Therefor,
the Rapture of the Church must be Pretribulational.
Therefor, The Rapture of the Church will take place before
the coming Great Tribulation, the time of the outpoured "wrath" of God.
(3) The Doctrine of Imminency states this is our "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13)
that we have been delivered from the wrath to come (2 Thess. 1:10; 5:9), and the next voice we shall
hear from heaven will call us home.
("Frequent exhortations", "IF", “then obviously”
and “must
be”
and "therefor" are presuppositions based upon an assumption "IF" with no Scriptural hermenetical bases, and Assumes the definitions of tribulation and wrath are synonymous!)
*******************************
However, Jesus rebuked those who did not anticipate the “Season of His Coming”
*******************************
THE
DOCTRINE OF IMMINENCY:
The
doctrine of imminency states the no prophetic event must occur prior to Jesus' return. The doctrine of imminency presupposes that sound
Biblical hermeneutical principles are not applicable to its definition; and application to sound eschatology interpretation.
The “Doctrine of Imminency” is in conflict with other Scripture, specifically Jesus’
own words in Matthew 24:5-31, where Jesus specifically states that there are
events which will occur prior to His coming to “gather His elect”.
In
Matthew 24 the apostles question Jesus: “Lord, what shall be the sign of Your coming
and the end of the Age?” Jesus’ response did not specify His Return to “gather His
elect” at any other time other than after the Great Tribulation and prior to His outpouring of wrath upon the unrepentant.
Pre Wrath rapture is
consistent with Matthew 24:5-31 and those prophetic Scriptures which speak of the imminent Return of Christ.
We are expected to know the ‘signs’
of the ‘season’ of Jesus’ coming.
Secondly,
If “Tribulation” and “Wrath” are redefined
as a “Synonymous” descriptions of the entire 7-year period, then “Tribulation” would
effectively be treated as “wrath” theologically. This would then also justify the Rapture occurring before
tribulation poised as “wrath” during the entire 7-year period.
However, Scripture clearly states that
believers are subject to “Tribulation”, but not “Wrath”.
*****************
‘Imminent’
Synonyms:
about to happen, approaching, close, coming, expectant, fast-approaching, forthcoming, gathering, impending, inevitable, likely.
Imminency
Scriptures:
"Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second
time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28). “Likewise, they were to wait for God's Son
from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:10). They were to “watch and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6), and to
“comfort one another with the hope of Christ's coming” (1 Thess. 4:18). Paul included
himself among those who looked for Christ's return (1 Thess. 4:15, 17; 2 Thess. 2:1). Timothy was exhorted to "keep
this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tim. 6:14). Jewish
converts were reminded that "yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Heb.
10:37). Many have concluded that the expectation of some was so strong they had ceased their work and had to be exhorted
to return to their labors (2 Thess. 3:10-12), and all were exhorted to have patience (James 5:8). Finally, John concluded
the book of Revelation and closed the canon of Scripture with the glad cry: "He Who testifies these things says,
‘Surely I come quickly’. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20).
*****************
Hermeneutically, none of these Scriptures support a contradiction of prophetic
events according to Scripture; especially Jesus' own words.
The Imminency Doctrine contradicts a multitude of prophetic Scriptures such as: Ezek. 37, Dan. 9:24-27, Matthew
24:5-31, Luke 21, Rev. 6 & 7.
An accurate
hermeneutical definition of "Imminent’ does not eliminate or negate, the possibility of events
occurring prior to that which is ‘expected’ or ‘likely’ / ‘inevitable’ to occur.
Prophetic
'signs' are part of the imminent return of Christ.
Jesus Himself described certain
events that would occur prior to His gathering of His ‘elect’ as noted in Matthew 24:5-31 (below).
THE
DOCTRINE OF PRE WRATH RAPTURE
Hebrew / Greek DEFINITIONS:
Peirasmos, Peirasmos, Peirasai:
Tribulation / Trials / Temptations / to
Test, to Try, to Tempt.
Thlupsis:
Tribulation / Distress / Affliction / Persecution
Ebrah
/ Orges:
Wrath / Anger / Rage / Fury; Strong’s #5678 connotes the “overflowing
fury of God”
*****************
The
Pre Wrath Rapture is placed between
the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, i.e. between the 6th and 7th Seals.
Reference:
Revelation Chapter 6 & 7 and Matthew 24:29-31.
“Tribulation
vs. Wrath” Overview: Matthew 24:4-31
“Beginning
of Sorrows” (Year 1-3.5) (Peirasmos; Tribulation, testings, trials)
“Abomination
of Desolation”
“Great Tribulation" (Thlupsis; Tribulation, Affliction, Persecution)
Jesus (vs.29) then describes the 6th Seal: “the sun and moon darken.."
Signals the End of the “Great Tribulation”
Is a “sign” that
occurs Before the “Day Of The Lord”
“Day of the Lord” and His WRATH;
(Ebrah / Orges; Wrath, Rage, Fury)
Matt. 24:29-31 Rev.6:12-14, 17
plus Other Scripture:
The 6th seal signals the
End of the “Great Tribulation”
The 6th seal occurs Before the “Day of the Lord”
and His “Wrath”
(“Day of the Lord” and His “Wrath” initiated at 7th Seal)
Jesus
States that
"After the Great Tribulation":
“The sun & moon darken ... and the stars fall...”.
Matt.24:29-31 (6th Seal; Rev. 6:12-14)
Matt.24:30-31
Then shall the Son of man come (parousia) …
“…with a great sound of a trumpet of God.”
& gather the “elect” / "chosen"
Note
that Jesus did not describe His coming to “gather His elect” prior to ‘tribulation’. Whereas Pre
Tribulation theology describes Jesus coming to gather His elect prior to the events Jesus describes in Matthew 24:5-31.
This has no effect upon the imminent
return of Christ. Jesus Himself did describe certain events that would occur prior to His gathering
of His ‘elect’ as noted in Matthew 24:5-31 (above).
Jesus’ own description of His gathering of His elect (Rapture) was given
only once.
Note that Jesus clearly states that after 'Tribulation' His return to
gather the "elect" occurs only once.
Revelation continues to say
that Jesus, the "Lamb of God" then delivers God's Judgment of His "Wrath" upon the unrepentant,
i.e. Feast of Atonement, then rules 1K years during the Millennial Kingdom i.e. Jubilee.
In other words, Jesus stated that He comes and stays; in
contrast to Pre-Tribulation rapture theory, there is no coming and going to return again, which position is contrary to
Jesus' own words.
Rev. 6:17 then states:
“For the great day of His wrath is come;
and who shall be able to stand?”
(present
infinitive tense)
The
Prophets Isaiah & Joel as well as Acts Declare:
“BEFORE the ‘DAY OF THE LORD” and His WRATH
the
Sun be darkened
& the Moon give no light, & the Stars fall ...”
Joel 2:1; 10,31, Acts 2:17-21, Isaiah 13:9-11;24:21-23, Rev. 6:17,
2 Peter 3:1012, Zech. 14:1-6; i.e.: Matt. 24:29-31 and Rev. 6:12-14,17
Wrath:
“The great Day
of the LORD is near, that day is a day of wrath … “ Zeph. 1:14
"Who delivers us from the wrath
(Ebrah / Orges) to come…" 1Thess.
1:10
“For
God has not destined us for wrath
(Ebrah / Orges) … " 1Thess.
5:9
“For the great day of His wrath is come; and
who shall
be able to stand?” Rev. 6:17
“Behold, the Day of the LORD comes, cruel both
with wrath and
fierce
anger” Isaiah 13:7
If “Tribulation” and “Wrath”
are redefined as a “Synonymous” descriptions of the entire 7-year period, then “Tribulation”
would effectively be treated as “wrath” theologically. This would then also justify the Rapture occurring
before tribulation poised as “wrath” during the entire 7-year period.
However, Scripture clearly states that believers are subject to “Tribulation”,
but not “Wrath”.
Hermeneutical
Consistency:
Spurgeon states: “When seeking
the meaning of one passage we must seek unity with all other Bible
teachings related to it, particularly the words of Jesus.”
Milton Terry adds: “If the Scripture has more than one
meaning, it has no meaning at all”.
Tribulation:
In this world ye shall
have “Tribulation”
(Peirasmos), John 16:33.
Behold,
I have refined thee, but not
with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
(Thlupsis), Isaiah 48:10
Then
mankind is subject to “Tribulation”
& “Great Tribulation” during the periods described as the “Beginning of Sorrows”
(Peirasmos) and “Great Tribulation (Thlupsis)
Consequently, Pre Trib Rapture Theology
effectively eliminates the “believers” from exposure to “Tribulation” during the first 7 years;
also called the “Beginning of Sorrows” and “Great Tribulation”.
Therefore, Pre Trib theology is not in unity with the words of Jesus and other
Scripture. It is therefore a hermeneutically unsound interpretation.
SEE “Parallelism” Hermeneutics:
PRE-TRIB THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS
“Tribulation” vs. “ Wrath”
By: Feasts Of The Lord.Net
AT: http://www.feastsofthelord.net/id132.html
Imminency & Events Prior to the Rapture:
While
no one knows the time of Christ’s Return, He may come at any moment.
Note: Both the “imminent Scriptures” and the definition
& synonyms of ‘imminent’ convey a meaning of impending, inevitable, expectancy, etc. which does not
eliminate the possibility of events prior which could be expected or likely/inevitable to occur.
The
doctrine of imminency when applied to the list of imminency Scriptures listed, uses subjective reasoning, drawing unsupportive
conclusions and assumptions by use of phrases such as: “then obviously”, “must be”, “might”
and “therefore”.
Consequently, ‘frequent
exhortations of Scriptures to look forward to Christ’s Return’ became emphasized beyond the point of its original
meaning. These then became the foundation of “Imminent Return” with its own self made definitions;
determining that no other prophetic Scripture is therefore applicable.
Also
note that the definition & synonyms of ‘imminent’, convey a meaning of ‘impending’, ‘inevitable’,
‘expectancy’, etc. which does not eliminate or negate the possibility of events
occurring prior to that which is ‘expected’ or ‘likely’ / ‘inevitable’
to occur.
