Stop Believing the "Any Moment" Myth

[William Barton]

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul warns Christians not to be misled, explaining that the day of Christ's return will not occur until there is first a great falling away and the "man of sin" is revealed. While the teaching of Jesus returning to gather His people is easy to understand, the distinct warning to "let no man deceive you" is often the most difficult part for people to grasp.

Paul's primary point is a plea for believers not to believe anyone who claims that the day of Christ is imminent or that He could return at any moment. Those who believe this risk being caught unprepared when the true Messiah returns. Remember, there will be a false messiah who will come first. We mustn’t be deceived because if we’re not careful, we’ll end up worshiping the Antichrist. (This is the great apostasy of the end times.)

Do you still find the pre-tribulation rapture theory appealing? If so, you are in a very dangerous position. This warning doesn't come from me; it comes from Paul, who cautions us to be on guard and watching out for the Antichrist. The Antichrist—Satan—will mirror exactly what you expect from Christ, using supernatural powers to deceive people, and he will arrive before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Man of sin" has several epithets, one being "anti-Christ" = "false Christ "
See 2Thessalonians 2:1-11.

 

[William Barton]

Do you still find the pre-tribulation rapture theory appealing?

If so, you are in a very dangerous position. This warning doesn't come from me; it comes from Paul

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Imminent rapture is a myth???:

Precious friends, let us prayerfully and Carefully study God's Word of Truth, Rightly
Divided, eh?:

God's Great ( Pre-trib ) GRACE Departure!:

1) Christ's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To Paul Taught Paul to expect the "Catching Up"

Gathering Of His Body "At Any Moment" ( Imminent! ), with No signs preceding It:​

a) "...we walk By faith, not By sight ( signs )..." (2 Corinthians 5:7 AV)​

b) "...then we which are alive and remain Will Be Caught Up..." 1 Thessalonians 4:17 AV)​

[ Paul Expecting ( in his own day ) as we Also should Expect in ours, Correct? ] ​

​

c) "...Comforting..." "...Wholesome Words Of Christ..." v 18; 1 Timothy 6:3 AV), eh?​

2) Since The Body Of Christ is Not to "live by sight":

a) "Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2 AV)​

​

b) "For our conversation [ citizenship ] is in heaven; from whence also ​

we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20 AV)​

c) Why do most prophetic experts have 'dead set' affection on "looking, waiting, and watching for"​

"the man of sin, the son of perdition, The Unholy one", When Christ Taught Paul, For us, ​

The Body of Christ To Be, By Faith, "looking for, watching for, and patiently waiting for":​

​

our Blessed Hope, The HOLY One, The LORD Jesus Christ!​

(2 Thessalonians 2:1; Romans 8:18-19; Romans 8:23; Romans 8:25; ​

1 Corinthians 1:7; Ephesians 6:12-18; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 4:1-3; ​

1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 AV) = Imminent Appearing​

And "Catching Up" of The Body Of Christ: ​

“Looking for That Blessed Hope, and The Glorious Appearing of ​

The Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" Titus 2:13 AV) ​

​

d) Once Again!: More "...Comforting..." "...Wholesome Words Of Christ..." ​

(1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Timothy 6:3 AV), eh?​

All Found In God's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To Paul, For The [ Heavenly! ] Body Of Christ!
Note: Not to be Mixed Up/homogenized with, But:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!" (BBS)
ie:

Prophecy, pertaining to [ earthly ] Israel, on the other hand? Yes, we certainly agree with
prophecy experts that there is a NON-imminent post-trib "Second Prophesied Coming of
Christ To the earth with Signs Preceding!:

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not​

give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:​

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth​

mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."​

(Matthew 24:29-30 AV)​

No problem at all here, but why Take The "Catching Up" Out Of The Mystery Program Of God, and then:

try to insert it into Prophesy here, eh?:​

​

"And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather
together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (v 31 AV)

--------

Thus yes, we conclude that we cannot dismiss and disbelieve In The Imminent Catching Up
Of The Body Of Christ To Be Judged At The Bema Seat (1 Corinthians 3:8-15 AV), In Heaven,
where we Will dwell forever and ever!:

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building ​

of God, an house not made with hands, Eternal In the Heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:2 AV)​

​

Amen.

-------------
And, precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

The Bible: The BIG Picture



Precious friends, we all agree that we Surely Desire God's Approval , yes?

​

 

[Sel@h]

@GRACE ambassador

The rapture cannot be imminent because this has not happened yet:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (KJV) 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

@GRACE ambassador

The rapture cannot be imminent because this has not happened yet:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (KJV) 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Thanks precious friend, appreciate your valuable input.

imho, God's Sound Doctrine Cannot Be Established By "using one verse only" ( as Many think? ),
so with These Bible Study Rules, I also studied this out in my 18-month:

God's Great ( Pre-trib ) GRACE Departure! Venture, if you care to take a look ​

-------------
Part (9) God's Removal Of His Body!

Precious friend(s) about midway of 17 parts, for your Careful consideration:

Please let us all prayerfully ask God's Question, Through His One Grace apostle, Paul,

"What Saith The Scripture?":​

”...he who withholdeth/hindereth Until Taken Out of the way.​

And Then shall that Wicked be revealed!...” (2 Thessalonians 2:7b-8a AV)​

First, Carefully Note The 'Timing Words' Of God In This Important Passage! Amen?

Next!:

Many are having Great difficulty interpreting The "falling away ( greek apostasia )"
In verse 3. Some would have us to believe that "He who withholdeth/hindereth" is:

Actually interpreted as "those Great number today who are going into apostasy,

departing 'from the faith.'"​

So we wish to kindly/humbly ask: When The last one has 'fallen away', does that then mean:

"they were Taken Out of the way"? And, only Then will "The Wicked one be revealed"?​

Did they then "take themselves" out of the way? Does that make any sense?
More sensible, if this idea is true, would be:

"They who withholdeth/hindereth" [ Changing Scripture ] Correct?​

So What is "The Departure ( 'Taken Out Of the way' ) Truth" That God Gave Paul in This Passage?

We perceive it is not a Great departure "from the faith," as these propose, because:

A) Did we not Already have that, almost 2000 Years ago?:

"...all they which are in Asia be turned away from me [ Paul ]!..." (2 Timothy 1:15 AV)​

​

In addition, God Revealed To Paul, this Plain And Clear Statement, For "our Last Days!":​

​

"Now The Spirit Speaketh Expressly, that in the latter times Some shall depart​

from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils!"​

(1 Timothy 4:1 AV)​

​

So, may we humbly And kindly ask: Why are many Still looking for:​

​

"a Great Apostasy ("interpretation"? of "falling away")" and for the man of sin, son of Perdition?​

B) Please bear with, for a moment, this Very brief Greek lesson?:

In 1 Timothy 4:1 AV that "departure { greek aphestemi }" is "from the faith!"​

cp Hebrews 3:12 AV: "Departing { "same" greek aphestemi )" Is "From The Living God!!"​

Thus, with a Different Original word, a departure { apostasia } 'from the faith' interpretation ​

would be incorrect, Correct?​

​

[ btw, I am a simpleton, not a language scholar, thus this explanation above will be​

my only brief attempt at such a thing. The rest will just be plain English. Thanks. ]​

to be continued...

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Continued: God's Removal Of His Body { From earth! }

C) Double Confirmation For "The Departure" Is:

What God Revealed To Paul to teach the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians, Was:​

​

"The Departure" in Chapter 4:13-18 AV, Including The Mystery ( Now known ) of ​

our "changing in the twinkling of an eye" in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 AV​

Also, In God's Immediate Context ( is king? ) Here!:​

​

"Now we beseech you, brethren, By The Coming Of our Lord Jesus Christ, And by​

our { Departure? } gathering together Unto Him!..." (2 Thessalonians 2:1 AV), Correct?​

D) Triple Confirmation For The Great Grace 'Departure From the earth!' Is Again Also In

God's Immediate Context Itself:​

​

...he, the righteous 'withholder/restrainer' Is Removed By God "First!"​

(2 Thessalonians 2:6-8a AV)​

And not the Unrighteous apostasizers ' removing themselves,' Correct?​

​

The [ Heavenly ] Gospel Of Grace Is Ended (Romans through Philemon), By God, Making​

Way For His Prophesied [ earthly ] kingdom gospel (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 14:6 AV),​

by Removing all of 'His { Heavenly } ambassadors of Grace', Before:​

​

Declaring Judgment and War on an UNbelieving world! Amen?​

​

The 'man of sin/son of Perdition' Cannot be revealed Until The Church [ he, "the​

one New man" (Ephesians 2:15 AV) ], the "righteous restrainer" is Removed Away​

From the earth! First!! (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 6-8a AV)​

Then begins The Time Of Jacob's Trouble!":​

​

Since God's Grace And God's Judgment/Wrath Are "Mutually Exclusive!!" Amen?​

E) Quadruple Confirmation Is Comparing This One difficult/obscure verse with:

These Twenty Seven [ Not just one, eh? ] Plain And Clear Passages About
The Body Of Christ, Which Christ, from Heaven, Instructed Paul to teach us to be:

"looking, watching, and ( patiently ) waiting for" The Following?:​

​

The Holy One, The Lord Jesus Christ! ​

(2 Thessalonians 2:1; Romans 8:18-19; Romans 8:23; Romans 8:25;​

1 Corinthians 1:7; Ephesians 6:11-19; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 4:1-3;​

1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11; Titus 2:13 AV)​

q: looking for The Wicked one, First? or?:

Looking, watching, and ( patiently ) waiting, For The Lord Jesus Christ! First!!?​

Thus, It Is Very Plain And Clear, According To God's Precious Word Of Truth,
{ Left In God's Context! Amen? }, That!:

The Reliable Scripture Interpreting ( Rule #6 ) Itself, for "The falling away" Is:

"God's Great Grace Departure!" Of The Body Of Christ
{ Removing "he, who hindereth/withholdeth" } Away From the earth!" Correct?

F) The 'Timing' belief matters, Because It Determines how one “Prepares!” Amen?:

So, Which is Better?:​

1) "men" instructing watchmen to look for antichrist, And preparing by Selfishly ​

Hoarding Up seven years of food for famine, to "endure to the end of Great​

Tribulation!," which is contradictory to how other so-called ' prophets'​

prepare, saying 'leave the city/country'.​

​

Thus, All of them, in Confusion "Mixed Up, living By Sight [ signs ]!"?​

Or:

2) Obeying God, Under His Amazing Grace, "...living By Faith, not by sight..." (2Co 5:7 AV),​

Looking, Watching, And Waiting For [ our "Blessed Hope!" ] The Lord Jesus Christ!...​

​

...While loving our neighbor, And Selflessly working to use God's { Provided } money to​

"give to them in need," while performing All 'good works' For God, in Order To Be:​

​

►►► Prepared For Judgment In Heaven! ◄◄◄​

(1 Corinthians 3:8-15 cp "gold, silver, and precious stones" in:​

1 Corinthians 4:12; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12;​

Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 12:20 AV) Amen?​

to be continued...

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Continued: God's Removal of His Body:

G) Finally:

If Any precious reader Still believes one Will See the man of sin,​

son of Perdition First, and enter Into Great Tribulation, "under his {Satan's}​

Governmental reign," Then does one not have The Following Scriptural​

Dilemma? Please Prayerfully/Carefully Consider:​

​

Out-Of-Place Problem, From God And His Word!:​

​

All members of The Body Of Christ Are Instructed, By God, To:​

​

"be subject to governmental authorities, And pray For them!"​

(Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-4 AV).​

​

How does that then work out (Disobedience?), for the Body Of Christ members,​

who "Will Go Into" the Great Tribulation, as the government Will Be Under The ​

Control Of Satan and the Beast! (Revelation 13:4 AV)?​

Conclusion: Only God's [ Pre-trib ] Great Grace Departure For "His Removal Of His Body!"

makes the most sense, Correct?​

​

End of Part (9) he "who withholdeth/hindereth" Until "taken Out!?"
=============

And my complete outline, if you wish to ask about anything further?:

After Many years I finally "took time off" for 18 months, to see If I actually
had The Truth, The Whole [ All The Scriptures ] Truth, And Nothing But
The Truth About God's Imminent "Pre-trib" rapture:

Brief outline (hopefully "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40 AV):

(1) am I using The Right Bible?
(2) am I obeying God's Excellent "study" Rules!?*

(3a) God's WORD Of Truth, Rightly Divided! - Brief Introduction...
(3b) Three "Ages" Rightly Divided! = God's Timelines?
(4) Which "Gospel!" Makes Way For Which "Gospel"?

(5) Great Tribulation? Or tribulations/Great Grace Departure!
(6) Pre-TOJT Grace Departure "Expectations!"?

(7) God's Heavenly UPlook For His Body!?
(8) Watching, Waiting, And Looking for Whom! or, for whom And "signs"?

(9) He "who withholdeth/hindereth" Until "taken Out!?"
(10) Day of CHRIST vs Day Of The LORD vs Day Of God!

(11) Confidence in death/resurrection!, Or, in living/glorification!?
(12) CHRIST Will Return "Without Warning!"?

(13)The Two "Trumps" Of God!, In His "Age Of Grace!!"?
(14) Meeting Him "In The Air!" On The Way To Heaven!! vs U-turn (theology?)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Back To earth?​

​

(15) Preparation For [ Heavenly ] Judgment!?
(16) Post Departure "Deception! Question"?

Conclusion (2 parts):

(Part 17) Conclusion to God's [ Pre-trib ] Great GRACE Departure!
(Mystery resurrection)

All the Colored Parts [ links ] are available for viewing, the rest are in my old files,
awaiting the best 'humble And kind' discussers of this Very Important Doctrine, ok?

End of Outline. Let me know if any of the other parts 1-16 May be of interest to you?...
---------------------------------------------------------------

Precious friend(s), appreciate all your prayerful and Careful attention in this Very Important Matter.

May The Wonderful Head Of The Body, The Glorified Lord Jesus Help us all to:

"Prove All things; hold fast That Which Is Good!" (1 Thessalonians 5:21 AV)​

Amen.

Most Important being God's Grace, Peace, Mercy, and Love! Amen?

Always appreciate kind and humble discussions! Blessings my precious friend(s)!!

 

[JimKnox]

I'm not understanding why Pretribbers are liking this post? This post is implying that since Posttribbers have nothing to gain by being the deceivers, therefore, Posttribbers are not the deceivers Paul warned about in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, for instance. Therefore, if Posttribbers are not the deceivers, then who is? Keeping in mind we only have 2 options here--Posttribbers---Pretribbers.

I don't know why the Pretribber I was quoting brought up 2 Peter 3? I don't see that verse being applicable to Posttribbers nor Pretribbers.

Ha!
Ye who are limited.
There are more than 2 options in Theological Eschatology .