Gospel Light
My Dear readers, if there is one thing that sinful men do, which we all are, it is to see ourselves in the best possible way. As believers, we should repent of all such natural tendencies and walk in the Spirit, not in the delusions of our flesh.
By way of example, men read the Bible and conclude that since Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, all Old Testament saints are second-class citizens. My statement is hyper-bully to ensure my point. It is a fact that before the cross, a shadow was cast upon those who did not receive the complete picture of God's sacrifice. Therefore, those living after the cross are more responsible for the effectual work of God's love through His beloved Son. There is, however, a very significant misconception to think that less clarity equals no spiritual rebirth or indwelling. There are three prepositions in the Old and New Testaments that refer to the positioning of the Holy Spirit with believers. They are in, upon, and among, and all three appear in both Testaments.
Why am I writing about the Holy Spirit when this post is about prophecy? The answer is simple. The argument is this, those who are ready for the Lord's return at the rapture or the gathering to Him will not be left behind. This argument carries a great weight of problem from Revelation 20:4.
"And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." Revelation 20:4
Do you see the problem? Of the people mentioned in Revelation 20:4, no group is more explicitly stated than, so there can be no doubt as to who they are than the group that is martyred and endures part of the tribulation period. They are, according to pre-trib believers - the left behind. Nevertheless, they neither worship the beast or his image nor receive his mark; coming to life means they loved not their lives unto the death. Concerning this group, it says they reign with Christ for a thousand years. Then how can they be considered less? Who cheers for the left behind?
Like Old Testament saints left out of the Holy Spirit's presence and power to save, these are left behind, so we are told.
Lastly, the reading of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 reads clearly so that no one will miss the coming of our Lord and our gathering to Him; that is the rapture.
'Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction," 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
My Dear Readers, did you miss it? The rapture will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed. To be clear about this man, Paul adds, "...he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God." This person can only be the antichrist. What would be the point in telling these believers they can't miss the coming of Christ because the apostasy and antiChrist must be revealed first if they were going to be taken before that happens?
My next post will focus on the Mariage Feast of the Lamb, our Lord's return, and God's wrath at the end of the tribulation. In my last post or two, I will focus on amillennialism, so feel included if that is your persuasion.
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