Photograph of Christ Anglican Church, Stellarton, NS. Taken the morning of October 28, 2005
“Do you believe the Bible is the “inspired” Word of God?”
Almost every Evangelical Christians will answer “Yes” to this question and will then quote his or her favorite verses, such as John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8 and Psalm 34:19.
But if you ask Christians whether they believe in Pre-Tribulation Rapture or Post-Tribulation Rapture, 90% of them will answer: “Pre-Tribulation Rapture.”
If you then ask them, “How can you justify your beliefs in light of Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 15:52 and John’s words in Revelation 11:15-19?”
Most of the 90% will answer: “Pre-Trib Rapture is what my pastor teaches and I trust him.”
Is this really a big deal?
Well, it’s not a big deal to all of the believers who have died before today. Their beliefs on the rapture did not hinder their faith one way or the other.
Yet, those believers who are alive right now have a chance of being a part of those who are raptured when Christ returns. And if not us, maybe our children or grandchildren will be in the rapture.
So, yes, it’s a big deal, especially because the Apostle Paul wrote:
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want be deceived and fall away, nor do I want my children or grandchildren to fall away. I want them and myself to be prepared to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith all the way to the end.
There are more than 150 chapters about end-times prophecy in the Bible. That’s over sixty more chapters than the total combined chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Thus, as you can see, God has placed an emphasis on the end-times. Shouldn’t we at least study and prepare ourselves, just in case our theology is wrong?
My prayer today:
Lord, open the eyes of the American church so that they are like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures to discover the truth for themselves rather than like the Thessalonicans who relied on their leaders’ teachings. (Based on Acts 17:10-11)
Join me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for the American church.
Larry Who 
Thank you, Mr. Larry, for helping us to pray and read His word, and know what we believe and why. God bless you!
“There are more than 150 chapters about end-times prophecy in the Bible.”
True, Larry. But most of them are related to God’s as yet unfinished purposes for Israel, not the church – Abrahamic, Davidic etc Covenants to be fulfilled after the church is removed.
As I understand it Paul’s trumpet is different than John’s in that it’s not one of judgment.
Not all Pre-Tribbers hold to that because of an escapist mentality; it’s what motivates us to preach the urgency of the times no matter the cost, live or die. God bless you.
Debbie,
Thanks. God bless you.
Roger,
Thanks for your input. True, much of the 150 chapters are on Israel, but as believers, we’re grafted in with them. As far as Paul’s writing on the last trumpet, he was writing on the end-times. If there is another trumpet after the seventh trumpet in Revelation, it isn’t mentioned anywhere.
But yes, there are differences of opinions. The important point is to preach the urgency of our times, like you said.