Pre-Trib Rapture Myth? - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

The Myth of the Pre-trip Rapture

By Lahry Sibley

In all of my years as a bible student, if there is one common church doctrine that has troubled me the most, it would have to be the “Pre-Trib Rapture of the Church”. I’ve listened to what seems like an endless litany of arguments, scriptures quoted and so on. I’ve seen this doctrine divide individuals, groups, churches etc., each acquiring a passionate disdain for the other.

For myself, I struggled and prayed, read and listened. But something about the “pre-trib” concept just would not sink into my spirit. It was like a spiritual cotton ball that simply would not pass from my eyes and ears into my heart. I did not know why. I only knew it to be reality in my personal life and walk with the Lord.

Then one day, the revelation light came on and I began to realize what the problem was. I came to the conclusion in scripture that the doctrine of pre-trib rapture simply cannot be supported in God’s Word. Rev. 20:1-6 is what tipped the scale. It was like discovering a diamond or a gold nugget in the dirt while trying to dig up a stubborn old tree stump.

So I wondered how this doctrine came to be. What was its history? How long has it been around?

It is not uncommon knowledge that the most original idea about a pre-trib rapture came from a little noticed book by a Jesuit priest named Manuel Lacunza writing under a Jewish pen name of Ben-Ezra. This book was discovered by a Scotch clergyman named Edward Irving. He translated it into English and then began to write about the teaching in the book. It is not difficult to research when and where all of this led. The early events took place in the 1820’s and 1830’s. I will not offer more detail here for the sake of brevity, considering how long this will be. But one can easily find the same information I found online.

I have observed in my 40+ years as a Bible student and Christian that this pre-trib doctrine has been an anesthesia to zeal for evangelism. It has been a destructive and heinous doctrine that has so duped the multitudes as to stagger the imagination of the Spirit led student of the Scriptures who hungers for the revelation of its truths.

I know that those are strong words. They are meant to be. Genuine love cannot permit otherwise. If I and others like minded are correct, how could anyone possibly think otherwise, considering the impact and influence this one doctrine has had on modern Christianity. It literally dominates pulpit exposition, literature, and music. If there will be no pre-trib rapture, it is difficult to ascertain the harm caused by such a deception as this. (No, I am not a preterist by any stretch of imagination).

I believe that most men of God in this hour, ever how well intended, have accepted as truth what was taught them by their mentors, be the mentors parents, pastors, seminary professors or whoever. It is so easy to accept if you are not spiritually discerning because it has such an impact on the carnal nature of man. No one in their right mind would welcome the experience of events prophesied by John in the Book of Revelation. While virtually everyone would agree with the warning at the end of this book about not changing any wording of the book, most seem to read into to what it says, a concept that cannot be biblically supported by so great a cloud of scriptural witnesses. Let’s consider some of them, shall we?

Pre-Trib Rapture?

By definition, "A sudden removal of all true biblical, Jesus the Messiah, believers in a rapture would certainly be a most spectacular event (sign) to both those departing and those who remain on the earth. The flagship scripture for this entire false doctrine being 1 Thes 4:13-17. I’m amazed that the pre-trib folks complete miss the cry of the archangel and the trumpet blast of God in this passage.

We would expect Jesus to include such an event (sign) in his prophetic answers to the questions about the "end of this age" and "His coming." There would certainly be no point in His disguising or hiding such an important thing since He addressed the subject quite clearly. After all, why would Christians have to know much about the end of time and the "great tribulation" if the church at that time is not going to be on the earth?

Jesus chose specifically to not pray for a rapture.

John 17:15 "I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.

In the scripture that follows, Jesus explains what will happen quite clearly. He says that one will be taken and the other left. Pre-trib folks say that the one taken is the Christian and the ungodly is left behind. However, these scriptures do not define who is who. So to base opinion on this passage is speculation, and could easily be the other way around. I think other texts in scripture supports the other way around as we shall see:

Matt 24:40-42 40 - "Then two men will be in the field: one (wicked) will be taken and the other left. 41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one (wicked) will be taken and the other left. 42"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. (NKJ)

Luke 17:34-37 "I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 "Two women will be grinding together: the one (the wicked) will be taken (destroyed) and the other left. 36 "Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken (destroyed) and the other left." 37 And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."(NKJ)

Note: the gathering of eagles is also mentioned in Rev. 19. They gather to eat the dead flesh of those who are slain by the Lord Jesus.

2 Pet 2:4-9 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)-- 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,(NKJ)

Note: …that the deliverance in vs 9 is out of temptations, not from the planet earth.

Examples of Jesus saying that the taken ones are devoured -

Luke 17:37 And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together." (NKJ)

Note: (eagles = vultures = large bird that lives chiefly on decaying flesh of a dead body)

Now you may be asking, “ok, so when does this all actually occur”. The Bible tells us quite clearly in many places. The following being an example:

Rev 19:17-18 - 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."(NKJ)

Note: this is the flesh of those slain by Christ as His second coming at the end of the tribulation period. This is one and the same occurance as already quoted biblically above.

The taken ones cannot be Christians because they are to be "alive and remain"....

1 Thes 4:15-17 15For this we declare to you by the Lord's [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death]. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God.

(Note: He comes not in a mysterious fly-by, but with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with a blast of the trumpet of God. Not exactly a secret event, would not you agree?)

And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. 17Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!

Now in 2 Thes 2:1-12, Paul provides these same people with further insight into this incredible event…..

1But relative to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and our gathering together to [meet] Him, we beg you, brethren,

(Note: this is the same church to whom Paul is writing and he again referring to the coming of Jesus Christ and the gathering together to meet Him. I cannot see how this is separated from 1 Thes 4:15-17.)

2Not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed, whether it be by some [pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or by letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived and is here. 3Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition),

(Note: Whoa now. The Lords coming cannot take place before the man of lawlessness is revealed? Is this not the “anti-Christ” of the tribulation in the book of Revelation? Dear readers, this is not obscure and vague language here.)

4Who opposes and exalts himself so proudly and insolently against and over all that is called God or that is worshiped, [even to his actually] taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God.

(Note: Paul says that the Lord is coming after the man of lawlessness or son of perdition. Beloved this simply cannot be pre-trib)

5Do you not recollect that when I was still with you, I told you these things? 6And now you know what is restraining him [from being revealed at this time]; it is so that he may be manifested (revealed) in his own [appointed] time. 7For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until [c]he who restrains is taken out of the way.

(Note: The church is not the restraining factor here, in my humble opinion.)

8And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by His appearing at His coming.

(Note: I cannot see any reference in all of this dialog to two separate events 7 years apart known as “the coming of the Lord, can you?)

9The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels--[all of them] lying wonders-- 10And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.

(Note: this to me is the apostasy, the great falling away, the anti-christ is manifested and then the Lord returns.)

11Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, 12In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

Four Examples of wicked taken 'out' of the earth and destroyed and righteous remain:

Matt 13:24- 30 Parable of wheat and tares. Then the Lord provides the interpretation.

Matt 13:37-43 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 "The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, (emphasis mine) and the reapers are the angels. 40 "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42"and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43"Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!(NKJ) (Please note the word “Then” in vs 43.)

Luke 17:28-30 "Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 "but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.(NKJ)

(Note: When is the Son of Man revealed? My Bible says at the end of the tribulation period.)

Matt 13:47-50 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea ("multitudes of people" Rev 17:15) and gathered some of every kind, 48 "which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 "and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."(NKJ)

(Note: Again, at the end of the age)

1Thes 5:2-4 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they(the wicked) say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (NKJ)

(Note: If we were not going to be "here" this passage makes no sense at all. How could “this day” overtake us if we are not going to be here? Furthermore, what is being talked about here does not come suddenly and unexpected. All of the events of the 7 year tribulation period have to take place before the day of the Lord, His second coming.)

Now, we hear all this dialog about the church not being mentioned after chapter 3 of Revelation. But the Elect (believers) are in the Tribulation because the days must be shortened for them. Just in case you’re not sure, look at the Strong’s definition for the word “elect:

Elect or chosen: 1) picked out, chosen
a) chosen by God,
1) to obtain salvation through Christ
a) Christians are called "chosen or elect" of God

Ok, now, let us see what the Lord says about the “elect”.

Mark 13:19-20 "For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20"And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. (also Matt 24:21)(NKJ)

Luke 18:7 "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? (NKJ)

Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering. (NKJ)

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, (NKJ)

(Note: The elect are not Jewish evangelists, as some state, but all believers as evidenced in the verses above.)

Why shorten the Tribulation days for the 'elect' if the believers (the elect) are raptured away before it even takes place? The believers are in the tribulation, that is why it must be shortened for them.
Many people believe that the Bible teaches that Israel signing a peace accord with the Arabs starts the 7 year tribulation period, according to Daniel 9. Read your newspaper. Watch Communist News Network (CNN). Hillary Clinton is like a woman on a mission to accomplish what her husband could not, a peace treaty between the Arabs and Israel. What if this happens and there is no rapture? What will this do to your "faith"? Most who argue for a pre-trib rapture agree there will be a tribulation period like no other as described above by Jesus Himself. Is your faith strong enough to go through it?

Some argue that the church (the word church only) does not appear in Revelation after chapter 3:17, so it must be raptured. Oh? Who, pray tell are the saints and the elect, but the church itself. If the church is raptured, who are all these saints mentioned in Revelation? Please read the verses below and key in on the word "saints".

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

(Note:Will the saints be in prayer if they are already in heaven?)

Rev 8:3 (Same question here)

Rev 11:18

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Note: Destroy the saints in heaven?)

Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

(Note: Why would saints in heaven need patience and faith and be concerned about the sword of he that killeth? If you know anything at all about Islamic escathology, you know that the Jesus they believe will come back during the tribulation period will have only one mission, to behead with a sword those Christians and jews alive at that time.)

Rev 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Now, ask yourself, rather, ask God, where are the saints during the tribulation?
Add the “elect” to the mix.

Finally, let’s fast forward to the end of the Tribulation Period in the Book of Revelation….

Rev 19:11-21
11After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness). 12His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand. 13He is dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God. 14And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15From His mouth goes forth a sharp sword with which He can smite (afflict, strike) the nations; and He will shepherd and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath and indignation of God the All-Ruler (the Almighty, the Omnipotent). 16And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17Then I saw a single angel stationed in the sunlight, and with a mighty voice he shouted (emphasis mine) to all the birds that fly across the sky, Come, gather yourselves together for the great supper of God, 18That you may feast on the flesh of rulers, the flesh of generals and captains, the flesh of powerful and mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all humanity, both free and slave, both small and great!
19Then I saw the beast and the rulers and leaders of the earth with their troops mustered to go into battle and make war against Him Who is mounted on the horse and against His troops. 20And the beast was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who in his presence had worked wonders and performed miracles by which he led astray those who had accepted or permitted to be placed upon them the stamp (mark) of the beast and those who paid homage and gave divine honors to his statue. Both of them were hurled alive into the fiery lake that burns and blazes with brimstone.
21And the rest were killed with the sword that issues from the mouth of Him Who is mounted on the horse, and all the birds fed ravenously and glutted themselves with their flesh.

Clearly, this is the end of the Tribulation Period, the end of the beast and the false prophet. The rest are killed and their flesh feed the birds (eagles – covered previously).

Now, lets look at the next 6 verses which are:

Rev 20:1-6: 1Then I saw an angel descending from heaven; he was holding the key of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and a great chain was in his hand. 2And he gripped and overpowered the dragon, that old serpent [of primeval times], who is the devil and Satan, and [securely] bound him for a thousand years. 3Then he hurled him into the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and closed it and sealed it above him, so that he should no longer lead astray and deceive and seduce the nations until the thousand years were at an end. After that he must be liberated for a short time. 4Then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those to whom authority to act as judges and to pass sentence was entrusted. Also I saw the souls of those who had been slain with axes [beheaded] for their witnessing to Jesus and [for preaching and testifying] for the Word of God, and who had refused to pay homage to the beast or his statue and had not accepted his mark or permitted it to be stamped on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived again and ruled with Christ (the Messiah) a thousand years.

Who will be resurrected? Is it not those who were beheaded during the tribulation period? Who else is present? Is it not those who saints who at the end of the tribulation period are present at His second coming? Who will rule and reign with Him at His second coming for a thousand years? Is it not this same group that died during the tribulation and those who were still alive at His second coming? Beloved, that is not difficult language to understand.

What about the rest? Look at the next verse.

5The remainder of the dead were not restored to life again until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.

Look at John 5:28,29 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Who is resurrected and when? Is it not the saints and the sinners alike? Is this not just before the Great White Throne Judgment? Is not this the resurrection spoken of in verse 5 above? So if the pre-trip camp is correct, then who are the righteous who will be raised from the dead in John 5? The “Pre-trib Myth just cannot survive scriptoral scrutiny)

Vs 6 Blessed (happy, to be envied) and holy (spiritually whole, of unimpaired innocence and proved virtue) is the person who takes part (shares) in the first resurrection! Over them the second death exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ (the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years.

Who are these who are beheaded during the tribulation but the saints of God, the Church of Jesus Christ? To read anything else into this book is to add to it. We all know about John’s warning at the end for doing that. Saints, I’m not trying to be “right”. I’m trying to understand what the Word actually says and not what someone says it says.

I believe that there is only one second coming of Christ, and that is clearly shown above as being at the end of the Tribulation Period. He is coming with a shout of an Angel and the voice of a trumpet. Those who are alive will join those who are resurrected (that did not take the mark of the beast and were beheaded during the trib). These will be caught up with Him and rule with Him for a thousand years.

The Word clearly says that the “rest were not restored to life until the end of the thousand year reign”

Now, if there is a first resurrection at the beginning of the tribulation period, how can there be another “first resurrection” at the end of the tribulation period? You simply cannot have it both ways beloved.

Saints, this is the only scenario that to me fits all the prophecy. Even so, God will perform His Word in the most amazing and profound ways. If you have a position of understanding different from above and can prove it with scripture, I’m all for listening. I want to know the truth. The above is the only scenario that has satisfied my soul and brought me peace regarding this issue. Like everyone else, I too see through a glass darkly and I want to know as much light as I can. So if you have more to share on this, I’m very interested in hearing what you have to say. Just bring your argument in scripture and what it says, not what someone says it says.

I realize that the argument presented above puts me at odds with probably 98% of the church world today. So be it. Until I’m corrected with scripture, I’ll stand my ground. This is not a salvation subject, therefore we can agree to disagree. But this subject is so important to the church today because I believe the vast majority of believers today believe in this rapture doctrine that is not more than about 200 years old, that was started, from the best of my knowledge and what I can dig up, by a Jesuit priest writing under a jewish pen name. It appeals to the flesh and so it took hold and was commonly adapted and taught as what scripture says. I cannot find any scriptural evidence that supports pre-trib rapture.

Jesus said in this world we would have much tribulation, but to be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. Alleluia. Amen and amen. Tribulation is coming saints, like we have never seen before. That is why we are warned and given clear insight into recognizing all the events when they take place…….believe it…..or not.

Comment by Lahry Sibley on May 18, 2009 at 3:12pm: Brother, you can do whatever you like with it. The Lord told His disciples, "freely, freely, you have received, freely, freely give". If it blesses, it belongs to Yahveh. If it does not bless, it belongs to me and that won't help you are anyone. So feel free. I just operated the keyboard.

Yahveh bless you real good today,

Lahry

Comment by Lev/Christopher on May 18, 2009 at 12:03pm: Excellent article and very true. Might I have permission to reproduce it on my rapture page (with all the credits, links, etc. you want?).

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