Biblical Forensics©
“Deliverance before Judgment”
Part 23
In this segment of God’s Master Plan for “Deliverance before Judgment”, which represents the basis for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, I am going to share the views of Nathan Jones who is co-host of Dr. David Reagan’s “Christ in Prophecy” weekly television program under the banner of Lamb and Lion Ministry of McKinney, Texas. I have been listening to Dr. Reagan’s program since it aired on radio many years ago. In fact, I have listened to Dave since 1992.
Serving as Dave’s web-minister and co-host, Nathan recently posted his commentary on “Why I Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture”.(1) I am sharing it because it is Biblically solid. What follows are the words of Nathan E. Jones:
11 reasons why Jesus will come back before the Tribulation
“Frequently I am asked to explain or defend the end-time view of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. For that topic, lots of Bible verses, readings, and references rattle around in my skull. I can extract each like a Powerball out of an air machine and present it to the inquiring mind, but never in a linear, comprehensive manner in which I particularly appreciate. And so, this article is my attempt to organize my brain on the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view. You’re welcome to come along on the journey!
Taking It to the Bedrock
My belief that there will be a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church stands on the bedrock of the following foundational tenets:
A. The Bible is the Word of God
The 66-book canon called the Bible is God’s inerrant, infallible message to mankind, explaining His purpose and plans for the ages – (2nd Timothy 3:16-17; 2nd Peter 1:20-21). No other document can be reliably trusted, or remotely reach the bar for the requirements of authentication that the Bible attains to so easily.
B. The Bible is to be Interpreted Literally
God means what He says and says what He means. God wants His creation to know His will plainly. While God does indulge in picturesque descriptions and parables, an explanation almost always follows on context to provide for explanation. Spiritualizing of text, therefore, has no proper place in interpreting Scriptures. Any eschatological viewpoint must then be thrown out, if it is based on the reader’s desire to spiritualize the Bible into whatever ethereal meaning they desire. Take the Bible for its plain sense meaning.
C. The Church and Israel Are Separate Entities
Israel is not the Church and the Church is not Israel. A believer in Christ becomes a member of the Church, whether Jew or Gentile –(Romans 1:16), but a member of the Church does not become a form of spiritual Israel. God’s promises to Israel as a people and nation (see next tenet) are not the same as for the Bride of Christ, the Church.
D. A Literal 1000-Year Millennium
The Bible describes a future, literal 1,000-year time period. The Greek word “chilias” for “one thousand” appears six (6X) times in Revelation 20, clearly marking the time-period as having 1,000 literal years. The purpose of this time period is for Jesus Christ to have an earthly kingdom from which to base His rule and to fulfill His promises found in -(Genesis 13:14-17; 15:5, 18-21; 2nd Samuel 7:16-19; Isaiah 10:21-22; 11:1-2; Jeremiah 23:5-8; 30:22; 31:31-34; Ezekiel 11:18-20; 34:24; 36:24-28; Micah 7:19-20; Hosea 3:5; Romans 11:26-29).
E. A Literal 7-Year Tribulation
An upcoming time period has been set aside for God to pour out His wrath upon the evil world, to regather Israel back into its land, to force Israel to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah, and for the Messiah to return and fight for His believing remnant –(Deuteronomy 4:26-31; Isaiah 13:6-13; 17:4-11; Jeremiah 30:4-11; Ezekiel 20:33-38; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; Zechariah 14:1-14; Matthew 24:9-31). This time period begins with a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist –(Daniel 9:27). The length of the Tribulation is seven years long, described in a variety of ways as “one seven” year bloc –(Daniel 9:27), consisting of two “time, times, and half a time” –(two years + 1 year + half a year; Revelation 12:14), or two “1,260 days” periods –(Revelation 11:3), or two “42 month” periods –(Revelation 11:2; 13:5).
F. Jesus Will Return to Earth
The Bible says Jesus will physically return again to Earth –(Zechariah 14:1-21; Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27; Revelation 19). Jesus return is to defeat His enemies, set up His throne, restore Israel, rule with “a rod of iron” and share His authority with those who overcame in Him –(Mathew 19:28; 25:31; Acts 1:3-6; Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21).
G. The Bible Teaches About a Rapture
1st Thessalonians 4:17 speaks of an event called “the Rapture”, Latin “rapio”, Greek “harpazo”, which means “to catch up, to snatch away, or to take out”. “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Paul states that the concept of the Rapture is meant to encourage believers during this Age. –(1st Corinthians 15:51-58; and 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18”. These bedrock statements about the Bible and its interpretation provide the foundation in which to analyze the following reasons for why I believe the Bible teaches a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church.
1. The Bible describes the Rapture and Second Coming as different events
The Bible must see the Rapture –(John 14:1-4; 1st Corinthians 15:51-58; 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18) and the Second Coming –(Zechariah 14:1-21; Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27; Revelation 19) as separate events, because, when the verses are compared, they describe two very different scenarios.
Rapture – Believers meet Christ in the air.
Second Coming – Christ returns to the Mount of Olives to meet the believers on Earth.
Rapture – Mount of Olives is unchanged.
Second Coming – Mount of Olives is divided, forming a valley east of Jerusalem.
Rapture – Living believers obtain glorified bodies.
Second Coming – Living believers remain in same bodies.
Rapture – Believers go to heaven.
Second Coming – glorified believers come from heaven, earthly believers stay on Earth.
Rapture – World left unjudged and living in sin.
Second Coming – world is judged and righteousness is established.
Rapture – Depicts deliverance of the Church from wrath.
Second Coming – depicts deliverance of believers who endured wrath.
Rapture – No signs precede it.
Second Coming – Many signs precede it.
Rapture – Revealed only in the New Testament.
Second Coming – Revealed in both Old and New Testaments.
Rapture – Deals with only the saved.
Second Coming – Deals with both the saved and unsaved.
Rapture – Satan remains free.
Second Coming – Satan is bound and thrown into the Abyss.
Since the Rapture and Second Coming clearly are different events that do not occur at the same time, this would rule out a Post-Tribulation Rapture scenario.
We will continuing with the next point of Nathen Jones’ reasons why he believes in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture in the next segment. Nathan provides 11 Biblically solid reasons to have confidence in God’s Master Plan for “Deliverance before Judgment”. As the evidence accumulates on behalf of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, readers should begin to recognize and appreciate our blessed hope!
Pastor Bob
Notes: