" Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near... But, take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. "
( Luke 21:28,34-36 )There are many schools of thought when it comes to eschatology. ( the prediction of things to come based upon scripture ) By necessity, most of them must be wrong. We have the Pre Millenial, Post Millenial, A-Millenial, Pre trib rapture, Mid trib rapture and the Post trib rapture. I believe that when you look at the whole of scripture, you find that all of these are mistaken, in at least one point.
Consider the following points:
1. Christ is coming again,- and probably soon.I strongly believe that the Rapture will occur soon. As the Lord said, only the Father knows the exact date, but the time has come, that we should take Christ's return very seriously, and be ready every minute of every day!2. At that time, all believers, deceased and living, will be raptured.
3. The church will suffer much tribulation and persecution.
4. God does not punish believers and unbelievers together.
5. What many people call the 7 year period of tribulation is actually a period of time, after the rapture, when God's wrath will be poured out on the unbelievers, who are LEFT BEHIND.
6. To interpret the Olivet Discourse and other gospel teachings, where Christ foretold the future correctly, one must look carefully at two pronouns,- you and they. " You " refers to the disciples and their time. " They " refers to the future. It is also necessary to include all of the scripture references to the Day of the Lord, and the two letters from the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.
7. Much of what is being taught today, as pertaining to our times, was fulfilled in the time around 67 - 70 AD. Christians were told to flee at that time, and they did. Christians were never told to flee, at the time of the rapture.
8. Nothing remains to happen, between now and the rapture. No rebuilding of the temple. Nothing! Otherwise, Christ's command to watch, and be ready, are meaningless. Beware of any teaching that something has to happen, before the rapture. This is incorrect teaching.
9. Most of the things, which Christ said must happen before His return, have already happened,- the false Christs, the wars, the rumors of wars, the famines, the pestilences, the earthquakes in various places, the matyrdom of christians, etc.
10. Persecution of christians is now a worldwide phenomenon. Vicious persecutions involving the killing and torture of millions have taken place in the past, but these have been quite localized,- geographically. Today it is happening worldwide, even in America. The government of the United States could stop most of this by simply withholding foreign aid and other favors, but lately, it has chosen to ignore the abuse, and killing of christians, in country after country, in order to create more favorable trade situations, etc.
11. What remains? At some time, and I believe soon, there will suddenly be frightening signs in the heavens. What we now consider the solar system, and the universe, will be dramatically changed in a moment. On earth there will be distress of
nations. The sea and waves will roar. All this will happen so fast, that there will not be time enough to do anything. There will be no time for repentance. If you are still living a sinful lifestyle, it will be too late for you to do anything about it. Do not be deceived by governments, which are now looking favorably on lifestyles, which God calls an abomination.
The bottom line is this: We are commanded to watch, and be ready, at all times. Christ says ( Mark 13:37 ) " And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! " Christ may come at any time, during, or after 2007. When He comes, it will be like a snare, for those who haven't prepared themselves, thru repentance, and received God's gift of a new heart. It is now time for us to stop thinking that Christ will come " some day ", and realize that He is coming very soon!
