Davy,
Where did you get the idea that I supported a pre-trib rapture? I don't.
I've read and digested Dave MacPherson's documentation but I'd hardly call it 'scholarly' when he missed the fact that pre-trib rapture was taught way back in the 4th century.
Ephraem (AD 306 – 373) of Nisibis, was made a deacon in the church in Syria in 338 and later became the bishop of Nisibis.
In his work,
On The Last Times 2, he wrote:
We ought to understand thoroughly therefore, my brothers,
what is imminent or overhanging.
Already there have been hunger and plagues, violent movements of nations and signs, which have been predicted by the Lord, they have already been fulfilled (consummated), and there is not other which remains, except the advent of the wicked one in the completion of the Roman kingdom. Why therefore are we occupied with worldly business, and why is our mind held fixed on the lusts of the world or on the anxieties of the ages? Why therefore do we not reject every care of worldly business, and why is our mind held fixed on the lusts of the world or on the anxieties of the ages? Why therefore do we not reject every care of earthly actions and prepare ourselves for the meeting of the Lord Christ, so that he may draw us from the confusion, which overwhelms all the world? Believe you me, dearest brother, because the coming (advent) of the Lord is nigh, believe you me, because the end of the world is at hand, believe me, because it is the very last time.
Or do you not believe unless you see with your eyes? See to it that this sentence be not fulfilled among you of the prophet who declares: “Woe to those who desire to see the day of the Lord!”
For all the saints and elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins. And so, brothers most dear to me, it is the eleventh hour, and the end of the world comes to the harvest, and angels, armed and prepared, hold sickles in their hands, awaiting the empire of the Lord. And we think that the earth exists with blind infidelity, arriving at its downfall early. Commotions are brought forth, wars of diverse peoples and battles and incursions of the barbarians threaten, and our regions shall be desolated, and we neither become very much afraid of the report nor of the appearance, in order that we may at least do penance; because they hurl fear at us, and we do not wish to be changed, although we at least stand in need of penance for our actions!’ (
On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World).
Also, take a read of Cyprian (ca. AD 200-258),
Treatise 7.5,
Shepherd of Hermas,
vision 4, ch 2, and Irenaeus (AD 130-202),
Against Heresies,
5.29.1.
Oz
So, what remains to be seen?? That which is prophesied, and NO, not any "secret rapture".
Rev. 9[
14] Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in
the great river Euphrates.
[15] And the four angels were loosed, which were
prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month,
and a year,
for to slay the third part of men.
> Yes! What you are reading is
a specific date for WW3. When? Only God knows, but it is building, isn't it!
Could the old saints of yesteryear entertain that concept, whereby 1/3 of the world pop.
Could be destroyed IN AN HOUR??
Nope!
A lot of the same ole dysfunctional thoughts of religious men of old, say nothing of
what we are living RIGHT NOW!
Their events were not global, but in these days it will be!
.
That spirit of antichrist, being plural and NOT in "THE" Singular, is manifesting itself through many who "
deny the Father and the Son", through such foul concepts and beliefs of
Evolution Theory and
Engineers from other Galaxies (UFOs), to name a few!
No need to rehash outdated theories of the ole time Saints, who really had NO CLUE of what's going on today.
The Pope as " THE" Antichrist? Ha!!
Does he DENY the Father and the Son?
Nope!
But then again, there will be those who will fabricate mountains out of mole hills!
Jesus wondered: When the son return, shall He find faith on the earth?
It is waning, isn't it!!
.
And let's NOT forget about 2 Thes. 2:3, when faith will go finally out the window! WHEN?
Just before He returns. It will be the catalyst and ONLY cause for His return!
The MoB will see to that! Effectively dividing the sheep from the goats.