END TIMES COURSE
SWC Granbury – Coffee House
June 21-22, (Tues. & Wed.)
6:30pm – 8pm
Have you done this?
Galatians 2:20 (NASB) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Focus on Mission instead of Timing!
Acts 1:6-8 (NASB) So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
Our Purpose:
To use the Biblical rules of interpretation to discover the TRUTH that is clearly revealed in the Bible about the return of Jesus.
Practical Theological Seminary
· The End Times Course is hosted by Practical Theological Seminary.
· Dr. Joey White started PTS in 2019. The goal is a seminary education for everyone.
· New Testament class starts September 11.
· APPLY NOW and get started at PracticalSeminary.org
Israel Ministry Center
· StoneWater Church will purchase a large home (6+ Bedrooms) in Israel.
· Members of SWC will be able to stay at the IMC anytime to tour Israel and serve in ministry.
· Seminary Students of Practical Theological Seminary will study and stay at the IMC.
· Church Planters will be trained at the IMC to start churches.
· 100% of your Tuition ($25 per household) goes to the purchase of the IMC.
· Practical Theological Seminary is matching all tuition payments for this course for the IMC.
Giving to the Israel Ministry Center:
· The approximate costs for the IMC: $750,000. Raised so far: $300,000
· Make Payment to: STONEWATER CHURCH
· Designate: ISRAEL MINISTRY CENTER
· Mailing Address: 911 East Hwy 377 #4, Granbury, TX 76048.
WHY STUDY END TIMES EVENTS?
1. You are BLESSED as you read, hear, and keep the words written in Revelation.
Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:3 (NASB)
2. Jesus tells us to keep watch, be alert, be of sober mind, hold on to what you have, continue in Him, and be confident at His return.
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” Matt. 24:42 (NASB)
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 1 Peter 4:7 (NASB)
I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Rev. 3:11 (NASB)
Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not draw back from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28 (NASB)
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
3. Continue to be righteous and holy because Jesus is coming quickly with REWARDS.
And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong still do wrong, and the one who is filthy still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness, and the one who is holy still keep himself holy. Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.” Revelation 22:10-12 (NASB)
4. Remain focused on the mission of preaching and making disciples of all the nations.
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NASB)
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
5. So that we will not lose hope during times of suffering and tribulation.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (NASB)
RULES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
Hermeneutics- The study of the interpretation of Scripture. Learn the Rules of Interpretation!
Biblical Interpretation- The goal is to discover the intended meaning of the writer of the Scripture rather than imposing your own ideas on the text. (Don’t jump through hoops!)
“A text cannot mean what it could never have meant for its original readers/hearers.”
Gordon D. Fee, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
Rules for Interpreting Each Biblical Text:
1. Identify the kind of literature.
· Law, Narrative, Prophecy, Poetry, Wisdom, Parable, History, Gospel, Epistle.
2. Remain true to the context.
· Don’t take the Scripture out of context.
· Don’t impose your own ideas or agenda on a Scripture to make it say what you want it to say.
· Read the whole thought throughout the larger passage instead of taking a small part of one verse and creating a whole doctrine from it.
3. Read the text for its plain and obvious meaning.
· There’s no hidden meaning or Biblical code that only a few people can decipher.
· Figurative, Symbolic, and Apocalyptic Literature as well as Metaphors all help us to understand the main point of the text. They all enhance the plain meaning of the Scripture.
· Be careful assigning specific people, events & dates to prophecies & apocalyptic literature.
4. Discover the author’s intended message and meaning.
· A Scripture cannot mean what it never meant to the original hearers / readers.
· Who are the readers / hearers? What was the main purpose of the author writing this to them?
5. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
· With prophecies ask, “Has this already taken place in history or is this a future event applied to us?”
· Define the words. Words have meaning. The meaning of words can change over time.
· There’s nothing new in the New Testament. Look throughout the Bible to build your doctrine.
· The Bible was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, and we must look to the original language.
6. Each Scripture has one intended meaning, but may have several applications.
· We build our doctrine on the intended meaning. We obey based on the application of the doctrine.
· Prophecy- What is God saying we are to believe? Now, based on our belief, how do we apply this truth.
7. Scripture will never contradict Scripture.
· What does the whole Bible say about this subject?
· Don’t take one verse and make a whole doctrine out of it.
· If you don’t understand a term or teaching, look for similar terms or stories throughout the Bible.
Tip: Use an online search tool to help you in your study. Dr. White uses this one weekly: Biblegateway.com
UNDERSTANDING ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH
Israel- God’s Chosen People. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Abrahamic Covenant- Land, Nation, Blessing. All the nations of the earth are blessed because of Israel. Our Bible and Messiah are Jewish.
· Genesis 12:1- (NASB) Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you into a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
· “The Remnant”- Jewish people that believe in Jesus as Messiah. Apostles, the First Church in Jerusalem, Apostle Paul, Messianic Jews today. (Rom. 11:5)
· Unbelieving Israel- Jewish people that do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
Olive Tree- Israel is the natural Olive Tree that God planted/created. There has always been and still remains believing Israel that made up the Olive Tree of God. (Romans 11:17-24)
Wild Olive Tree- You and me! We are branches from a wild olive tree that was made up of the nations who are not God’s chosen people, Israel. Once we believed in Jesus, we were grafted into God’s family…His Olive Tree. Grafting is not natural. God was gracious, purposeful, and loving by grafted us into His Olive Tree. We do not replace Israel, but we join together with all of faithful Israel from the very beginning and make up the family of God. (Rom. 11, Gal. 3:28-29)
The Kingdom- Jesus is our Messiah and King. We are called to work to build His Kingdom.
· Rev. 5:9-10 (NASB) And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”
The Church- The Bride of Christ. All nations (even believing Israel), every tribe, language, tongue.
The Church did not replace Israel.
· Replacement Theology- teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. They believe the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel. They believe all the promises that God made to Israel are now transferred to the Church. (Dr. Joey White does not believe in Replacement Theology).
Who Joined Who?
At Pentecost, Israel believed in Jesus and the Church was made up of only Jews (3000).
When the Gentiles started believing in Jesus (Cornelius), did the Gentiles join Israel? Or did Israel join the Gentile Church? Answer: The Church is made up of people from all the nations including believing Israel who believe in Jesus as Messiah. God has not rejected Israel. God still has a unique plan for Israel as His Chosen People. God is capable of loving both Jews and all the nations.
Don’t separate Israel and the Church as if they oppose each other (Anti-Semitism).
Don’t replace Israel with the Church (Replacement Theology).
Don’t combine the Church with Israel (Thinking Christian’s are now really Israel).
Understand Biblical Terms like Olive Tree and Kingdom to see what God has been doing.
Who was in the Upper Room with Jesus? Who did Jesus establish His New Covenant?
Israel was only in the Upper Room, and Jesus established the New Covenant with Israel. We are blessed to be grafted into the family of God.
The Timing of the Coming of Christ Revolves around Israel and the Preaching of the Gospel:
Jesus will not return until Israel says, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Messiah.”
· Matthew 23:37-38 (NASB) Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
· Matthew 24:14 (NASB) This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
THE RAPTURE DEFINED
The belief in the rapture is widely held among most evangelicals. The basis for the rapture primarily 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 1 Corinthians 15:52 regarding the hope for believers of a future resurrection of their bodies. This resurrection will occur in the last days at or near the time when Jesus returns to earth. The question is whether or not the rapture is a separate and distinct event from the second coming of Christ or if it occurs simultaneously when Christ returns to earth at the end of the tribulation. Those who affirm a pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and pre-wrath view of the rapture see it as a separate or secret return of Christ for the church occurring well before he actually returns to the earth publicly. Those who affirm a post-tribulation view see the rapture as occurring simultaneous to the return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation.[1]
Poll: Do you believe Jesus will come and rapture the Church from the earth so they do not have to go through the Great Tribulation?
THE RETURN OF JESUS IN HIS OWN WORDS
Study of Matthew 24 (Also found in Mark 13, Luke 21)
1. Christians all AGREE that Jesus will return. The disagreements are about the TIMING.
Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” 3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
2. We can still love one another even though we disagree on the TIMING of the End Times.
4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. 6 And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.
3. What does Jesus say here about the TIMING of the End?
9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. 12 And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. 14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
a. Who is Jesus speaking to? His 12 Disciples and future disciples (US).
b. What does Jesus say will happen? Tribulation, Death, Hated by all nations, many will fall away. Christians will betray one another and hate one another. Christians will be misled by false prophets. Most people’s (Mainly Non-Christians and so-called Christians) love will become cold. The one who endures to the end will be saved.
c. What must happen before Jesus returns and the end to come? The gospel shall be preached to all the nations.
4. Has this event already occurred or Jesus talking about a future event?
15 “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place—let the reader understand— 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house. 18 And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19 But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Moreover, pray that when you flee, it will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
· Abomination of Desolation- “167 BC Antiochus IV Epiphanes took Jerusalem by force, abolished temple sacrifices, erected an abominable alter to Zeus, outlawed Sabbath observance, sacrificed swine, spread the blood of swine in the temple and forced some Jewish people to eat pork.” (Hanegraaff, The Apocalypse Code, p. 87).
· Daniel 11:31 Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.
Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination
of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
What about the Destruction of the Temple in 70 AD?
What about the Holocaust- 6 Million Jews killed. (1939- Jewish Pop 16.6 mil. Today, 15.2 million)
· “For the sake of the Elect?”- Faithful Israel and Christians. (Romans 8:26-39)
5. Jesus will visibly appear at His coming just like lightning flashes in the sky. Not secretly.
23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him.
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe
them. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the
coming of the Son of Man be. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
6. What do these verses teach us about the timing of the return of Jesus? It’s visible!
29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
· What would the original hearers believe about going through the tribulation? (verse 9)
· Mark 13:26-27 (NASB) At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
7. Have these events already taken place or will these events happen in the future?
32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
· Who is “This generation will not pass away…?” Past, Present or Future?
· How would the original hearers understand? Answer: It’s going to happen. Be ready!
8. Does this passage talk about the Rapture of the Church before the Tribulation?
36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
· THEY- Ungodly, Unrighteous people in Noah’s day (eating, drinking, marrying)
· NOAH- Blameless, Righteous. He remained on earth. He was protected in the ark.
· THEY- All taken away by the judgement of the flood.
· COMING OF THE SON OF MAN- Jesus’ return.
o TAKEN- All the ungodly will be taken away by the judgment of God.
o LEFT BEHIND- All the righteous will remain until the coming of Jesus.
· How would the original hearers have interpreted Jesus’ words?
· Would they have used this passage as a main Scripture for Pre-Tribulation Rapture?
· Luke 17:26-37 also describes the same teaching with expanded teaching of Lot.
9. Be ready for Jesus to return. Be found faithfully working when He returns.
42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. 45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
10. Hell is a real place. A place described as “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
48 But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ 49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk; 50 then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, 51 and he will cut him in two and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Note:
· Jesus never spoke of the rapture of the church prior to the tribulation.
· The Book of Revelation never speaks of the rapture of the church prior to the tribulation.
· The Apostle Paul’s life, ministry and teaching goes against Dispensational teaching.
DISPENSATIONALISM
Originated with John Nelson Darby, Plymouth Brethren of Plymouth, England. 1800-1882.
· Dispensationalism- Seven periods of time (dispensations) throughout history of the way of God acting in the world. The various dispensations involved a test for mankind, a failure, and then a judgment. This then would be followed by another dispensation. These seven dispensations are Innocence (before the Fall), Conscience (Fall to the Flood), Human Government, Promise (Abraham to Moses), Law (Moses to Christ), Grace (the church age), and Kingdom (the millennium).
· Today- We are living is the Sixth dispensation of Grace (Church Age). Israel rejected and crucified Jesus and instead of the Kingdom Age given to Israel, it created an “unforeseen mystery” not even known to the Old Testament Prophets that the Church would begin and be filled with Gentiles who received Jesus. We therefore teach a “Gospel of Grace” (Believe in Jesus by faith and be saved). The Church must then be taken off the earth (Rapture) so that God can bring his wrath and judgement upon unbelieving Israel. The 144,000 Jews can then teach the “Gospel of the Kingdom” with signs and wonders that are not afforded to us in the Church Age. Ultimately all of Israel will be saved in the Great Tribulation and the ungodly nations destroyed before 2nd Coming of Jesus and Millennial reign.[2]
· The 7 Churches in Revelation- Dispensationalist teach that the 7 Churches each represent a separate dispensation (period of time in history) of how God acted in the world. The 6th church is Philadelphia and represents the Church Age of Grace. They teach Rev. 3:10 is biblical proof that the Church will be raptured before the Great Tribulation.
o Rev. 3:10 (NASB) Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth.
· Major view in seminaries, American evangelicals and Pentecostals since 1925.
· C.I. Scofield (1843-1921) Scofield Reference Bible. Great theologian of Dispensationalism.
· God has two distinct people (Israel/Church) with two distinct plan & two distinct destinies.
· Only Israel (the Jews) would suffer tribulation because they rejected Jesus and God must bring His wrath and judgment against them before Jesus returns. (Referred to as Jacob’s Trouble or the Great Tribulation). The Jews are guilty and must suffer for Jesus’ murder.
· The Church must be removed or vanish from the world in a secret, non-visible coming of Jesus 7 years prior to the visible second coming of Christ.[3]
· Dispensationalism summary: www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/dispensational-theology
Jesus and The Apostle Paul were not a Dispensationalists.
Jesus and Paul preached the Kingdom of God (Not the Gospel of Grace). Both of their lives, ministry and teaching were defined by miracle signs and wonders. (Matthew 24:14)
Acts 2:30-31 (NASB) Now Paul stayed two full years in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
INTERPRETING THE MAIN PRE-TRIBULATION
RAPTURE SCRIPTURES
Rules of Interpretation:
1. Context- What is the main point of this passage and overall theme of surrounding verses?
2. Author’s Intent- Why did the author write this? What was the original purpose?
3. Audience’s Understanding- What did they understanding? How did they teach it?
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NASB) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
1. Context: The main point is describing the resurrection of the believers who have already died before Jesus’ return. And to describe what happens to believers who are alive when Jesus returns.
2. Author’s Intent: Informing believers. Goal was to comfort, bring hope, and help them not grieve knowing that Jesus will resurrect their loved ones who have died at His return.
3. Audience’s Understanding: Jesus will return from heaven. The dead in Christ will be resurrected. The ones of us who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds and meet Jesus in the air. They will be with Jesus forever.
QUESTIONS FOR END TIMES STUDY:
· Is this passage talking about the Rapture of the whole Church before the Tribulation?
· Did the author intend for his readers to use this as a proof text for Pre-Trib. Rapture?
CONCLUSION: This passage is about the Resurrection of the dead and those alive at Jesus’ return.
· We should talk about the Resurrection and Resurrected Bodies and not the Rapture.
· 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 The resurrection of the dead.
INTERPRETING THE MAIN PRE-TRIBULATION
RAPTURE SCRIPTURES
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (NASB) Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1. Context: The Resurrection. Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Our natural body will die and we will receive a spiritual body at the resurrection. Christians who are alive at Jesus’ return will be changed in a moment from a perishable (Flesh) body to imperishable (Spiritual) body.
2. Author’s Intent: Explaining Jesus’ resurrection, the resurrection of believers from the dead, and the change in bodies of believer’s who are still alive at Jesus’ return.
3. Audience’s Understanding: The resurrection is real- Jesus proved it, real to those who have died, to real us that remain at Jesus’ return. We receive spiritual, imperishable bodies at the resurrection.
QUESTIONS FOR END TIMES STUDY:
· Is this passage talking about the Rapture of the whole Church before the Tribulation?
· Would the original audience believe? Would they have believed in Jesus secretly coming to take them and they vanish 7 years before his 2nd Coming?
· How can we use this passage to prepare for Jesus’ return?
CONCLUSION:
This passage brings great hope that all believers will receive an eternal body that will never perish. Our flesh body will die because it is perishable. Everyone believer who is alive when Jesus returns will receive an imperishable body “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”
INTERPRETING THE MAIN PRE-TRIBULATION
RAPTURE SCRIPTURES
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NASB) Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.
1. Context: God will destroy people living in darkness. When the Lord returns, believers in Jesus will not be overtaken by God’s destruction.
2. Author’s Intent: God has not destined His family for wrath, but salvation in Jesus. Those who die before Jesus’ return will still live together with Jesus. Those are alive when Jesus returns will still live together with Jesus.
3. Audience’s Understanding: We must be alert and sober. We are of the day and light. If we believe in Jesus, whether we live or die before His return, we will still be together with Jesus. We don’t have to ever worry about God’s wrath because we are saved through Jesus.
CONCLUSION:
QUESTIONS FOR END TIMES STUDY:
· Is this passage talking about the Rapture of the whole Church before the Tribulation?
· Would the original audience believe they would be secretly taken and vanish?
INTERPRETING THE MAIN PRE-TRIBULATION
RAPTURE SCRIPTURES
Revelation 4:1-3 (NASB) After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and someone was sitting on the throne.
1. Context: John the Apostle is taken to heaven to see and hear all that God will show him.
2. Author’s Intent: To show the readers that John was taken to heaven and actually saw these events first-hand.
3. Audience’s Understanding: John really did go to heaven and see these events for himself and he is reporting these events to us.
CONCLUSION: John went to heaven. John saw these events. John reported to us what he saw.
QUESTIONS FOR END TIMES STUDY:
· Is this passage talking about the whole Church begin raptured and taken to heaven?
· Would the original audience believe they would be taken to heave in a rapture events before the Tribulation?
Christians will never experience to the wrath of God!
1 Thess. 1:8-10 (NASB) For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place the news of your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.
1. Context:
2. Author’s Intent:
3. Audience’s Understanding:
CONCLUSION: We will never experience God’s wrath. We should not fear God in tribulation.
QUESTIONS FOR END TIMES STUDY:
· Is this passage talking about the Rapture of the whole Church before the Tribulation?
· Would the original audience believe they would be secretly taken and vanish?
Who are the people in heaven with white robes?
Where did they come from? (Revelation 6-7)
Revelation 6:9-11 (NASB) When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who live on the earth?” 11 And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told that they were to rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters who were to be killed even as they had been, was completed also.
Revelation 7:9-10 (NASB) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:13-17 (NASB) Then one of the elders responded, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” 14 I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16 They will no longer hunger nor thirst, nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any scorching heat; 17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
1. Context:
2. Author’s Intent:
3. Audience’s Understanding:
CONCLUSION:
Who are the Saints?
Rev. 14:12-13
Revelation 14:12-13 (NASB) Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
Revelation 14:12-13 (NLT) This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”
Interpreting Daniel’s Prophecy of 70 Weeks
Daniel 9:24-27 (NASB) “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the wrongdoing, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision andprophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25 So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress. 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate, until a complete destruction, one that isdecreed, gushes forth on the one who makes desolate.”
Tip:
It's never a good Hermeneutic to make up stuff when you don’t understand something in the Bible. Or to make up stuff to make it fit in your doctrine.
People Made Up Stuff and Taught it as Fact: The 69th Week as “Unreckoned Time” or “A Gap.”
According to Dr. David Jeremiah, “Israel’s rejection of Jesus as the Messiah marked the beginning of a gap in Daniel’s prophecy. Scholars refer to this indefinite period of time as “unreckoned time,” and it is an era we are still living in today. It is unreckoned because God only reckons time with the Jews when He is dealing with them as a nation. That has not occurred since the Triumphal Entry and will not occur again until the Tribulation.”[4]
· The 69th Week (which we are living in now) has lasted almost over 1900 years.
· The 70th Week we are taught to believe is exactly 7 years where the 69th year is an indefinite amount of time determined by God because of Israel’s unforeseen rejection of the Messiah and the Gentile Church.
History of Tribulation, War, Disease, Death
“Can you imagine what it was like to be a believer in Rome under the emperor Caligula, or Nero, or Domitian? To face the arena, the stake, or the lion’s den for your faith? What do you suppose Christians were thinking when the legions captured Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple in A.D. 70? Or when Attila overran Europe in the 5th century, the Vikings in the 9th, Genghis Khan in the 13th, or the Muslim Turks in the 16th? Might anyone have concluded that the end was near when the Black Death decimated Christendom, wiping out entire towns and claiming more than 25 million lives between 1347 and 1352? How did the situation look to believers at the beginning of the last century, when the so-called Great War destroyed the flower of an entire generation (37 million casualties)? Or a few decades later, when the shadow of Hitler and the Third Reich was rising over Germany and Eastern Europe? Clearly, the early 21st century has no monopoly on death, disaster, devastation, and terror. You don’t need to know a great deal about history to realize this.”[5]
Jesus is given a kingdom!
Made up of all people, nations, population, and languages.
Daniel 7:13-14 (NASB) “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a son of man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 And to Him was given dominion, Honor, and a kingdom, So that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.”
We will be rescued and resurrected at the time of distress.
Daniel 12:1-3 (NASB) “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
[1] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-rapture-question/
[2] Asher Intrater and Dan Juster, Israel, The Church and The Last Days, p. 47-48.
[3] Hank Hanegraaff, The Apocalypse Code, p. 41-69.
[4] https://davidjeremiah.blog/decoding-daniels-seventy-weeks-prophecy/
[5] https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/preparing-for-the-end-times/
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