Pre Trib Rapture

Warnings

March 7, 2006
(rewritten as it somehow got lost)

The best weapon the enemy can have on their side, is the element of surprise. How powerful and useful would the weapon be for the antichrist should he come, and the rapture did not occur? He could make a literal mockery of all who were believing Christ would save them.  Or maybe he could use this as evidence that He is the Christ returned.  The Bible says, a great deception so convincing that if it were possible, even the very elect would be deceived.

Did you know the pre-tribulation rapture was not discovered and taught as doctrine until the 1900's? During the reformation period, many very smart and scholarly individuals like Luther and Calvin just to name two of several, poured over the scriptures one word at a time, translating, determining the meaning of ancient words, examining the legal and technical meanings of the scriptures in very much detail and depth, yet how did they overlook this seemingly important detail?  I believe it is because it isn't there.  It is more a hope of many Christians than it is fact, but I intend to look at scripture to examine exactly what time in context of the tribulation period Christ will return to claim his Harvest.

During the early part of the century when this theory was first taught as doctrine here in America, there was a vast movement toward Christianity in America, however were people coming to Christ for the right reasons? I believe even today many Christians attend church because they believe this will save them from troubled times, sure they do feel the power of the spirit, but when the antichrist comes and if they are still here, they will become disillusioned, confused, scared, and all of these work against the will and determination of the human spirit.  They will become vulerable to the teachings and apparent power of the antichrist and his host of unholy evangelists. The Christian will suddenly become isolated, your own church members will turn against you to betray you and turn you in to the authorities, the world will mock at you, wars were fought over religiouns they will say, now we have peace and you are rebelling against the peace.

Don't get me wrong, I hope there is a pretrib rapture, but if there isn't, you cannot be prepared for what is to come if you aren't ready for the worst case scenario.  Dawn the armor of Gods word, pray for strength, and pray for a filling of the Holy spirit.  Once you accept the possibility, it is much easier to deal with the aprehension of being caught here during the tribulation. - Dan Dunkin