our helmet. We need to alert others to their need for one and how they can obtain theirs. Make this, indeed, a "New Year!" Put on your helmet and let the world know of your security in Christ. Walk with your head up, free of fear and doubt.
Happy New Year, indeed!
* * *
What could be more terrifying than the slightest concern over your place in eternity? There is no room for the slightest doubt on this issue. There are those who feel that their helmet is a perishable item; that once in hand it can be lost. That His grace is probationary. What do you think? Some of the controversies surrounding this issue will be explored in our next article in this series.
This article was originally published in the
January 1997 Personal Update NewsJournal.
For a FREE 1-Year Subscription, click here.
**NOTES**
1. There are Talmudic links to Nicodemus ben Gorion, brother to the historian Josephus, a very wealthy member of the Sanhedrin in the 1st century. He later lost his wealth and position (a reversal due to his becoming a Christian?).
2. John 3:10.
3. John 3:3ff.
4. Revelation 20:10,15.
5. Luke 23:34.
6. Ephesians 1:4.
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http://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/3/
The Armor of God:
The Adequacy of our Helmet
by Chuck Missler
PURSUE THIS TOPIC:
RESOURCES
Armor for the Age of Deceit
Ephesians
In our continuing series on the various elements of the Armor of God (from Ephesians 6:10-18), last month we explored our "Helmet of Salvation." However, we had left some additional aspects to discuss further this month. How adequate is our "Helmet?"
Durability
We need to have complete confidence in our "helmet of salvation." There is no room for uncertainty about its adequacy or the durability of its protection.
Are you "going to heaven? Are you really sure? Or is it just a vague hope?
Where there is uncertainty concerning how salvation is attained - confusion as to what took place at the Cross - there will be confusion over whether it can be maintained. This issue reveals the reality of the Cross. If our salvation hinges on anything but the finished work of Christ on the cross, we are in deep trouble. Why should God let you into heaven?
• "Nobody’s perfect." That’s the problem.
• "I am as good as the next guy." Strike one.
• "I am doing the best I can." Strike two.
• "I’ll try harder." Strike three.
Try? My best? Church? Believe in God? Contribute? All are woefully inadequate to merit the destiny which He has reserved for us.
How, then? By faith alone. Faith is our response to His offer. He has done the entire job. It is actually blasphemy to suggest that we can contribute anything to what He has already completed.
If our salvation is not secure, how could Jesus say about those to whom He gives eternal life, "they shall never perish"?
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:28-29
"They shall never perish." His is not a probationary life. "No man can pluck them out of My hand." There could not be a stronger statement.
Notice that you are in good hands: both of them. There are two hands involved: "my hand" (v.28) and "my Father’s hand" (v.29). The "eternal fist" of the Father and the Son.
Carefully note the following:
1. We are Christ’s sheep: it is the duty of the shepherd to care for each of his flock. The Shepherd keeps the sheep, not the sheep.
2. To each (already) is imparted eternal life. An ending, or forfeiture, would involve a contradiction in terms.
3. It is given, not merited: thus, we cannot demerit it.
4. They shall never perish. God cannot lie.
5. None is able to pluck them; even the Devil is unable to destroy a single one of them.
6. In the Father’s hand. No disappointments are thus possible. (Jesus handed this responsibility over to the Father in John 17.)
If Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost, 1 and yet we can somehow become unsaved "and therefore undo what Christ came to do" would it not be wise for God to take us on to heaven the moment we are saved in order to insure that we make it? Isn’t it unnecessarily risky to force us to stay here?
If salvation is not a settled issue, how can I "be anxious for nothing?" 2
If a man or a woman ends up in hell, who has at some point in life put his or her trust in Christ, doesn’t that make what Jesus said to Nicodemus a lie?3 If there is a condition "—even one" attached to God’s willingness to maintain a relationship with His children, it is not unconditional.
Are you focusing on your own behavior rather than on Christ? We are never completely free to fasten our gaze on Him until we are sure our relationship with Him is secure.
The Sovereignty of God vs. The Sovereignty of Man
Predestination vs. Free Will is one of the classic debates throughout the entire history of both philosophy and theology. The doctrine of election also lies at the root of the traditional debate between Calvinism and Arminianism.
(When the Lord Himself touched on this issue in Nazareth, they attempted to throw Him off a cliff! 4)
The "Once Saved Always Saved" view is still a very controversial topic among those grappling with the apparent paradoxes emerging from this issue. Our own view is that both views - Calvinism and Arminianism - are correct in what they assert, but both are wrong in what they deny.
This classic debate, we believe, can only be resolved by recognizing that God is outside our domain of time. The great insight of modern physics is the discovery that time is a physical property. Since God is not bound by the restrictions of our physical existence, He is not someone who has "lots of time," but rather One who is outside our domain of time altogether.
While we have complete freedom of choice - within our dimensionality of time - He is outside of that domain and He alone knows the end from the beginning. Thus, it is a courtship between two sovereignties.
It is His faithfulness and unconditional love that we have the opportunity to receive. (We attempt to explore this in more depth in our briefing package, The Sovereignty of Man.)
The Prodigal Son
We all recall the famous parable of the Prodigal son. 5 Unthinkably rebellious, disdainful of his situation, he ends up in a hopeless mess. Which of the son’s good works maintained the relationship between the father and the son in the parable? None.
Yet, had he forfeited any rights to his sonship? This is one of the key lessons of the parable: Once a son, always a son. The relationship was unbroken, even though his fellowship had been interrupted by his misdemeanors.
As a believer, you will never be judged for your sins. 6 It is so settled in the mind of God. However, some of us never seem to get out of the courtroom and into the family room. There is far more than mere forgiveness in store for us, if we are "in Christ."
Adoption
Romans Chapter 7 is sometimes described as "law school." Yet the following chapter deals with our transcendence through adoption. 7 In the culture of that time, the procedure of adoption elevated a child into eligibility for his inheritance.
If salvation wasn’t permanent, why introduce the concept of adoption? Wouldn’t it have been better just to describe salvation in terms of a conditional contract between man and God?
Is your adoption probationary? Why would God choose, before the foundation of the world, 8 to adopt someone He knew He would eventually have to unadopt? Could you ever really put your total trust in a heavenly Father who might unadopt you? (I have heard of unwanted pregnancies. I have never heard of an unwanted adoption.)
To believe we can be unadopted is to believe that man is able to thwart the predestined will of God.
The authors of the New Testament left us with detailed explanations of how one becomes a child of God. If that process could be reversed, doesn’t it make sense that at least one of them would have gone into explaining that as well?
Sealed
We also notice that the New Testament repeatedly applies to us the concept of being "sealed." 9 The term explicitly denotes protection and security; being closed off from outside influences and interferences.
What is the significance of a seal that can be removed and reapplied? What does it really seal? To allow "unsealing" involves a contradiction in terms. (In the Book of Revelation, 144,000 are sealed. 10 The entire group reappears later in Chapter 14. 11 How many were lost?)
[Maybe we’d better just hope for the best: We’d better cross our fingers and hope that Christ ultimately defeats the Antichrist in the end. If mortal man can thwart God’s prophetic will for his own life, think of what a supernaturally empowered world leader could do on a larger scale!]
In Conclusion
Resolve any insecurities you may have with respect to your own eternal destiny NOW. It is clearly the most important issue in your life. Is there anything keeping you from accepting God’s free gift of salvation right now?
If your helmet appears perishable or lacking durability, your potential victory in the spiritual battles you are continually facing will prove fragile. The believer knows his ultimate victory is certain. Reread Romans 8:28-39. And remember who is continually holding you up in prayer: Our Lord Himself! 12
How do you know that you are really saved? Two ways: (1) By trusting in the completed actions by Jesus on that Cross erected in Judea so long ago. And, (2) By experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. You are not saved by your actions, but your actions should demonstrate that you have been saved. It’s not so much an issue of "life after death"; but rather, "life after birth" (your second birth!).
How are you doing? Chat with Him about it. Every day.
* * *
This article was originally published in the
February 1997 Personal Update NewsJournal.
For a FREE 1-Year Subscription, click here.
**NOTES**
1. Luke 19:10.
2. Philippians 4:6.
3. John 3:16-18.
4. Luke 4:25-30.
5. Luke 15:11-32.
6. John 5:24.
7. Romans 8:15-16.
8. Ephesians 1:4.
9. Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Cor 1:21-22; 1 Pet 1:5, et al.
10. Revelation 7:4-8.
11. Revelation 14:1-5.
12. Hebrews 7:25
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http://www.khouse.org/6640/CD009-7/
Our Victory In Christ
Romans 8
66/40 Radio Broadcast
THIS BROADCAST:
We are continuing a study on the book of Romans. This weeks study includes:
* God's Logic For Our Security
* The Seven Questions of Eternal Security
* The Final Guarantee
What is ''the bondage of decay''?
Listen to Part 1 »
''Why do bad things happen to good people?''
Listen to Part 2 »
Can you lose your salvation?
Listen to Part 3 »
What are the seven questions of eternal security?
Listen to Part 4 »
What is the ''Final Guarantee''?
Listen to Part 5 »
///////////
http://www.khouse.org/topical_bible_study/rapture/
Topical Bible Study: Rapture
Introduction:
The Rapture. Harpazo. The "taking out". Who stays? Who goes? When will it happen? Pre-Tribulation? Post-Tribulation? Somewhere in the middle?
Join Bible teacher and scholar Chuck Missler as he examines in detail the many beliefs about this pivotal event in prophecy. He will clear up some common misconceptions, as well as explore some provocative possibilites regarding the Church, the anti-Christ and the nation of Israel.
**STUDY RAPTURE**
Articles
Rapture Questions Continue:
Our Blessed Hope
Pattern is Prologue: The Rapture, Part 2:
The Wedding Model
A Concluding Review:
The Harpazo
The Great Snatch?
Chuck Missler takes a look at the Biblical accounts and prophecies regarding The Rapture.
Ephraem The Syrian
Chuck Missler examines the origins of the Pre-Tribulation rapture theory.
Date Setting?
Chuck Missler examines the perils in trying to set exact dates for Christs return, as well as signs and trends to look for in current events.
This Generation Shall Not Pass...
Chuck Missler answers the question, 'Who is Jesus referring to when he says, '...this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled'?'
Pentecost in May
Chuck Missler examines the historic traditions and prophetic implications behind the many Feasts of the Jewish faith. What significance do they have for us as Christians?
Thy Kingdom Come: The Millennium
Starting with Origen and continuing with Augustine, the Church grew to allegorize the prophecies concerning the earthly reign of the Messiah. However, the Bible treats the Millennium as the literal thousand-year rule of Christ from Jerusalem.
The Rapture Myth
John Loeffler addresses the attacks on the Western Church during these days of 'tolerance', and the dangers of believing the Rapture will rescue us from any tribulation or suffering.
Other Web Sites
-
Pretribulation or Prewrath?
by Ron Graff
http://www.ldolphin.org/prewrath.html#anchor121801
Introduction
Recent publications by Robert Van Kampen and Marvin Rosenthal have presented a new variation in the study of the timing of the Rapture. They have coined the expression "prewrath Rapture" for their position. (The Rapture Question Answered, p. 49, p. 198). The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the key aspects of their theory and compare it to the teachings of the pretribulation Rapture.
Since most of their teaching on the Rapture question is distilled in Van Kampen's book, The Rapture Question Answered, most of our references will be to this book. Some references will be made to The Sign (Expanded Version), Van Kampen's earlier and larger work. Reference notes will refer to Rapture, and Sign, accordingly.
I would like to state at the beginning, that I do not consider those who hold the prewrath position as enemies. The ones I have read love the Lord, are evangelistic, and seem to be very sincere. I am very impressed with Van Kampen's ambition, writing skills, reverence for God's Word, and generosity (his organization sends free copies of The Sign to pastors!). We are all seekers for the truth, and it is my hope that my observations will help all of us become better students of prophecy. (Acts 17:11)
Areas of Agreement
Following Van Kampen's own list of areas of agreement, I acknowledge the following issues of mutual understanding. These matters do not need to be addressed in our discussion.
Premillennialism
Literal hermeneutic
Seven year Tribulation
Second half of Tribulation dominated by Antichrist
Mark of the Beast
Unprecedented persecution of the elect and Israel
Timing of the battle of Armageddon
The Church will not see the wrath of God (Rapture, pp. 33-42)
Problems With The Pre-Wrath View
Van Kampen claims that he was torn between the pretribulation and postribulation views of the rapture. He agreed with his pretribulation friends that the church will not see the wrath of God (1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10). But he agreed with his postribulation friends that the elect will someday become targets of Antichrist's persecution (Matt. 24:21-22; 29-31; 2 Thess. 2:1-8; Rev. 13:3-10; 14:9-12). (Rapture, pp. 42-43)
He felt that there must be a common denominator somewhere in Scripture to balance these teachings. When he considered the signs given in Matthew 24:29-31, he believed he had discovered this common element.
"Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." Matthew 24:29-31(NIV)
Based on this discovery, Van Kampen says that the core truth of their view is this: "The persecution by Antichrist during the great tribulation will be the wrath of Satan (Rev. 12:12), not the wrath of God. When the sign of the sun, moon, and stars is given in the heavens, the wrath of Satan against the elect will be terminated, the faithful to God will be raptured, and then the wrath of God will begin against the wicked who remain, ending with the battle of Armageddon." (Rapture, pp. 47-48)
1A - Antichrist will persecute the Church.
After carefully studying both of Van Kampen's books (The Sign, and The Rapture Question Answered), I believe that this statement of the "core truth" of the prewrath view really does represent the key differences between their position and the pretribulation position. It identifies several questionable elements of their theology. These debatable assumptions are:
1A - Antichrist will persecute the Church.
2A - Satan's wrath ends at the Rapture and then God's wrath begins.
3A - The Rapture takes place when Christ returns in great glory.
The prewrath position does acknowledge the separate existence of Israel and special treatment by God during the Tribulation when she is driven into the wilderness (Rev. 12), but it assumes that they are not saved until the very end, when they think the 144,000 are sealed. This will be discussed more fully later. The big problem with prewrath theology is the assumption that the "elect" which are also "saints" of the Tribulation period are basically the same as the Church. There are two main difficulties with this view. First, the Church is missing. This is also discussed later. Of equal importance, this seven year Tribulation period is definitely the last "week" of Daniel 9:27, and, as such, is a final segment of Israel's history before the Millennial Kingdom. According to The book of Revelation, the events of the period revolve around Israel, The Temple, Jerusalem, the Two Witnesses, and the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel.
1B - Failure to distinguish between Israel and the Church
The fact is, when Jesus gave His explanation of future events, known as the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 and 25), the Church had just been announced (Matthew 16:13-18 ), but it's composition and destiny, including the Rapture, was still a mystery. This information would later be revealed to the Apostle Paul. If Christ had discussed the course of the Church age and the Rapture, it would have been very confusing to the disciples at that time. The Church came into existence on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and little by little, the organization took shape. All of the early believers were Jewish, and the new Church was seen as a continuation of their Old Testament Beliefs.
The "mystery" of the Church was revealed to the Apostle Paul, and described by Him in numerous passages of Scripture. In Romans 11:25 he used the word to describe the temporary "hardening" of Israel: "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in."
The word "mystery" (Greek musterion) meant a "secret," or something formerly hidden, but now revealed. Paul used it in various places to describe aspects of the Church and its mission. (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9-10). The Rapture itself is called a mystery in 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. In Ephesians 3 the Apostle explained in greater detail that the mystery of the Church was part of God's purpose all along to make Gentiles heirs together with Israel.
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.. Ephesians 3:2-11 (NIV)
Van Kampen complains that when the pretribulation teachers relegate the events of the Olivet Discourse to Israel, they fail to teach the entire Gospel message. (Rapture, p. 103) We agree that students of the Word should accept that all Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), and that all of it should be taught. However, not all sections apply to all people. Everything in the Gospels is important and instructive to the Church, but some portions are about the history of Israel, beyond the age of the Church. To fail to make that distinction is to do a great disservice to the Bible student.
2B - Failure to distinguish between the Church and the "saints" of the Tribulation
The prewrath Rapture theory equates Church with the "elect" of Matthew 24:31, who are gathered by angels when Christ returns in power and glory (Rapture, pp. 80-81. There are serious problems with this view. The glorious visible return of Christ as King of Kings is quite different from the promised Rapture of the Church. This will be discussed later.
The church is not named once in the entire account of the Tribulation period in the Book of Revelation Chapters 4-19. This is all the more noticeable since the word is used repeatedly in the first three chapters, where Christ is seen walking among the churches, and then sending messages to seven specific churches. The best explanation for this is that the true Church, the bride of Christ, is taken from the earth at the Rapture. At chapter 4, the Apostle John is told to "Come up here." For the remainder of the vision, he is in the presence of the Lord, looking down on the dreadful events of the Tribulation. This is symbolic of the Rapture of the Church.
During the Tribulation, however, there are "saints." They are also called the "elect." They are undoubtedly true believers in Jesus Christ, because there has been "no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV) Just as it has always been, they may be Jews or Gentiles who have decided to receive Christ as Savior. As the story unfolds in the book of Revelation, these believers will undergo great persecution, and many of them will be martyred for the cause of Christ. Those who die are the subject of the Fifth Seal (Revelation 6:9-11). Those who survive to the end will be gathered together by angels (Matthew 24:31) and will undoubtedly be the mortals who populate the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20).
3B - An unfair test (Rapture or Armageddon?)
Van Kampen suggests a test he has given to prophecy classes he has taught over the years. First read the following Biblical passage:
Matthew 24:27-40
27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
29 "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
Van Kampen has them read verses 27, 30-31 and 37-40, then asks, "Now, decide which event Christ had in mind when He gave this specific instruction to His disciples. Does this passage refer to the battle of Armageddon as recorded in Revelation 19:11-21, or does it refer to the rapture of the saints as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17?" (Rapture, pp. 106-107) He then states that everyone in his classes has always thought it was about the Rapture.
The question itself is flawed. There is no reference in these verses to any battle, much less the specific battle of Armageddon. If the question were to be worded fairly it should ask, "Does this passage refer to the glorious return of Christ as recorded in Revelation 19:11-21, or does it refer to the rapture of the saints as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17." In that case, knowledgeable students would be most likely to choose the Glorious Return.
Van Kampen wouldn't word the question in this way because he evidently does not believe that there are two separate events. In fact, he ridicules the pretribulation view as teaching that the Church should be looking for the second coming, but Israel should be waiting for the third coming. (Rapture, p. 95) Of course, this is not what is taught by pretribulation teachers. It is easily provable that there are two distinct events coming - The Rapture and The Glorious Return. (See "Failure to distinguish between the Rapture and The Glorious Return of Christ" below) Pretribulation scholars refer to both events as "The Second Coming," just as the many events of Jesus' earthly sojourn were all part of His "First Coming."
2A - Satan's wrath ends at the Rapture and then God's wrath begins.
Using Revelation 12:12, and 13:4-7, Van Kampen says that Satan's wrath is the persecution of God's elect. (Rapture, p. 58). These verse state:
Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." Revelation 12:12
Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. Revelation 13:4-7(NIV)
When one studies this passage, it is clear that Satan's wrath is a reaction to God's wrath. God punishes Satan by casting him down to earth. This makes him angry. He is, in fact given power to persecute believers ("the saints") during the last half of the Tribulation (42 months). The proper way of seeing the Tribulation is that it is the time of both God's wrath and Satan's wrath as he struggles against the sovereignty of God.
Even in this present time we can see the same thing, to a lesser degree. Peter says that the Devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, and causing persecution of believers. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
1B - Artificial shift from Satan's wrath to God's wrath
Using the illustrations of the days of Noah and the days of Lot in Luke 17:22-30, Van Kampen concludes that the Rapture will occur on the very day that God's wrath begins, thus ending the wrath of Satan. (Rapture, pp. 56-59).
The passage does not refer to the Rapture, but to the Glorious Return of Christ. The worst expression of God's wrath will be delivered at that time because the battle of Armageddon if fought. But that is not to say that the earlier part of the Tribulation is not also the result of God's wrath.
2B - Assumption that God's wrath does not begin until Christ returns.
The prewrath assumption that God's wrath does not start until just before the battle of Armageddon does not fit the facts revealed in the book of Revelation.
Even in the very first chapter of Revelation we see Christ, not as the Gentle Savior of the Gospels, but as the Judge, with eyes of blazing fire, glowing bronze feet, a voice that sounds like rushing waters, a sword coming out of his mouth, and a face glowing like the sun in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:13-18)
In Revelation 3:10 the Church at Philadelphia was given the promise that they would be kept "from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth." The implication is clear that God's wrath would be poured out on the whole evil world as He had done at the time of the flood.
In Chapters 4 and 5, future events are seen as emanating from God's sovereign throne. Jesus Christ, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was slain, is the only one worthy to open the seals of the scroll. Starting with chapter 6, Jesus opens the seals, one at a time, and each time, events transpire which represent God's wrath and judgment, usually on the whole earth.
In chapter 7 God holds back the strong angels who have power to harm the earth until the 144,000 can be sealed.
In chapter 12, as mentioned before, Satan's wrath is displayed, but it is the result of God's wrath leveled against him.
At the midpoint of the Tribulation, when people must decide whether or not to receive the "mark of the beast," it is said that God's judgment has come.
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth-- to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." Revelation 14:6-11
3A - The Rapture takes place when Christ returns in great glory.
1B - Failure to distinguish between the Rapture and The Glorious Return of Christ
The key passage for the prewrath view is the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 and 25). There is only one return of Christ in view there, and that is at the end of the sequence of events describing the Great Tribulation. Matthew 24:30 states that, "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." Van Kampen says this is the Rapture. However, there are many differences between the Rapture and the Glorious Return of Christ. Here are some of these differences:
THE RAPTURE
THE GLORIOUS RETURN
Christ comes for His own
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Christ return with His own
Revelation 19:14
Believers taken to Father's House
John 14:3 Believers come to Earth
Matthew 24:30
Seen only by believers
1 Corinthians 15:52 Every eye will see Him
Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16; Matthew 24:30
No reference to Satan Satan bound
Revelation 20:1-3
Earth not judged Earth judged
Revelation 20:4-5
A Mystery
1 Corinthians 15:51 Foretold in Old Testament
Dan. 12:1-3; Zech. 12:10; 14:4
2B - Who is left to populate the Millennial Kingdom?
If the Rapture were to take place just before the battle of Armageddon, and all the believers were taken just before the final events of the Tribulation, what people would become believers at the very last moments so that there would be godly people to populate the Millennial Kingdom? Van Kampen's thought is that this is where the 144,000 come in. (Rapture, pp. 53-54).
We agree that there will be many Jewish people who believe at the end when they see the Lord whom they have pierced and mourn for Him. (Zechariah 12:10).
However, according to Revelation 7:3- , the 144,000 are sealed before any destruction occurs:
"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
3B - The Judgment of the Sheep and Goats
According to Matthew 25:31-46, there will be a judgment of "sheep" and "goats" based on how people treated Israel. In the pretribulation view, surviving believers of the Tribulation period will qualify as the "sheep." In the prewrath view, all believers would have been taken at the Rapture and only a remnant from Israel itself would become believers at the very end. It is difficult to imagine that these new converts could be the "sheep" who acted kindly toward Israel.
Van Kampen offers a very unorthodox explanation of this dilemma. Since it is obvious that these Gentile survivors have not yet accepted Christ (or they would have gone up at the Rapture shortly before this time), he says that they will have trusted Christ when they saw Him face to face "when the Son of Man comes in His glory." (Matthew 23:31) (Sign, pp. 403-405)
I didn't notice any mention of this theory in his later book, probably because of difficulties in supporting this view.
4B - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares also refers to the separation of believers from non-believers at the end of this age.
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
"'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
This parable make good sense from a pretribulation point of view because it is similar to the Judgment of Sheep and Goats. In both cases, there are many believers and many non-believers. This takes place at "the end of the age" and the agents are angels. It is difficult for the prewrath position because that view does not allow for a large number of believers at the end of the age.
Again, I did not notice the use of this parable in Van Kampen's later book, The Rapture Question Answered, but is used repeatedly in The Sign. This passage is listed at least 15 times in the Scripture Index of that book. In The Sign, the author usually listed this passage as a proof for the Rapture, saying, for instance,
As we continue, we will see that when believers are received by Christ in the clouds at the Rapture of the church, it will be the angels of God who "gather the wheat into My barn" (Matt. 13:30) and who "gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other" (Matt. 24:31), and that "we who are alive and remain shall be caught up [by God's angels] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4:17) (Sign, p. 296)
Notice the mixing of expressions from this parable with the classic passage about the Rapture. This passage simply can not refer to the Rapture, because it is stated that it takes place "at the end of the age," and even more importantly, the weeds, or tares, are collected FIRST, bundled for burning (presumably at a later time - The White Throne Judgment), and THEN the wheat is gathered into the barns.
Conclusion
I have noticed that a surprising number of young pastors have adopted the prewrath position. One possible reason for this is the normal desire of each generation to "go beyond" the previous one. It is actually a good thing for young scholars to test what they have been taught, and especially to compare it to the Scripture.
Another possible reason for the wide-spread interest in the prewrath theory comes from the fact that most pastors are really not up to speed in eschatology. They realize that nearly one third of the Bible is prophecy, but they have not invested the time to know it well. Van Kampen himself says that he spent nine thousand hours of Bible study and research during eight years to develop his eschatology. ("Join the club, Robert! Every serious prophecy teacher has invested many years in concentrated study). What he did though that gives a huge boost to his teaching, is to give free copies of his large and colorful book to pastors. Hopefully, most of them will continue to read other works to balance their knowledge.
What difference does it make whether we accept the pretribulation or the prewrath viewpoint? To Van Kampen, the stakes are great. He says, "your view of end times may determine whether you, your children, or your grandchildren survive the onslaught of Antichrist or die at his hands." (Rapture, p. 131) Just like the postribulation view, the bottom line for the prewrath folks is survival.
By contrast, the bottom line for the pretribulation view is evangelism and holy living. But let's admit that godly prewrath believers can be just as evangelistic as their pretribulation brothers and sisters. And shouldn't we all be wise enough to prepare for the future? In any case, Jesus expects us to love one another.
-
According To Prophecy - Pre-Trib Research Study Group
The Harpazo Network
Lambert Dolphin - Eschatology
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http://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/444/
Rapture Questions Continue:
Our Blessed Hope
by Chuck Missler
PURSUE THIS TOPIC:
RESOURCES
The Rapture
From Here to Eternity
ARTICLES
The Wedding Model
The Harpazo
The Great Snatch?
Ephraem The Syrian
We continue to receive many questions concerning the "Rapture" of the church and its apparent contrast with the "Second Coming" of Jesus Christ. Where does this strange view come from? Is the term "rapture" even in the Bible?
Clearly, the idea of the Rapture can be considered the most preposterous belief in Biblical Christianity. It reminds me of the famous quote by Dr. Richard Feynman, speaking of quantum physics:
I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics... in fact, it is often stated of all the theories proposed in this century, the silliest is quantum theory. Some say that the only thing that quantum theory has going for it, in fact, is that it is unquestionably correct.
The situation regarding the doctrine of the Rapture is painfully similar.
The Harpázô
The mysterious event known as the Rapture is most clearly presented in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, in which he encourages the grieving Christians that, at the "great snatch," they will be reunited with those who have died in Christ before them.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. 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. 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. -1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
In verse 17, the English phrase "caught up" translates the Greek word harpázô, which means "to seize upon with force" or "to snatch up."
There are those who claim that the word "rapture" isn't in their Bible. That's because they aren't using the Latin translation:
...deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul rapiemur cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus.. -1 Thessalonians 4:17 (Latin Vulgate) 1
The Latin equivalent of the Greek harpázô is the Latin verb rapio, "to take away by force." In the Latin Vulgate, one of the oldest Bibles in existence, the appropriate tense of rapio appears in verse 17. (Raptus is the past participle of rapio, and our English words "rapt" and "rapture" stem from this past participle.)
At the Rapture, living believers will be "caught up" in the air, translated into the clouds, in a moment in time, to join the Lord in the air.
The Promise
This will be the fulfillment of the promise which our Lord confirmed at the Last Supper:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. -John 14:1-3
This thrilling promise wasn't given to everyone, only to His believers. (Judas had already left by then.)
This appears to parallel the promise of the bridegroom in the pattern of the ancient Jewish wedding, where, after the ketubah, the engagement, but before the huppah, the formal ceremony, the groom departed to prepare a new home for his bride, usually an addition to his father's house. The bride was kept in a state of expectancy pending his return-often in the middle of the night, as a surprise.
(The huppah, the wedding ceremony, was followed with a seven-day celebration, etc.)
The Process
The anticipation of a bodily resurrection after life on this earth pervades the entire Bible. In the oldest book of the Bible, Job declares:
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. -Job 19:25-27
Yet, when our Lord comes to gather His church, there will be a generation alive at that time. In his discussion of the Resurrection in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul again deals with this astonishing event:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? -1 Corinthians 15:51-55
(From quantum physics considerations, I suspect that this transformation, "in the twinkling of an eye," will occur digitally in 10-43 of a second.) 2
The Imminent Gathering
Clearly, the Bible teaches us to expect Him at any moment. This is called the Doctrine of Imminency: it is next on the program and may take place very soon.
(The word "imminent" should not be confused with "immanent," which, in theological contexts, means that God is not only transcendent, or far above us, but that He is always with us and active on our behalf. Nor should it be confused with "eminent," which is a title of honor reserved for persons of outstanding distinction.)
Imminency expresses hope and a warm spirit of expectancy, 3 which should result in a victorious and purified life. 4 Believers are taught to expect the Savior from heaven at any moment. 5
Paul seemed to include himself among those who looked for Christ's return. 6 Timothy was admonished to "keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." 7 Jewish converts were reminded that "yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." 8
Some have concluded that the expectation of some were so strong they had stopped work and had to be exhorted to return to their jobs, 9 and have patience. 10
Two Events?
There are many that hold to the view that emerged in the Medieval church (Catholic and Protestant) that the "Second Coming" of Christ and the "Rapture" are somehow the same. Yet there seems to be a number of indications that these are distinct and separate.
In contrast to the imminent gathering of His church, there are numerous passages that deal with precedent events which must transpire prior to the "Second Coming" to establish His kingdom on the earth. Some of the passages referring to the Rapture and the Second Coming are summarized at the the table below.
Rapture
Second Coming
John 14:1-3
Dan 2:44-45
Rom 8:19
Dan 7:9-14
1 Cor 1:7-8
Dan 12:1-3
1 Cor 15:1-53
Zech 14:1-15
1 Cor 16:22
Matt 13:41
Phil 3:20-21
Matt 24:15-31
Col 3:4
Matt 26:64
1 Thess 1:10
Mark 13:14-27
1 Thess 2:19
Mark 14:62
1 Thess 4:13-18
Luke 21:25-28
1 Thess 5:9
Acts 1:9-11
1 Thess 5:23
Acts 3:19-21
2 Thess 2:1 (3?)
1 Thess 3:13
1 Tim 6:14
2 Thess 1:6-10
2 Tim 4:1
2 Thess 2:8
Titus 2:13
2 Peter 3:1-14
Heb 9:28
Jude 14-15
James 5:7-9
Rev 1:7
1 Peter 1:7, 13
Rev 19:11-20:6
1 John 2:28-3:2
Rev 22:7, 12, 20
Jude 21
Rev 2:25
Rev 3:10
Why So Many Views?
There are, of course, many differing views, especially regarding matters of eschatology - the study of "last things." This diversity derives from several factors: the disciplines associated with hermeneutics - the theory of interpretation - as well as the need to integrate an understanding of the entirety of God's revealed plan of redemption: "the whole counsel of God."
The need to relate the various elements of end-time events, such as the Great Tribulation, the events surrounding the Seventieth Week of Daniel, the Millennium, and other related issues, requires precise definitions and diligent study. We will address many of these in our subsequent articles in the hopes that they will prove helpful in understanding these issues and assisting you in formulating your own views regarding these challenges. (We will discover that some of the principal controversies are more an issue of ecclesiology than eschatology! But more of this next time.)
These are not "peripheral" issues (as they may have seemed in the past). We believe we are being plunged into a period of time about which the Bible says more than it does about any other period of human history-including the time that Jesus walked the shore of the Sea of Galilee and climbed the mountains of Judea! It is the most exciting time to be alive! But if we are to be diligent stewards, we need to carefully revise our priorities to match His!
* * *
**NOTES**
1. Bonifatius Fischer, Biblia Sacra: Iuxta Vulgatam Versionem, Ed. quartam emendatam., Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, 1969.
2. For a discussion of the physics of immortality, see our briefing package, From Here to Eternity.
3. 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
4. 1 John 3:2,3.
5. Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:18; 5:6; Revelation 22:20; et al.
6. 1 Thessalonians 4:15,17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1.
7. 1 Timothy 6:14.
8. Hebrews 10:37.
9. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12.
10. James 5:8.
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http://www.khouse.org/articles/2003/449/print/
The Wedding Model
by Chuck Missler
The Wedding Model
In this second article in our series on the Rapture, we will explore another reason why we favor a "pre-tribulation" view of the Harpázô, the "snatching up" of the Church.
All through the Gospels, Jesus relied on the ancient Jewish wedding pattern for many of His parables,1 climaxing in His promise in the Upper Room in John 14 (as reviewed in our previous article). Many of us miss the full import of these allusions if we aren't familiar with the model of ancient Jewish wedding practices.
Jewish Wedding
The first step, the Ketubah, or Betrothal,2 was the establishment of the marriage covenant, usually when the prospective bridegroom took the initiative3 and negotiated the price (mohair) he must pay to purchase her.4
Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was established, and the young man and woman were regarded as husband and wife. 5 From that moment on, the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified - set apart - exclusively for her bridegroom.6 As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride drank from a cup of wine over which the betrothal had been pronounced.7
After the marriage covenant was established, the groom left his bride at her home and returned to his father's house, where he remained separated from his bride for approximately 12 months.8 This afforded the bride time to gather her trousseau and prepare for married life. 9
During this period of separation, the groom prepared a dwelling place in his father's house to which he would later bring his bride. At the end of the period of separation, the bridegroom came - usually at night - to take his bride to live with him. The groom, the best man, and other male escorts left the father's house and conducted a torch-light procession to the home of the bride. 10 Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the time of his coming.11 As a result, the groom's arrival was preceded by a shout,12 which announced her imminent departure to be gathered with him.
After the groom received his bride, together with her female attendants, the enlarged wedding party returned from the bride's home to the groom's father's house,13 where the wedding guests had assembled.
Shortly after their arrival, the bride and groom were escorted by the other members of the wedding party to the bridal chamber (huppah). Prior to entering the chamber, the bride remained veiled so that no one could see her face. 14 While the groomsmen and bridesmaids waited outside, the bride and groom entered the bridal chamber alone. There, in the privacy of that place, they entered into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage that had been covenanted approximately one year earlier. 15
After the marriage was consummated, the groom came out of the bridal chamber and announced the consummation of the marriage to the members of the wedding party waiting outside.16 Then, as the groom went back to his bride in the chamber, the members of the wedding party returned to the wedding guests and announced the consummation of the marriage. 17
Upon receiving the good news, the wedding guests remained in the groom's father's house for the next seven days, celebrating with a great wedding feast.18
During the seven days of the wedding feast, the bride and groom remained hidden in the bridal chamber19 (Cf. Genesis 29:21-23, 27-28) for the seven days of the huppah.20 Afterwards, the groom came out of hiding, bringing his bride with him, but with her veil removed so that everyone could see her.
The Ultimate Bride
The New Testament portrays the Church as the Bride of Christ in Ephesians 5:22-33 (Paul even quotes Genesis 2:24 as the union at the Parousia of the Bridegroom in v.31!); cf. Romans 7:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2; James 4:4. In the opening verses of John 14, the marriage covenant is confirmed. 21 Paul continually reminds us of the purchase price 22 and the covenant23 by which we, the Bride, are set apart, or sanctified.24
Ecclesiology vs. Eschatology
It is this distinctive nature of the Church that is often overlooked by students of prophecy: it is more a matter of ecclesiology than eschatology.
One thing that seems to highlight this distinctiveness is the strange remark Jesus made regarding John the Baptist:
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. -Matthew 11:11
What does that mean? Jesus goes on to explain,
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. - Matthew 11:13
It is John the Baptist that closes the Old Testament, not Malachi. 25 A profound distinction appears to be drawn between the saints of the Old Testament and those of the New.
One of the challenges in fully appreciating Paul's epistles is the need to understand the staggering and distinctive advantages afforded the Church, in contrast to those of the Old Testament saints.26 And it is this role as the Bride of the Bridegroom that is emphasiz