These statements do not have to be taken personally, but I can see how you would. There is no easy way to say it, Mark, if you wish to discuss it at all? Try to take the assumed "poison" out of it. And look at the claims again.
God calls us to be bold, and not fear confessing his name. If we put even family ahead of Christ, we are unworthy of him, and he will deny us. Is that poisonous? No--only if you wear the shoes. Only if you're ashamed of Christ.
To fear the terrors of the so-called Tribulation Period is to shrink from faith that God is able to make us stand, to help us in our affliction. Paul was beat down, but not destroyed. You may not be afraid of suffering ridicule for Christ. Then don't wear the shoes!
Those who want to pose a Pretrib position build up the "Tribulation Period" into a holy terror, to scare people so that they're so afraid of this period of time they quickly opt for the Pretrib position. It is an unfair strategy, but that's how it works. Create an image of the "Tribulation Period" as a Hell on earth, replete with heads lopped off, plagues covering the earth, terrible weather conditions, boils, etc. This is designed to prove that the "Tribulation Period" is the "Wrath of God" and not designed to be experienced by Christians.
In reality, we all know, Postrib and Pretrib, that Christians do go through the Tribulation, through the persecutions of Antichrist, and through the plagues of the earth. Who else does the Antichrist persecute but Christians?
I don't at all believe you're being "intellectually dishonest" if you adopt the Pretrib position. No doubt you were taught it or raised up on it. However, these tactics in Pretrib teaching are real, and, I believe, designed to create fear so that you believe in that system.
False systems, by nature, utilize carnal arguments to attract attention. That's why we have all these Pretrib Rapture movies and books--they're pure entertainment, with very little spiritual value. But for what it's worth, there is some Christianity in them, and I therefore indulge in them myself.