Here, There or In the Air

1-7 The PRE - WRATH RAPTURE of the Church
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Makes me want to buy his book but for $17 hard cover, probably not. It is $13 new and $7 used on Amazon, so maybe.

I have a feeling we will be hearing much more about this in the days and months to come as the world heads down the drain (better get at your "best life now" business in a hurry). BHT is leaning toward pre-wrath/post-something. Many of my favorite teachers are pre-trib but so be it. Reading early Church Fathers gives me the impression they expected the church to witness the man of sin and experience the trouble surrounding him. Yes some interpret the exact opposite from the same writings so it is not always an easy conclusion. The early church expecting to see big trouble along with the structural contortions one must use to arrive at pre-tribulation theology pushes me away from a pre-tribulation position. But both sides have convincing arguments.

People on both sides of the issue are trying to understand it correctly. This is nothing over which to fight or get all bent out of shape. Much like the young vs old earth question (it was just made to look old ... please), the subject is interesting but not deal breaking. It is a great source of income for those writing books ... it keeps them off the streets.

All views feel their particular slant on rapture timing is essential for Christian preparedness. Pre-trib. keeps you on the edge of your seat expecting each day that Jesus may return. Posters feel their view of going through a time of trouble sobers the Christian mind and encourages us to "prepare." As a practical matter one could believe in pre-trib. Then, if we see God win a war in Israel; a peace treaty in Israel brought about by some smooth talker, the temple being rebuilt, or any of the various signs, we can adjust our views accordingly. What exactly are the Post people doing to "prepare" that any Bible beliving, Christ following Christian is not? If the problem is not being serious about one's faith, I suspect our position on the rapture is not the core problem.

While reading early church fathers another theme jumps out at me. They were concerned with how Christians lived their lives and they saw a connection with the way one lives and one's salvation. (Legalists rejoice!) Arriving at a cheap grace position from early church writing (the Bible included) is difficult. Just thought I'd throw that in for free. Hey, I don't like it either but it is hard to ignore. I would much rather simply say a little prayer and be done with it. But how does that square with the "good fight of faith"?

Edit: Once Saved Always Saved Special
Revelation 3:3 (To the church at Sardis)

Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. ⁴ You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

I assume if one's name can be blotted out of the Book, one's name was originally in the Book. So we now have eternal insecurity? (Who said this was simple?)

Someone said, "I don't know the answer but you are asking the right question." Asking the right questions suggests we are concerned about the right things. Our concerns reveal where our heart is. If our hearts are right we are more apt to do what is right. So put down that deck of cards ... just kidding. It's the old legalism slipping in. But perhaps they were asking the right questions. Yes, I know ... there is more to it, there always is.