From 1980 to 1992, most of this Author's closest friends and work associates were students at a Pre-Trib University in Chattanooga Tennessee. Many were studying to become Pastors. They were firm believers in Pre-Tribulation Dispensationalism. They adamantly believed the Church will be, "Raptured" seven years before Christ's Second Coming. They believed that there will be the Rapture just before the Tribulation and these friends were well able to articulate their views. This Author had been familiar with the Rapture Theory from the time he was a teenager, but, in 1981, for the sake of these friends, he began to study every detail of Pre-Trib Dispensationalism. He asked his Pre-Trib friends to recommend their best Textbook for this study. They recommended the Book, "Things to Come" by Dwight Pentecost. This Author purchased the Book and a King James Scofield Study Bible. After several months of carefully examining the Book and the Scofield Study Bible's footnotes a great many, "Causes to Pause," emerged. Following are 64 such un-answered questions.
We have another similar Blogsite that examines these same 64 issues in more detail. It is written especially for Pastors, but if the Reader is a well studied Pre-Trib Dispensationalist, you may want to study it. It is called, " 64 Rapture Questions Pondered by Pre-Trib Pastors" In both Blogites we cover the same 64 serious, "Causes for Pauses." The Blogsite, "Who's Taken - Who's Left Behind" explores how Pre-Trib has completely reversed the words of Jesus concerning, "One shall be Taken and the other Left." Pre-Trib says the people that will be, "LEFT BEHIND" at Christ's Second Coming will be the Righteous People, and the people, "Taken" are the lost wicked. Believe it or not, this is what Pre-Trib officially teaches, and we show documented proof directly from official Pro-Pre-Trib sources!! The Scofield Study Bible Footnotes declare this as well as all of the popular, high profile Pre-Trib TV Ministers.
"Why Jesus Waits" is our Blogsite offering proof from Scripture as to why Jesus has not returned yet! Jesus said when all the Nations of the World WITNESS His people (His Church)(His Bride) reflecting His character, He will then return and, "then shall the end come" (Matt.24:14)! Instead of acting like the, "Bride of Christ," the world has been seeing Christians more like, "Bridezillas!" Let's now examine 64 "Causes for Pauses."
Let's start here because, "One Taken, and One Left" is Pre-Trib's Benchmark Scripture quote. However, according to Pre-Trib's Study Bibles and College/University Textbooks, the Bible verses using the words, "One Taken and One Left" are NOT Rapture Scriptures at all! Pre-Trib says, when Jesus quoted these words, He was NOT speaking about a Rapture, but an event 7 years AFTER Jesus comes to take His People to Heaven. The picture on the right, portrays people being "Taken"at Jesus' Coming. Pre-Trib says the people "Taken" are taken to Judgment, then cast into HELL, but the "Left Behind" people are left to go into the Kingdom of God! Pastor, you've wondered about this, "Taken and Left" quote from Jesus, and wondered why you and other Pastors quote this verse as proof of a Rapture, while rejecting it as a Rapture Text.
There's another problem with quoting, "One shall be Taken, the other Left" (Matt.24:40-41; Lk.17:34-36) and claiming angels will be taking people to a Judgment and to Hell. Jesus said, "And He (Jesus) shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His Elect from one end of heaven to the other" (Matt.24:31)! If the words of Jesus are true and He "sends His Angels to GATHER His ELECT," why does Pre-Trib say the "Elect" are "Left" and the lost wicked are "Taken?" Isn't this reversing the Words of Jesus?
"Left Behind" at Christ's Second Coming
Because "One Taken - One Left" is a key part of Rapture discussion, let's look closer at, "Who's Left." When exactly does this "One Taken - One Left" occur? Jesus told us exactly! He said, "Immediately AFTER the Tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, the moon shall not give its light, the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" (Vs.29)! Thus it is, "After the Tribulation," that Jesus sends His Angels to "Gather His Elect" (Vs.31). Thus "One (the Elect) will be Taken (by the Angel) and the other (unsaved lost) Left" (Vs.40)! Pastor, can we read these words of Jesus and reverse the "Taken and Left?" As you know Pastor, Pre-Trib claims that everything Jesus said in Matthew 24 and 25 pertains only to the Second Coming and declares that NOTHING Jesus said in this discourse has ANY connection whatsoever to a "Rapture." In spite of this Pre-Trib Ministers repeat, "One Taken, the Other Left,"throughout their Rapture sermons.
Lawyers sometimes make a statement in court, knowing the Judge will instruct the jury to ignore it, but, also knowing that the jury heard it and it will stick in their heads, thus, the purpose is served. Could this be why "One Taken, the Other Left," is always included in literature and sermons promoting a Pre-Trib Rapture?
Is confusion always the result when we reverse the words of Jesus? We have 2 Blogsites covering the "Taken - Left Behind" confusion. See "One Left Behind," and "Does It Matter What I Believe."
When we study, and ask the Holy Spirit to be our only Guide, we will discover the simple truths that will prepare us for Christ's SOON Coming!
Cause for a Pause 2 - Christ Coming Like a Thief
This Question is similar to the above, and carries the same Pondered Problem. Pre-Trib Pastors quote the "Thief-Like-Coming" Bible verses as Proof Texts for a Rapture, but when questioned, they admit the Bible Verses are NOT Rapture related, but rather refer to the Second Coming which they say occurs 7 years AFTER Jesus takes the "Church" to Heaven. Again the question arises. Why quote Bible Verses as proof of a Rapture, if they know the Bible Verses are not Rapture Texts?
Pastor, you've no doubt seen another problem connected to the, "Thief-Like" Bible Texts. If the Second Coming is going to be Thief-Like, it CANNOT be proceeded by a Rapture exactly 7 years earlier. If millions of people vanish without a trace and millions of graves are suddenly emptied at the same time, this event will be memorialized every year for a very long time, and most especially the 7th year! If millions of cars crash because their Drivers vanish, and thousands of planes crash for lack of Pilots, Trains, Buses, Boats, and all motorized vehicles go out of control, if there are survivors "Left Behind," such an event will never be forgotten! With the millions of books presently sold all over the world explaining a 7 Year Tribulation, is likely for a Thief-Like appearance of Jesus? Mega thousands of copies of the Rapture Movies are scattered all over the World. Pre-Trib is almost Mainstream Christianity's preferred view. If Pre-Trib is correct, every TV camera in the world would be fixed on the skies on the 7th anniversary of the Rapture. Thus it would be difficult for the Second Coming of Jesus to be truly Thief-Like! For more on this, see our Websites, Will Jesus Come As a Thief in the Night and "Is There REALLY a Pre-Trib Rapture - Does it Matter?" Pastor, Pre-Trib can have an answer to this Question. Jesus said concerning the Tribulation, "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the Elect's sake those days shall be shortened"(Matt.24:22). And if not for all of the other Un-Answerable Pondered Questions, this Thief-Like Question would be no problem whatsoever. But there are more Pondered Questions, most of which are actually Un-Answerable Questions. Following is just such a Question:
Cause for a Pause 4 - Pre-Trib's "Third Chance" Problem
All Pre-Trib Promoters claim there'll be a Millennial Kingdom here on Earth with mortal humans remaining alive throughout the entire 1000 years. Pre-Tribbers claim that the long life of these people will be because Satan is in his Bottomless Pit. They say some will die during this 1000 years, but most will live through the entire time. The Question to Ponder is the fact that some Pre-Tribbers say there'll be some wicked survivors of the Tribulation entering into this so-called Millennial Kingdom because the leaders of their Nation were kind to the Jews during the Tribulation rather than helping Antichrist torment them. However, it still remains that when Jesus told John in Revelation that before He comes He will proclaim, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still"(Rev.22:11), He eleminated any possiblity for there to be any wicked people in His Kingdom; EVER. Pastor, this opens up a whole lot of Pondered Questions. One is, "Where will Satan get his army at the end of the Millennium, the number of which is as the sands of the sea?" The Bible actually answers this question perfectly, and proves absolutely that Satan does NOT get his army from people living during the Millennium. We will look at this closer in a moment. For more on this Third Chance question, see "Pre-Trib's Third Chance Problem."
Cause for a Pause 5 - Jesus "Comes Quickly" with "Rewards"
Jesus told John that immediately after He makes that proclamation from Heaven about the, "Unjust being unjust still, and the Filthy being filthy still" (Rev.22:11), He will come to take His People to Heaven. Pastor, if Jesus says the "Unjust" and the "Filthy" have no chance to change after He comes, what does this do to Pre-Trib's teaching that people will have a "Second Chance" after Jesus comes? Add to this the fact that Jesus said He will "Reward EVERY" person when He comes creates a serious Un-Answerable Question for Pre-Trib. Jesus said: "And Behold I come quickly, and My REWARD is with Me, to give to EVERY man according as his works shall be" (Rev.22:12)!If Jesus makes this proclamation just before He comes to take His people to Heaven, is there really any possibility that billions of people will not receive their reward till 7 years later? Pre-Trib says Jesus will leave people behind who have no idea what had just happened, and they'll have another opportunity to change from being, "Filthy and Unjust," into being Righteous and Saved. Pre-Trib says that, during the Tribulation, there'll be Jews "Left Behind" when Jesus "Comes Quickly" that will become believers and be "Rewarded" 7 years later with a 1000 year Millennial Kingdom. Is it really possible that Jesus CANNOT reward "EVERY" man as He said He would, but rather reward only a small portion of people. Pre-Trib says the only people Jesus, "Rewards" when He "Comes Quickly" will be "Grace Age" people living during the time between Jesus' death and the Rapture. If Pre-Trib is correct, the following people CANNOT receive Rewards at that time:
"No Old Testament Saints." Pre-Trib says all Old Testament Saints must wait until after the Tribulation before they are resurrected, thus they CANNOT be rewarded when Jesus "Comes Quickly."
"No Tribulation Saints." Pre-Trib says Tribulation Saints CANNOT receive their rewards when Jesus Comes Quickly because they'll not even believe in Jesus as their Savior until after He "Comes Quickly." Pre-Trib says the "144 Thousand" and the "Un-Numbered Multitude" will be converted to Christianity AFTER Jesus "Comes Quickly," thus they cannot receive their rewards when Jesus Comes Quickly. But Jesus said, "EVERY Man."
"No Millennial Saints." Pre-Trib says there'll be Billions of people born during a "Millennial Kingdom." In later Chapters we'll see that the Bible denies any possibility of a Millennial Kingdom here on Earth. The "Reward EVERY Man" proclamation from Jesus proves that no such Kingdom can ever exist, because if it does, millions of un-born people could not receive, "Rewards" when He "Comes Quickly!"
REWARDS - When?
Shouldn't we believe that when Jesus, "Comes Quickly," everything happens as He said? He will reward ALL of the Righteous from ALL Ages with Life Eternal and take them to Heaven. All, "shall be caught up together with them (resurrected Righteous) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (See 1Thess.4:13-18)! All of the lost wicked who are alive will be, "Destroyed by the brightness of His Coming" (2Thess.2:8)! Death is the Reward of the Wicked. Heaven and life eternal is the Reward of the Saved! For a closer look at this see, When Jesus Comes Quickly with REWARDS.
Cause for a Pause 6 - "Church Falling Away FIRST"
Dear Reader, no doubt you've read the following Prophecy from Paul and Pondered how Jesus could come to take His people to Heaven before Antichrist. Paul prophesied, as did Jesus, that Jesus would "Gather" His people and take them to Heaven after Antichrist, not before. Note especially the words "Falling Away": "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, no by word, nor by letter as from us, as that Day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means! For that Day shall NOT come, except there come a FALLING AWAY First, and that Man of Sin [Antichrist]be revealed, the son of perdition" (2Thess.2:1-3)! Can we read this and conclude that Jesus is going to gather His people and take them to Heaven before Antichrist? Do Pre-Tribbers have an answer? They claim that the words "Falling Away" actually mean "Rapturing Away." The original Greek word Paul used for "Falling Away" is "apostasia" and has only one translation; "Apostasy!" Does this prophecy from Paul say Jesus will come and take His people to Heaven before the Tribulation and before Antichrist. For a detailed look at this, see "Is There a Pre-Trib Rapture - Does it Matter." Also see "Who's Left Behind."
Cause for a Pause 7 - "Hearts Overcharged with Surfeiting"
The whole concept of being Raptured before the Great Tribulation and before Antichrist has caused millions to become exuberant with excitement. Some congregations literally jump up and down and dance in the isles when their Pastors preach "Rapture" Sermons. But, as we just read from Paul, and as we carefully study all Prophecies about Christ's return, it seems abundantly clear that Jesus is NOT going to come and take His people to Heaven before the Tribulation? What if the Church will be here on Earth, FRONT and CENTER, facing Antichrist during this time. Instead of "Overcharging our Hearts" with a false sense of security, shouldn't we be solemnly studying our Bibles and asking the Holy Spirit to help us prepare our hearts for the last day events? What if Jesus warned us specifically about "Overcharging our hearts" with a false understanding of the last days? We have a Website devoted exclusively to looking at what Jesus might have meant when He said the following: "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your HEARTS be OVERCHARGED with SURFEITING and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and so that day (Christ's Coming) come upon you unawares" (Lk.21:34)! Pre-Trib says the Church has NO need to be concerned about Antichrist or the Tribulation because they'll be in Heaven. However, after giving the above warning, Jesus said the following: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all of these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Vs.36)! Pre-Trib says these words from Jesus assures Christians they will be in Heaven, but if we read it carefully, why can we not understand that Jesus is speaking about protection? In our Website, Hearts Overcharged with Surfeiting, we examine thoroughly that word "Surfeiting." We use Strong's Concordance and the results are VERY Shocking. It turns out that the word Surfeiting is used only once in the Bible, and its Greek word contains other root words that EXACTLY match words our Popular Preachers use when describing a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Some of those root words branch out into other words that also are used in promoting other false doctrines within some Christian Churches. We'll give a preview of what you'll discover. You'll see such things as, "Take Away Up," "Carry Away," and other Rapture related words. It appears that Jesus warned people not to have Hearts Overcharged with a false hope that they'll be "Taken Away Up" before the Time of Trouble. Our Website, Hearts Overcharged with Surfeiting is a MUST SEE! Also in that Website, we discover from the word "Surfeiting" what appears to be warnings about people thinking they are part of the Bride of Christ, when in fact they absolutely are not! In fact, many are under Satan's delusion and are part of the "Great Harlot" John prophesied about. For a close look at what the Bible says about these 2 Brides, see The Bride of Christ. Also in the root words of "Surfeiting" there appears to be a warning of the popular Doctrine of, "Grace Allows us to Disobey God's Commandments!" For more Pre-Trib Rapture discussion, see Is There a Pre-Trib Rapture - Does it Matter? Again, check Hearts Overcharged with Surfeiting.
Cause for a Pause 8 - "My Kingdom NOT of this World"
When Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews, the answer Jesus gave certainly needs Pondering. Jesus said to Pilate, "My Kingdom is NOT of this world" (Jn.18:36). Pre-Trib says Jesus was actually saying His Kingdom was not going to happen at that time, or at that age.
AION or COSMOS - "Age" or "World"
The King James scholars translated both "aion" and "cosmos" as "world." Thus when we see the word "world" in the King James Version of the Bible, sometimes it means, "Age" and other times it means "Planet," "Earth," or "World." If the original Greek word is "Aion," and is translated "World," the meaning is always "a Time Period" or an "age." If the word is from the Greek word, "Cosmos," the meaning is always, "World" or "Planet."
If Jesus had said, "My Kingdom is not of this AGE," Pre-Trib would have a slim reason for saying Jesus meant that His Kingdom was not for that particular time, but for a future age. But Jesus said "My Kingdom is not of this Cosmos," meaning "this PLANET; this EARTH; this WORLD." Christ's Everlasting Kingdom will be the New Earth He creates. What about the Thousand years? We cover this in the next section. There is no break in Christ's Everlasting Kingdom at the end of the 1000 years; none at all. Jesus "Creating a New Heaven and a New Earth" (2Pet.3:13; Rev.21:1; Isa.66:22) presents absolutely no problem, once we see what the Bible really says about Christ's Everlasting Kingdom. See God's Millennial Kingdom and Satan's Millennial Kingdom
Cause for a Pause 9 - Millennial Kingdom or Everlasting Kingdom
The reason to Pause here is is to examine the question, will the Kingdom of God end after 1000 years; at the end of the Millennium? Pre-Trib says that, at His Second Coming, Jesus sets up a "Millennial Kingdom" here on earth. Pre-Tribbers are sharply divided, however, about what happens at the end of the Millennium. Millennium means a thousand years, so, by calling God's Kingdom the "Millennial Kingdom," are they not creating a problem for themselves? Are they unwittingly saying Christ's Kingdom will be finished and destroyed by fire after the 1000 years are ended? Some Pre-Tribbers admit that the Bible describes earth being completely and utterly destroyed by fire at the end of the 1000 years. The Scofield Bible has a footnote under Peter's description of the "Day of the Lord." Peter writes, "The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat! The EARTH also, and the works therein shall be BURNED UP" (2Pet.3:10)! The Scofield footnote admits that this massive earth destroying fire happens at the end of the Millennium, but offers no explanation as to how it is that the Kingdom of God (Millennial Kingdom) can end after 1000 years. Other Pre-Trib promoters, however, completely deny Peter's description and all other Bible Prophecies describing Earth's Destruction by fire. These Pre-Tribbers claim Earth will NEVER be destroyed. What do they say about Jesus "Creating a New Heaven and New Earth?" Their silence is deafening! Pre-Tribbers on both sides of this question have a double dilemma! Let's look closer:
Pre-Trib Promoters who admit that earth will be destroyed at the end of the 1000 years have no choice but to Ponder what becomes of the "Paradise/Earth" they say emerges during the 1000 years. If Earth is completely destroyed at the end of the thousand years, does God destroy Paradise? Why does the Bible describe the "Kingdom of God" as an Everlasting, Un-Ending Kingdom? Scripture hasn't a single passage or slightest hint that God's Kingdom will end or be destroyed by fire.
HOW TO SOLVE THIS MYSTERY
First we must accept If we accept that Jesus said, "My Kingdom is NOT of this World (Planet)" (Jn.18:36). Then we must accept that Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place (in My Father's House) for you...I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there you may be also" (see Jn.14:1-3). Next we must accept that at the end of the 1000 years,"New Jerusalem will come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband" (Rev.21:2). Next let's accept that, at the end of the 1000 years, the Great White Throne Judgment occurs (See Rev.20:11-15). The Bible says that next, Jesus "Creates a New Heaven and a New Earth" (2Pt.3:13; Isa.66:22; Rev.21:1). If Jesus takes ALL of the Redeemed from ALL time to Heaven at His Second Coming, and ALL of the Redeemed reside in New Jerusalem in the mansions Jesus gave them, and live there during the Millennium, a City that John says is 1500 miles across and 1500 miles high, and New Jerusalem simply relocates to this Earth after 1000 years, and Jesus creates a New Heaven and New Earth, the Kingdom of God doesn't end after 1000 years!
Let's look a little closer at what Earth will be during the 1000 years. Some of what we describe here will be explained in later chapters:
The Millennium
During the 1000 years, Satan and his demons are confined to earth which is covered with billions of rotting unburied human bodies (Isa.24:1-5; Isa.34:3; Jer.25:33). During this 1000 years, earth is Satan's Bottomless Pit. At the end of 1000 years, the Kingdom of God, New Jerusalem, the Holy City that is 1364 miles across and 1364 miles high (Rev. 21:17), comes down to earth. Jesus' feet touch the Mount of Olives which spreads into a "Great Valley" (Zech.14:12). This valley provides the place for New Jerusalem to set. After the wicked dead are resurrected, Satan rallies them into believing they can overtake New Jerusalem. They surround New Jerusalem (Rev.20:9), but instead of a battle, they find themselves standing before the Great White Throne Judgment. They are Judged and of course found guilty, after which, "fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them" (Rev.20:9)! This fire also purifies earth destroying sin and sinners. When the fires have done their work, earth is, "without form and void" once again as it was when Jesus began Creation Week in the beginning. Jesus then creates a New Earth. Heaven, which is New Jerusalem, and Earth are now one and the same, thus fulfilling Scriptures prophesying a "New Heaven and New Earth" (2Pt.3:13; Isa.66:22; Rev.21:1). So it is that the Kingdom of God will be "Everlasting," uninterrupted as it moves from its present location, Heaven, to our Planet Earth where it will stay forever and ever (Rev.21:1). It'll be our same Earth, just purified so that it will be fit for God and His People FOREVER. It'll be like it was when Jesus created it for Adam and Eve! A Giant Garden of Eden, FOREVER!!
When Pre-Tribbers are asked why they insist on the Kingdom being here on earth with mortals, sinners, and ending after a 1000 years, their answer is, "What about the promises made to the Jews?" With all due respect, the Jews "Killed Jesus!"Jesus said to them, "Your house is left unto you desolate" (Matt.23:38). The opportunity for the Jews has come and gone, and, according to Jesus, they wasted it. They killed Jesus instead of making Him their Savior! All Jews and Gentiles and every person on earth has the same opportunity for salvation. But, the Jews as a nation are no longer God's channel to the rest of the world. God's Church now holds that position. See Website, Everlasting Kingdom or Millennial Kingdom. See also Is the Church Israel, and Did Jesus Offer a Kingdom to the Jews.
Cause for a Pause 9 - Millennial Kingdom's End?
If Pre-Trib is correct about the Kingdom of God being also called the, Millennial Kingdom, they have created a serious, Cause for a Pause! Millennial means thousand, then, by its very definition, according to Pre-Trib, it must end after a thousand years. A huge number of Scriptures must be Revised, Reversed, and even Rejected outright, in order to place a Millennial Kingdom here on earth after Jesus comes. Actually, nowhere in Scripture will you see the words, "Millennial Kingdom" or even, Thousand Year Kingdom. But, we do find the words, "Everlasting Kingdom" many times. John wrote something that SOUNDS like it might be a Millennial Kingdom: "And they [those who were killed because they refused to worship the Beast/Antichrist during the Tribulation] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Rev.20:4). The context shows that John mentioned a thousand years to show that some major (literally Earth-shattering) events will occur at the end of the first thousand years of Christ's Everlasting Kingdom. He said:
1 - The wicked dead will be resurrected (Rev.20:12-13).
2 - Satan will gather these resurrected wicked into an massive army, "the number of whom is as the sands of the sea" (Rev.20:8)!
3 - John saw that, at that at the same time Satan gathers his army, New Jerusalem "comes down from God out of Heaven" (Rev.21:2-first part).
So, the Kingdom of God doesn't end, it comes down from God out of heaven, and relocates here on earth. It continues uninterrupted, EVERLASTING.
The Kingdom of God is New Jerusalem and it is FOREVER! Those "Mansions" Jesus went to Heaven to "Prepare for His people" are located in New Jerusalem and will be undisturbed! When Jesus said "In My Father's House are many Mansions," His actual words in the original language was, "In My Father's House are MANY ROOMS," meaning it was VERY, VERY BIG! Big Indeed!! It's HUGE!! John said it's 1364 miles across; North to South and East to West! It's also 1364 miles tall!! New Jerusalem could cover half of the United States!! Inside New Jerusalem Jesus "Prepared a place" for His people (Jn.14:1-3). So, New Jerusalem is the "Kingdom PREPARED for them from the Foundation of the world" (Matt.25:34)!! John saw New Jerusalem, "Prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband" (Rev.21:2-last part)! New Jerusalem is the Everlasting Home of the Bride of Christ in His EVERLASTING Kingdom and it remains their home FOREVER and EVER!! After the 1000 years, the Bride, in New Jerusalem, comes down to earth, God sits in His Great White Throne Judgment, after which "fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours the wicked" (Rev.20:9)! Referring to this same Judgment Day. Peter wrote, "One day with the Lord is as a 1000 years, and a 1000 years is as one day" (2Pet.3:8)! Immediately after he wrote this, Peter prophesied: "The Day of the Lord [the 1000 year Day of the Lord, the Millennium] will come as a thief in the night, in the which [at the end of which] the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are in it shall be burned up" (2Pet.3:10 see also Mal.4:1)!! Earth ABSOLUTELY has an end!! New Jerusalem does not!!
After this earth is purified by fire, God creates a, "New Heaven and a New Earth" (Rev.21:1; Isa.66:22; 2Pet.3:13)! The Bible even tells exactly where New Jerusalem sits on this New Earth! See New Jerusalem - When and Where and Gog and Magog. We'll give you a hint!! It sits exactly where Old Jerusalem sits now, but because of it's size, 1364 miles in every direction, it will cover 8 of the countries around the present earthly Jerusalem!!! Ezekiel explains all of this, and in doing so, he reveals the size and location of New Jerusalem. He names the 8 countries upon which New Jerusalem sits! Again, that's Websites "Gog and Magog" and New Jerusalem.
Earth Destroyed By Fire!
Pre-Trib's interpretation of God's Kingdom has no place to put Scripture's description of the total burning destruction of Earth. One Pre-Trib TV Minister declares weekly on his broadcast that earth will NEVER be destroyed by fire. The Bible says it will, and clearly places the massive fire at the end of the 1000 years. Everything makes perfect sense and there are no Scripture contradictions when we let the Bible say what it really says and do not tweak it to fit our Theories! For more on this fiery destruction, see "Christ's Millennial Kingdom" and "Satan's Bottomless Pit Kingdom" These Website titles can be mis-leading. Christ's Kingdom is FOREVER, not Millennial. Satan's, however, is Millennial and ends when Jesus destroys Earth with Fire!! We want to be respectful, but, reversing, revising, and rejecting Scripture is Satan's "Weapon of Mass Distraction!" See "Will Earth Be Destroyed By Fire?
Cause for a Pause 10 -"Kingdom Prepared From the Foundation of the World"
"Then shall the King say unto those on His right hand, Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt.25:34).
Does this Prophecy from Jesus cause us to Ponder something? Pre-Trib says when Jesus declares the above, planet earth is this, "Inherited Kingdom." Pastor, surly you have pondered how this can be when Earth will be in it's worst condition ever! Earth will have been utterly devastated by 7 Plagues, including the worst worldwide earthquake EVER (Rev.16:18). All water will be as "the blood of dead men" (Rev.16:3-7). Billions of dead bodies will be scattered all over the planet (See Isa.34:3 and Jer.25:33)! Every city on earth will be in shambles like a war zone! Is this the reward Jesus gives His people as a reward for enduring the Tribulation and resisting Antichrist? Pastor, is this just a little "Oops" mistake? Pastor, the next time you're in a very large city, look up at the sky scrapers, Imagine these flattened and the death and destruction everywhere. Now ask yourself seriously, would Jesus turn to those who had just endured the worst time of trouble in the history of planet earth, point to this planet and say, "Come ye Blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the earth?" Now Pastor, if immediately after Jesus, "Creates a New Heaven and a New Earth" He turns to every redeemed person from planet earth and says these words, this would make perfect sense.
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus said, "I go to PREPARE a place for you... I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there ye may be also" (See Jn.14:2-3). So, why the confusion? Isaiah, Peter, and John say Earth will be destroyed by fire at the end of the 1000 year Millennium. If the Kingdom of God is Planet Earth during this 1000 years, then God's Kingdom will be destroyed by fire! All Bible Prophecies declare God's Kingdom is an, "EVERLASTING KINGDOM!"
The Bride of Christ
All of the above should make it clear that Jesus will not offer, "the Blessed of His Father," this devastated planet as "the Kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world." Pre-Trib claims that Jesus will be dealing with two separate groups of saved people at His Second Coming. Pre-Trib says one group will be His Church, which is His Bride that He took to Heaven seven years prior to His Second Coming. The other saved group, says Pre-Trib, are the Jews that converted to Christians during the Tribulation. So, if Pre-Trib is correct about these two groups, which group really is the, "Blessed of His Father?" Let's look at the Jews that Pre-Trib says will be the "Blessed of His Father." According to Pre-Trib, the sole purpose of a, "Millennial Kingdom on Earth," will be to fulfill the promises made to the Jews during Old Testament Times. Using Pre-Trib's version of these Jews, let's see how Pre-Trib says they become Christian Believers. Pre-Trib says that all of the Jews that will receive this special honor and this special Kingdom will be completely rejecting Jesus as Messiah when Jesus comes to take His people to Heaven, thus, all of those Jews will be, "Left Behind," at the Rapture. In spite of Evangelical Ministers and TV Evangelists devoting all of their time and energy to telling the whole world about Jesus being the Messiah, these Jews will continue to completely reject Jesus. Some high profile Pre-Trib TV Ministers devote their entire Churches to promoting this earthly Jewish Kingdom.
Obvious Question
So, let's ask the obvious question. If Pre-Trib is correct, which of the 2 groups would be most qualified to be the, "Blessed of Christ's Father?" Would it be those who accepted Jesus as their Savior and Messiah before He came to take His people to the, "Place He Prepared for them," or, would it be those who, in spite evangelical's efforts, rejected Jesus as Savior and Messiah until after He came? This is a serious Cause for a Pause. The Bible is actually very clear that all of the Redeemed from Adam till Christ's Second Coming will be in the group, "Blessed of His Father." If we accept this as Bible Truth, there are no Un-Answerable Questions or Pauses for Causes. For a complete look at this, see our Blogsites - "Christ's Millennial Kingdom" and "Satan's Millennial Bottomless Pit." We show that, Earth, in it's devastated condition after Jesus Comes, will be Satan's Prison; his "Bottomless Pit" for 1000 years, not a Kingdom/Paradise. We also show from Scripture that the sun will cease to shine during the Millennium, thus Earth will become a Frozen Planet!
Paul describes the Kingdom of God with the following: "Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1Cor.2:9). See Website, Kingdom Prepared For YOU. For more, see God's Heavenly Millennial Kingdom and Satan's Earthly Millennial Kingdom.To see what the Bible REALLY says will happen, see the second portion of the Website, "Everlasting Gospel Ministries
Cause for a Pause 11 - Planet Earth During the Millennium?
Pre-Trib Ministers and almost all Christian Denominations, teach that this present Earth will be the location of God's Millennial Kingdom. Two nights before Jesus told Pilate His Kingdom would not be on this planet (Jn.18:36),He told His Disciples He was going to Heaven to Prepare a place for all of His Redeemed People (See Jn.14:1-3). Again see Satan's Millennial Kingdom. There we show from Scripture that Planet Earth will have billions of dead bodies scattered everywhere, and this earth will be Satan's Bottomless Pit. Check it out!
Pastor, the Bible says earth, during the Millennium, will be completely FROZEN! See Website, Earth in the Millennium. For a complete study and much Bible evidence, see "Satan's Millennial Bottomless Pit."
As an added note, it is not just Christianity that teaches there will be a 1000 year Paradise/Kingdom here on this earth. Almost all other world religions teach that there will be united earth with wonderful world leader someday. If Lucifer misses this opportunity to deceive the whole world with this "Earthly Kingdom Delusion," he's not very smart. Could it be that Lucifer himself developed all of these "Earthly Kingdom of Peace" notions that oppose what Jesus said. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am [in Heaven; in His Father's House], there ye may be also"(See Jn.14:1-3). If every major religion on earth disagrees with these words of Jesus, and only a very, very few believe what Jesus said, does this mean Satan has done his work well?
Pastor, the Bible says earth, during the Millennium, will be completely FROZEN! See Website, Earth in the Millennium. For a complete study and much Bible evidence, see "Satan's Millennial Bottomless Pit."
Cause for a Pause 12 - Where is Satan's Bottomless Pit?
We shouldn't be confused as to where Satan's Bottomless Pit is located. See, Satan's Millennial Kingdom. There we show that Satan's Bottomless Pit is this EARTH, this Planet, after it has been destroyed by the 7 Last Plagues described in Revelation 16. Dozens of Scriptures declare the Sun will not give its light during this 1000 years, thus making earth a completely frozen planet. Pre-Trib does not say where Satan's Bottomless Pit will be located. Pre-Tribbers believe God will create a hole that's hundreds, if not thousands of miles deep. They imply that this hole reaches all the way into Hell, and this will be Satan's Prison for a 1000 years. Actually many Old Testament Prophets repeat a prophecy about the condition of Earth during the 1000 years. When Jesus comes to take His people to the Homes He has prepared in His Father's House, (See Jn.14:1-3), the Sun will no longer give it's light, thus Earth will immediately become a frozen planet. Dozens of Scriptures declare this. The Greek word used in Scripture that has been translated "Bottomless Pit" is the same word as Abyss. When Jesus created Earth, the Bible calls earth "The Deep." "The Earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the DEEP." The words "Without Form and Void" appear several times in Old Testament Prophecies about what Earth will be like during the 1000 years after Jesus Comes. See Blogsite, "Satan's Millennial Kingdom" where we examine these Bible Verses in detail.
We shouldn't be confused as to where Satan's Bottomless Pit is located. See, Satan's Millennial Kingdom. There we show that Satan's Bottomless Pit is this EARTH, this Planet, after it has been destroyed by the 7 Last Plagues described in Revelation 16. Dozens of Scriptures declare the Sun will not give its light during this 1000 years, thus making earth a completely frozen planet. Pre-Trib does not say where Satan's Bottomless Pit will be located. Pre-Tribbers believe God will create a hole that's hundreds, if not thousands of miles deep. They imply that this hole reaches all the way into Hell, and this will be Satan's Prison for a 1000 years. Actually many Old Testament Prophets repeat a prophecy about the condition of Earth during the 1000 years. When Jesus comes to take His people to the Homes He has prepared in His Father's House, (See Jn.14:1-3), the Sun will no longer give it's light, thus Earth will immediately become a frozen planet. Dozens of Scriptures declare this. The Greek word used in Scripture that has been translated "Bottomless Pit" is the same word as Abyss. When Jesus created Earth, the Bible calls earth "The Deep." "The Earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the DEEP." The words "Without Form and Void" appear several times in Old Testament Prophecies about what Earth will be like during the 1000 years after Jesus Comes. See Blogsite, "Satan's Millennial Kingdom" where we examine these Bible Verses in detail.
Cause for a Pause 13 - Will Mortals live In God's Kingdom?
This is a Cause for a Pause for Pre-Trib on several levels. Earth will be a Frozen Abyss during the Millennium, not a 1000 year Paradise. Pre-Trib believes God's Kingdom will actually be a Millennial Kingdom here on Earth that will be a fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy/Promises made to the Jews. But, if the Bible clearly says there "CANNOT be Mortals in God's Kingdom," the whole Earthly Millennial Kingdom concept would need Pondering. If Paul said exactly this, should we look closer? Paul wrote, "Flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the Kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1Cor.15:50). And then, as if to make sure we know what he meant, Paul wrote, "This mortal must put on immortality" (Vs.53). Pre-Trib says the sole purpose of the Kingdom of God is for the Jews, in their mortal, "flesh and blood" bodies to rule the world and that the people in the nations over which the Jews rule are also mortals, also still in their, "flesh and blood" bodies.
Is Pre-Trib saying, "Nay Paul! Thou art Wrong! Flesh and blood people will inherit the Kingdom of God?" Most Pre-Tribbers say that everyone in the Kingdom of God will be in their Flesh and Blood, Mortal bodies! Most Non-Pre-Trib Christians agree, claiming Jesus will set up a Kingdom here on earth at His Second Coming, and that Mortals will live in this Kingdom. Why is there so much confusion about this when Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again, and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there ye may be also" (See Jn.14:1-3). Shouldn't we just believe what Jesus and Paul said! See Blogsite, Mortals in God's Kingdom. For more details, see Christ's Millennial Kingdom, and Satan's Millennial Kingdom.
This is a Cause for a Pause for Pre-Trib on several levels. Earth will be a Frozen Abyss during the Millennium, not a 1000 year Paradise. Pre-Trib believes God's Kingdom will actually be a Millennial Kingdom here on Earth that will be a fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy/Promises made to the Jews. But, if the Bible clearly says there "CANNOT be Mortals in God's Kingdom," the whole Earthly Millennial Kingdom concept would need Pondering. If Paul said exactly this, should we look closer? Paul wrote, "Flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the Kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1Cor.15:50). And then, as if to make sure we know what he meant, Paul wrote, "This mortal must put on immortality" (Vs.53). Pre-Trib says the sole purpose of the Kingdom of God is for the Jews, in their mortal, "flesh and blood" bodies to rule the world and that the people in the nations over which the Jews rule are also mortals, also still in their, "flesh and blood" bodies.
Is Pre-Trib saying, "Nay Paul! Thou art Wrong! Flesh and blood people will inherit the Kingdom of God?" Most Pre-Tribbers say that everyone in the Kingdom of God will be in their Flesh and Blood, Mortal bodies! Most Non-Pre-Trib Christians agree, claiming Jesus will set up a Kingdom here on earth at His Second Coming, and that Mortals will live in this Kingdom. Why is there so much confusion about this when Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again, and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there ye may be also" (See Jn.14:1-3). Shouldn't we just believe what Jesus and Paul said! See Blogsite, Mortals in God's Kingdom. For more details, see Christ's Millennial Kingdom, and Satan's Millennial Kingdom.
Cause for a Pause 14 - Will Sinners live In God's Kingdom?
Jesus said, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he CANNOT SEE the Kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:3).
Paul wrote, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall NOT inherit the Kingdom of God" (1Cor.6:9)? Also "I have told you in times past that they that do such things [Paul had made a list of sins] shall NOT inherit the Kingdom of God"(Gal.5:21). When asked about these statements from Jesus and Paul, Pre-Trib promoters answer, "I don't know about all that. All I know is, there'll be a Kingdom here on earth during the Millennium with mortal Jews and other mortal people living in it." Are they actually saying, "Nay Paul! Thou art WRONG Again!" We all know Paul and Jesus are not wrong! What Jesus and Paul say about NO SINNERS in God's Kingdom makes perfect sense and is completely in compliance with all other Scripture. When we take the words of Scripture, we avoid creating Un-Answerable Questions. See Website, Sinners in God's Kingdom. For more detail, see Christ's Millennial Kingdom, Satan's Millennial Bottomless Pit Kingdom.
Jesus clearly said sinners CANNOT inherit, CANNOT enter, and CANNOT even see the Kingdom of God, and Paul said the same. When Jesus will say, "Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34), He will say something concerning these who "inherit the Kingdom." He will say, "the Righteous [those inheriting the Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world] will "enter into life eternal" (Matt.25:46). Sinners will NEVER have "Life Eternal!" Concerning the un-saved, those not inheriting the Kingdom, Jesus says, "And these [the lost wicked] shall go away into everlasting punishment!" According to Jesus, all who inherit the Kingdom have, "Life Eternal." He said there'll be only two groups at this time. One group, "inherits the Kingdom," the other goes to "everlasting punishment."
Jesus also said, "Except ye be CONVERTED, and become as little children, ye shall NOT ENTER the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt.18:3). For a complete list of all that Jesus said about there being NO sinners in His Kingdom, see No Sinners in the Kingdom.
Cause for a Pause 15 - Marriage in God's Kingdom?
Pre-Trib says there'll be "Marriage and giving in marriage" in God's Kingdom. But, Jesus said "They who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that age, and the resurrection from the dead,
neither marry, nor are given in marriage" (Lk.20:35). Was Jesus only referring to people resurrected from the dead? No, because He said, "They who shall be accounted worthy to obtain the next AGE." Pre-Trib could squeeze out from this text that Jesus was only referring to those who have died and then resurrected, but if we examine all of the other evidence, it is clear that Jesus is referencing all who enter the next age, living and resurrected. Pre-Trib correctly says the "Next Age" is the Kingdom of God, so when we combine His words here with His words in the previous section, it should be clear that marriage and children will not be happening in God's Kingdom.
Cause for a Pause 16 - Will Children be Born in God's Kingdom?
Obviously if Pre-Trib says there'll be marriage in God's Kingdom, it says there'll be children born in God's Kingdom. In our Website, "Marriage in the Next Age," we cover the question of whether or not children will be born in God's Kingdom. The rebuttal to this point goes back to the previous questions. If no sinners or mortals inherit, enter, or even see the Kingdom, and there'll be no marriage or giving in marriage, then no children will be born in the next age. If Scripture is correct about this, then where does Satan, at the end of the thousand years, find an army, "the number of whom is as the sands of the sea"(Rev.20:8)? Great Question! At first it appears this could be an Un-Answerable Question for all of us. But, as always, the Bible has an answer that clears up the Question completely!! We will cover Satan's army, Gog and Magog, in Question #28. For more on children in God's Kingdom, see Children Born in the Kingdom
Cause for a Pause 17-Will People Die in the Millennium?
Pastor, as you know, there is confusion among Pre-Trib promoters about this question.Some say nobody will die because Satan is in his Bottomless Pit, thus without him causing sickness and death, people live throughout the 1000 years. But when questioned as to the fact that people are still mortals, thus subject to die, they're compelled to give some kind of an answer. A very high profile Pre-Trib Radio Minister had this question put to him by one of his church members during a question and answer session. His answer was that the person dying would immediately be raised from the dead. He felt that the people in Heaven, if there were people in Heaven during this time, will be in their new, Glorified bodies, thus a "Soul" or "Spirit" would not fit in, so, the only way this could be worked out would be for the dead person to be immediately Resurrected. In other words, there could be millions of resurrections during the Millennium. Following are some of the confusing scenarios that are difficult for Pre-Trib to explain:
People who Die during the Millennium
It would not seem right that saved people who die would go to Heaven because, according to most Pre-Tribbers, only Grace Age Church People who were "Raptured" and have become the Bride of Christ will be in Heaven. Thus the resurrected Millennimites would not fit there. If they are saved and die during the Millennium, it would seem strange if they were immediately resurrected and continue on in their former state before they died. This would cause a mixture of mortals and immortals living and existing side by side. God could simply let them sleep in their graves, but Pre-Tribbers CANNOT go along with this because they all believe that the Dead are not really dead at all anyway, but are immediately transported into another state in a different location! Of course they have no problem with consigning the lost Millenniumites straight to Hell since they teach that Hell has been burning since Creation and that all lost people have been transported there immediately after they died.
And what about the man and wife? If the wife died, and was immediately raised from the dead, would she still be a sexual person, and still bear children, or would she be in her Glorified body. When Jesus said there will be no "marrying" in the next age, shouldn't this clear up all of these questions? Confusion always happens when we ignore Scripture and rely on our man-made Theory/Doctrines. Paul said that when Jesus comes and the Kingdom of God begins, "Flesh and Blood (Mortals) CANNOT inherit the Kingdom of God" and "Death is swallowed up in Victory" (1Cor.15:50,55)!! Shouldn't we accept what the Bible says? When we stray from Scripture, don't we ALWAYS create Un-Answerable Questions! See, "Death in the Millennium."
Cause for a Pause 18 - When and Where is the NEXT AGE?
This sounds like a repeat from previous Questions, but the point is to clear up what Jesus meant when He said, "Those that are accounted worthy to obtain THAT AGE." What did He mean by, "that age?" Since Pre-Tribbers teach that there'll be Mortals, Sinners, Marrying, and Dying during the Millennium, yet try to fit Immortals into the Millennium also, they create a difficult Un-Answerable Question. When Jesus said, "But they who shall be ACCOUNTED WORTHY to obtain that WORLD (age), and the resurrection from the dead, NEITHER MARRY, nor are given in marriage, neither can they die any more [they're no longer mortals]; for they are equal with the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection" (Lk.20:35-36), we need to know what "World" or what "Age" Jesus was speaking about. The word Jesus used may be translated, "World" or "Age." The actual word Jesus used is "AION" and means "Age" or "Time Period." Pre-Tribbers say Jesus was referencing the, "Kingdom Age." They are correct, so, Jesus is saying that NO Persons in the,"NEXT AGE," or "Kingdom Age," will marry or die. If there are no marriages, child births, sinners, or mortals, in the "Kingdom Age," a large portion of Pre-Trib Doctrines contain Ponderable Questions! Again, see "Marriage in the Next Age""Gog and Magog" and Christ's Millennial Kingdom. The Pondered Question here is this: Is the Next Age a Millennial Kingdom here on earth with mortals inhabiting the Kingdom, or, is the Next Age in Heaven where Jesus takes His people to the "Mansions He has Prepared for them" (see Jn.14:1-3)? There are too many statements from Jesus, Paul, and John that will not, cannot fit into a Millennial Kingdom here on earth inhabited with mortals and sinners. In Chapter 18 we'll look closer at this Pondered Question and find answers in Scripture. For more on what the next age will be, see The Next Age.
Cause for a Pause 19 – When does Paul's LAST Trumpet Blow?
Paul said that when Jesus comes to take his people to Heaven, there'll be the sound of, "The Last Trump" (1Cor.15:51-52). Underscore, "Last." Pre-Trib says that 7 years after the trumpet Paul wrote about, and called "LAST," there'll be another trumpet exactly the same that also resurrects certain righteous people. According to Pre-Trib, Paul is writing about the Rapture, an event that they say occurs seven years before Christ's Second Coming. In other words, Pre-Trib declares that there'll be two Trumpets separated by seven years. In order to get the "Pause for Cause" here, let's look at another Bible Verse that Pre-Trib says is absolutely a Rapture Text: "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; Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, ans so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1Thess.4:16-17). Now let's look at what Jesus said would happen at His Second Coming. If both of these Bible Verses are describing the same event, there is no controversy and no "Cause for a Pause." But, if we try to say the following is describing an event that occurs seven years after the event Paul describes with the words, "Last Trump," there'll be a problem: "They shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a Trumpet, and they shall gather together His Elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matt.24:30-31). Pre-Trib wishes Paul had said, "The next to the last Trumpet." In other words, some preachers are actually saying, "Nay, Paul!! Thou art wrong!" But we know Paul wrote exactly what the Holy Spirit told him. See "Is There REALLY a Pre-Tribulation Rapture?"
Cause for a Pause 20 - When is Death Swallowed up in Victory?
Pre-Trib claims the following is a Pre-Trib Rapture text: "We shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump" (1Cor.15:51-52). After Paul wrote about "All being changed...at the Last Trump," he said something else that would happen at that same time. He wrote, "then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is Swallowedup in Victory" (Vs.54). Pre-Trib says Paul was wrong about the "Last Trump," thus, they have no choice but to say Paul was wrong about Death being "Swallowed up in Victory" at that Last Trump." Death cannot be "Swallowed up in Victory," if, as Pre-Trib says, the Tribulation happens after this event! Pre-Trib says that after the "Last Trump" Paul wrote about, there'll be another "Trumpet" and another Resurrection. Pre-Trib also says there'll be some who die during what they call the, "Millennial Kingdom." If Pre-Trib is correct, instead of , "Death being Swallowed up in Victory," there will be an additional 1007 years of people dying! Should we believe Paul or Pre-Trib? Is Pre-Trib saying again, "Nay Paul!! Thou art Wrong!" (The Bible speaks of ONLY 2 Resurrections. One will happen at the beginning of the 1000 years, and other at the end. A Resurrection for the righteous and one for the wicked. See Rev.20:4-7). After Jesus comes to take His people to the place He prepared for them, the Bible is very clear that there will NEVER again be a believer die! See Death Swallowed up in Victory.
Cause for a Pause 21 - When will Paul Receive His Crown?
Paul wrote, “I charge thee, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick [living] and the dead at His Appearing and His Kingdom” (2Tim. 4:1). “Henceforth there is laid up for me a CROWN of Righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that DAY; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His Appearing” (Vs.8). What “Day” did Paul mean? He said the DAY of Christ's “Appearing and His Kingdom.” Poor Paul! Pre-Tribbers disagree with him again and again! They say Paul will receive his crown 7 years BEFORE Christ's "Appearing and His Kingdom." Pre-Trib says Jesus does not make an "Appearing" when He comes to Rapture His people to Heaven. They say the "Appearing" will happen 7 years later when He comes at His Second Coming. Pre-Trib also says it is at this "Appearing" that Jesus sets up His Kingdom, and that this is 7 years after He resurrected Paul and the other "Grace Age Church People." So, Paul says he, and all who love Christ's Appearing, will get their Crowns at Christ's "Appearing and His Kingdom." Shouldn't we agree with Paul? Does it appear that Pre-Trib seems to take issue with almost all that Paul says about end-time events? For more about Paul's Crown, see Paul's Crown of Righteousness.
Cause for a Pause 22 - When is the First Resurrection?
Exploring this brings up several Causes for Pauses. Pre-Trib says the Millennial Kingdom of God is specifically for fulfilling promises made to the Jews and that these promises can only be fulfilled while the the Jews are still mortals, thus those in charge of this Kingdom would have to be mortal Jews; Jews that have NOT died and have NOT been resurrected. However, John saw the the opposite! He was shown people in the Kingdom with high responsibilities, Priests, that had been killed ("Beheaded") for resisting Antichrist during the Tribulation. Let's look:
"And I saw THRONES, and they sat upon them, and JUDGMENT was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the Beast (Antichrist), neither his image, neither had received his Mark in their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived (were resurrected) and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they [those in the first resurrection] shall be Priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Rev.20:4-6)! The key word is "Reigned." They "Reigned with Christ," thus whoever reigns with Jesus a thousand years will include those who refused to worship Antichrist, refused to worship his Image, and refused his Mark of the Beast.
Is Pre-Trib saying, "Nay John!! Thou too are WRONG?"
Does Pre-Trib say John's Vision Cannot happen? Do they say that the ONLY people in the "First Resurrection" are Grace Age Church People? Does Pre-Trib say Antichrist will have no dealings with those in the "First Resurrection?" Is there any way to read John's Revelation without seeing that he is implying that the main characters reigning with Jesus will be those who defeated Antichrist?
Some Pre-Tribbers claim that immortals and mortals mix and mingle during the Millennium, saying immortal Raptured Church people will be in charge of the Kingdom. But, doesn't this reasoning self-destruct? If Church People, non-Jew Church People, are in positions of power during God's Kingdom, then how can the Kingdom be a fulfillment of Old Testament Promises to the Jews. If, on the other hand, mortal Jews are in charge of the Kingdom of God, what part will the immortal Church people, the Bride of Christ, have in the Kingdom? The "Mix and Mingle" view causes many Pondered Questions, and points us back to the Bible. Shouldn't we simply accept John's explanation. For more, see The First Resurrection.
Cause for a Pause 23 -How Many Resurrections will there be?
We touched on this in the previous sections. Jesus and John say there are 2 resurrections; one for the Righteous and one for the Wicked. The one for the Righteous happens at the Second Coming. The one for the Wicked is at the end of the 1000 years. Pre-Trib says, however, there'll be at least three resurrections just for the good people. One at the Rapture, one at the end of the Tribulation, and one at the end of an Earthly Millennial Kingdom. Pre-Trib has not settled about what happens to those who die during the Millennium, and about old people who enter that Earthly Millennial Kingdom. Do these old people stay old people throughout the entire 1000 years? Pre-Trib says Old Testament saved people who are resurrected are not resurrected when Jesus comes to take His people to Heaven. They say Old Testament people cannot be included in the Bride of Christ. There's a question that Pre-Trib is unclear about. If the Old Testament Saints are not raised till after the Tribulation, where do they go when they are resurrected? Do they go to Heaven, or do they stay here on earth for the Millennial Kingdom since many of them will most likely be Jews? It would appear that Old Testament saved people wouldn't fit anywhere. If they are taken to Heaven, would they be second rate people, inferior to the Church People; the Bride of Christ? Would they be forced to sit on the sidelines here on earth for a thousand years while the Jews ruled over the nations? All of these Un-Answerable Questions can be multiplied many times over when we add in the mass confusion caused by the doctrine that all dead people are already in Heaven or Hell at the present time! Confusion begets Confusion!! For a clear Biblical look at what happens at Death, see "Are the Dead, Dead or Alive? For more on Pre-Trib's multiple Resurrections, see "Pre-Trib's Multiple Resurrections."
Cause for a Pause 24 - Ezekiel's Temple Vision
Dear Reader, no doubt you have had a multitude of un-answered questions about the Temple Ezekiel describes existing in setting after Jesus died and the Sacrificial System has been abolished! Pre-Tribbers create a great many inconsistencies as they try to place Ezekiel's Temple into an Earthly Millennial Kingdom after Jesus comes. These inconsistencies are more than enough to completely annul any Earthly Kingdom after Jesus comes. Their Un-Answerable Questions involve several issues. These issues include animal sacrificing, who are the priests, and who'll be the Prince or Governor of Israel. There are 8 such issues that Pre-Tribbers cannot overcome as they attempt to place Ezekiel's Temple after the Second Coming of Jesus. To see these 8 Un-Answerable Questions about the Temple, see Ezekiel's Temple. We'll briefly look at 1 of these 8 Un-Answerable Questions below:
Pre-Trib says Millennial Priests must be specifically from the Tribe of Levy, and specifically from the Priest Zadok. Pre-Trib also says these Millennial Priests must be still in their mortal bodies. John, however, says the Priests during the 1000 years will come from, "Every kindred, nation, tongue, and people" (Rev.5:9). John also says that during that 1000 years, the Priests will be from those who were killed by Antichrist during the Great Tribulation. Of course John is correct, thus, Pre-Trib's version of Millennial Priests is a Cause for a Pause. There are over eight such Causes for Pauses found in Pre-Trib's interpretation of Ezekiel's Temple Vision. There is a matter of animal sacrificing. Will God once again require the Jews to sacrifice animals? For eight of the most powerful Causes for Pauses see - "Ezekiel's Millennial Temple Vision - Is It Millennium"
Cause for a Pause 26 -Jewish Temple Rebuilt?
A fundamental Pre-Trib Doctrine says that, just before Jesus' Second Coming, the Jews will rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. At the present time, the only reason the Jews have not rebuilt their Temple is because Islam has their Dome of the Rock on the site. Pre-Trib says that, after Jesus comes and takes His "Church" to Heaven, Antichrist will quickly become the Ruler of the World and he'll give the Jews permission to remove the Dome and rebuild the Jewish Temple. Pre-Trib says this will be part of a Seven-Year Covenant with the Jews and the Jews will set up their Animal Sacrificial System in their Temple. Pre-Trib says that in the middle of this seven years, Antichrist will break his Covenant with Israel, force them to stop sacrificing animals, and then spend the last half of the seven years, 3 1/2 years, persecuting the Jews. This whole concept brings up many Pondered Questions.
1. Antichrist Persecuting the Jews - Will Antichrist be persecuting all Jews, or just the Jews who've converted to Christianity. Obviously his anger would only be against the Jews that have renounced the Animal Sacrificing and become Christian. If Antichrist is truly Anti (against) Christ, his hatred and persecution would ONLY be against Christian Jews. The Jews that insist on sacrificing animals would be openly demonstrating their rejection of Jesus, thus, why would Antichrist stop them? Wouldn't he more likely encourage and praise them? The New Testament is clear that animal sacrificing ended with Jesus, thus, these non-Christian Jews would NOT be enemies of Antichrist!! The Jews sacrificing animals in their New Temple would be ENRAGED at the Jews who rejected the sacrificial system and converted to Christianity! These animal sacrificing Jews would be in complete agreement with Antichrist in their hatred towards the Christian Jews. Satan would be the inspiration behind both Antichrist and the animal sacrificing Jews. It is Satan's goal to eradicate ALL who accept Jesus as Savior. So we must Ponder why Antichrist would stop a system that was positive proof of rejecting Jesus. Would Antichrist attack members of his own team? A Question to Ponder is, will it really be Antichrist who will, "Cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease"(Dan.9:27)? At the death of Jesus, "The veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom" (Matt.27:51). Was this an act of God telling Israel that their sacrificing of animals was done and should cease? Jesus died 3 1/2 years after He was baptized!
2. Christ's Millennial Throne - Pre-Trib says that Jesus, at His Second Coming, will set up His Kingdom Headquarters in Jerusalem and use the Temple the Jews built during the Tribulation as the Millennial Temple. Pre-Trib Ministers are divided as to whether or not there will be animal sacrificing during the Millennial Kingdom. The Scofield Bible does not take sides, but indicates the possibility that there would be sacrificing as a memorial looking back at Christ's sacrifice. The Pondered Question we pose here is, would Jesus really come to Earth and use a Temple built by Jews who openly reject Him, and had sacrificed animals as a sign of their renunciation of Him as their Savior? Also would Jesus use a Temple that Antichrist had given the Jews permission to build? Would not this Temple be cursed by God? For a study as to why the Temple described by Ezekiel cannot be a Millennial Temple, see Ezekiel's Temple.
3. "I Go to Prepare a Place" - Why not accept what Jesus said to His Disciples at His Last Supper? "Let not your hearts be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's House are many Mansions (rooms). If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also" (Jn.14:1-3).
See "Ezekiel's Temple Vision" for a very detailed look a these and more Causes for Pauses concerning the Millennial Temple.
Cause for a Pause 27 - Pre-Trib's Troubling Message to Israel
Dear Reader, if you are an enthusiastic Pre-Trib Minister, you've preached about the Millennial Kingdom and how Israel will be ruling all the other nations for a thousand years. You may have pondered the REAL message Jewish people hear in Pre-Trib Sermons. If today's Jews listen to Popular TV and Radio Ministers, they hear the following: "The Millennial Kingdom will be the time when God fulfills all of His Old Testament promises and prophecies concerning the Jews. The Rapture will happen at any moment, thus, 7 years later, the Second Coming will occur when Jesus rewards you Jews! Perhaps you'll become one of the 144 Thousand and be one of those with a responsible position in the Millennial Kingdom! It'll be the GREATEST time EVER for your Jewish Nation!! Be joyful! Your Glorious Day is almost here! Your beloved King David will be your Governor in Israel, and Jesus will be your King, as well as the King of the whole World. Under His Kingship, you Jews will hold the highest positions of power on Earth!! The entire Earth will be a Grand and Glorious Paradise, and it'll be yours for a 1000 years!!"
Dear Reader, this Author, in his research, has listened carefully to thousands of Pre-Trib sermons from top Pre-Trib ministers and carefully studied the book, "Things to come" by Dwight Pentecost and the works of John Walvoord. This Author is continually studying the footnotes of his Scofield Study Bible. The above is an abbreviated message that comes through pretty much all the time from All Pre-Trib sources. If there's really going to be a Millennial Kingdom especially for the Jews, the above would be correct. But let's follow up with more the Jewish listener would pick up if he wanted to reap the benefits of that Millennial Kingdom designed especially for his Nation of Israel:
"If you are a Jew and you have an intense desire to live in and be an active part of that Grand and Glorious Kingdom that will be God's fulfillment of His promises made to your nation during Old Testament times, and if you want to be a member of that special group of evangelists John call the "144 Thousand," that preaches the Gospel during the Great Tribulation and converts an "Un-Numbered Multitude" into becoming believers (Rev.7:9) then you MUST continue to reject Jesus until after the Rapture. If you become a Christian before the Rapture, you will be Raptured out of this world 7 years before the Millennial Kingdom, and you will not be here on earth during the Great Tribulation. The Tribulation will be the time when God gives the Jews the opportunity to be His shinning lights to the rest of the world and to all the Universe! Rapture, God's special 144 Thousand will be Left Behind at the Rapture and they'll be rejecting Jesus. So, it might be to your advantage not to accept Jesus as your Savior until after the Rapture."
Do today's Pre-Trib Sermons sound like a Commercial to the Jews to "Hang in there!! God is on the verge of giving you Jews all the rewards He promised you in the Old Testament!!" Dear Reader, you may have recognized the possibility of Jews getting the above mixed signals and may have adjusted your conversations so as not to imply anything like this. However, is sending out any message that there's safety in rejecting Jesus WRONG? Could it cause many Jews to be eternally lost? In fact, if the Jewish Millennial Kingdom is NOT correct, and according to all the Bible evidence this Author has uncovered shows it completely wrong, obviously Satan himself would benefit GREATLY if the Jews believed it! Throughout all Pre-Trib Churches we hear how God, "Blesses them that Bless Israel." But what if these messages are for the Jews before they killed Jesus? And what if Jesus really meant it when He said to the Jews, "The Kingdom of God is taken from you and given to a Nation bearing fruit" (Matt.21:43). What about Jesus saying to the Jerusalem Jews, "Your house is left unto you desolate" (Matt. 23:38)!
Dear Reader, this Author, in his research, has listened carefully to thousands of Pre-Trib sermons from top Pre-Trib ministers and carefully studied the book, "Things to come" by Dwight Pentecost and the works of John Walvoord. This Author is continually studying the footnotes of his Scofield Study Bible. The above is an abbreviated message that comes through pretty much all the time from All Pre-Trib sources. If there's really going to be a Millennial Kingdom especially for the Jews, the above would be correct. But let's follow up with more the Jewish listener would pick up if he wanted to reap the benefits of that Millennial Kingdom designed especially for his Nation of Israel:
"If you are a Jew and you have an intense desire to live in and be an active part of that Grand and Glorious Kingdom that will be God's fulfillment of His promises made to your nation during Old Testament times, and if you want to be a member of that special group of evangelists John call the "144 Thousand," that preaches the Gospel during the Great Tribulation and converts an "Un-Numbered Multitude" into becoming believers (Rev.7:9) then you MUST continue to reject Jesus until after the Rapture. If you become a Christian before the Rapture, you will be Raptured out of this world 7 years before the Millennial Kingdom, and you will not be here on earth during the Great Tribulation. The Tribulation will be the time when God gives the Jews the opportunity to be His shinning lights to the rest of the world and to all the Universe! Rapture, God's special 144 Thousand will be Left Behind at the Rapture and they'll be rejecting Jesus. So, it might be to your advantage not to accept Jesus as your Savior until after the Rapture."
Do today's Pre-Trib Sermons sound like a Commercial to the Jews to "Hang in there!! God is on the verge of giving you Jews all the rewards He promised you in the Old Testament!!" Dear Reader, you may have recognized the possibility of Jews getting the above mixed signals and may have adjusted your conversations so as not to imply anything like this. However, is sending out any message that there's safety in rejecting Jesus WRONG? Could it cause many Jews to be eternally lost? In fact, if the Jewish Millennial Kingdom is NOT correct, and according to all the Bible evidence this Author has uncovered shows it completely wrong, obviously Satan himself would benefit GREATLY if the Jews believed it! Throughout all Pre-Trib Churches we hear how God, "Blesses them that Bless Israel." But what if these messages are for the Jews before they killed Jesus? And what if Jesus really meant it when He said to the Jews, "The Kingdom of God is taken from you and given to a Nation bearing fruit" (Matt.21:43). What about Jesus saying to the Jerusalem Jews, "Your house is left unto you desolate" (Matt. 23:38)!
Someday, Dear Reader, some of the honest High Profile Pre-Trib Ministers, and a great many honest Pastors with small, medium, and large congregations will earnestly seek guidance from God's Holy Spirit, and when this happens, whole Churches will begin,"Preaching the REAL Gospel of the REAL Kingdom to all the world, for a Witness unto all nations, and then shall the END come" (Matt.24:14)! The Point to Ponder here is, shouldn't we be telling the Jews, and all the world, that when Jesus comes, His "Reward will be with Him, to give to EVERY man according as his work shall be" (Rev.22:12)! Should we be proclaiming that there'll be those "Left Behind," alive to set up a Millennial Kingdom, if, just before He comes, He is going to proclaim, "Let him that is Unjust be Unjust still - Let him who is Filthy be Filthy still" (Rev. 22:11)? Shouldn't we be telling the Jews that, if the they want to be in the Kingdom of God, they must believe in Jesus NOW, ASAP? Is there really any difference between the Jews and the Gentiles?Paul said there is no difference, and that whatever promises God made to the Jews, Gentiles are included. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the Promise" (See Gal. 3:26-29)! What Promise? For more on this see, Pre-Trib's Dangerous Message to the Jews.
So, the Bible clearly says there will be no mortals or sinners entering the Kingdom of God. No
mortals eliminates any possibility of marriage and child births, but the Bible is also very clear that Satan will have an army at the end of the Millennium, "the number of whom is as the sands of the sea" (Rev.20:8). So we have another "Cause for a Pause," which creates an apparent Dilemma! We can continue holding to Pre-Trib's version of events during and at the end of the Millennium. But, that view makes it appear that the Bible contradicts its self, and that Jesus and Paul were incorrect when they stated that sinners and mortals will not exist in God's Kingdom. Our other choice is to examine the Bible evidence and accept whatever we find. Let's do the latter.
Events Ending the MillenniumIf we list all of the events that John was shown occurring at the end of the thousand years, we might have the answer. Let's do it, keeping in mind that Bible writers almost never list prophetic events in chronological order:
- "New Jerusalem comes down from heaven" (Rev.21:2).
- "Satan is loosed from his prison (Bottomless Pit)"(Rev.20:7).
- "Great White Throne Judgment is Set up" (Rev.20:11).
- "Wicked Dead are Resurrected" (Rev.20:13).
- "Satan goes to deceive nations - Gog and Magog" (Rev.20:8).
- "Satan's army surrounds the Holy City" (Rev.20:9 first part).
- "Resurrected dead (Satan's Army) are judged" (Rev.20:13).
- "Fire from God devours lost wicked" (Rev.20:9 last part).
- "Death and Hell are cast into lake of fire" (Rev.20:14).
- "Jesus 'Creates New Earth' in which dwells Righteousness" (Rev.21:1, Isa.65:17, 2Pet.3:13).
- Eternity
"Hell (Sheol)(the Grave) from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming; it STIRRETH up the DEAD for thee, even ALL the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou become as weak as we? Art thou become like us? Thy pomp is brought down to hell (Sheol), and the noise of thy viols; the worm (maggot) is spread over thee and the worms (maggots) cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer" (Isa.14:9-12). We have a Blogsite documenting dozens of Scriptures that leave no doubt about how the Millennium will come to a close. See Gog and Magog.
Cause for a Pause 28 - Gog and Magog Army - Who, When, Where?
Pre-Trib says there'll be sinners and mortals in God's Kingdom, and that there'll be marriage in God's Kingdom and children born in God's Kingdom. But, does the Bible agree? In our Website, "Marriage in the Next Age," we cover part of this question.If no sinners or mortals inherit, enter, or even see the Kingdom, and there'll be no marriage or giving in marriage, there'll be no children born during this time. If the bible is correct about this, where does Satan's Gog and Magog Army come from?
Pre-Trib's Rebuttal
Pre-Tribbers have what they feel is an answer. At first the answer seems to exonerate their position, but a closer look produces Pondered Questions.
Satan's Army, the "Number is as the Sands of the Sea."
Scripture clearly says that at the end of the 1000 years, Satan gathers an army, "the number of whom is as the sands of the sea" (Rev.20:8)! This seems to say that there'll be people born during the 1000 years, but does it? The Bible has a clear answer that leaves no Questions to Ponder, and fits like a glove to all other Scripture descriptions of the Millennium. We'll give a hint here. At the end of the Millennium, John saw many things happen. Two of these happenings will be the Wicked Dead Resurrected (Rev.20:13) and Satan deceiving an Army, "the number of whom were as the sands of the sea" (Rev.20:8).Connecting these two events actually answers the question. Satan's Army will be every un-saved person that has ever lived on this Earth. See "Satan's Millennial Kingdom" and "Gog and Magog." In a later section we will cover this in more detail. See Christ's Millennial Kingdom, Satan's Millennial Bottomless Pit Kingdom. Pre-Trib says Magog is a reference to Russia, thus they contend that Satan's Army at the end of the 1000 years will be primarily Russian. But, John says Satan's army comes from the, "Nations that are at the four quarters of earth"(Rev.20:8). "Four Quarters" means Satan's Army will come from "All Over the Planet." So, Gog and Magog will be ALL Nations from ALL around the earth. Pre-Trib says Ezekiel 38 and 39 proves that Russia is Gog and Magog. They also claim that this is describing Armageddon, the battle before the Millennium, as well as the battle after the 1000 years. But John said the battle of, "Gog and Magog," happens AFTER the Millennium.
In our Website, Gog and Magog, we show that Ezekiel's use of Gog and Magog actually not a list of nations battling Jerusalem after the Millennium, but nations upon which New Jerusalem will set on earth after the Millennium when it "Comes down from God out of Heaven"(Rev.21:2). Ezekiel's description also gives evidence as to New Jerusalem's size, and John tells exactly its size. When all of the Bible Prophecies about Gog and Magog are combined, we'll see exactly where the lost Wicked will stand during the Great White Throne Judgment. John said New Jerusalem is 1364 miles across. He also says that the lost wicked that are resurrected at the end of the 1000 years will "encompass" New Jerusalem (see Rev.20:9) thinking they are going to attack, but instead they'll find themselves facing the Great White Throne Judgment Day.
Needless to say if all of earth's un-saved people gather around a City 1364 miles square, such a mass of people would be an un-numbered multitude. Perhaps this is why John describes Satan's Arm as, "The number of whom is as the sands of the sea" (Rev.20:8)! Bible Prophecy Questions are usually answerable when we use the Bible only . See Gog and Magog.
Needless to say if all of earth's un-saved people gather around a City 1364 miles square, such a mass of people would be an un-numbered multitude. Perhaps this is why John describes Satan's Arm as, "The number of whom is as the sands of the sea" (Rev.20:8)! Bible Prophecy Questions are usually answerable when we use the Bible only . See Gog and Magog.
Cause for a Pause 29 - New Jerusalem or Old Jerusalem
Pre-Trib says at the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be loosed from his Bottomless Pit and go out into God's Millennial Kingdom and recruit those who've been pretending to worship Jesus, but are actually bad people. Pre-Trib says Satan and his Army surround Old Jerusalem in preparation for an attack, but God brings fire down from heaven and devours Satan's Army. A surface reading of the account recorded in Revelation 20:1-10 might appear to agree with Pre-Trib's interpretation. But, if we continue reading Verses 11-15, it becomes VERY clear that this is the Great White Throne Judgment. Combine this with the fact that Jesus and Paul made it ABSOLUTELY, ABUNDANTLY certain that there'll be NO Sinners or Mortals in Christ's Kingdom, EVER, we can easily see that John is NOT prophesying anything about Old Jerusalem. John saw New Jerusalem "coming down from God out of Heaven" at the end of the 1000 years, which shows exactly which Jerusalem will be surrounded by Satan and his army. John said New Jerusalem is 1364 miles square and high. this size City will fit perfectly onto the 8 Nations Ezekiel wrote about when he Prophesied concerning Gog and Magog! There can be only one conclusion. The Bible says many times that when Jesus comes the Sun will no longer give it's light, causing Earth to become a frozen Planet. If Earth will be frozen with no Sun until Jesus brings New Jerusalem here at the end of the 1000 years, Old Jerusalem will of course be un-inhabitable. If we combine what Ezekiel and John saw, there are NO Un-Answerable Questions. It all makes perfect sense and fits like a glove. Trying to alter these Prophecies by inserting Old Jerusalem is impossible and causes multiple Un-Answerable Questions! For more Bible information, see "New Jerusalem's Size and Location." Also for more about Gog and Magog, see "Gog and Magog."
Cause for a Pause 30 - Christ's Prophecy of the Sheep and Goats
When His Disciples asked Jesus about the Tribulation and the "end of the World" (Matt.24:3), He sat with them on the Mount of Olives and gave them many details. Explaining the Judgment, Jesus gave an Illustration/Parable/Prophecy using "Sheep and Goats." His explanation was lengthy (Matt.25:31-46) and we'll not reproduce it all here. We have a Website, Pre-Trib and the Sheep and Goats, in which we carefully examine how Pre-Trib claims Jesus describes 3 Groups, not just the Sheep and Goats. The third group, says Pre-Trib, is more important than the Sheep or the Goats. The third group, says Pre-Trib, is the Saved Jews. These Jews, says Pre-Trib, are the only reason Jesus sets up a Millennial Kingdom here on Earth. There is not room here to show that, adding a 3rd group to the Sheep and Goats destroys everything Jesus was trying to illustrate. A careful look at Pre-Trib's version will bring up several Pondered Questions.
Pre-Trib is divided into 2 groups concerning their version of the Sheep and Goats. They all contend that the Kingdom of God is specifically for fulfilling the promises to the Jews during Old Testament times, but are divided as to how Non-Jewish people fit into this Earthly Millennial Kingdom. One group says when Jesus divides the, "Sheep from the Goats" (Matt.25), the Goats are individual Gentiles that were unkind to the Jews during the Tribulation, and the Sheep are individual Gentiles treating the Jews kindly during the Tribulation. The opposing Pre-Trib group says the Goats are whole Gentile Nations whose leaders persecuted the Jews during the Tribulation, and the Sheep are whole Gentile Nations that were kind to the Jews during the Tribulation. The whole nation version says some very bad people will be allowed to enter God's Kingdom, in spite of Jesus and Paul saying "No Sinners and no mortals will inherit, enter or see God's Kingdom." Both Pre-Trib groups say that ALL of the Goats will be condemned and sent to Hell at the beginning of the Millennium. Confused? See our Website Sheep and Goats for more detail. Also see Satan's Millennial Kingdom, Gog and Magog, Ezekiel's Temple, and God's Millennial Kingdom.
Cause for a Pause 31 - God's Law In The Grace Age?
It is not only Pre-Trib that needs to Ponder God's Law and Grace. Almost all of Christianity declares that, since we are "Under Grace" we have permission to disregard the Law. Those teaching such have taken Paul's statement that we are not saved by the Law, but by Grace, and attempted to turn it into saying something quite different from what Paul wrote. We have a complete Website exploring this problem. See, "Dear Pastor! What About God's Law?" Scripture prophesies in hundreds of places that false prophets and false teachers will use deceit to teach the majority of Earth's inhabitants that disregarding and annulling God's Law is exactly what God wants us to do. Has Pre-Trib brought this Law/Grace debate to a new level? At the heart of Pre-Trib, there is what is called Dispensationalism which divides the whole existence of human kind into 7 separate time periods. They call these time periods "Dispensations." They've developed a rather unique approach to the whole subject of Law and Grace. We'll not go into detail here, but briefly look at the Dispensations that Pre-Tribbers say deal with Law and Grace:
Moses to Jesus - Dispensationalism calls this segment of time, "The Law Age." They say the 10 Commandments did not exist until God gave them to Moses.
Jesus to Rapture - Dispensationalism calls this, "The Grace Age." They say that during this time God has given permission to disregard His Law. Some even say God requires us to disregard the Law because keeping the Law would be an attempt to deny Grace.
Rapture to Second Coming - Dispensationalism says this is the Great Tribulation. Pre-Trib actually includes the Tribulation and their version of a Millennial Kingdom here on earth. They call these 2 time frames the "Kingdom Dispensation," and, believe it or not, they contend that God changes His expectations and requires His people to revert back to the obligations of the "Law Age." In other words, instead of requiring His people to disregard His 10 Commandments, God requires them to obey them. Confused?? Certainly we need to Ponder this. Let's think why would God change His mind back and forth about His Law and His Grace. Let's Ponder this Question: Is it possible that Antichrist's Mark of the Beast will be based on Daniel's Vision? Daniel saw Antichrist blaspheme God and persecute God's people by tampering with God's Law. "And he (Antichrist) shall think to change the Times and the Laws" (Dan.7:25). John wrote, Prophesied, that "All the world wondered after (and worshiped) the Beast (Antichrist)" (Rev.13: 3-4)! Just before John prophesied his most comprehensive description of Antichrist, he was shown the following vision. "And the Dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev.12:17)! Immediately after his Revelation 13 description of Antichrist, and his prophecy of how God's people will deliver the messages of the, "three angels flying in the midst of heaven" (see Rev.14:6-11), John wrote the following: "Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and have the Faith of Jesus" (vs.12)! In a moment we will show from Scripture how Satan and Antichrist could, and most likely will, use this doctrine of, "Grace Frees us to Disobey God's Law," to set up his Mark of the Beast!! The Pondered Question here is, what if Grace frees us from the penalty of the Law, and does not annul God's 10 Commandments?
Cause for a Pause 32 - God's Sabbath and the Grace Age?
Dear Pastor, if you attended a Pre-Trib College or University, or use a Scofield Study Bible, or any reputable Pro-Pre-Trib Study Bible, you know of the Pre-Trib teaching that all Christians will be observing the Sabbath, Saturday, as a Sacred Holy Day just before Jesus' Second Coming. You also know that Pre-Trib says the Sabbath will be observed world wide during the Millennium. Pre-Trib uses the following as proof of this: "And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship Me, saith the Lord" (Isa.66:23). Pastor, you also know that Sabbath subjects are seldom found in Pre-Trib sermons. You may have Pondered, "Why, if it will be observed before Jesus comes to set up His Kingdom, and throughout the following thousand years, why it is WRONG to observe it now?" Well let's Ponder a follow up Question. What if, during this present "Grace Age," Grace has NOT given us permission to disregard any of the 10 Commandments, even the Sabbath? What if God does Not insist we disobey the Sabbath Commandment and substitute another day to replace it? What if those who insist that observing the Sabbath is a sin are wrong?
Now let's consider another Pause for a Cause: What if there is no, "Grace Age," and Dispensationalism is only a man made system? Next, what if there will be no Rapture of the Church before Jesus' Second Coming? And, what if Pre-Trib is correct about the Sabbath being the Christian Holy Day during the Great Tribulation? Pre-Trib is EXACTLY correct about this, because, as you know Pastor, the Bible is abundantly clear that the Sabbath and the Commandments of God will be exactly where Antichrist and Satan will make war on God's People (see Rev.12:17 and 14:12, also Dan.7:25).
Now Pastor, let's ponder this: What if, just before Jesus comes, all of those who are truly his people waiting for Him to come, will be obeying ALL of God's Commandments, including the Sabbath? And what if, because of what their Pastors are telling them, almost all proclaimed "Christians" will be in the process of denouncing the Sabbath, insisting that Sabbath observance is a sin? What if these congregations falsely believe that Sunday observance is God's Command up until the Rapture? The Ponderable part here is, do we really want our Church congregations to endorse the exact doctrine that Satan and Antichrist will use for their Last Day Delusion? does God really demand disobedience to His Sabbath Commandment now, and the very next day after He Raptures them, God changes and demands obedience to His Sabbath Commandment? Dear Pastor, please make this a matter of much prayer. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit to us and teach us truth if we asked, and He will, of course!
For our most comprehensive study of this see "Is There Really a Pre-Trib Rapture?" and "The Rapture and the Sabbath Connection."
Now let's consider another Pause for a Cause: What if there is no, "Grace Age," and Dispensationalism is only a man made system? Next, what if there will be no Rapture of the Church before Jesus' Second Coming? And, what if Pre-Trib is correct about the Sabbath being the Christian Holy Day during the Great Tribulation? Pre-Trib is EXACTLY correct about this, because, as you know Pastor, the Bible is abundantly clear that the Sabbath and the Commandments of God will be exactly where Antichrist and Satan will make war on God's People (see Rev.12:17 and 14:12, also Dan.7:25).
Now Pastor, let's ponder this: What if, just before Jesus comes, all of those who are truly his people waiting for Him to come, will be obeying ALL of God's Commandments, including the Sabbath? And what if, because of what their Pastors are telling them, almost all proclaimed "Christians" will be in the process of denouncing the Sabbath, insisting that Sabbath observance is a sin? What if these congregations falsely believe that Sunday observance is God's Command up until the Rapture? The Ponderable part here is, do we really want our Church congregations to endorse the exact doctrine that Satan and Antichrist will use for their Last Day Delusion? does God really demand disobedience to His Sabbath Commandment now, and the very next day after He Raptures them, God changes and demands obedience to His Sabbath Commandment? Dear Pastor, please make this a matter of much prayer. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit to us and teach us truth if we asked, and He will, of course!
For our most comprehensive study of this see "Is There Really a Pre-Trib Rapture?" and "The Rapture and the Sabbath Connection."
Cause for a Pause 33 - Sabbath in the Tribulation?
This is a continuation of the previous Pondered Question. Pre-Trib says Sabbath observance, at this present time, is not only unnecessary, it is "Legalism!" Some even say it's a SIN to observe the Sabbath at this present time; the Grace Age. Dispensationalism (Pre-Trib) says God demanded Sabbath observance from Moses till Jesus, but after Jesus, obeying the Sabbath Commandment became a sin; and then, after a Rapture, disregarding the Sabbath will be a sin again! Let's Ponder this: Could it really be true that Sabbath observing now is a form of denying Grace and trying to, "Work our way to Heaven through the Law?" Does God really flip-flop concerning the Sabbath Commandment? As you know, Pastor, Pre-Trib says that, for the first 2500 years after creation, God had no interest whatsoever in a Sabbath, then, at the time of Moses, for the next 1500 years God demanded Sabbath observance, even punishing Israel if they disregarded the Sabbath, then, after Christ's crucifixion, God demanded no Sabbath observance, only to reinstate it after He "Raptures" His "Church." Pastor, does this really sound like something God would do? Is this alleged "Flip-Flopping" something Satan could use in his attempt to make God look "Wishy-Washy?" Pastor, do you suppose Any in your congregation has Pondered this? Satan's goal has always been to attack God's Character in every way possible. God has promised us that He is Lord and He "Changes Not!" A careful Bible study into this Sabbath/Sunday issue will show that "Thinking to change God's Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25) will be what Satan uses for his last day delusion. The Sabbath is the only Commandment in God's Law having to do with "Time." See Mark of the Beast. For more about the Sabbath During the Tribulation, see Blogsite, Sabbath During the Tribulation.
Dispensational Textbooks and Bible Footnotes claim there will be an Earthly Millennial Kingdom, and that during this 1000 years, the entire earth will be obeying the Sabbath Commandment; the seventh day Sabbath, which is now called Saturday. Pre-Trib bases this on the following Bible Verse: "And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh (everybody) come to worship before Me saith the Lord" (Isa. 66:23). It is true that the Sabbath will be kept during the Millennium, but the Bible Verse Pre-Tribbers quote as proof doesn't fit the Millennium at all. Notice the Bible verse just prior to it. "For as the New Heavens and New Earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain" (Vs. 22). Thus their proof text is NOT the Millennium at all. The Text is showing that the Sabbath will be kept throughout Eternity, after Jesus creates the New Earth. Let's Ponder this: If God considers the Sabbath as Eternal, why can we say that, during this time on earth, He has 7 Dispensations, and alternates back and forth from requiring Sabbath observance to requiring Sabbath abolishion. Do we really believe He does such? Another Question to Ponder is, if Sunday, the first day of the week is God's preferred day for Christians to worship Him now; if He would rather we disregard the Sabbath now, why would this not be His choice during the Millennium and throughout eternity? Popular Christianity says that a memorial for Christ's resurrection is more important now than the memorial day for God being our Creator. In other words, Sunday is more important than the Sabbath. So, why would not the same be true during the Millennium and during eternity?
Sabbath Before Moses Pre-Tribbers claim that, since there's no absolute Scripture showing the Sabbath being kept by God's people before Moses, there was no Sabbath during this time. This Author believes that from Creation till this present time God has designed for His people to observe the Sabbath. Scripture is clear that it will be kept throughout Eternity, so this Author believes that there has been a Sabbath, in some form, all the way back into eternity past. In other words, as long as God has existed, which is forever forward and backwards, the Sabbath has existed. This means the Sabbath and God have always and will always exist together.
It is a huge mystery how 98% of Christians believe God wants them to disregard the Sabbath at this time. If they are wrong, if God DOES NOT demand disregarding the Sabbath at this time, then has Satan done his homework very well? Has he proved himself to be the Master Deceiver?For more detail, see Blogsite, TheSabbathOfTheMillennium.
Sabbath Before Moses Pre-Tribbers claim that, since there's no absolute Scripture showing the Sabbath being kept by God's people before Moses, there was no Sabbath during this time. This Author believes that from Creation till this present time God has designed for His people to observe the Sabbath. Scripture is clear that it will be kept throughout Eternity, so this Author believes that there has been a Sabbath, in some form, all the way back into eternity past. In other words, as long as God has existed, which is forever forward and backwards, the Sabbath has existed. This means the Sabbath and God have always and will always exist together.
It is a huge mystery how 98% of Christians believe God wants them to disregard the Sabbath at this time. If they are wrong, if God DOES NOT demand disregarding the Sabbath at this time, then has Satan done his homework very well? Has he proved himself to be the Master Deceiver?For more detail, see Blogsite, TheSabbathOfTheMillennium.
This is actually a Question that needs no Pondering for Pre-Trib or anyone. Pre-Trib says that Saturday, the Seventh Day of the Week is now the Sabbath and has been since the 10 Commandments were given. They say that Saturday, the Sabbath, will be observed as Christ's Holy Worship Day during the Great Tribulation and throughout the Millennium. The Pondered Question is, if the Church and Israel are the same, then should we Christians be Observing the Sabbath now as our Worship Day! If disregarding and disobeying God's Commandments and teaching others to do so becomes the Mark of the Beast, the problem is obvious!!! Could Satan be setting up the Church so that Antichrist's work is already done? See Is the Church Israel. Also see The Bride of Christ. Of everyone knows that Saturday is the Sabbath of the Jews, but for more insight as to future Sabbath observance in the future, see Blogsite, The Sabbath Of The Jews.
Cause for a Pause 36 - The Sabbath and the Antichrist
The reason for this Pondered Question is that there are dozens of Pre-Trib Rapture Movies produced over the past 30+ years, and not one EVER mentions Antichrist's connection to the Sabbath. This Author has seen all of these movies that have been available for the general public. He has purchased copies of these movies and watched each of them several times in order to research all Rapture resources. Why is it strange that Pre-Trib Movies NEVER mention the Sabbath? Almost every time the Bible makes mention of Antichrist, there is a direct or indirect connection to God's Law and how Antichrist will be at war against God's Law and the people that obey it.
Satan and Antichrist will make war on God's people because they, "Keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony and Faith of Jesus Christ" (See Rev.12:17 and 14:12). Let's Ponder this, Pastor: If it is true that Satan will be making war on God's people, and Anti-Sabbath and Anti-God's Law will be his focus, would it make perfect sense that Satan would do all in his power to see that this information is covered up. And are Pastors doing their duty to their churches if they allow this anti-Sabbath and anti-Law scheme of Satan to be covered up? Shouldn't our Pastors be carefully explaining this last-day delusion of Satan to their congregations?
And now, Pastor, let's get to the real Pondered Question. If Pastors explain how Satan will use anti-Sabbath and anti-10 Commandments in his last stand against God's People, could it be that congregations will begin to Ponder this Sabbath issue and cause Pastors to be uncomfortable? If this became a serious subject of discussion among Christians, could it become clear that God is NOT requiring present day Christians to disobey His Sabbath Commandment? In a moment we will look closer at how Satan could use anti-Sabbath as his Mark of the Beast. Daniel wrote, "And he shall think to change Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25)! In Blogsite "Antichrist's Sabbath" we show from the Bible that Antichrist has ALREADY attempted to "Change God's Time Law."
Satan and Antichrist will make war on God's people because they, "Keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony and Faith of Jesus Christ" (See Rev.12:17 and 14:12). Let's Ponder this, Pastor: If it is true that Satan will be making war on God's people, and Anti-Sabbath and Anti-God's Law will be his focus, would it make perfect sense that Satan would do all in his power to see that this information is covered up. And are Pastors doing their duty to their churches if they allow this anti-Sabbath and anti-Law scheme of Satan to be covered up? Shouldn't our Pastors be carefully explaining this last-day delusion of Satan to their congregations?
And now, Pastor, let's get to the real Pondered Question. If Pastors explain how Satan will use anti-Sabbath and anti-10 Commandments in his last stand against God's People, could it be that congregations will begin to Ponder this Sabbath issue and cause Pastors to be uncomfortable? If this became a serious subject of discussion among Christians, could it become clear that God is NOT requiring present day Christians to disobey His Sabbath Commandment? In a moment we will look closer at how Satan could use anti-Sabbath as his Mark of the Beast. Daniel wrote, "And he shall think to change Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25)! In Blogsite "Antichrist's Sabbath" we show from the Bible that Antichrist has ALREADY attempted to "Change God's Time Law."
Cause for a Pause 37 - Who Are The Real Elect?
We will continue looking at Antichrist in a moment, but first we need to establish who Antichrist will REALLY be targeting during the Tribulation. Pre-Trib Textbooks and Study Bibles say the Elect is Israel and NOT the Church. However, in many Pre-Trib sermons and literature you'll find the Church referred to as the Elect. We need to know for sure, because Antichrist and Satan will direct all of their evil persecution at the Elect. It will be their sole purpose to cause each and every person within the Elect to either give up their determination to obey God and His Commandments or "be killed" (See Rev.13:15). Jesus, Peter, James, and Paul referred to the Church as the Elect.
Jesus said Satan's and Antichrist's last day deceptions will be so powerful that, "if it were possible, even the VERY ELECTwould be deceived" (Matt.24:24)! Pre-Trib says this "ELECT" Jesus refers to is Israel and not the Church. We must Ponder, however, because Peter wrote a letter to the Church and called them the, "ELECT according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father" (1Pet.1:2).
James wrote the following to the Church: “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad, greeting” (Js.1:1). Paul called the Church the Elect in each of the following Texts: Rom.8:33; Tit.1:1; Col.3:12; 1Tim. 5:21. Paul's most profound statement connection the Elect, Israel, to the Church is the following: "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). If the Elect is going to be Antichrist's and Satan's focus during the Tribulation, and the Church IS the Elect, should the Church stop expecting they'll be Raptured Away before the Tribulation. We need to heed the warnings Jesus gave us so that we'll be armed and prepared to defeat Satan and Antichrist!! See The Bride of Christ and Is the Church Israel. If the Reader is still not convinced that the Elect and the Church are not the same, see, "TheElectOfGod."
Jesus said Satan's and Antichrist's last day deceptions will be so powerful that, "if it were possible, even the VERY ELECTwould be deceived" (Matt.24:24)! Pre-Trib says this "ELECT" Jesus refers to is Israel and not the Church. We must Ponder, however, because Peter wrote a letter to the Church and called them the, "ELECT according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father" (1Pet.1:2).
James wrote the following to the Church: “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad, greeting” (Js.1:1). Paul called the Church the Elect in each of the following Texts: Rom.8:33; Tit.1:1; Col.3:12; 1Tim. 5:21. Paul's most profound statement connection the Elect, Israel, to the Church is the following: "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). If the Elect is going to be Antichrist's and Satan's focus during the Tribulation, and the Church IS the Elect, should the Church stop expecting they'll be Raptured Away before the Tribulation. We need to heed the warnings Jesus gave us so that we'll be armed and prepared to defeat Satan and Antichrist!! See The Bride of Christ and Is the Church Israel. If the Reader is still not convinced that the Elect and the Church are not the same, see, "TheElectOfGod."
Cause for a Pause 38 - New Covenant or New Testament
This Author doesn't particularly like "Gotcha Questions," but this particular Ponderable Question can be better understood if we use one of these. Pastor, what if a Church member came to you and asked: "Is the Church a New Testament Church?"
Most likely you'll give a hearty: "Absolutely we are a New Testament Church! The entire portion of the Bible we believe in and teach is New Testament. This means we use the New Testament as our guide of Faith and Practice. The Old Testament uses the Law, but we New Testament Believers are no longer under the Law! We are under Grace!!"
And now, Pastor, what if another Church member asks you later: "How about the New Covenant? Is our Church a New Covenant Church?"
You'll most likely think for a moment, and your answer might be: "Well... sort of.., maybe...but NOT REALLY! Actually, the Church is NOT New Covenant. You see, the Church and Israel are completely different. Israel will be the real New Covenant believers, and they will be New Covenant starting in the Great Tribulation after we've been Raptured away to Heaven. Seven years after we are Raptured, Jesus will come to Earth and set up His Millennial Kingdom. This Kingdom will be God rewarding His people Israel. Jesus will be King. The Jews will be the ruling Nation over all the Nations of the World and then, and ONLY then the New Covenant will be in effect and the Law of the whole World!"
Pastor, you will have no choice but to Ponder something concerning your answers to the above Questions. You know that the words "New Covenant" and "New Testament" in Strong's Concordance Dictionary are EXACTLY the same words! The Greek word is "Dia-the-ke," pronounced "Dee-ath-ay-kay."
Pastor, we developed a mindset that says the Old Testament represents repression from being under the Law, while the New Testament represents freedom because of being no longer under the Law but under Grace. We've heard that we are free to disregard the Law, however all who have studied the New Covenant know that the New Covenant means we have allowed God to write His Law, "In our hearts and our inward parts" (See Jer.31:31-33 and Heb.8:8). Thus for us to try to separate the meaning of the New Testament and the New Covenant, and say the New Testament means we are free from obeying God's Law is nothing but circular reasoning! To try to use the New Testament to show a moving away from God's Commandments, when its very definition is "God's Law written in our hearts and minds" simply makes no sense. All Bible Prophecies concerning the New Covenant show God's people obeying God's Law, not annulling it. The REAL Pondered Question becomes VERY clear in the following section. The Bible says there will be horrid consequences of declaring that the New Covenant is ONLY for a future generation of Jews, and not for the Church! For more on this, see Blogsite, New Testament or New Covenant.
Most likely you'll give a hearty: "Absolutely we are a New Testament Church! The entire portion of the Bible we believe in and teach is New Testament. This means we use the New Testament as our guide of Faith and Practice. The Old Testament uses the Law, but we New Testament Believers are no longer under the Law! We are under Grace!!"
And now, Pastor, what if another Church member asks you later: "How about the New Covenant? Is our Church a New Covenant Church?"
You'll most likely think for a moment, and your answer might be: "Well... sort of.., maybe...but NOT REALLY! Actually, the Church is NOT New Covenant. You see, the Church and Israel are completely different. Israel will be the real New Covenant believers, and they will be New Covenant starting in the Great Tribulation after we've been Raptured away to Heaven. Seven years after we are Raptured, Jesus will come to Earth and set up His Millennial Kingdom. This Kingdom will be God rewarding His people Israel. Jesus will be King. The Jews will be the ruling Nation over all the Nations of the World and then, and ONLY then the New Covenant will be in effect and the Law of the whole World!"
Pastor, you will have no choice but to Ponder something concerning your answers to the above Questions. You know that the words "New Covenant" and "New Testament" in Strong's Concordance Dictionary are EXACTLY the same words! The Greek word is "Dia-the-ke," pronounced "Dee-ath-ay-kay."
Pastor, we developed a mindset that says the Old Testament represents repression from being under the Law, while the New Testament represents freedom because of being no longer under the Law but under Grace. We've heard that we are free to disregard the Law, however all who have studied the New Covenant know that the New Covenant means we have allowed God to write His Law, "In our hearts and our inward parts" (See Jer.31:31-33 and Heb.8:8). Thus for us to try to separate the meaning of the New Testament and the New Covenant, and say the New Testament means we are free from obeying God's Law is nothing but circular reasoning! To try to use the New Testament to show a moving away from God's Commandments, when its very definition is "God's Law written in our hearts and minds" simply makes no sense. All Bible Prophecies concerning the New Covenant show God's people obeying God's Law, not annulling it. The REAL Pondered Question becomes VERY clear in the following section. The Bible says there will be horrid consequences of declaring that the New Covenant is ONLY for a future generation of Jews, and not for the Church! For more on this, see Blogsite, New Testament or New Covenant.
Cause for a Pause 39 -New Covenant For Israel or the Church?
Pastor, this Pondered Question might bring into question a huge Pre-Trib pillar Doctrine. Jesus, at His Last Supper, said that when He comes back to take His people to the "place He prepared for them" (see Jn.14:1-3), ONLY New Covenant participants will go with Him to Heaven. He said that from that day on, when His Disciples would celebrate the Lord's Supper, it would commemorate 2 events. One would be His Death so that humankind could have salvation. The other would represent a future event in Heaven called "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"(See Rev.19:7). While in the midst of celebrating His Last Supper with His Disciples, He told them He would NOT partake of this celebration meal again until He did so with His NewCovenant participants in His Father's Kingdom. Underscore "In His Father's Kingdom" because Pre-Trib says that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be for the Church, and that the Church goes to Heaven 7 years BEFORE the Kingdom of God is established. Pre-Tribbers claim that at the EXACT time this Marriage Supper occurs, EVERY person who will later become Christ's New Covenant people of the Millennial Kingdom will not even be believers in Jesus! Some serious Pondering is necessary here! Let's look at what Jesus said and see if it is not the opposite of what our popular Ministers are telling us:
Marriage Supper - ONLY for New Covenant Participants!
"And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to the Disciples (the Founders of His Church), and said, Drink ye all of it; For this is My Blood of the New Covenant (New Testament - KJV), which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will NOT drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day (the Day of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb) when I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom" (Matt.26:27-29). So, what did Jesus say? Who do the Disciples represent? They are the Founders of Christ's Church, thus the New Covenant is directly for the Church, not for a later group of Jews converted to Christianity after Jesus comes and takes the Church to Heaven! Pre-Trib says Jesus will Rapture His Church to Heaven, and immediately celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with them because the Church is His Bride. Pre-Trib says the "New Covenant Jews" are "Left Behind" when the Church/Bride is Raptured. Why does Pre-Trib say all New Covenant Jews will be left behind? Pre-Trib says it will be because the New Covenant Jews do NOT believe in Jesus at that time. A simple reading of Christ's words above shows that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be for New Covenant Believers ONLY! A simple reading also shows that this Supper will take place in "His Father's Kingdom." Pre-Trib says the Kingdom of God does not begin until 7 years after they are Raptured to Heaven. Pre-Trib says the Kingdom of God will not be in Heaven, but here on Earth. Dear Pastor, if you're confused, you have a right to be. However, if you've carefully studied Pre-Trib, you know that everything above is accurately stating Pre-Trib doctrine. Simply put, the New Covenant and the Church CANNOT be separated, and if we try to do so, we create many Un-Answerable Questions for ourselves.The question of "Who is the Bride of Christ" introduces our next Pondered Question. For more Bible proof and further discussion as to Israel's and the Church's relationship to the New Covenant, see Websites "Is the Church Israel" and "Christ's Bride" and "144 Thousand." Also see, "TheRealElect."
Cause for a Pause 40 -Who is the Real Bride of Christ?
Dear Pastor, the identification of the Bride of Christ could be a very disturbing Pondered Question!
Satan in the Garden
Through the Serpent, Satan told Eve that if she and Adam chose to disobey God, they'd NOT be punished for their disobedience, but instead, they'd be highly rewarded! He said they'd, "Become as Gods" (See Gen.3:1-7)! Throughout human history, Satan has repeated this lie time and time again! His most effective tools are to incorporate his works directly into Church Doctrine. His Grand Delusion was when he took the Scripture, "We are not under the Law, but under Grace,"and tweak it into saying, "Grace frees us to disobey God." This Doctrine of Demons has become "Orthodox" in almost all Christian Churches. Could this, "Become as Gods" lie from Satan be exactly the same as the misconceptation of the Bride of Christ?
The HIGHEST Position Created Beings will EVER Hold
Will the position of "Bride of Christ" be the very highest position granted to created beings anywhere in God's Universe? It will absolutely! Members included in the Bride of Christ will not "Become as Gods," but, when two people marry, the Bible says they, "Become as One." Again we stress that Christ's Bride will never be "Gods," or "As Gods," but it is undoubtedly the highest honored position next to Jesus.
If Satan lied to Eve, telling her that disobedience to God brings the highest possible reward, would he tell that lie again? Would Satan deceive us into believing that the only way for us to become the Bride of Christ will be through disobedience to God? Pastor, we ask that you pray for God's Spirit throughout all of the 64 Pondered Questions we examine, but this is doubly important! Let's look now at Pre-Trib's Bride of Christ Doctrine.
Pre-Trib is Dispensationalism. By its very name, Dispensationalism divides human history on earth into segments of TIME, or Dispensations. Pre-Trib says there are 7, and only one of these Dispensations, the Grace Dispensation have people qualified to become the Bride of Christ. Pre-Trib says the Grace Dispensation is the time between Christ's death and His coming to take His people to Heaven. Pre-Trib says this is time during which God's people have permission, are even commanded, to disregard God's Ten Commandments, and that those choosing to obey all 10 of God's Commandments actually displease God. Some say such a choice is so offensive to God that He will refuse salvation to them. All Pre-Trib Promoters claim that such persons are "Legalists." A Question to Ponder - "Legalism is a sin, and could such a sin cause persons to be lost?" All Pre-Trib Promoters say,"Grace Frees Us From the Law," during this Grace Dispensation (Grace Age). All Dispensationalists say that only one of the 7 Dispensations require disobedience to God's Law, and that during all of the other 6 Dispensations, God required, or will require, Obedience.
Pastor, how different is this than Satan telling Eve that disobedience would project her and Adam to being "As Gods" (Gen.3:12)? We want to be kind and not offend, but is Satan recycling his original lie to Eve? From the time Satan (Lucifer) first sinned in Heaven, his theme has been that disobedience brings good results and obedience brings bad results. Sadly almost all of Christianity claims that God insists we disregard His Law, most especially His Sabbath Commandment! Even though there is a campaign throughout Christianity promoting that we display the 10 Commandments in Government Buildings, when the subject of the Sabbath Commandment arises, these 10 Commandment Zealots suddenly become Commandment Bashers!
Again, Pastor, Let's pray about this serious question. A careful study into the 144 Thousand clearly shows that the principle and most prominent members of the Bride of Christ will be the 144 Thousand who stand against Antichrist during the Tribulation. However, Pre-Trib says the 144 Thousand WILL NOT, CANNOT, EVER be part of the Bride of Christ!! See our Link, The Bride of Christ. For more on Sabbath Observance being a sin, see "Is the Sabbath a Sin?
Pre-Trib says the 144 Thousand John prophesied about in Revelation will NEVER be part of the Bride of Christ. They say that when Jesus takes His Bride (the Church) to Heaven, the 144 Thousand are still Non-Believers in Jesus! A careful study into the 144 Thousand reveals that the 144 Thousand are actually the principle members of the Bride of Christ because they endure the worst Tribulation in the history of Planet Earth! But Pre-Trib says the 144 Thousand are "Left Behind" when Jesus comes to take His Bride to Heaven because they'll be rejecting Jesus at that time. Pre-Trib goes on to say that the 144 Thousand NEVER qualify as part of the Bride, even though the 144 Thousand obey the very Ten Commandments Pre-Trib claims are impossible to obey. Let's Ponder this for a moment. Is this not saying that the people who refuse to obey God's Law are rewarded and the people who obey God's Law are punished? Is this not very similar to the words of the Serpent in the Garden of Eden? In our Website "The 144 Thousand," we show from Scripture that the 144 Thousand are the most qualified group of people since Creation to be the Bride. Satan and Antichrist will make war on the 144 Thousand specifically because they obey God's Commandments! John introduces his most comprehensive revelation of Antichrist with the following:"And the Dragon (Satan) was wroth with the Woman and went to make war with the Remnant of her seed, who keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev.12:17)! And John ends the Revelation of Antichrist with the following: "Here is the patience of the saints! Here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and have the Faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12)!"
Pastor, there is a very good chance that you could be a candidate to be among the 144 Thousand. It is actually mathematically more likely that you are a descendant of Jacob than that you're not. For more on this and other info about the 144 Thousand, see Blogsite The 144 Thousand,"
Cause for a Pause 42 -When Antichrist Really Began His Work
Pre-Trib has created many Ponderable Questions concerning Antichrist. We will look at just a few, beginning with Antichrist's first appearance on the World scene. Satan NEVER uses fair play in his attempts to deceive people, so, if there is at the present time, an Antichrist at work now setting up the masses in preparation for his last day Delusions, we can all agree that Satan would do all possible to inject into Christianity a set of beliefs declaring that Antichrist CANNOT begin his work until a later time; a later Dispensation, if you please. What if Satan could convince all Christians that they have NOTHING to fear concerning Antichrist, when in fact these Christians have already incorporated into their Doctrines EVERYTHING needed for them to accept and wear the Mark of the Beast? We have already touch on the fact that the Mark of the Beast will be some form of "Annulling God's Law." Later we will show from Scripture that the main thrust of the Mark of the Beast will be Antichrist's attempt to "Change Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25). We will show from Scripture that attempting to abolish God's Sabbath Commandment will be ground zero from Antichrist.
Scripture says the number of the Beast is 666 and is the "number of a man" (Rev. 13:18). Pre-Tribbers say that since the Bible says, "a man," Antichrist will be only one man. The Bible truth is, Antichrist has been around and working for over 1400 years. By comparing Prophecy with Church history, it becomes completely clear that the Real Antichrist emerged in 538AD and then for the next 1260 years he dominated Europe and beyond. Paul said Antichrist would emerge when the Church "Apostatized." Paul wrote, "Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day (the Day Jesus comes to gather His people and take them to Heaven) shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY (Apostasy) first and that Man of Sin (Antichrist) be revealed, the son of perdition" (2Thess.2:3). Paul seems to be saying that when the Church "Falls Away,"the Church actually becomes Antichrist. This idea that it is the "Church" itself that becomes Antichrist is very clear, if we look at each and every prophecy about Antichrist from Daniel, Paul, and John. In Blogsite, "When The Church Became Antichrist," we show over a dozen Prophecies from Scripture proving beyond doubt who Antichrist is. We also show from Bible Prophecy and World History that the Church/Antichrist has already received his, "Deadly Wound," and how that wound is healing in preparation for a, "New World Order Church" headed up by the final Antichrist just before Jesus Comes. Pre-Trib's Un-Answerable Question here is the fact that the Bible is abundantly clear that the Dark Ages Church has already emerged as Antichrist, yet Pre-Trib insists that Antichrist CANNOT work until after the Church has been Raptured. The danger is for us to think Antichrist cannot work now, when in fact he has been duping masses of Christians for over 1400 years already! Check these other Websites that reveal much more Bible information about Antichrist: "70 Weeks of Daniel," Antichrist's Name, The Mark of the Beast, and The Great Whore of Revelation.
Cause for a Pause 43 -Antichrist's Name is"ANOMOS"
Following is what makes this "Anomos" name that Paul called Antichrist a problem for Pre-Trib Pastors. If they acknowledge that "Anomos" is a name Paul gave to Antichrist, they must accept everything the name means. They must accept and preach the definition of "Anomos." They must also deal with the fact that the name "Anomos," according to Strong's Concordance means "Lawless," and the "Law" referred to in Anomos is a direct reference to God's 10 Commandments. We give documentation of this our Blogsite, Nomos-Anomos-Anomia. Dear Reader, what if that name, Anomos, is a revelation revealing the Mark of the Beast? This becomes even more revealing when we compare it with John's description of Antichrist. John's Revelation 13 Antichrist chapter is directly preceded by him revealing to us that the people Satan and Antichrist war against in the Tribulation are they that, "Keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony (and Faith) of Jesus Christ" (Rev.12:17;14:12)!
In all of Pre-Trib's Study Bibles, Books, Literature, and Movies, they have revealed very little, if anything, about the fact that Antichrist's war is against those who obey God's Commandments. Pre-Trib Ministers seldom if ever discussed this fact in their sermons. Pastor, why is this never discussed? We have a very detailed Blogsite called, Antichrist's Name and Mark Are the Same, that covers Paul calling Antichrist "Anomos" 3 times. Anomos means "Law Annuller" and/or "Law Changer." Could it be that the popular, "Grace Age" Doctrine would be carefully scrutinized and possibly abandoned by masses of people if they knew about Paul naming Antichrist, "Anomos?" Would the claim that we are presently living a "Grace Age" in which God's Law is annulled and changed cause us some concern? The real question is, if we acknowledge ANOMOS (Law Annuller) as a name for Antichrist, would this not make it appear that we agree with Antichrist's "Changed Times and Laws"(Dan. 7:25)? Would we be admitting that all who accept and promote this, "Changed Time Law," which is of course the Sabbath Commandment, are being set up to be participant in Antichrist's movement? Dear Reader, let's please make this a serious matter of Prayer! For a detailed look at Strong's definition of, Nomos, Anomos, and Anomia, see our Blogsite, NomosAnomosAnomia.
Cause for a Pause 44 -When is Antichrist Allowed to Work?
We already touched on this in Cause for a Pause 42. If Pre-Trib is correct about a "Grace Age" and Antichrist not being allowed to inflict his Mark of "Changing Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25), until after a, "Grace Age Church" people are Raptured, these Church people will continue setting aside God's Law, His Sabbath, and His New Covenant until they see Jesus come. BUT, IF Pre-Trib IS INCORRECT, billions of people will be transgressing Jesus' Law! If Pre-Trib promoters are incorrect about Antichrist being prevented to begin his work now, what will become of the masses of Christians and Christian Pastors that have considered the Sabbath Commandment as the "Least Commandment, and have, in spite of Jesus warning, been "Breaking that Commandment and teaching men so" (Matt.5:17-19)? And, Pastor, what if Pre-Trib is incorrect about the New Covenant being for a future generation of Jews, and what if that Covenant is for Christ's Church?
Pastor, underscore "Transgressing," "Changing," and "Breaking." What if Pre-Trib is presently promoting activity that incorporates these 3 Key Words. With these three words in mind, let's read a prophecy from Isaiah. This Prophecy is Isaiah's warning about what will be happening in the whole World just before Jesus' Second Coming: "The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have TRANSGRESSED the Laws, CHANGED the Ordinance, BROKEN the Everlasting Covenant. Therefore [because of this] hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left" (Isa.24:5). If the popular "Grace Age" doctrine fits each of these 3, the "Grace Frees Us to Disobey God's Law" notion will actually be shown to be Satan's Lie! If Isaiah's Prophetic vision is true, and of course it is, billions of people will be Transgressing, Changing, and Breaking the Lord's Law and His New Covenant. Are Christians doing this, and are they doing so because their Pastors are teaching them to do so?
What we MUST say next is heartbreaking. As we've said many times, this Author has many good friends that believe absolutely in Pre-Trib. We HOPE these good friends will at least consider the facts here. Let's look quickly at each of the words we have underscored:
Transgressed the Laws - The popular Doctrine of, "Grace Allows us to Disregard God's Law," says that "Transgression of God's Law" is permissible.
Change the Ordinance - An "Ordinance" is a Commandment. Would it be correct to assume that "Changing an Ordinance" means "Changing one of God's Commandments?" Has one of God's 10 Commandments been "Changed" by almost ALL Christians?
Breaking the Everlasting (New) Covenant - What about a Doctrine that says the New Covenant is NOT for the Church, but rather for a future generation of Jews during the Tribulation and a so-called Millennial Kingdom? If such a Doctrine is true, then there's no Problem. But, if such a Doctrine is not correct, would it qualify as "Breaking the Everlasting Covenant?"
The Pondered part of this look at Antichrist's Work is the following: If the popular "Grace Age" or "Grace Dispensation" is correct, and if Jesus presently demands that we set aside His Law, Change one of His Ordinances, and set aside His Everlasting Covenant, passing it along to a future generation of Jews, there is a serious inconsistency here. This would mean that Jesus rewards His Church people for committing the exact three sins for which He later devastates and actually destroys the entire world, including Antichrist and all of his followers.Will Jesus actually reward one group for disobeying, then destroythe next for disobeying!! Does Jesus now, at this present time, instruct, even DEMAND us to commit the exact 3 acts that, at a later time (Dispensation) He will utterly annihilate the inhabitants of earth for doing? Is such a thing even possible for Jesus? Do we really need to Ponder on this?
Cause for a Pause 45 - Antichrist's Deadly Wound?
Pre-Trib says this wound will happen after Antichrist, the man, takes control of our planet. Pre-Trib says he will receive a wound that kills him, after which he is revived and continues his evil work. We show in the Website The Apostate Church Becoming Antichrist that Antichrist already received a deadly wound in 1798 AD, and that the wound is presently being healed. The Bible CLEARLY outlines the work of Antichrist, including the fact that the Church, in its Apostate condition during the Dark Ages, IS Antichrist. The activities of Antichrist in his role as the "New World Order Church" are so clear that even a surface reading of the Bible Prophecies renders a good understanding of how Antichrist will function after his "Deadly Wound" is healed. If this is true, and we show from Scripture that it is, would it not be essential that we know it?
Now that we have examined several Ponderable Pre-Trib Antichrist Questions, we need to look at Pre-Trib's position concerning the entire book of Revelation. Pre-Tribbers claim there is NOTHING in Revelation after chapter 3 that has ANYTHING to do with the Church; only Israel! They claim that the first 3 chapters were to be given to the 7 Churches, but EVERYTHING after chapter 3 is ONLY for a future generation of Jews after the Church has been Raptured to Heaven. One Bible text in the end of Revelation should shed light on this. Jesus personally said to John, "I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the CHURCHES" (Rev. 22:16). For Pre-Trib to be correct, Jesus would have had to say, "I testify unto you these things to a future generation of Jews after the Churches have been Raptured to Heaven." At the end of Revelation, John warned us that we'd best not re-write the Words of Jesus!!! "For I testify unto EVERY man that hearth the words of the Prophecy of this Book, If ANY man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book! And if ANY man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy, God shall take away his part in the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things written in this Book" (Rev.22:18-19). If Jesus said the entire Book of Revelation is for the Churches, then Pre-Trib's Un-Answerable Question is very clear! The only way Pre-Trib can answer this Question would be to say that they are wrong, and that Revelation IS for the Churches. But to say this, pretty much all of Pre-Trib Dispensationalism would have to be revised drastically. Now that we have seen that Jesus gave the Book of Revelation to His Church, lets continue looking at the workings of Antichrist. We may be the Generation that he will target with the Mark of the Beast!! For more info, see, John's Revelation-Church or Jews.
Cause for a Pause 47 - Who is Revelation's Great Harlot?
No study of Antichrist would be complete without identifying who John saw when he described the "Great Whore." Pre-Trib Pastor's Pondered Question here has to do with their declaration that Antichrist cannot work until after the Church has been taken to Heaven. We have shown from the Bible that Antichrist emerged soon after the Apostles were gone. Actually the forerunners to "The Antichrist" were hard at work during the days of the Apostles; actually within days after Jesus went back to Heaven. As Paul prophesied, the REAL Antichrist emerged during the time the Church began to apostatize while it took on the evils of Paganism. The Church in its Paganized, Dark Ages time became the Great Whore and for 1260 years (538-1798) the Great Whore Church murdered millions of people. The reason many of these people were murdered and tortured was simply because the persons disagreed with certain Pagan Doctrines promoted by the Church. This whole thing is a delicate subject to discuss. It is declared to be "Church Bashing" and "Denomination Bashing" so we will handle it with as much care as possible. We will not name any Church or Denomination for any reason. But, Scripture makes it clear that the Great Whore is Antichrist's Church and that during the last days, God will pour out His wrath upon the Great Whore.
Bride of Christ or Revelation's Great Harlot
The Bible is clear that billions of people, almost the entire population of Earth, will THINK they are the Bride of Christ, while they are actually general populace of the Great Whore Church. When the last-day "Whore Church" will be forming, the line separating it from God's True people will be the doctrine developed by Satan claiming that, "Grace INSISTS we disobey God's Law!" Satan's (Antichrist's) Great Whore Church will be "making war on" and trying to destroy God's true people because they,"Keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony and Faith of Jesus Christ" (See Rev.12:17 and 14:12)!! Antichrist will devise Commandments that are opposed to God's Law. "And he (Antichrist) will think to change the Times and the Laws" (Dan'7:25)! Could"Time" be the key word? Only one of God's Commandments contains a "Time."That Commandment is of course His Sabbath Commandment. If it is true that the Sabbath will be a key test between God's people and the rest of the world that, "Wonders after and worships the Beast (Antichrist)" (Rev.13:3-4), is it possible that Satan has already set the stage for Antichrist? Is not everything pretty much in place? Could the "4 Angels holding the 4 winds of strife" let those winds go today? And if they did let go, would Antichrist already have his "Changed Times and Laws?" For more on this, see The Great Whore and Pastors Teaching Anomia.
Cause for a Pause 48 - What is Mark of the Beast?
Dear Pastor, there is a famous and popular Pre-Trib TV Minister with a Weekly Broadcast that claims to be one of the highest authorities on End Time Events. This Minister has said several times on his show that his studies show him that the Mark of the Beast will have something to do with the Law of God. Is it possible that he is EXACTLY right? The Pondered Question for Pre-Trib Pastors here is, "Why do we keep promoting the notion that the Mark of the Beast is a Tattoo, or our Social Security number, or Implanted Computer Chips, and dozens of other speculations when the Bible seems to be VERY clear that the Mark will be Tampering with God's Law?" Why not start our search with what the Bible actually says? If we do this, we'll soon see that the Mark of the Beast cannot be anything other than, "Annulling God's Law." Just 2 Bible verses set the stage for such a study:
1. - "And he (Antichrist-the Beast) shall think to change Times and Laws" (Dan. 7:25).
2. - "And the Dragon was wroth with the Woman, and went to make war with the Remnant of her seed, who keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev.12:17; see also Rev.14:12)!
The above texts are a small window into Bible Verses that show Antichrist attempting to force people to disregard God's Law. Is that really different from today's most popular of all Doctrine of Demons that says, "Grace Frees us From God's Law?"Let's be honest, Pastor. Although we don't hear these exact words in sermons, if we listen carefully, that message is carefully crafted into almost all sermons throughout most of Christianity. Pastor, if you're a Pre-Trib Minister, most likely you can recall times that you've unwittingly portrayed this thought. Possibly a little different words, such as, "God's Grace has freed us from that old Law!"
Dear Reader, is it possible that when Paul explained the true relationship between Grace and God's Law, Satan took advantage of what Paul wrote and tweaked it into setting up his Mark of the Beast? How easy is it for us to take the statement, "We are not under the Law, but under Grace," and move it ever so gently into, "If we're not under the Law, but under Grace, is the Law still needed?" And then to, "Grace Frees us from that Old Law, thus we can disregard it." And finally, "Grace means we can Disobey that Old Law and 'Change' it, if we like." Pastor, as you know, this is exactly what the early Church did as it merged with Paganism. All of Satan's lies contain just enough truth to make them believable. Could it be that the Mark of the Beast actually is, "CHANGING" God's Law; in particularly His "TIME" Commandment? God's only Commandment dealing with "Time" is of course His Sabbath Commandment. The reason this Question needs Pondering is obvious! Christianities position on the Sabbath is very close to what the Bible seems to prophesy about Antichrist! Pastor, as you know, Pre-Trib Dispensationalism invented, "Grace Dispensation," which, by its very name means that during this time period, God's people are free from God's Law, as opposed to those living in the so called "Law Dispensation" during which time God's people were required to obey His 10 Commandments. Do these so called Dispensations demonstrate that Pre-Trib agrees with "Changing God's Law" at least when it comes to the Sabbath Commandment? And now for the most serious Pondered Question of all! If it is true that Antichrist's main focus will be to "Speak great words against the Most High, and wear out the Saints of the Most High, and THINK to CHANGE the TIMES and the LAWS" (Dan.7:25), is it safe for us to declare that there is a Dispensation during which time it is acceptable, even mandatory, that we "Change God's only Time Commandment?"
Let's Ponder this: If the Most High Himself wrote the 10 Commandments with His own finger, would it make perfect sense that Satan would "Speak great words against the Most High" by deceiving the whole world into changing that Law? And finally let's Ponder this: If John prophesied the following, would that Prophecy be a fulfilling of Daniel's Prophecy about Antichrist, "wearing out the Saints of the Most High?" John wrote, "Here is the Patience of the SAINTS! Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus" (Rev.14:12)! Pastor, would it be safe to say that when all of the Bible Verses about Antichrist are combined, we can come to no other conclusion than that the Mark of the Beast will be at least tied to "Changing God's Law?"
Disclaimer
We need to make something very clear here. Worshiping on Sunday is NOT the Mark of the Beast! There is NO sin in worshiping God on ANY day of the Week. We suggest that the Mark of the Beast is the act of attempting to ANNUL, or "Change" God's Law! Thus, when a man-made Sunday is designed specifically to replace God's Sabbath, could this be the Mark of the Beast? For more Bible info on this, see "Mark of the Beast." For our most comprehensive look on this subject, see "Antichrist's Name and Mark."
Cause for a Pause 49 - Replacing Christ with Antichrist!
Pastor, if Pre-Trib has removed Jesus from a portion of Daniel's 70 Week Prophecy, and inserted Antichrist into Christ's place, would this not be a grievous error? It's never acceptable to try to make changes in a Bible Prophecy, but how much more serious is it to attempt to remove Jesus from that Bible Prophecy and attempt to replace Him with Antichrist?!? Has this happened? Let's look briefly:
Pastor, if Pre-Trib has removed Jesus from a portion of Daniel's 70 Week Prophecy, and inserted Antichrist into Christ's place, would this not be a grievous error? It's never acceptable to try to make changes in a Bible Prophecy, but how much more serious is it to attempt to remove Jesus from that Bible Prophecy and attempt to replace Him with Antichrist?!? Has this happened? Let's look briefly:
Daniel was given a prophecy outlining the Coming of the Messiah, Jesus. It's found in Daniel 9, verses 24-27. It is long and we will not reproduce it in its entirety here. For a complete rundown on the Prophecy and the attempt to replace Jesus with Antichrist, see our Website, "PreTrib Removes Jesus From a Bible Prophecy." The Prophecy is called, "Daniel's 70 Week Prophecy." In it, Daniel prophesied the exact year Jesus would be Baptized. Daniel also prophesied that there'd be a 70th Week at the end of the Prophecy during which time Jesus would, "Confirm a Covenant with Many," and in the middle of that week, He would, "Cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to Cease."
Did Jesus, "Confirm a Covenant with Many" at His Last Supper? And during His ministry, did He "Cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease?" At the exact time Jesus died, the, "Veil of the Temple was rent in twain (torn in two) from the top to the bottom!" Was this tearing of the Veil God's way of letting the Jews know that the "Sacifice and Oblation" was done; finished because the REAL Lamb of God had just died! Did something very significant happen 7 years after Jesus was baptized, and 3 1/2 years after He was crucified? And could that significant event signal the end of the 70th Week in the Prophecy? Stephen the Deacon was stoned to death, causing the Gospel to be spread to the Gentiles. Was Jesus the person fulfilling the Prophecy, including the 70th Week?
Pre-Trib's Interpretation
Pastor, as you know, Pre-Trib has a very different interpretation of this Prophecy. They accept the part about Jesus fulfilling the first portion, but substitute Antichrist for the rest of the Prophecy. Pre-Trib claims that the whole 70th Week portion of the Prophecy has been removed and placed in the last days in order to show Antichrist's activities. Let's Ponder the following: When Jesus said, "This is My Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sin" (Matt.26:28), does this not sound like a fulfilling of Daniel's Prophecy that says, "He shall confirm the Covenant with many for one week"(Dan 9:27)? Christ's words are virtually word for word the same as the Prophecy! The key words in Christ's words and Daniel's Prophecy are, Covenant and Many. When the Veil in the Temple was, "Rent in twain from top to bottom," did this not fulfill Daniel's Prophecy about, "Causing the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease?" If this all works, and fits like a glove, do we really need to speculate about Antichrist making a 7 year covenant with Israel?
Should we acknowledge that Jesus, not Antichrist, fulfilled Daniel's Prophecy? However, as you know Pastor, to discard the "7-Year Tribulation" would be to topple a major Pre-Trib doctrine! So let's close with this Pondered Question. Has Pre-Trib made a serious error by taking Jesus out of a Prophecy and replacing Him with Antichrist? If so, how serious is this error and what should we do? For an en-depth look at how Pre-Trib has attempted replace Jesus in Daniel's 70 Week Prophecy, see our Blogsite, Daniel70Weeks.
Did Jesus, "Confirm a Covenant with Many" at His Last Supper? And during His ministry, did He "Cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease?" At the exact time Jesus died, the, "Veil of the Temple was rent in twain (torn in two) from the top to the bottom!" Was this tearing of the Veil God's way of letting the Jews know that the "Sacifice and Oblation" was done; finished because the REAL Lamb of God had just died! Did something very significant happen 7 years after Jesus was baptized, and 3 1/2 years after He was crucified? And could that significant event signal the end of the 70th Week in the Prophecy? Stephen the Deacon was stoned to death, causing the Gospel to be spread to the Gentiles. Was Jesus the person fulfilling the Prophecy, including the 70th Week?
Pre-Trib's Interpretation
Pastor, as you know, Pre-Trib has a very different interpretation of this Prophecy. They accept the part about Jesus fulfilling the first portion, but substitute Antichrist for the rest of the Prophecy. Pre-Trib claims that the whole 70th Week portion of the Prophecy has been removed and placed in the last days in order to show Antichrist's activities. Let's Ponder the following: When Jesus said, "This is My Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sin" (Matt.26:28), does this not sound like a fulfilling of Daniel's Prophecy that says, "He shall confirm the Covenant with many for one week"(Dan 9:27)? Christ's words are virtually word for word the same as the Prophecy! The key words in Christ's words and Daniel's Prophecy are, Covenant and Many. When the Veil in the Temple was, "Rent in twain from top to bottom," did this not fulfill Daniel's Prophecy about, "Causing the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease?" If this all works, and fits like a glove, do we really need to speculate about Antichrist making a 7 year covenant with Israel?
Should we acknowledge that Jesus, not Antichrist, fulfilled Daniel's Prophecy? However, as you know Pastor, to discard the "7-Year Tribulation" would be to topple a major Pre-Trib doctrine! So let's close with this Pondered Question. Has Pre-Trib made a serious error by taking Jesus out of a Prophecy and replacing Him with Antichrist? If so, how serious is this error and what should we do? For an en-depth look at how Pre-Trib has attempted replace Jesus in Daniel's 70 Week Prophecy, see our Blogsite, Daniel70Weeks.
Cause for a Pause 50 - How Long is the Great Tribulation?
Even though Scripture doesn't give the slightest hint of a, "7 Year Tribulation," Pre-Trib says it will be 7 years in length because of their interpretation of the 70th Week of Daniel's Messiah Prophecy found in Daniel 9. If the 7-Year interpretation is not correct, is there any real Bible evidence as to how long the Tribulation will be? Following is something for us to Ponder: There is a small prophecy in Revelation that hints the possibility that the actual "7 Last Plagues" time frame could be 2 weeks. We arrive at this by using the, "Day for a Year"principle. John records the following: "Therefore shall her (Babylon's) plagues come in one day [1 day = 1 prophetic year], death,and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her" (Rev. 18:8). Also John wrote:"Alas, alas, that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour [prophetically 2 weeks] is thy judgment come" (Rev.18:10; see also vss.17-19). If a prophetic day is changed into a year, then 1 hour would be approximately 2 weeks. Thus we might conclude that the entire Tribulation might be 1 year in length, and the 7 Last Plagues of the Tribulation could be about 2 weeks in length. Was John being precise by saying "One Day" and "One Hour?" Possibly not, but we know that however long it lasts, God WILL protect His People and SAVE them!! And that's enough, if we trust Him! For a careful examination of the Great Tribulation, see "Why and How Long is the Great Tribulation."
Pondered Question 51 - WHY Will there be a Tribulation?
Pondered Question 51 - WHY Will there be a Tribulation?
This is so much more important than, "How Long?" Pre-Trib says the Church will not be here on Earth during the Tribulation. However, there is Bible evidence that God's Church will be Satan's entire focus during the Tribulation. Jesus defeated Satan when He came to Earth 2000 years ago. Now, in these last days, almost all Bible Prophecies focus totally on how Satan, through Antichrist, will turn all of his wrath on Christ's Church in an all out effort to force them to reject Jesus and receive the Mark of the Beast and, "Worship the Beast and his Image" (See Rev.13)! Is it possible, Pastor, that the Tribulation is a NECESSARY part of God's plan to forever rid His Universe of sin and suffering? Scripture clearly reveals that God's People will demonstrate once and for all, to "all the World" (Matt.24:14), that God's way is the right way, and that Satan's accusations against God, and His People are false. So, we need to do is discover who God's People will be during the Tribulation. Pastor, if God's People during the Tribulation will be His Church, then WE have a VERY SERIOUS task ahead!! If, however, we, the Church, are going to be Raptured away before Satan launches his war against God's people, and God is going to miraculously convert a portion of the Jews so that they can take on the job of defeating Antichrist and Satan, then we have no need to prepare for this war. Pastor, the Bible evidence that Christ's Church will face Antichrist and Satan during the Tribulation is too great to ignore. The Question to Ponder here is, what will it take for the Church to understand this? Dear Pastor, it will take Ministers like you who will present the challenge to their congregations. When God has enough Ministers presenting this challenge to their Churches, He can tell those 4 Angels to let the 4 winds blow, because His People; His Church is prepared!! When this happens Christ's Church, even though it will be only a small portion of those who call themselves "Christian," will be FRONT and CENTER , the total focus of Satan and Antichrist during the Tribulation! And throughout the Great Tribulation, Satan will experience his WORST Nightmare!
The Tribulation will demonstrate God's fairness and mercy, and will be Satan's final chance to prove his case in a normal earthly setting in which un-saved people will be interacting with God's people. Scripture has little to say about communications between God and Lucifer(Satan). If, however, we carefully examine all Scripture references to the Tribulation, we'll see its real purpose. Job's story tells of a time when God and Satan spoke directly to each other, and it reveals much about what will happen in End-Times. When finally the Church understands its purpose, God can then say to Satan, "Hast thou considered My CHURCH?" And Satan will be given opportunity to test the Church similar to how he tested Job. When Satan tested Job, he made an absolute fool of himself! With the strength God supplied to Job, Satan was utterly defeated. So it will be when Satan makes war on the Church during the Tribulation! Isaiah and Ezekiel also record conversations between God and Satan (See Isa.14:12-17; Ezek.28, whole chapter). Compile all this info and the purpose for the Tribulation becomes very clear!
When Satan approached God concerning Job, his accusation was that if bad things happened to Job, Job would turn against God, and so it will be in the end of time. Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15). Satan lost when he faced Job, Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Daniel's 3 companions, and dozens of other Bible Saints. Satan lost big time when he faced Jesus, and he will lose big time when he faces God's last-day people; His Church. His Church will say, "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" (Phil. 4:13), and THEY WILL!!! Through the power God gives them, they'll accomplish everything God needs in order for Jesus to come and take His people, His Church, His Bride, to the "Place He prepared for them" (Jn.14:1-3). The Church also accomplishes everything God needs when He faces Satan in the final Great White Throne Judgment!
Jesus said, "To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with Me on My Thrown, just as I overcame and am set down with My Father on His Thrown" (Rev.3:21). "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself to walk even as He walked" (1Jn.2:6).
And so we see the reason for the Great Tribulation. The whole world, and the whole Universe, will witness Christ's Church demonstrate what happens when a group of people put all of the faith and trust in Him! The Church must develop a burning desire to overcome the Powers of Darkness by using the power Jesus makes available to them. They say, "We can do all things through Christ who strengtheth us" (Phil.4:13). Even though it will only be a small portion of those who claim to be His Church, this "Remnant," this "Elect" will be God's true Church. Satan's big lie that obedience to God is impossible and un-necessary will be forever exposed. It will be over and God's children, His real Church, can go Home, FOREVER and FOREVER!
We apologize for this section being long, but this is the heart of what it will take for the "Gospel of the Kingdom to be preached to all the world, for a WITNESS unto all nations, so that the end can come" (Matt.24:14)! For a detailed look at all purposes for the Tribulation, see"Why and How Long is the GreatTribulation."
Cause for a Pause 52 -Isaiah's Pig Prophecy
Pastor, this is a Question to Ponder that Pre-Trib Ministers can really relate to. Pre-Trib says that ALL Old Testament Prophecies that have not been fulfilled as yet will be fulfilled some time in the future. With this in mind, let's look at a Prophecy that has not been fulfilled, and will absolutely be fulfilled when Jesus comes. Isaiah prophesied the following concerning the Lord's Second Coming: "The Lord will come with FIRE...like a WHIRLWIND , to render His anger with FURY, and His rebuke with FLAMES of FIRE! For by FIRE and by His Sword will the Lord plead [Plead is - JUDGE - in the original Hebrew] with ALL flesh! And the SLAIN of the Lord shall be MANY! They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating SWINE'S FLESH and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord" (Isa.66:15-17)!
Throughout Scripture we see many descriptions of the Second Coming of Jesus, and this is one of the most graphic. There is much to Ponder here. If this is the Second Coming, and if Jesus is furious with the people of this world because they are eating pig meat at His Second Coming, does this have any bearing on us at the present time?
Pre-Trib's Position
Pastor, as you know, Pre-Trib claims that, 7 years prior to this Prophecy being fulfilled, Jesus will come and Rapture the Church away to Heaven. They say the Church will become the Bride of Christ, which will be the highest possible position for created beings within God's Universe. Pre-Trib says these Raptured people will come from a time they call the "Grace Age" or "Church Age," and that this is the segment of time between the Cross and the Rapture. Question to Ponder is: "Why are 'Grace Age' people, those who will become the Bride of Jesus, given permission to eat SWINE right up until He Raptures them to Heaven, yet 7 years later, Jesus comes out of Heaven and utterly destroys the inhabitants of earth because they are eating Swine?" Would Jesus really reward one group of people with the highest honor possible and allow them to eat pigs, then kill another group for eating pigs?
TEMPLES of the Holy Spirit!
Cause for a Pause - If our bodies are Temples for the Holy Spirit, would Satan love for us to put Pigs in God's Temples?!? For more see, EatingPigsWhenJesusComes.
Cause for a Pause 53 -Where is Hell?
Ezekiel wrote extensively about how God will someday kill Satan. John explains that immediately after the Great White Thrown Judgment, God casts Satan into the Lake of Fire (See Rev.20:10). If Ezekiel, John, Peter, and the other Prophets were correct about God killing Satan, then what of this idea of there being a Hell hidden away and continually burning somewhere in the center of earth or out in space, or some other unknown area?
Hell is real.
Any Church or Denomination claiming there's no Hell should be ashamed and deserves to be called a Cult! However, a careful Bible Study, even a casual reading of the Bible, is more than sufficient to reveal the fact that the Hell we hear about today does not and will not ever exist. The notion that God tortures people throughout the ceaseless ages of time comes from Greek Mythology. During the Dark Ages, after Christianity had merged with Paganism, the Church adopted the notion of God ceaselessly torturing people, and this became what we now call, "Orthodox Christianity."
Peter Explains Hell
Peter told us EXACTLY where Hell will be located and EXACTLY when it happens! We'll show this in a minute, but we'll give a hint now. There's NO Hell burning now, but after the Great White Throne Judgment, there'll be a Hell even hotter than our Popular Preachers rant and rave about! For more detailed information and a close Bible Study on the real Hell, see No Rest Day Nor Night Forever, The REAL Punishment of the Wicked, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and most of all, for a Ponderable Question that has NEVER been answered by those teaching Eternal Torture, see, Did Jesus Suffer Your Hell for You?
Cause for a Pause 54 - When is Hell?
Pastor, as you know, almost all Christian Denominations, say Hell is burning now. They declare that when the first lost person died after Adam and Eve were created, that person didn't die, but was immediately transferred into a burning Hell where they've been screaming and writhing and begging God for mercy ever since. Why that first person that died has suffered in Hell for 5000 plus years, yet Satan and his evil spirits have been free during this time is a Ponderable Question.
Let's let Peter tell us when and where Hell will happen. The Holy Spirit gave him the following: "The heavens and the EARTH which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment (Great White Throne Judgment) and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men" (2Peter 3:7). "The heavens [the atmosphere surrounding earth] shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [atmosphere] shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are in it, shall be burned up" (Vs.10).
Peter, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said when and where Hell will be. When the fire is done; when sin and sinners are no more; when Satan and his evil Spirits are no more; then Hell is done. Earth is pure and Jesus can then, "Create a New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." Can we really read this from Scripture and miss the truth? Again, for more Bible answers for this subject, see No Rest Day Nor Night Forever, The REAL Punishment of the Wicked, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and most of all, see, Did Jesus Suffer Your Hell for You?
Peter, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said when and where Hell will be. When the fire is done; when sin and sinners are no more; when Satan and his evil Spirits are no more; then Hell is done. Earth is pure and Jesus can then, "Create a New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." Can we really read this from Scripture and miss the truth? Again, for more Bible answers for this subject, see No Rest Day Nor Night Forever, The REAL Punishment of the Wicked, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and most of all, see, Did Jesus Suffer Your Hell for You?
Cause for a Pause 55 - Why is Hell?
Dear Reader, this Pondered Question is sad. According to some, the reason God has created an ever burning Hell is to scare the saved so they'll never sin again. Is this kind of foolish nonsense worthy of discussion? Has such accusations against God caused millions of people to scoff at the notion that there is a God at all? Has this Doctrine of Demons been one of Satan's most effective tools and grandest schemes? Has it turned millions from wanting to know anything about God or Religion. Does God need Pastors with the courage to stand against the powers of darkness and tell their people the Truth about God?
The real purpose for Hell is the following: Jesus called it the, "Everlasting Fire prepared for the devil and his angels"(Matt.25:41)! Hell will destroy all traces of this sinful world in preparation for the "New Heavens and New Earth" (Isa.66:22; 2Pet.3:13; Rev.21:1)! Once again Satan has used his ability as Master Deceiver. He has taken God's plan to forever remove sin from His Universe and turned it into a Demonic attack on God's Character. Again, for more info, see No Rest Day Nor Night Forever, The REAL Punishment of the Wicked, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and most of all, for a complete Un-Answerable Question, see, Did Jesus Suffer Your Hell for You?
Dear Reader, this is another case where Satan has managed to dupe otherwise good Ministers of the Gospel, causing them to unwittingly promote his Doctrine of Demons! Popular Ministers have gone on worldwide TV broadcasts and made horrible statements portraying Christianity as self-righteous bigots. When asked about what will happen to members of other world religions, they answer, "Every one of them will burn throughout eternity in Hell."
Many times the News Media has aired such remarks and these overzealous Ministers have had to make public apologies. Some never apologize, thus the rest of the world has shunned them for their arrogant attitudes. The real problem is the fact that these Ministers have never carefully studied from Scripture what really happens to those who never heard of Jesus. They base their entire doctrine on one text:"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). There are other similar texts, but no Scripture says that persons who have never heard of Jesus will bellow and scream for mercy throughout eternity solely because they were born in the wrong country!! Does not common sense tell us better?
This Author has a close friend who attended a Dispensational University that taught this hard-line view. When asked about his thoughts, he wisely answered, "I believe when Jesus designed the plan of salvation, He cast a very large blanket. I believe there will be some who never heard of Jesus, but, to the best of their ability, they lived up to all the light they were given. The Jesus I worship will NEVER cast such persons into eternal punishment." This man has true insight!!
Jesus addressed the subject of those who do not have knowledge:"Then said Jesus unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have NO SIN. But now ye say, We see. Therefore your sin remaineth" (Jn. 9:41). Paul wrote: "Because the Law worketh wrath; for where no Law is, there is no transgression" (Rom.4:13).
These Bible verses tell us that, for those who have NO knowledge, they are held accountable ONLY for what they DO know. Not only is this Biblically true, common sense dictates that Jesus would NEVER punish people for something they knew nothing about. He ESPECIALLY would NEVER torture people throughout eternity only because they were born where no knowledge was available. Again, see No Rest Day Nor Night Forever, The REAL Punishment of the Wicked, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and most of all, for a complete UN-Answered and Un-Answerable Question, see, Did Jesus Suffer Your Hell for You?
Many times the News Media has aired such remarks and these overzealous Ministers have had to make public apologies. Some never apologize, thus the rest of the world has shunned them for their arrogant attitudes. The real problem is the fact that these Ministers have never carefully studied from Scripture what really happens to those who never heard of Jesus. They base their entire doctrine on one text:"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). There are other similar texts, but no Scripture says that persons who have never heard of Jesus will bellow and scream for mercy throughout eternity solely because they were born in the wrong country!! Does not common sense tell us better?
This Author has a close friend who attended a Dispensational University that taught this hard-line view. When asked about his thoughts, he wisely answered, "I believe when Jesus designed the plan of salvation, He cast a very large blanket. I believe there will be some who never heard of Jesus, but, to the best of their ability, they lived up to all the light they were given. The Jesus I worship will NEVER cast such persons into eternal punishment." This man has true insight!!
Jesus addressed the subject of those who do not have knowledge:"Then said Jesus unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have NO SIN. But now ye say, We see. Therefore your sin remaineth" (Jn. 9:41). Paul wrote: "Because the Law worketh wrath; for where no Law is, there is no transgression" (Rom.4:13).
These Bible verses tell us that, for those who have NO knowledge, they are held accountable ONLY for what they DO know. Not only is this Biblically true, common sense dictates that Jesus would NEVER punish people for something they knew nothing about. He ESPECIALLY would NEVER torture people throughout eternity only because they were born where no knowledge was available. Again, see No Rest Day Nor Night Forever, The REAL Punishment of the Wicked, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and most of all, for a complete UN-Answered and Un-Answerable Question, see, Did Jesus Suffer Your Hell for You?
Cause for a Pause 57 - How Long Does Hell Burn?
This question cannot be properly covered in a paragraph, so we suggest the Reader see The Punishment of the Wicked for more details. We have actually cover this in the previous sections.
In a nutshell, Hell actually begins when God calls fire down from heaven immediately after the Great White Throne Judgment and Hell ends when it has done its job of purifying earth and destroying Satan, sin and sinners in preparation of Jesus "Creating New Heavens and a New Earth." The actual time involved in this purifying process is un-known and, for now it is Un-Knowable. Hell could burn for 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, or even 2 years. It doesn't matter! The part that we DO know, however, is the Bible fact that God will NEVER Torture people throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. The lie that God is a sadistic God is the message that Satan wants us to help him spread throughout the world! Let's Not!!!!
There's an UN-ANSWERABLE question concerning Hell that has never been and will never be addressed. We explain below.
Promoters of Never-Ending-Torture cannot answer this! Every Satanic Doctrine of Demons has Un-Answerable Questions. In most cases, Promoters of these evil Doctrines manage to conjure up some flimsy excuse/answer that satisfies those couldn't care less, or those whose minds are made up and do not want to be confused by the facts. The Question, "Did Jesus Take Our Punishment in Hell," however, stops the "Torture Promoters" dead in their tracks! If the Silver-Tongued Torture Promoters are correct, Jesus must spend TRILLIONS of Un-Ending Years in Red-Hot Flames, bellowing and screaming for mercy while He writhes in indescribable agony!! Satan has introduced lots of Blasphemous Doctrines of Devils into the Church, but few more repugnant than the lie that God is going to torture His creatures in fire throughout eternity!! We try to Respectfully Disagree or Agree to Disagree, Agreeably in most cases, but we need to make exception here.
An Attempt from a TV Minister to Answer. A high profile TV Minister placed a Question and Answer section in his Website promising to answer ANY and ALL questions anyone sent in. We sent him our question, and following is his answer: "God intensified the pain onto Jesus for those 3 days so that Jesus suffered for the sins of everybody in the world during those 3 days." Instead of answering the Question, this Minister simply made it a TRIPLE Blasphemy!
1. He implied that Jesus was not truly Human. For Jesus, while He was in Human form, to be able to have His pain increased several Hundred Trillion fold, and then to have that pain increased again by condensing it from eternity down to 3 days could only mean one thing. Jesus was some kind of "Super-Super Man." Jesus was not! He laid aside His Super Powers when He was here on Earth.
2. The notion that Jesus endured all of the pain and suffering His Body and Soul could endure for 3 days, and yet humans will endure all of the pain and suffering they can endure for Trillions of un-ending years is another way of saying that Jesus "SIDE-STEPPED" our penalty ENTIRELY! He DID NOT, and to imply that He did is Blasphemy in its rawest form!
3. Jesus suffered intense physical pain on the cross. However, almost all Bible Scholars agree that it was the emotional pain of being separated from His Father that caused Jesus the most suffering. To say that after Jesus endured that intense mental, physical, and emotional pain while dying on the cross, His Father would send Him to bellow and scream and beg for mercy in trillion degree fire for 3 days and nights is of course a horrid blasphemous attack on God the Father.
Actually there is a 4th Blasphemy that slips out from the above attempts at trying to explain away this question. Satan has introduced a Doctrine of Demons into almost all of the World Religions, including some of the Cult-Type groups within Christianity, that promotes the notion that, eventually ALL humans will be saved and enjoy some kind of good afterlife. In other words, EVERYONE WILL BE SAVED! Mainstream Christianity does not embrace this false notion, but if we sort through the pitiful excuses they come up with, such a foolish notion will emerge.
Satan LOVES for humans to conjure up foolishness in their attempts to defend his Doctrines of Demons! For a more detailed discussion of this Un-Answered and Un-Answerable Question, see Did Jesus Take All of Our Hell. Also see Punishment of the Wicked, Day and Night Forever and Ever, The Truth About Death, The Rich Man and Lazarus.
Dear Reader, please forgive this Author's aggressiveness! When people attack God with such foolishness, it's time to get angry!! 1. He implied that Jesus was not truly Human. For Jesus, while He was in Human form, to be able to have His pain increased several Hundred Trillion fold, and then to have that pain increased again by condensing it from eternity down to 3 days could only mean one thing. Jesus was some kind of "Super-Super Man." Jesus was not! He laid aside His Super Powers when He was here on Earth.
2. The notion that Jesus endured all of the pain and suffering His Body and Soul could endure for 3 days, and yet humans will endure all of the pain and suffering they can endure for Trillions of un-ending years is another way of saying that Jesus "SIDE-STEPPED" our penalty ENTIRELY! He DID NOT, and to imply that He did is Blasphemy in its rawest form!
3. Jesus suffered intense physical pain on the cross. However, almost all Bible Scholars agree that it was the emotional pain of being separated from His Father that caused Jesus the most suffering. To say that after Jesus endured that intense mental, physical, and emotional pain while dying on the cross, His Father would send Him to bellow and scream and beg for mercy in trillion degree fire for 3 days and nights is of course a horrid blasphemous attack on God the Father.
Actually there is a 4th Blasphemy that slips out from the above attempts at trying to explain away this question. Satan has introduced a Doctrine of Demons into almost all of the World Religions, including some of the Cult-Type groups within Christianity, that promotes the notion that, eventually ALL humans will be saved and enjoy some kind of good afterlife. In other words, EVERYONE WILL BE SAVED! Mainstream Christianity does not embrace this false notion, but if we sort through the pitiful excuses they come up with, such a foolish notion will emerge.
Satan LOVES for humans to conjure up foolishness in their attempts to defend his Doctrines of Demons! For a more detailed discussion of this Un-Answered and Un-Answerable Question, see Did Jesus Take All of Our Hell. Also see Punishment of the Wicked, Day and Night Forever and Ever, The Truth About Death, The Rich Man and Lazarus.
Cause to Pause 59 - Will Satan Ever Die?
Of course this is not a Ponderable Question exclusive to Pre-Tribbers, but Pre-Trib does enthusiastically embrace the so-called Orthodox notion that Satan Cannot and Will Not die! For the most part, those who support this position have little knowledge of Greek Mythology. Cartoons, silly songs, and much Art from the Dark Ages portray Satan with a forked tail and a pitch fork in a burning Hell where he delights in tormenting its residents. Greek Mythology has a silly story about several God-Type brothers. Among these are Zuse and Hades. Greek Mythology tells of Hades being angry and evolving into an evil character that delights in hurting everyone within his realm. From the very beginning of Christianity, Satan inspired certain devious characters to join Christianity to serve his purposes. These implants from Satan saw Christianity as a novel movement that needed their "wisdom." These evil implants from Satan were later called Gnostics. For more details on these evil Early Church characters, see Gnostics. These Gnostics, some of which were former Greek Philosophers, simply converted some of the Hades Myths by inserting Beelzebub and Satan into them and attempting to pass them off as real Christian Doctrines. Even though the Early Church ousted the most gross of these evil characters, much of their foolishness was adopted by the Church in its Apostate condition.
What Does the Bible Say About Satan's Death?
Ezekiel wrote, "I will DESTROY thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire" (Ezk.28:16). "I will bring forth a fire from the midst of thee; it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee; thou shall be a (in)terror, and NEVER SHALT THOU BE ANY MORE" (Vss.18-19). Pre-Trib's, and the majority of Christianity's, Pondered Question here should be how they can read Ezekiel's Prophecy and still contend that Satan will never die! Pastor, in fairness we will show Pre-Trib's answer. They say that Ezekiel's account is describing the time when Satan and his Army surround Jerusalem at the end of the 1000 years in an attempt to make war with Jesus. The Bible Prophecy ends by saying, "and fire came down from God out of heaven and DEVOURED them" (Rev.20:9)! Pre-Trib claims that when this fire "Devours" Satan and his Army, only their bodies are devoured while their "Spirits" or "Souls" remain alive. Pre-Trib's position is that once God gives life to Humans or Angels, they then become "Immortal" and CANNOT die. This view creates a problem, however. If God "Brings fourth a fire from within Satan," and that fire "Devours him," and God says to Satan, "And NEVER Shalt Thou be ANYMORE," can God be speaking of Satan's body? Satan has no "Body" like humans! Satan IS already a Spirit! So when God says, "Never shalt THOU be any more," can He be referring to Satan's body, or is God referring to Satan? So when God says to Satan, "Never Shalt THOU be any more," do we have a choice as to what God meant? For an endepth study as to how Satan Dies, see When Satan Dies. A careful study into all that the Bible says about Satan reveals that God eventually completely kills Satan, his evil Spirit Demons, and all un-saved persons! For more on Satan's Death, see, WhenSatanDies.
Pondered Question 60 -Will Lost Sinners Ever Completely Die?
Pondered Question 60 -Will Lost Sinners Ever Completely Die?
If God is going to kill Satan and his Evil Spirit Demons, obviously the notion that God will keep humans alive to torture them throughout eternity is out of the question! Satan will stop at nothing in order to promote and perpetuate this attack on God's character. A sad fact is that thousands of Ministers repeat this lie to their congregations every week. A sadder fact is that many of these Ministers know that God will not torture any of His creatures throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity! The Pondered Question is, why would these Ministers do this? The answer is simple! They know they'll be fired by their Churches if they tell the truth. Some say they know it's false, but it works as a tool to scare people into joining their Churches. Sadly these Preachers never consider how their scare tool has caused millions of people to turn their backs on God completely! On the other hand, a few have determined to tell the truth at any cost, and carefully present this to their people. In many cases the congregations have accepted the truth and continued having their Minister Pastor their Churches. The Pondered Question here is the fact that most pro-Torture Ministers REFUSE to even study the subject. The other Ponderable Question is, how can we accuse God of torturing people for Trillions of un-ending years, when most of these people lived less than a hundred years? Where's the justice in this? Pastor, can we process this in our minds without tossing out common sense, and worst of all, tossing out dozens of clear Scripture? We have several Websites covering the death of the unsaved in detail. There are a lot of Doctrines of Demons floating throughout the World, but, if this one is un-true, is it not the most grievous attack on God? See The Truth About Death, Punishment of the Wicked, Day and Night Forever and Ever, The Rich Man and Lazarus.
Cause to Pause 61 - Rich Man and Lazarus
Cause to Pause 61 - Rich Man and Lazarus
The vast majority of Christians believe that when Jesus told the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, He was endorsing the Doctrine of "Eternal Torture." A surfacing reading of the Parable might give this impression, but, a careful reading shows it to be completely at odds with the popular interpretation. A little study into history shows that Jesus was simply repeating back to the Pharisees one of the silly beliefs they had adopted from Greek Mythology. Anyone reading the Greek Myths of Zuse, Hades, and their mythological brothers can readily see how some Jewish leaders made variations of these Myths and substituted Abraham. This attempt by the Jews to fit into the Greek Culture is called the "Hellenization of the Jews." A careful study into what Jesus REALLY believed and taught will reveal that when He told the Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus, He was not endorsing the Pharisee's foolishness, He was simply using their gross misinterpretation of Scripture to do to them what they were attempting to do to Him. Every time the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees confronted Jesus, He used their own trap to turn the tables on them. For more on the Rich Man and Lazarus, see our Website "Rich Man and Lazarus."
Cause for a Pause 62 - Absent from Body - Present with the Lord
Paul wrote,"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent, from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor.5:8)! Pastor, the Pondered Question here comes when we compare Paul's words here with other things he said about death.Before we make these comparisons, let's look at what the Psalmist wrote about death: "His Breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day, his THOUGHTS PERISH" (Ps.146:4)! Let's Ponder the fact that almost all Christians completely disagree with the Psalmist! They say that when a person dies, his body perishes, but his "Thoughts" never perish, EVER! At first it may appear that Paul, in his "Absent from the body" statement, is disagreeing with the Psalmist, but a closer look shows that he is in total agreement. The key word is "THOUGHTS." When a person dies, his body may take months, years, decades, and more to dissolve back into dust. But, according to Psalms, "In the very day he dies, his THOUGHTS perish!" Pastor, is it possible that this is EXACTLY the point Paul was making? Was he saying that, since there are no "thoughts" for the dead, the very moment he dies, his very next "thought" is the Resurrection when he arises to, "Meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever BE WITH THE LORD" (1Thess.4:17)! Could it be that Paul understood how man's "THOUGHTS PERISH," the moment he dies, thus the man's very next "THOUGHT" after his death, if he's saved, will be meeting Jesus in the air and always being with Jesus. If we accept that this was Paul's reason for writing, "To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord," something refreshing happens! Now, when we read the Psalmist's statement and Paul's statement together, both are saying the same thing! Now, there's no contradictory Bible Verses! The refreshing gets even better! Now we can read our Bibles throughout, and find no contradiction! If, however, we attempt to say Paul, in his "Absent from the body"statement is saying that our thoughts do not perish, are we not pitting Paul against all other Bible Prophets? Also, are we not pitting Paul against himself? If we look at what he told the Thessalonian Church concerning those who had died, Paul's position on death becomes very clear? Let's look: Comfort One Another With These Words
Before looking at what Paul actually wrote, let's look at what he would have to have written in order to be in agreement with the popular Christian doctrine about saved people who die:"Beloved, comfort one another by remembering that your sleeping relatives are NOT asleep, but are now enjoying the company of other Saints already in HEAVEN! When Jesus returns, He will bring their Souls back with them and at the Resurrection, their Souls will be united with their new bodies, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" This is exactly what we hear at Funerals! Pastor, perhaps you've conducted funerals and used similar statements. Let's look now at what Paul really wrote and see if it is not the opposite from the above:
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are ASLEEP, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope" (1Thess.4:13)! "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! Then we who 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! Wherefore, COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS!!" (Vss.16-18). The popular view about death disagrees with Paul twice here. First it is said that "SLEEP" does NOT describe death. The popular view says that dead people are more AWAKE than when they were alive. Second, the popular view says Paul was wrong, and that he should've told them their departed loved ones were already in Heaven. The popular view says to Paul, "Nay Paul!! Thou art UNLEARNED!! Thou missed a great opportunity!! Thou shouldest comfort the Thessalonians assuring them that their departed loved ones are ALREADY in Heaven and NOT ASLEEP!!!" The Ponderable Question here is, did Paul write his true doctrine here? If accept that Paul believed and taught that death is a "sleep," and he believed and taught that when man dies, "in that very day his thoughts perish" (Ps.146:4), then his,"absent from the body - present with the Lord" statement is in complete agreement with everything else he wrote. Do we need to Ponder long to see the Truth here? For more on what the Bible says about death, see The Truth About Death, and Question You Have About Death, but have Been Afraid to Ask.
Cause for a Pause 63 - "Why Jesus has not returned Yet."
Two days before Jesus was crucified His Disciples asked Him"Tell us, WHEN shall these things be? And what shall be the SIGN of Thy Coming and of the END OF THE WORLD" (Matt.24:3)! Underscore END OF THE WORLD. Jesus gave many signs, most importantly: "And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a WITNESS unto all Nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END COME" (Vs.14). In verses 11, 12, and 13, Jesus prophesied that False Prophets would be spreading a particular lie from Satan designed specifically to stop the "Gospel of the Kingdom" and stop the world from"Witnessing" the power of this Gospel. Christ's words were, "And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because INIQUITY shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Vss.11-12)! Underscore"Iniquity" because the Greek word is "Anomia" and is translated literally "Annulling God's 10 Commandments."
Let's ask ourselves, can there be any denying that Jesus said, "The end will come" as soon as the true "Gospel of the Kingdom" is preached unto all nations, and all nations "WITNESS" the power of this Gospel? What is the only way for, "all nations to WITNESS the Gospel?" Let's look at how the Bible says about the Nations Witnessing the gospel:
The Testimony of Jesus
John prophesied that just before Jesus comes: "The Dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the Remnant of her seed, who keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev.12:17)! "Witness" and"Testimony." Seems pretty clear so far.
The FAITH of Jesus
Another Prophecy from John describing God's Last Day people: "Here is the patience of the saints! Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and have the FAITH of Jesus" (Rev.14:12)! God's Last Day people will display the "Faith" of Jesus as a Witness unto all Nations. The world will "Witness" God's people "Keeping the Commandments of God," displaying the "Testimony and of Jesus."
Overcometh as He Overcame
Did Jesus tell us specifically an essential part of our responsibility as Witnesses? He said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne" (Rev.3:21)! Jesus said we must "Overcome even as He Overcame" if we truly want to Reflect Him. God's Last Day people will display the Testimony and Faith of Jesus, Overcome as Jesus Overcame, and Keep the Commandments of God. Can we really do these things while teaching that it is permissible, even essential to disobey God's Commandments? Can we really practice and teach that "Grace Frees Us to Disobey God's Commandments" in light of what Jesus and John said?
Jesus Warned Us
If Jesus warned that, just before the "End Comes," False Prophets will be declaring that God's Law is annulled, can we keep declaring that"Grace Frees Us to Annul God's Commandments?"
Paul Warned Us
Paul called Antichrist "Anomos," which means "Law Annuller." Can we have a Doctrine declaring that God's Law can be ignored or changed? Is it not Antichrist that will be used by Satan to make war on God's Commandment Keeping people?
Daniel Warned Us
Daniel said Antichrist will, "Think to Change Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25). Have Christians "Changed" one of God's 10 Commandments?
Jesus Warned Us
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets! I am not come to destroy but to fulfill! For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled! Whosoever, therefore shall break one of these least Commandments , and TEACH MEN SO, he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven! But whosoever shall DO and TEACH them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt.5:17-19)! Pastor, should we Ponder how Christian Ministers read these words from Jesus and still "teach" that "Grace Frees Us to Disobey and Change God's Commandments?"
Jesus' Last Warning
It was at Christ's meeting with His Disciples just days before he was Crucified that Jesus gave them the signs proceeding His, "Coming and the end of the world (age)" (Matt.24:3). He said, "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a WITNESS unto all Nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END COME" (Vs.14). Just prior to giving this sign, Jesus prophesied that, "False Prophets" will be teaching us that "Law Annulling" will cause many to loose their love of the Gospel!"And many False Prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because INIQUITY (10 Commandment Annulling) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Vss.11-12)! Pastor, are we Christians completely ignoring Christ's warning?
Real Life Example
Let's look at a real example of "Nations of the World Witnessing Christ's Real Gospel." Mahatma Gandhi revolutionized India. He was Hindu, but very familiar with Christianity. He said, "I'd be a Christian if it were not for the Christians!" When questioned about this, he said, "I like your Christ, I do NOT like your Christians. Your Christians are so UNLIKE your Christ." Gandhi's feelings about Christianity are a window into how the "Nations of the Word" view Christians. Notice Gandhi's statement, "Your Christians are so UNLIKE your Christ." Pastor, when the world looks at us, are we "Like" or "Unlike our Christ?"
Cause for a Pause 64 -Power of the New Covenant
Pastor, if you have been teaching Mainstream Christianity's version of the New Covenant, combined with Pre-Trib's version, you've promoted the following 2 positions:
1. You've taught that the New Covenant is for the Church and it is opposed to the Old Covenant, in that the Old Covenant was built around the 10 Commandments, while the New Covenant is built around Grace. In other words, the New Covenant releases us from the Old Covenant.
But, Pastor, you read from Scripture the exact definition of the New Covenant, and found the following: "I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Jer.31:33;see also Heb.10:16). You noted that, instead of the New Covenant being a releasing from God's Law, it is a confirming and a re-establishing of His Law. It was God putting His Law in their "Hearts and inward parts" as opposed to tablets of stone. And then you re-studied what Pre-Trib's position is, and concluded that the above position may not be entirely correct. In fact, you discovered that the Pre-Trib position was pretty much the OPPOSITE of the above. So, even though somewhat maintaining the above definition, you realized the following:
2. You concluded that the New Covenant is actually NOT for the Church, but for a future generation of Jews after Jesus "Raptures" the Church to Heaven before the Tribulation. You noted that Pre-Trib says the Jews, after the Rapture, are not under Grace as the Church is now, but rather they will be back, "Under the Law" as they were from Moses till Jesus. You found it a little confusing how God would have the Jews under a stricter standard than He has for the Church at the present time during the "Grace/Church Age."
Then, after Pondering how different the 2 positions you've had about the New Covenant are, you began to wonder if either position was really correct. Of all the Pondered Questions we examine throughout this Author's work, this is the most important.
Power of the New Covenant
Throughout Scripture we find various Verses telling us how we must "Overcome." Satan and his Powers of Darkness have launched an all-out war against these Bible Verses. Satan knows that the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is filled with instructions about how to defeat him and his Demons! This is why he developed the Doctrine of Demons that says, "Grace Frees Us to Disobey God's Law." The very first lie Satan told Eve was focused on teaching disobedience to God, and that has been his theme throughout human history. Satan knows that if God's people ever get a full understanding of what it means to be "New Covenant Believers," he'll be finished, forever! This is why he has done everything in his fiendish power to cause confusion about the New Covenant.Could this be why there is so much confusion and conflict about the New Covenant? Pastor, is it possible that the whole notion of Israel, not the Church, will be the participants of the New Covenant? This is certainly something to Ponder.
To see a study about Jews replacing the Church, see Is the Church Israel and The Bride of Christ.
Pastor, let's focus for a moment on the Power of the Covenant. As you know, Pre-Trib maintains that humans during this "Grace Age,"CANNOT obey God's Law because to do so impossible. Yet Pre-Trib admits, even promotes as a fact, that during the "Tribulation Age," God's people, the Jews, will in fact obey God's Law COMPLETELY. Pastor, this whole concept is a more than enough to Ponder about it. If the Jews, during the Tribulation will be able to "Keep God's Commandments," why is it completely impossible for us now, in this Grace Age? Is this not an attack against God? Is He somehow, during this Grace Age, causing us to be weaker than the Jews during the Tribulation when Satan and Antichrist will be badgering them with everything they have?
Will not the Tribulation be the most difficult time ever for believers to remain faithful and obedient to God's Commandments? If 100% of God's people actually believe that obeying God's Law is impossible, even if they ask God for the strength, and if 100% also believed it is necessary to disregard God's Law because of a, "Grace Age," what then? "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a WITNESS unto all nations, and then shall the end come" (Matt.24:14)! How can Christ's Church be a "Witness unto all nations," if it is under the delusion that they are free to (obligated to) disregard the very Law that Jesus wrote with His own finger? This is Satan's Delusion and he will do all in his power to keep it working for him.
Satan would like the Christian Church to continue indefinitely it its "Grace frees us to disobey God" mind set! But this IS NOTGOING TO HAPPEN! In website, The Power of the New Covenant, we show from Scripture that some day, when God's people have enough sorrow, suffering, and harassment from the powers of darkness, a Remnant of God's CHURCH will say, "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" (Phil. 4:13)! God's true Church may end up being only a small portion of those calling themselves "Christian," but that small portion, the Remnant, the Elect, will ask for and receive the Power Jesus offers them, and then the world and the universe will "Witness" the "Overcoming" power God has been waiting to bestow upon His children!
Pondered Question 64 - Reflecting Christ’s Character as a “Witness unto All Nations” "Why Jesus Waits." This is a continuation of Pondered Question 63, and is the most important of all the Questions we ask in this Website and all of our Websites. When Jesus told His Disciples that the time would come when no stone in the Temple would be left upon another, He took them to the Mount of Olives to explain. His Disciples asked Him a question: "Tell us, WHEN shall these things be? And what shall be the SIGN of Thy Coming and of theEND OF THE WORLD" (Matt.24:3)! Underscore END OF THE WORLD. Jesus gave many signs, most importantly: "And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a WITNESS unto all Nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END COME" (Vs.14). In verses 11, 12, and 13, Jesus prophesied that False Prophets would be spreading a particular lie from Satan designed specifically to stop the "Gospel of the Kingdom" and stop the world from "Witnessing" the power of this Gospel. Christ's words were, "And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because INIQUITY shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Vss.11-12)! Underscore "Iniquity"because the Greek word is "Anomia" and is translated literally "Annulling God's 10 Commandments."
Satan would like the Christian Church to continue indefinitely it its "Grace frees us to disobey God" mind set! But this IS NOTGOING TO HAPPEN! In website, The Power of the New Covenant, we show from Scripture that some day, when God's people have enough sorrow, suffering, and harassment from the powers of darkness, a Remnant of God's CHURCH will say, "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" (Phil. 4:13)! God's true Church may end up being only a small portion of those calling themselves "Christian," but that small portion, the Remnant, the Elect, will ask for and receive the Power Jesus offers them, and then the world and the universe will "Witness" the "Overcoming" power God has been waiting to bestow upon His children!
Pondered Question 64 - Reflecting Christ’s Character as a “Witness unto All Nations” "Why Jesus Waits." This is a continuation of Pondered Question 63, and is the most important of all the Questions we ask in this Website and all of our Websites. When Jesus told His Disciples that the time would come when no stone in the Temple would be left upon another, He took them to the Mount of Olives to explain. His Disciples asked Him a question: "Tell us, WHEN shall these things be? And what shall be the SIGN of Thy Coming and of theEND OF THE WORLD" (Matt.24:3)! Underscore END OF THE WORLD. Jesus gave many signs, most importantly: "And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a WITNESS unto all Nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END COME" (Vs.14). In verses 11, 12, and 13, Jesus prophesied that False Prophets would be spreading a particular lie from Satan designed specifically to stop the "Gospel of the Kingdom" and stop the world from "Witnessing" the power of this Gospel. Christ's words were, "And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because INIQUITY shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Vss.11-12)! Underscore "Iniquity"because the Greek word is "Anomia" and is translated literally "Annulling God's 10 Commandments."
Let's ask ourselves, can there be any denying that Jesus said, "The end will come" as soon as the true "Gospel of the Kingdom" is preached unto all nations, and all nations "WITNESS" the power of this Gospel? What is the only way for, "all nations to WITNESS the Gospel?" Let's look at how the Bible says about the Nations Witnessing the gospel:
The Testimony of Jesus
John prophesied that just before Jesus comes: "The Dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the Remnant of her seed, who keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev.12:17)! "Witness" and"Testimony." Seems pretty clear so far.
The FAITH of Jesus
Another Prophecy from John describing God's Last Day people: "Here is the patience of the saints! Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and have the FAITH of Jesus" (Rev.14:12)! God's Last Day people will display the "Faith" of Jesus as a Witness unto all Nations. The world will "Witness" God's people "Keeping the Commandments of God," displaying the "Testimony and of Jesus."
Overcometh as He Overcame
Did Jesus tell us specifically an essential part of our responsibility as Witnesses? He said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne" (Rev.3:21)! Jesus said we must "Overcome even as He Overcame" if we truly want to Reflect Him. God's Last Day people will display the Testimony and Faith of Jesus, Overcome as Jesus Overcame, and Keep the Commandments of God. Can we really do these things while teaching that it is permissible, even essential to disobey God's Commandments? Can we really practice and teach that "Grace Frees Us to Disobey God's Commandments" in light of what Jesus and John said?
Jesus Warned Us
If Jesus warned that, just before the "End Comes," False Prophets will be declaring that God's Law is annulled, can we keep declaring that"Grace Frees Us to Annul God's Commandments?"
Paul Warned Us
Paul called Antichrist "Anomos," which means "Law Annuller." Can we have a Doctrine declaring that God's Law can be ignored or changed? Is it not Antichrist that will be used by Satan to make war on God's Commandment Keeping people?
Daniel Warned Us
Daniel said Antichrist will "Think to Change Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25). Have Christians "Changed" one of God's 10 Commandments?
Jesus Warned Us
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets! I am not come to destroy but to fulfill! For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled! Whosoever, therefore shall break one of these least Commandments , and TEACH MEN SO, he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven! But whosoever shall DO and TEACH them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt.5:17-19)! Pastor, should we Ponder how Christian Ministers read these words from Jesus and still "teach" that "Grace Frees Us to Disobey and Change God's Commandments?"
Jesus Last Warning
It was at Christ's meeting with His Disciples just days before he was Crucified that Jesus gave them the signs proceeding His, "Coming and the end of the world (age)" (Matt.24:3). He said, "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a WITNESS unto all Nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END COME" (Vs.14). Just prior to giving this sign, Jesus prophesied that, "False Prophets" will be teaching us that "Law Annulling" will cause many to loose their love of the Gospel!"And many False Prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because INIQUITY (10 Commandment Annulling) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Vss.11-12)! Pastor, are we Christians completely ignoring Christ's warning?
Real Life Example
Let's look at a real example of "Nations of the World Witnessing Christ's Real Gospel." Mahatma Gandhi revolutionized India. He was Hindu, but very familiar with Christianity. He said, "I'd be a Christian if it were not for the Christians!" When questioned about this, he said, "I like your Christ, I do NOT like your Christians. Your Christians are so UNLIKE your Christ." Gandhi's feelings about Christianity are a window into how the "Nations of the Word" view Christians. Notice Gandhi's statement, "Your Christians are so UNLIKE your Christ." Pastor, when the world looks at us, are we "Like" or "Unlike our Christ?"
Conclusion
Can we conclude that when God's people truly REFLECT the Character, Testimony, Faith, and life of Jesus, then, and possibly ONLY then, He will come to take them home and end this wicked age of sin and suffering?
Can we conclude that when Christ's people REALLY want Him to return and take them to the Mansions He has prepared, they will seek the Power of the Holy Spirit to obey God and truly live lives the way Jesus would have them to? Can we conclude that when Christ's Bride rejects the Doctrine of Demons that says, "Grace Frees us to Disobey Christ's Commandments," she will then be truly preparing for her Groom, Jesus? Can we conclude that, when all of the Nations of the World "Witnesses" this, Jesus will come and the "End of this Wicked Age will come?" For more on this, see Why Jesus Waits for His Coming, and The Power of the New Covenant
Thanks SO much Pastor, for your time and interest. Please seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we look for Jesus to return and take us home!
Your Brother in Christ
Walter C. Martin Jr.
Your Brother in Christ
Walter C. Martin Jr.
Antichrist's Name and Mark
Pre-Trib teaches that Antichrist cannot appear on the world scene, or begin inflicting his Mark of the Beast until after the Church is Raptured to Heaven. It would take a large book to cover all of the, "Causes for Pauses" Pre-Trib faces concerning Antichrist. Pre-Trib books, even College and University Textbooks, discuss only a very small portion of the warnings about Antichrist that are easily found in Scripture. Here we'll focus mainly on Paul's use of the words "Anomos" and "Anomia" in 2 Thessalonians 2. Not only did Paul use these words clearly identifying Antichrist's work and probably his Mark of the Beast, he also made it abundantly clear that Antichrist would do his evil work before Jesus comes to take His people to Heaven.
Concerning the, "the coming of our Lord, and our gathering together unto Him"(2Thess.2:1), Paul wrote, "Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a (the) falling away first, and that man of sin (man of Anomos) be revealed the son of perdition" (Vs.3). Paul clearly says Jesus will come after Antichrist is revealed and defeated. Further in his letter, Paul wrote, "For the Mystery of Iniquity (Mystery of Anomos) doth already work" (Vs.7,first part). Pre-Trib's very name clearly states that Jesus will come before Antichrist. If Paul says "after," and Pre-Trib says "before," this is a serious, "Cause for a Pause."
If we look up the meaning of, "Anomos" and "Anomia," we will discover the name Paul called Anomos. This may also help us know his Mark of the Beast! Strong's Concordance identifies "Anomos" and "Anomia" as "Lawless" and "Lawlessness." Strong's also makes it clear that the "Law" in those words is not just any Law, but it's the Law God gave Moses at Sinai. "Anomos" is not a name like Bob or Bill, but a name possibly describing Antichrist's "Mark of the Beast?" Anomos is from the same word as, "Animosity" and "Anomaly." Paul called Antichrist "The Law Annuller," or "The Lawless One," so, why do Popular Preachers ignore this and speculate as to what the Mark is? Why do they say it could be a tattoo, credit card, SS number, or computer chip implant? Why not just tell us what Paul said and let us connect the dots? Pre-Trib's, "Cause for Pause" here has to do with their connection to Dispensationalism. Pre-Trib is bassed on the view that we now live in the Dispensation called "The Grace Dispensation." The fundamental Pre-Trib Dispensational position concerning God's Law is that, during this so called, "Grace Dispensation," Grace takes precedents over the Law. Pre-Trib says that, after the Rapture, the Law is restored to the state it had during the "Law Dispensation," the time period from Moses till Christ's death.
Paul's Position on Antichrist and God's Law
If Paul truly did say that Jesus will not return until after Antichrist is revealed, and if Paul truly called Antichrist "Anomos," and the, "Mystery of Anomia," then the Popular doctrine of, "Grace Frees us from God's Law," is just plain wrong!! And this answers the Question as to why our popular Preachers do not tell us about Paul calling Antichrist "Anomos."
Daniel's Position on Antichrist
Daniel prophesied concerning Antichrist, saying he would, "Think to change the Times and the Laws" (SeeDan.7:25). So, we know what Law that Paul had in mind when calling Antichrist, "Anomos," which means that we know Daniel was also referring to God's Law.
Are our Popular Ministers concerned that if their congregations were told the meaning of ANOMOS, and if they discovered that Paul said Antichrist would do his work of, "Thinking to change the Times and the Laws," before Jesus comes to take His people to Heaven, and what if their congregations discovered that Antichrist's Mark of the Beast probably will be directly tied to his attempts to annul or change God's 10 Commandments? The, "Cause for Pause" here is all too apparent.
Christ's References to "Anomia,"
Add to this the fact that, on three separate occasions, Jesus specifically used that word, "Anomia," Law Annulling, to identify exactly the delusion that, "False Prophets," would use from the very beginning of the Church. In our Website, "The Name of Antichrist," we examine in detail these three warnings. The texts all contain the word, "iniquity," and in each text the original word is, "Anomia." The Verses are, Matt.7:21-23, Matt.13:41, and Matt.24:11-12.
In the Sermon on the Mount, the first Sermon recorded from Jesus, He said, "Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these LEAST Commandments, and TEACH MEN SO, shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt.5:19). Does this, "Teaching Men So" match up with the three times Jesus warned of False Prophets, "Teaching Anomia?" And is this directly connected to the Mark of the Beast? And does this tie into the popular doctrine of "Grace Frees Us to Disobey God's Law?" And is this a "Cause for Pause?" Every Bible Prophet, including Jesus, that warned us about Antichrist made it abundantly clear that Antichrist would aggressively attack God's Law!! It would be sheer folly to ignore all of this! It's in Scripture, in plain sight! Again, see our Blogsite "Antichrist's Name" Dear Reader, please make this a matter of Prayer and Bible study!
Many More Causes for Pauses
Location of Great White Throne Judgment Seat? - see - Satan's Millennial Kingdom and The Battle of Armageddon
Where is Hell? The Bible tells EXACTLY! - Punishment of the Wicked
Are the Dead really more alive than when they were alive? - Death
Did Jesus take ALL of our punishment at the Cross?
When is Antichrist's Deadly Wound? - Antichrist's Name and Antichrist's Church
Can Antichrist already have his "Deadly Wound?" - Antichrist's Name
Who is Gog and Magog? - Gog and Magog
Gog and Magog - Before or After the Millennium? -Gog & Magog
Who is in Satan's Army, "The number of whom is as the sands of the sea?" - Gog and Magog
Where is Satan's Bottomless Pit?" - Satan's Millennial Kingdom
Why Satan doesn't want us to know the location of his Bottomless Pit"
Why Satan wants us to think Earth will be the Kingdom of God
How to prepare for Jesus' Coming - Why Jesus WaitsCan we become "Overcomers?" - Christ's New Covenant
Why Tribulation Saints are Sabbath Keepers?
Who Originated SABBATH ABOLISHING in the Church? - Sabbath and the Gnostics
Did Paul Abolish Sabbath in Colossians 2? - The Sabbath and Colossians 2
Will Antichrist say he's"Christian?" - Antichrist's Name & Mark
Does Antichrist have a Sabbath? - Antichrist's Sabbath
Is Rapture Mania the "Surfeiting" Jesus Warned about? - Surfeiting
Why will there be the Great TRIBULATION? - Time of Trouble
Will Antichrist Have a Worldwide Church? - Antichrist's Church
Is Israel the Last-Day Church? - Church or Israel
Who's the REAL BRIDE of Jesus? Bride of Christ
Does any of this matter? Jesus said many will be lost because they did not heed His warnings about LAST DAY delusions. If we are in the LAST DAYS, then THESE THINGS DO MATTER, BIG TIME!!!
Thank you DEAR READER for reviewing this Site. Below are Blogsites that look deeper into all of these "Causes for Pauses." Just about any Question concerning Last Day Events is covered in one of the Websites below. If you have a question not covered, please contact us. We'll do our best to answer. Please check them out and please send us your comments. Let's continue to Pray for God to send His Spirit to guide us as we prepare for Jesus to come soon!
Your Brother in Christ
Walter C. Martin Jr.
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Check Our Other Blogsites:
Will Planet Earth EVER be Destroyed?
How Big is New Jerusalem?
The Great White Throne Judgment - When and Where
Was Margaret MacDonald's Dream Post-Trib?
Antichrist - The Beast - ANOMOS
Thank you DEAR READER for reviewing this Site. Below are Blogsites that look deeper into all of these "Causes for Pauses." Just about any Question concerning Last Day Events is covered in one of the Websites below. If you have a question not covered, please contact us. We'll do our best to answer. Please check them out and please send us your comments. Let's continue to Pray for God to send His Spirit to guide us as we prepare for Jesus to come soon!
Your Brother in Christ
Walter C. Martin Jr.
------------------------------------------------------------
Check Our Other Blogsites:
Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Is Pre-Trib's "SECOND CHANCE"Biblical?
Does Pre-Trib Promote a Third Chance
Pre-Trib's Problem with "Jesus Coming Like A Thief"
Does Pre-Trib Promote a Third Chance
Pre-Trib's Problem with "Jesus Coming Like A Thief"
Post-Tribulation Second Coming of Jesus
How to Survive the Great Tribulation - The ONLY Way to Survive
The REAL Tribulation
Eating Pork at Jesus' Second Coming!?!
The Jews and the Sheep and Goats Parable/Prophecy?
Great White Throne Judgment - When and Where
The REAL Tribulation
Eating Pork at Jesus' Second Coming!?!
The Jews and the Sheep and Goats Parable/Prophecy?
Great White Throne Judgment - When and Where
Un-Answerable POST-TRIB Questions
Will Planet Earth EVER be Destroyed?
How Big is New Jerusalem?
The Great White Throne Judgment - When and Where
Antichrist - The Beast - ANOMOS
How to Survive the Tribulation and Defeat Antichrist
Margaret MacDonald's Dream About Antichrist
The Power of the New Covenant
New Covenant = Power over Satan?
Why Does Jesus Wait?
Margaret MacDonald's Dream About Antichrist
The Power of the New Covenant
New Covenant = Power over Satan?
Why Does Jesus Wait?
The Great Tribulation
Why Does God Allow The Tribulation?
Who is the Bride of Christ REALLY?
Who are the 144 Thousand REALLY?
What's Keeping Jesus From Coming Back?
How to Survive the Tribulation
Who is the Bride of Christ REALLY?
Who are the 144 Thousand REALLY?
What's Keeping Jesus From Coming Back?
How to Survive the Tribulation
The Tribulation and the Sheep-Goat Parable/Prophecy
Should We Eat Pigs During the Tribulation?
"LEFT BEHIND" -Who - Pre-Trib
Will Planet Earth Ever Be Destroyed?
Should We Eat Pigs During the Tribulation?
"LEFT BEHIND" -Who - Pre-Trib
Will Planet Earth Ever Be Destroyed?
The Millennium
Where is the Kingdom Of God REALLY?
Where is Satan's Bottomless Pit?
Who is Gog and Where is Magog?
Did Ezekiel Prophesy a Millennial Kingdom Temple?
Where is the Battle of Armageddon REALLY?
Where is the Kingdom Of God REALLY?
Where is Satan's Bottomless Pit?
Who is Gog and Where is Magog?
Did Ezekiel Prophesy a Millennial Kingdom Temple?
Where is the Battle of Armageddon REALLY?
The Great White Throne Judgment - When and Where
"Left Behind" Error for Pre-Trib Promoters
The Millennium and the Sheep-Goat Parable/Prophecy and the Jews
Satan is KILLED - DEAD - After His Bottomless Pit
"Left Behind" Error for Pre-Trib Promoters
The Millennium and the Sheep-Goat Parable/Prophecy and the Jews
Satan is KILLED - DEAD - After His Bottomless Pit
Will We Eat Pigs During the Millennium?
Planet Earth WILL be Destroyed After the 1000 Years!
New Jerusalem - How BIG is It?
Great White Throne Judgment Seat - When and Where
Christ's Kingdom - Millennial or EVERLASTING?
Hell Fire
Planet Earth WILL be Destroyed After the 1000 Years!
New Jerusalem - How BIG is It?
Great White Throne Judgment Seat - When and Where
Christ's Kingdom - Millennial or EVERLASTING?
Hell Fire
Is God Torturing People Now
Did Jesus Suffer ALL of Your Hell?
The Rich Man and Lazarus?
The Dead - Dead or Alive - What is Death?
Did Jesus Die YOUR Death for You?
Will Satan Ever Die - Bible Says "YES!"
Testing Our Doctrine About Death
The Dead Stand Before Great White Throne Judgment Seat
The Gnostics Attack the Sabbath
Were Gnostics Really Christian?
Were Gnostics Satan's Implants into the Church?
Is Gnosticism Alive and Well in Today's Churches
Is the Church Israel and Israel the Church?
Is the Bride of Jesus the 144 Thousand?
Did Jesus Offer the Jews a Millennial Kingdom in His Ministry?
Will New Jerusalem Sit in Israel? How Big is It?
Christ's REAL EVERLASTING Kingdom is for ALL Believers!
The Sabbath
Is it a Sin to Observe the Sabbath?
Is There a Connection Between the Rapture and the Sabbath?
Will the Sabbath Be Observed By God's People During the Tribulation?
Who REALLY Changed the Sabbath in Early Christianity?
Un-Answered and Un-Answerable Sabbath Questions For Popular Preachers
How to Test Your Doctrine Concerning the Sabbath
Heaven
Marriage in Heaven - Millennial Kingdom?
Strange Animal/Demons the Millennium?
Why Jesus Hasn't Come to Take Us To Heaven?
Good Ministers Teaching Against God's 10 Commandments?
Teaching of Anomia - The Reason Jesus Hasn't Come Yet?
Pre-Trib Rapture and Sabbath
Did Jesus Suffer ALL of Your Hell?
The Rich Man and Lazarus?
Will Satan Die in Hell? Really Die? Bible Says "YES!"
How to Test Your Doctrine About Hell
Great White Throne Judgment Immediately Before Hell Burns
Will Hell Fire Destroy Planet Earth? Apostle Peter Answers!!
When Hell Burns Out, New Jerusalem is on Earth! How Big is It?
DeathHow to Test Your Doctrine About Hell
Great White Throne Judgment Immediately Before Hell Burns
Will Hell Fire Destroy Planet Earth? Apostle Peter Answers!!
When Hell Burns Out, New Jerusalem is on Earth! How Big is It?
The Dead - Dead or Alive - What is Death?
Did Jesus Die YOUR Death for You?
Will Satan Ever Die - Bible Says "YES!"
Testing Our Doctrine About Death
The Dead Stand Before Great White Throne Judgment Seat
The Gnostics Attack the Sabbath
Were Gnostics Really Christian?
Were Gnostics Satan's Implants into the Church?
Is Gnosticism Alive and Well in Today's Churches
Paul -Gnostics - Colossians 2?
How to Know if Your Doctrine is Gnostic
Gnostic Doctrines in the Church - Reason Jesus Waits?
Church is Israel - Israel is ChurchHow to Know if Your Doctrine is Gnostic
Gnostic Doctrines in the Church - Reason Jesus Waits?
Is the Church Israel and Israel the Church?
Is the Bride of Jesus the 144 Thousand?
Did Jesus Offer the Jews a Millennial Kingdom in His Ministry?
Will New Jerusalem Sit in Israel? How Big is It?
Christ's REAL EVERLASTING Kingdom is for ALL Believers!
The Sabbath
Is it a Sin to Observe the Sabbath?
Is There a Connection Between the Rapture and the Sabbath?
Will the Sabbath Be Observed By God's People During the Tribulation?
Who REALLY Changed the Sabbath in Early Christianity?
Un-Answered and Un-Answerable Sabbath Questions For Popular Preachers
How to Test Your Doctrine Concerning the Sabbath
Heaven
Marriage in Heaven - Millennial Kingdom?
Strange Animal/Demons the Millennium?
Why Jesus Hasn't Come to Take Us To Heaven?
Great White Throne Judgment - Where and When?
Satan's Death - When!
Will Earth Be Completely Destroyed? (New Heavens and New Earth!)
Is New Jerusalem Actually Heaven? How Big is It?
Christ's Millennial Kingdom Will Be in Heaven!
Christ's Kingdom is Not 1000 Years - It is EVERLASTING!
Great White Throne Judgment - Heaven or Earth
Teachers of Anomia (Law Annulling) Satan's Death - When!
Will Earth Be Completely Destroyed? (New Heavens and New Earth!)
Is New Jerusalem Actually Heaven? How Big is It?
Christ's Millennial Kingdom Will Be in Heaven!
Christ's Kingdom is Not 1000 Years - It is EVERLASTING!
Great White Throne Judgment - Heaven or Earth
Good Ministers Teaching Against God's 10 Commandments?
Teaching of Anomia - The Reason Jesus Hasn't Come Yet?
Pre-Trib Rapture and Sabbath
Pre-Trib Rapture and the Sabbath?
Everlasting Gospel Ministries
Will Christ's Bride Keep the Sabbath?
Does Your Rapture/Sabbath Doctrine Pass the Test?
Exposing Lucifer/Satan
When Did Lucifer Become Satan?
Will Satan Ever Die? Really Die? All the Way Dead?
Has Satan Introduced False Doctrine into the Church? How to Test
Satan Dies After Great White Throne Judgment
Satan Dies When Earth is Destroyed By Fire
Does Your Rapture/Sabbath Doctrine Pass the Test?
Exposing Lucifer/Satan
When Did Lucifer Become Satan?
Will Satan Ever Die? Really Die? All the Way Dead?
Has Satan Introduced False Doctrine into the Church? How to Test
Satan Dies After Great White Throne Judgment
Satan Dies When Earth is Destroyed By Fire
Walter C. Martin Jr. |
These are just a few of the questions we examine in our Websites.
Thank you, Dear Reader, for checking them. Please feel free to
give us your comments and feedback if you look at our Sites. If you
send us your questions or comments, we will try to answer and add your
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purpose to get you to withdraw from your present Church, but to invite
you to present things you learn here to your Pastor and Friends.
Let's pray that God will continue sending His Holy Spirit to guide as we prepare for Jesus to come. Thank You!
Your Brother in Christ!
Walter C. Martin Jr
Your Brother in Christ!
Walter C. Martin Jr
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