This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
This is an article (actually a series) I didn’t really want to write. I am compelled to do so having witnessed a veritable blight of scriptural ignorance among the body of believers. This only seems to be exacerbated when dealing with matters prophetic. The reason for this is that we do not study the Word of God or when we do, tend to relegate the first two-thirds of it as being largely irrelevant. There is simply no clearer way for me to state that.
Know that if you want to understand biblical prophecy, you must understand the ‘Old Testament’. Only by cultivating a growing understanding of the precepts, principles, symbolism and tenets it presents and reinforces can we even begin to truly grasp what the Father has revealed regarding the coming end of the age.
In my last article, I stated that we were going to begin a series, and this article serves to begin that very narrative. Before we can dive into the proverbial “meat” of the matter however, we have to address a few issues which stand to color our understanding and perception regarding the end of the age as prophesied throughout the scriptures.
For starters, as you may have noted by the title of the article, scripture does not speak to the “end of the world“, it addresses the “end of the age“. That may seem to be a purely semantic point, but it isn’t. This actually speaks to the perspective through which we see the information presented. The point being, if you’re content with misinformation that’s “close enough”, I suggest you stop reading now. If, on the other hand, you see the details as important… because they are, then carry on.
Admittedly, there is a debate regarding the nature of the very end of the Book of Revelation concerning whether or not we are being prophesied a literal new Heaven and new Earth, or a renewed Heaven and renewed Earth. While that particular issue isn’t the point of this series, the fact is that none of this constitutes the end of the world. Following the return of Messiah, there’s a whole millennia left to be completed prior to this even being addressed. One thousand years…
Incidentally, in the spirit of textual accuracy I feel it necessary to point out that the event described regarding the end of the age are not “the apocalypse”. Apocalypse comes from the Greek term apocalypsis, which means “disclosure” or revelation“. With that in mind, understand that the Book of Revelation IS the Apocalypse – not the events it describes.
Still with me? I’m being a stickler because, in my view, if Yeshua took the time to personally reveal these matters to John and had him take the time to write it all down in meticulous detail, we would be foolish to blithely gloss over any of it. Having said that, I want to make it clear that this series is not intended, or will it be an exhaustive study of end-time prophecy and/ or of the Book of Revelation; that is something believers should do for themselves.
What it is going to be is a look at the general themes with a focus on specific events that mark key junctions within the unfolding narrative. Before we get to that though, we need to establish a basic timeline and that requires us to immediately address a proverbial “elephant in the room”:
The Rapture
Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51 – 52
Now I don’t know about anyone else but to me, this verse is crystal clear about the sequence of events here. First of all, this is addressing the event known as “the Rapture” – the point at which all believers, the first fruits of the Kingdom are taken, living and dead alike, into the presence of the returning King. Ironically, some point to this verse in support of a “pre-tribulation” theology… the problem is that the timing of this event is explicitly stated right in the verse. There can only be one “last trumpet” or it wouldn’t be the last trumpet.
The next logical question would be, to what trumpet(s) is he referring in this passage? For myself, seven come leaping to mind. We’ll get to that later.
You may be asking why bring this up now? Why not address this issue in the sequence of events as we explore them? The issue lies in the fact that this doctrine completely skews the chronological sequence of events as outlined scripture and therefore, bears clarification right up front.
While we’re on the topic, I want to show you something regarding this theology that I find to be insidious, despite it’s having been taught for centuries even by well-meaning, God fearing men and women throughout the body of Christ.
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from brambles.”
Luke 6:43 – 44 (Paralleled in Matthew 7:15 – 20)
Up front, know that in context this passage is speaking of people and, specifically, to their motives, but I am pushing the analogy and extending it to doctrines as well. Most people who hold un-biblical views don’t do so because they are evil or deceitful, they do so because it’s what they were taught… you follow?
With that in mind, let’s perform a thought experiment: let’s say that I spend my life teaching believers not to expect to be taken away before the persecution and troubles of the “Great Tribulation” and that, instead, they should be prepared not only to go through tribulation, but to be prepared to suffer for His name even unto the very end. Let’s say that I wind up being wrong… have I produced “bad fruit?” I submit that I have not.
Now let’s “flip the script” – I spend my life teaching believers that they are going to be removed before anything truly terrible happens and will be spared the coming persecution. Again, let’s say that I end up being wrong and these believers end up facing the most prolific persecution the world has ever, and will ever see. Have I produced bad fruit? That’s a rhetorical question – you know damn good and well I have.
For far too long, this view has been promulgated from the pulpits of Western Christianity despite the lack of evidence and/ or arguments made for it from the absence of information. We’ve been told this view was held by the Apostles and early Christians alike, yet we know from the writings of the “Church Fathers” and others that it wasn’t. This theology as we know it know has only been around since ~ 1800 CE. Google John Darby and have a good long look into it.
Often, when challenged on the issue, I have had Christians attempt to shut the conversation down with some time-tested hand-wavium like “well, it’s not a salvation issue.” The problem is, this is a salvation issue. It’s a salvation issue for each and every believer that will go through the tribulation and be expected to maintain their faith. To treat this matter with anything less than life and death significance is, in my opinion, to treat the text with contempt as we ignore the warnings it presents. Agree or disagree with my position, fine, but don’t lie to yourself that this “isn’t a salvation issue.”
I won’t belabor the point further in this article, however, I’d like to leave you with a question:
Because you have kept my admonition to endure steadfastly, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Revelation 3:10
This, from the letters to the seven Churches, is Yeshua’s promise to the Church in Philadelphia. Note that they are the only body of believers to whom such a promise is made. If all believers are taken prior the tribulation period… ?
Until next time,
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You