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Welcome to Call to Decision
THE RAPTURE OF THE WICKED
Introduction:
Most Christians readily profess that they are
always eager to hear and learn from their
Fathers Word. Seldom do they realize, though,
that the first tenant of learning is found in
the willingness to alter one's viewpoint if
necessary to incorporate the truths which the
Holy Spirit teaches you from your study of
God's Word. You should see the truth in this
statement from your own school and life
experience, for continued learning is not
possible if a particular ideology is valued in
spite of vast evidence to the contrary: For
example, there was a point when we realized
our sinful nature in the knowledge of the
world, and we met and returned with Jesus.
Just as it is not sufficient for maximum
enjoyment of earthly life to get only a
grade-school education (particularly these
days), it is neither sufficient nor wise to
place your belief in the traditions and
denominations of man above the Word as
written.
Like Paul so eloquently wrote in Hebrews 5
verses 12 thru 14, many of today's
Christians are like 'bottle babies in
diapers', and have no teeth to even chew the
'meat' of God's Word. They are content
instead to visit their 'nursery' each time
the doors are open, and drink the same
formula they have been fed all their
spiritual lives.
This paper is dedicated to raiding the
denominational nurseries and just perhaps
finding a few who are willing to put on
the armor Paul describes in Eph 6:10-18 so
that they may STAND in the battle that
will shortly come.
I-- Some Background of Contrasting Views
There are two great divisions of
thought regarding prophecy: That of
the futurist and that of the
historicist. Both teach that Christ
will return to earth, but the division
arises over the MANNER of His coming
and it's timing in relation to
"the tribulation".
Some may say "what difference
does it make HOW Christ returns, so
long as we all believe that He
indeed will come?" I personally
hope this paper will show you the
answer to this question, for one's
viewpoint of the timing and the
manner of fulfillment of this
prophecy will not only affect our
actions in preparation for His
return, it will actually allow us to
recognize events as they occur;
events that are so well described in
God's Word that no one should
misunderstand them.
First of all, it should be known
that neither our eternal destiny
nor our salvation will stand or
fall based solely upon our
acceptance of either viewpoint.
However, the issue is important
because the doctrine we accept
will determine both our actions
and our view of world events as
they are presently occurring, and
will continue to occur.
Is there a difference?
The historical view holds that
the tribulation described in
the book of The Revelation is
almost complete save for the
final downfall of 'mystery
Babylon'. The futurist view is
that almost all of the events
of Revelation have a yet
future fulfillment.
Further, the historical
viewpoint teaches that 'the
revived Roman Empire' was
prophesied of in the book of
Daniel, and that this is
(already) fulfilled in Papal
Rome. Further, it is taught,
'the great whore' presently
rides the 'scarlet colored
beast' (Rev 17:3) of red
communism. The futurist
viewpoint teaches that the
'revived Roman Empire' is
yet future, often
identifying it with the
present-day Common Market of
Western Europe.
The historicist further
notes (correctly) that all
thru the centuries the
"church" has
suffered tribulation and
persecution at the hands
of this 'mystery Babylon'
as it has ridden on the
various beast empires
throughout history. The
average American Futurist
is confident that he will
be spared the same fate by
being removed from the
earth before such trouble
arrives at his own
doorstep.
In the present century,
the historicist notes
that communism, the red
beast, has murdered
untold millions of
Christians and other
innocent victims.
Believe it or not, since
1917 more have been
slaughtered in the name
of religion than in all
of history prior to
1917. Many of the
victims were tortured
and if spared death,
were forced to live a
life of deprivation and
suffering. From this
historical perspective,
he reasons that such
atrocities does not have
to fall on the American
'church' before it can
be labeled
'tribulation'.
Two questions I have
for the historicist is
(1) "Since such
terrible tribulation
has fallen upon untold
millions of
Christians, how can
you claim that God
will remove us from
the earth before it
comes to America? And,
(2) Are we just so
much more pious and
precious to God that
He will care for us
more than the past
Saints?
The futurist views
the rise of red
Bolshevism with
strange curiosity.
Because he believes
that a future
'antichrist' will
arise as head of the
'revised Roman
Empire' (i.e., the
European Common
Market), he cannot
identify this red
communism with Bible
prophecy, at least
not directly. It has
become common
teaching that the
antichrist's empire
in the west will
elect the antichrist
as a defense against
red Bolshevism.
In general, the
historicist will
do what he can to
oppose red
Bolshevism and
it's child, The
Socialist World
Government. He is
also more aware of
the nature of the
conflict between
East and West and
between democratic
socialist
movements such as
communism and
Christian
Republicanism. The
futurist, when
confronted with
the millions who
have died
agonizing deaths
in slave camps and
by torture can
only say
"Well, just
wait until the
antichrist comes:
that will make
Communism look
like child's
play!"
I would like to
pose the same
two questions as
above to the
futurist.
So, whereas
our view of
Bible prophecy
does not
affect our
salvation, it
definitely
affects our
thinking, our
outlook on
world events,
and it will
also have a
great effect
upon our
preparation
for the return
of Christ. If
we study God's
Word instead
of becoming
rooted in
either of
these views,
we may see the
truth that
Jesus warned
that there are
TWO 'messiahs'
and TWO
'tribulations'.
As we will
later see, the
'wrong'
messiah is
coming first.
Are you able
to tell the
difference?
II-- The
Saints in
Tribulation
Futurists
are fond
of
claiming
that the
various
'beasts'
spoken of
in the
book of
Revelation
are
representative
of the
'antichrist'
or his
allies who
will rule
the world
during the
future
tribulation.
Opposing
this view,
the book
of Daniel
seems to
clearly
identify
these
beasts as
representing
the
various
nations
and
systems of
government
that were
to rise to
power from
the time
of Daniel
to the end
of this
age. In
Daniel
chapter 7,
the four
beasts are
described
as 1) a
lion with
eagles
wings, 2)
a bear, 3)
a leopard
with four
heads and
four
wings, 4)
an
unidentifiable
beast with
iron teeth
and great
strength,
and
finally,
5) a
little
horn
arising
out of the
fourth
beast.
Daniel
watched
this
'little
horn'
warring
against
the
saints,
and
prevailing
against
them
(Dan
7:21),
until it
was time
for the
saints
to take
the
kingdom
from
him.
Note
that
there is
no hint
that
anyone
escapes
to
heaven
before
this
'little
horn'
appears.
This is
especially
clear in
Daniel
7:25-27.
25 And
he
shall
speak
great
words
against
the
most
High,
and
shall
wear
out
the
saints
of the
most
High,
and
think
to
change
times
and
laws:
and
they
shall
be
given
into
his
hand
until
a time
and
times
and
the
dividing
of
time.
26
But
the
judgment
shall
sit,
and
they
shall
take
away
his
dominion,
to
consume
and
to
destroy
it
unto
the
end.
27
And
the
kingdom
and
dominion,
and
the
greatness
of
the
kingdom
under
the
whole
heaven,
shall
be
given
to
the
people
of
the
saints
of
the
most
High,
whose
kingdom
is
an
everlasting
kingdom,
and
all
dominions
shall
serve
and
obey
him.
(KJV)
This
passage
is
usually
either
ignored
or
explained
to
mean
that
the
saints
are
the
Jews,
who
unfortunately
will
be
left
behind,
since
all
the
pious
and
good
Christians
have
been
raptured
away.
Such
teachers
ignore
the
truths
in
the
Word
by
conveniently
disregarding
the
very
plain
statement
of
Jesus
in
Matt
21:43-45.
He
says
that
the
Jews
were
not
to
inherit
the
Kingdom
of
God!
43
Therefore
say
I
unto
you,
The
kingdom
of
God
shall
be
taken
from
you,
and
given
to
a
nation
bringing
forth
the
fruits
thereof.
44
And
whosoever
shall
fall
on
this
stone
shall
be
broken:
but
on
whomsoever
it
shall
fall,
it
will
grind
him
to
powder.
45
And
when
the
chief
priests
and
Pharisees
had
heard
his
parables,
they
perceived
that
he
spake
of
them.
(KJV)
Note
the
mention
of
Jesus
in
verse
44
of
the
'stone'.
He
was
referring
to
the
'Great
Stone
Kingdom'
of
Daniel
2:35,35,
which
is
to
smash
the
image
of
the
beast
and
break
into
pieces
all
of
the
empires
it
represented.
Jesus
said
that
this
stone
would
grind
to
powder
all
on
which
it
should
fall.
It
was
to
fall
on
the
Jewish
Pharisees,
and
by
implication,
all
who
followed
their
antichrist
religion
and
the
traditions
of
man.
Read
carefully
Matt
23.
The
whole
chapter
is
devoted
to
the
denominational
teachings
of
these
Pharisees.
It
is
also
significant
that
the
next
subject
covered
by
Jesus
is
that
great
treatment
of
His
Second
Coming,
Matt
24.
Thus,
it
is
not
possible
that
the
Saints
the
'little
horn'
is
warring
against
are
the
Jews.
In
fact,
if
you
think
about
it
the
Pharisees
of
Jesus
day
were
the
ones
responsible
for
His
crucifixion
and
after
that,
they
were
busy
persecuting
Christians.
Remember
the
story
of
Steven?
How
about
Paul?
The
Saints
the
'little
horn'
is
warring
against
must,
therefore,
be
Christians.
The
absurd
notion
that
Christians
will
not
have
to
face
tribulation
is
totally
foreign
to
God's
Word.
I
mention
just
two
of
the
scriptures
most
prevalent,
and
both
quotations
are
the
direct
Words
from
Jesus'
own
mouth.
Jn
16:33
"These
things
I
have
spoken
unto
you,
that
in
me
ye
might
have
peace.
In
the
world
ye
shall
have
tribulation:
but
be
of
good
cheer;
I
have
overcome
the
world."
(KJV)
And,
Jn
17:15
"I
pray
not
that
thou
shouldest
take
them
out
of
the
world,
but
that
thou
shouldest
keep
them
from
the
evil.
(KJV)"
Surely,
if
a
modern
'rapture-teaching'
preacher
had
visited
Rome
1800
years
ago
proclaiming
to
those
persecuted
Christians
meeting
in
the
catacombs
that
they
would
escape
tribulation,
he
would
have
have
either
been
disfellowshipped
as
as
the
deceiver
he
is,
or
laughed
out
of
the
meeting
as
a
fool.
In
those
days
it
was
not
safe
to
even
admit
being
a
Christian,
for
they
were
being
murdered
for
sport.
It
happened
in
Europe
during
the
inquisition.
It
happened
in
Russia
in
1917.
It
happened
in
China
in
1945.
Don't
think
it
can't
happen
again.
Don't
believe
you
will
escape.
They
didn't.
Is
your
flesh
more
precious
to
our
Father
than
theirs?
The
NEW
WORLD
ORDER
presently
coming
into
existence
is
made
up
of
those
who
follow
the
Socialist
World
Government
manifesto.
This
"New
World
Order"
is
the
modern
vehicle
on
which
the
'great
whore'
of
mystery
Babylon
rides.
It's
integrated
government
consists
of
four
separate
components.
1)
Control
of
the
World
Economy,
by
which
all
nations
trade,
and
by
whose
currency
all
peoples
receive
livelihood.
The
individual
National
currencies
now
in
use
will
be
done
away
with.
(This
is
GATT
and
NAFTA)
2)
Political
Control
including
the
present
UN
agreement
by
which
ALL
nations
yield
individual
national
control
of
THEIR
OWN
military
forces
to
control
by
the
UN
Security
Council.
(This
is
the
present
system
obvious
since
Desert
Storm,
but
actually
begun
in
the
Korean
conflict)
3)
Social
Control:
(Education,
Crime,
and
Environmental)
The
NEW
WORLD
ORDER
is
to
control
the
internal
policies
of
all
nations
through
the
various
UN
agencies
in
order
to
make
them
conform
to
a
universal
model,
without
any
national
distinction.
(Sept
94
UN
conference
in
Cairo)
4)
Religious
Control:
The
UN
objective
is
to
normalize
ALL
the
world's
religions
into
one.
Religion,
you
see,
is
too
divisive
to
the
NEW
WORLD
STATE.
Especially
those
right
wing
Christians
that
are
so
against
modern
population
control
methods
such
as
abortion,
and
so
adamant
on
INSISTING
that
belief
in
their
Jesus-God
is
THE
ONLY
way.
Can
you
imagine
such
a
thing?
(Think
about
this
one,
carefully)
The
early
Christians
could
not
only
imagine
it,
they
lived
(or
died)
it.
Our
Christian
brothers
formerly
behind
the
Iron
Curtain
in
Russia
certainly
do
not
believe
in
any
"rapture".
In
fact
they
know
already
what
we
are
soon
to
find
out.
They
know
first
hand
the
hardships
of
being
a
Christian
while
living
under
socialist
rule.
This
time,
however,
there
will
be
no
place
on
earth
that
is
not
under
the
control
of
the
NEW
WORLD
ORDER.
How
odd
it
is
that
Christians
living
in
the
West
could
be
so
self-centered
and
blind
to
suppose
that
tribulation
could
not
have
arrived
on
earth
until
it
arrives
on
American
soil.
What
right
have
we
to
think
God
measures
tribulation
by
it's
exclusive
effect
on
American
Christians?
III
--
Where
is
the
Kingdom
of
God?
Strange
indeed
are
the
phenomena
which
has
recently
appeared
in
the
doctrinal
position
of
most
of
today's
professing
Christians.
At
one
moment
they
speak
of
going
to
heaven
in
the
rapture
(or
when
they
die),
where
they
will
live
FOREVER:
but
then,
in
the
next
statement
they
speak
of
Christ
coming
to
earth
with
His
saints
to
rule
all
nations
with
a
rod
of
iron.
(Rev
2:26,27)
The
doctrinal
diversion
is
readily
apparent
to
those
who
teach
only
one
of
the
views
mentioned
above,
either
futurist
or
historicist.
There
are,
however,
literally
millions
who
believe
both
doctrines
are
true,
in
spite
of
their
inherent
contradiction.
Let
us
look
into
the
Word
to
see
where
the
Bible
locates
God's
Kingdom
and
where
Christ
will
reign
with
His
saints.
Does
the
Bible
promise
heaven
or
earth
as
the
eternal
abode
of
the
Christian?
If
believers
were
to
receive
their
inheritance
in
heaven,
then
the
'rapture'
would
be
a
logical
way
of
getting
them
there
for
their
reward.
If,
however,
our
inheritance
is
on
the
earth,
then
there
would
be
no
need
for
the
rapture,
except
(as
is
supposed)
to
prevent
us
from
undergoing
tribulation.
We
have
already
seen
(II),
that
the
beast-systems
were
to
make
war
with
the
saints
here
on
earth.
We
also
saw
the
Great
Stone
Kingdom
that
was
to
smash
the
other
kingdoms
and
grind
them
to
powder.
This
Great
Kingdom,
the
Kingdom
of
God,
"became
a
great
mountain,
and
filled
the
whole
EARTH"
(Dan
2:35).
Those
who
rule
with
Christ
will
be
on
earth
as
well,
for
we
see
in
Rev
5:10,
"And
hast
made
us
unto
our
God
kings
and
priests:
and
we
shall
reign
on
the
earth.
(KJV)
This
statement
mirrors
the
teaching
of
the
Old
Testament,
for
we
see
in
Num
14:21
"But
as
truly
as
I
live,
all
the
EARTH
shall
be
filled
with
the
glory
of
the
LORD.
(KJV)"
Two
other
prophets
spoke
the
same.
Isa
11:9
"They
shall
not
hurt
nor
destroy
in
all
my
holy
mountain:
for
the
EARTH
shall
be
full
of
the
knowledge
of
the
LORD,
as
the
waters
cover
the
sea."
And
in
Hab
2:14
"For
the
EARTH
shall
be
filled
with
the
knowledge
of
the
glory
of
the
LORD,
as
the
waters
cover
the
sea."
David's
theme,
repeated
over
and
over
in
Psalms
37
was
that
"the
meek
shall
inherit
the
EARTH".
Jesus
verified
this
in
Matt
5:5;
"Blessed
are
the
meek:
for
they
shall
inherit
the
EARTH."
Jesus,
our
example
of
one
who
was
persecuted
and
even
murdered
for
us,
viewed
the
earth
with
a
great
deal
more
respect
than
many
Christians
do
today.
He
was
after
all,
the
Creator
(John
1:3),
and
it
was
His
voice
that
pronounced
it
"very
good".
(Gen
1:31).
Perhaps
when
we
learn
to
view
the
creation
with
the
same
love
as
does
it's
Creator,
we
will
not
despise
God's
good
earth.
Instead,
we
will
attempt
to
fulfill
the
responsibility
God
gave
to
mankind;
"to
subdue
and
have
dominion
(authority
under
God)
over
the
earth"
(Gen
1:28).
The
earth
is
God's
footstool
(Matt
5:35).
When
Jesus
finally
sets
up
His
Divine
Government
it
will
therefore
be
on
the
earth,
and
when
true
Christians
rule
with
him
in
His
Kingdom,
then
we
will
truly
have
heaven
on
this
earth.
IV--
Meeting
the
Lord
in
the
Air.
Perhaps
the
most
well
known
Bible
passage
quoted
in
rapture
believing
circles
is
1
Thess.
4:16-17
"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:
17
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."
(KJV)
This
passage
teaches
that
Christ
shall
return
to
earth
someday,
and
that
the
resurrection
of
the
dead
in
Christ
shall
occur
before
the
living
believers
are
caught
up
to
meet
Christ
in
the
air,
BUT,
There
is
NO
mention
of
anyone
being
taken
to
heaven
or
anywhere
else.
Thus
will
we
'ever
be
with
the
Lord
on
earth
or
in
heaven?"
We
have
previously
shown
in
part
III
that
the
eternal
abode
is
on
EARTH.
The
meaning
of
the
Greek
verb
translated
"to
meet"
in
verse
17
is
therefore
important.
It
is
the
Greek
word
'apantesis'.
(See
your
concordance
and
it's
dictionary).
In
this
form
the
word
is
used
only
three
other
places
in
the
scripture.
In
Acts
28:15,
the
word
is
used
when
Paul
is
met
by
the
Roman
Christians
and
ESCORTED
into
Rome.(Acts
28:16).
The
other
two
uses
of
the
word
are
in
Matt
25:1
and
25:6.
This
parable
of
the
'virgins'
put
forth
by
Jesus
should
be
quite
clear
to
all.
The
virgins
did
indeed
'meet
and
RETURN
with'
the
Bridegroom
(25:10).
Another
kindred
form
of
the
word
is
used
only
one
place
in
the
scripture.
The
word
'hupantesis'
is
translated
'meet'
in
John
12:13:
"Took
branches
of
palm
trees,
and
went
forth
to
meet
him,
and
cried,
Hosanna:
Blessed
is
the
King
of
Israel
that
cometh
in
the
name
of
the
Lord."
(KJV)
This
passage
should
be
familiar
to
all.
It
is
the
one
most
associate
with
'Palm
Sunday',
where
the
inhabitants
of
Jerusalem
met
and
RETURNED
with
Jesus
to
Jerusalem.
Jesus
did
not
turn
around
and
go
back
to
Bethany
where
He
was
coming
from.
He
went
to
Jerusalem,
and
the
people
escorted
Him
there,
shouting
praises.
The
context
of
the
word
is
clear:
we
should
see
therefore,
that
just
as
Paul
was
escorted
to
Rome,
just
as
the
five
wise
virgins
escorted
the
Bridegroom
to
the
wedding,
and
as
Jesus
was
escorted
to
Jerusalem,
we
will
someday
'meet
AND
RETURN
with
the
Lord
to
THIS
earth,
because
this
earth
is
where
Jesus
is
coming
to.
He
has
no
need
to
return
to
heaven.
He
is
already
there.
He's
coming
HERE.
The
rapture
teachers
are
fond
of
claiming
that
the
rapture
is
'secret',
and
that
only
some
few
with
sufficient
faith
are
able
to
partake
of
the
blessed
event.
They
boldly
exclaim
that
Christ
loves
them
so
much
more
than
the
common
genre
of
Christians
that
He
has
shown
them
His
little
secret,
so
they
will
not
have
to
worry.
But,
they
add
in
the
next
breath,
that
anyone
can
be
partaker
of
the
blessed
secret
event,
if
they
but
believe
in
it.
Apparently
the
Holy
Spirit
foresaw
such
egotism
in
us,
for
a
few
verses
later,
in
1
Thess
chapter
5,
Paul
writes
further
about
'the
Day
of
the
Lord':
1
Thes
5:1
"But
of
the
times
and
the
seasons,
brethren,
ye
have
no
need
that
I
write
unto
you.
2
For
yourselves
know
perfectly
that
the
day
of
the
Lord
so
cometh
as
a
thief
in
the
night.
3
For
when
they
shall
say,
Peace
and
safety;
then
sudden
destruction
cometh
upon
them,
as
travail
upon
a
woman
with
child;
and
they
shall
not
escape.
4
But
ye,
brethren,
are
not
in
darkness,
that
that
day
should
overtake
you
as
a
thief."
(KJV)
Now
some
of
us,
while
reading
this
passage,
immediately
picture
Christ
coming
as
a
burglar
and
stealing
something
of
value
secretly.
However,
in
old
times
a
"thief
in
the
night"
usually
meant
something
entirely
different.
It
was
then
common
for
a
band
of
robbers
to
swoop
down
on
an
unsuspecting
village
in
the
middle
of
the
night,
when
people
were
sleeping
and
resting
for
the
morrow's
labor.
The
thieves
would
storm
the
town,
often
from
many
directions
at
once,
take
everything
of
value,
and
kill
all
that
resisted.
This
context
must
have
been
in
the
mind
of
Paul,
for
the
Word
is
literally
full
of
the
stories
of
such
raids,
and
their
consequences.
Jesus
taught
this
same
theme
quite
plainly
in
Matt
24.
Matt
24:50
"The
lord
of
that
servant
shall
come
in
a
day
when
he
looketh
not
for
him,
and
in
an
hour
that
he
is
not
aware
of,
51
And
shall
cut
him
asunder,
and
appoint
him
his
portion
with
the
hypocrites:
there
shall
be
weeping
and
gnashing
of
teeth.
(KJV)
This
is
instructively
placed
in
the
Word
right
after
Jesus
gives
all
the
signs
of
His
coming
in
Matt
24,
and
just
before
the
parable
of
the
10
virgins
in
Matt
25.
It
behooves
us
to
notice.
Jesus
also
gave
us
the
same
instruction
as
Paul
is
reiterating:
We
are
to
be
"awake"
to
His
Word,
and
be
His
"watchmen
on
the
wall".
We
are
to
warn
of
the
approach
of
the
'thief',
who
is
not
Jesus,
but
is
'Instead-of-Jesus',
the
imposter.
Paul
clearly
continues
to
say
"while
the
world
sleeps
in
peace
and
safety",
then
will
suddenly
come
destruction
(or
the
destructor)
upon
the
wicked,
and
they
will
not
escape.
He
then
continues
to
say
that
"you
brethren,
are
to
come
out
of
the
darkness
(into
the
truth?)
and
to
be
vigilant.
You
as
a
Christian
are
to
know
not
only
the
signs,
but
also
who's
up
first.
Do
You?
1
Thes
5:6
Therefore
let
us
not
sleep,
as
do
others;
but
let
us
watch
and
be
sober.
(KJV)
Mark
13:35
Watch
ye
therefore:
for
ye
know
not
when
the
master
of
the
house
cometh,
at
even,
or
at
midnight,
or
at
the
cockcrowing,
or
in
the
morning:
36
Lest
coming
suddenly
he
find
you
sleeping.
37
And
what
I
say
unto
you
I
say
unto
all,
Watch.
(KJV)
Eze
33:7
So
thou,
O
son
of
man,
I
have
set
thee
a
watchman
unto
the
house
of
Israel;
therefore
thou
shalt
hear
the
word
at
my
mouth,
and
warn
them
from
me.
(KJV)
Amos
5:18
Woe
unto
you
that
desire
the
day
of
the
LORD!
To
what
end
is
it
for
you?
The
day
of
the
LORD
is
darkness,
and
not
light.
(KJV)
Joel
1:15
Alas
for
the
day!
for
the
day
of
the
LORD
is
at
hand,
and
as
a
destruction
from
the
Almighty
shall
it
come.
(KJV)
Joel
2:1
Blow
ye
the
trumpet
in
Zion,
and
sound
an
alarm
in
my
holy
mountain:
let
all
the
inhabitants
of
the
land
tremble:
for
the
day
of
the
LORD
cometh,
for
it
is
nigh
at
hand;
2
A
day
of
darkness
and
of
gloominess,
a
day
of
clouds
and
of
thick
darkness,
as
the
morning
spread
upon
the
mountains:
a
great
people
and
a
strong;
there
hath
not
been
ever
the
like,
neither
shall
be
any
more
after
it,
even
to
the
years
of
many
generations.
(KJV)
In
SPITE
of
all
these
warnings
God
gives
in
His
Word,
many
who
call
themselves
'Christians'
will
be
caught
totally
unawares
by
the
'Day
of
the
Lord'.
By
believing
man's
latter
day
lie
that
they
will
be
raptured
away,
they
will
not
have
prepared
themselves
spiritually,
mentally
or
physically
for
the
events
which
may
shortly
mature
from
the
presently
observable
specter
of
the
NEW
WORLD
ORDER
which
promises
'peace
and
safety'
for
all
the
world.
Think
about
it.
It
should
be
easily
seen
that
in
1
Thess
4
and
5,
Paul
is
NOT
teaching
a
pre-trib
'rapture',
but
plainly
states
that
WHEN
Jesus
comes
we
will
welcome
Him
back
to
earth
where
He
shall
rule
with
His
saints
forever,
in
righteousness
over
all
nations.
This
agrees
totally
with
all
the
rest
of
the
Word.
V--
For
His
saints
and
with
His
Saints
Rapture
teachers
commonly
teach
it
that
'the
Bible
teaches
TWO
separate
comings
of
Christ
in
the
future.
The
first
time
FOR
His
Saints,
and
the
SECOND
time
WITH
His
Saints.'
Due
to
the
impact
of
considerable
teaching
by
people
who
know
God's
Word,
which
showed
without
doubt
even
to
the
rapture
teachers
that
there
is
to
be
ONLY
ONE
return
by
Christ
to
the
earth,
the
original
theory
has
been
modified.
According
to
the
present
modified
theory,
the
first
time
Jesus
comes,
He
will
only
'swoop
close',
and
snatch
the
believers
away.
Since
He
does
not
actually
'touch
earth',
they
say,
the
technical
points
of
the
Bible
are
not
contradicted.
One
of
the
main
arguments
of
the
rapture-teachers
in
defense
of
the
modified
theory
is
that
"It
should
be
obvious
that
Jesus
must
come
first
to
get
His
saints,
if
He
is
going
to
come
back
to
the
earth
WITH
them".
Well,
we
have
been
taught
that
the
Word
of
God
will
always
vomit
out
the
traditions
of
man.
Let
us
see.
With
the
theory
modification,
less
emphasis
is
placed
on
1
Thess
4,
and
more
now
placed
on
Jude
14
and
15.
which
reads:
Jude
14
"And
Enoch
also,
the
seventh
from
Adam,
prophesied
of
these,
saying,
Behold,
the
Lord
cometh
with
ten
thousands
of
his
saints,
15
To
execute
judgment
upon
all,
and
to
convince
all
that
are
ungodly
among
them
of
all
their
ungodly
deeds
which
they
have
ungodly
committed,
and
of
all
their
hard
speeches
which
ungodly
sinners
have
spoken
against
him.
(KJV)
Jude
here
is
quoting
from
both
the
apocryphal
book
of
Enoch
(see
Jude
verse
14),
as
well
as
from
Deu
33:2.
"And
he
said,
The
LORD
came
from
Sinai,
and
rose
up
from
Seir
unto
them;
he
shined
forth
from
mount
Paran,
and
he
came
with
ten
thousands
of
saints:
from
his
right
hand
went
a
fiery
law
for
them."
(KJV).
Moses
says
very
plainly
here
in
Deu
33:2,
that
the
Lord
CAME
from
mount
Paran
with
ten
thousands
of
his
Saints.
Now,
as
I
recall,
that
was
quite
some
time
ago
when
He
revealed
His
Law
to
the
Children
of
Israel.
It
seems
He
ALREADY
had
His
Saints
with
Him
then.
Even
the
same
number
mentioned
in
Jude
14.
Why
should
He
need
some
one
else
to
come
with
Him
in
the
future?
Who
were
these
'Saints'
anyway?
Paul
says
in
2
Thes
1:7
"
And
to
you
who
are
troubled
rest
with
us,
when
the
Lord
Jesus
shall
be
revealed
from
heaven
with
his
mighty
angels,
(KJV)
They
are
therefore
"His
Mighty
Angels",
not
a
bunch
of
people
who
refuse
to
believe
His
Word.
Oh
well,
because
Jude
is
quoting
the
book
of
Enoch,
let’s
look
there
and
see
if
Enoch
perchance
foretold
a
rapture.
Chapter
1
of
Enoch
1
reads:
1
The
words
of
the
blessings
of
Enoch,
wherewith
he
blessed
the
elect
and
| | |
