INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this treatise is to examine six false teachings that many fundamental, Bible-believing Christians, believe to be true. These are people who profess to normally use the “literal method of interpretation” when reading or studying the holy Scriptures. An in-depth examination of these false teachings has revealed they are based upon preconceived beliefs caused by: 1. incorrect word meanings. 2. assumption. 3. using Scripture out of context. 4. being ignorant of the “prophetic” significance of "The Seven Holy Feasts of the LORD." 5. “spiritualizing” the Scriptures. Thus, the proponents for these six false teachings, often find it necessary to become illogical, when arguing on their behalf. Confusion has been the end result!

The effect of these six false teachings is that the blessed hope of the “Church” (Ti. 2:13), which is the "Rapture," has become the most controversial and the least appreciated of all the major doctrines taught in the New Testament of the Holy Bible! The reason for this is the inability, by all, to conclude when the “Rapture” will take place in regards to the “seven years of tribulation” or 2520 days that precede the “Second Coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth. This has led to teachings known as a, “pre-trib,” “pre-wrath,” “mid-trib,” and “post-trib” “Rapture.”

THE TEACHINGS & THE REASONS

#1 - The first false teaching arises from the misinterpretation of the word “mystery”:
            The accepted teaching is that the word "mystery," when used in the Holy Bible, means "something never before revealed" or it is a “previously hidden truth now divinely revealed.”

The reason for the first false teaching:
            An English definition for the English word "mystery" is used, by Christians, instead of the Greek definition for the Greek word "musterion" from which “mystery” is translated.

The true teaching:
            The definition for the Greek word "musterion" is, "What is known only to the initiated." [Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company) p. 682 and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, (Royal Publishers, Inc.) p. 769. “Musterion” was a common word used among the many Greek fraternities in ancient Greece!

The reason for the true teaching:
            Most Bible scholars agree that the "Rapture" was clearly taught by the apostle Paul in his two letters to the “Church” in Thessalonica (1 Th. 1:3, 10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:2, 9-11, 23; 2 Th. 2:1, 3, 7; 3:5). Most Bible scholars will also agree that the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonians were written BEFORE he wrote his two letters to the “Church” in Corinth. The apostle Paul used the Greek word "musterion" in his first letter to the “Church” at Corinth before teaching about the "Rapture" to them (1 Cor. 15:51). Thus, since the letter in which the Greek word "musterion" is used was written AFTER Paul’s letters to the church at Thessalonica, the English word "mystery" cannot possibly mean, "something never before revealed" or a “previously hidden truth now divinely revealed.”

            The reason the apostle Paul used the word, "musterion" in his first letter to the “Church” in Corinth is because he, as a member of the “fraternity” of Christ, is now revealing the doctrine of the "Rapture" to both the “fraternity” of Christians in Corinth and to the world at large. It was the same as if a fraternal brother in a Greek fraternity was revealing a secret of his fraternal order to both new members and nonmembers alike. The "mystery" was now to be known by all!

#2 - The second false teaching concerns the Lord Jesus Christ and the “Rapture”:
            The second false teaching is that the "Rapture" was never taught, referred to, alluded to, or ever mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth.

The reason for the second false teaching:
            It is impossible for the Lord Jesus Christ to have said anything about the “Rapture” since the apostle Paul wrote that the “Rapture” was a “mystery” in 1 Corinthians 15:51. This false teaching is based upon the error of using the English definition for the word  “mystery” and not the Greek definition for the word “musterion” from which “mystery” is translated. 

The true teaching:
            The "Rapture" was often taught by the Lord Jesus Christ as the following Scripture references prove, if they are read using the "literal" method of interpretation (Mt. 7:21-23; 24:37-51; Lk. 12:35-40, 42-48; 13:24-27; 17: 26-30, 34-36; 21:34-36; Jn. 4:34-35; 14:1-3). The Lord Jesus Christ also described what it would be like before, during, and after the "Rapture" by way of the “Parable of the Ten Virgins." This parable is about “true” and “professing” Christians who are unaware that the "Rapture" is about to take place (Mt. 25:1-13; 2 Cor. 11:2; 13:5).

The reason for the true teaching:
            The Lord Jesus Christ declared, “But take heed; behold, I have foretold you ALL things" (Mk. 13:23) [caps added for emphasis]. The question that must be honestly answered by those who believe the Lord Jesus Christ never taught about the "Rapture" is, "how could He say that He foretold ALL things without including His return known as the "Rapture?" The apostle Paul knew that the Lord Jesus Christ had taught about the "Rapture," which is why he wrote just prior to telling of it, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord...." (1 Th. 4:15). Thus, the teaching of the “Rapture” was, indeed, taught by the Lord Jesus Christ!

#3 - The third false teaching is about the day of the “Rapture” and the “2nd Advent”:
            This teaching says that no one can know the day of the "Rapture" or the “2nd Advent.”

The reason for the third false teaching:
            What the Lord Jesus said. "But of that day and (Mt. 24:36a; Mk. 13:32a) that (Mk. 13:32b) hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels (Mt. 24:36b; Mk. 13:32c) of heaven (Mt. 24:36c), who are in heaven, neither the Son (Mk. 13:32d), but (Mt. 24:36d; Mk. 13:32e) the Father (Mk. 13:32f), my Father only (Mt. 24:36e). Take heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is” (Mk. 13:33). [This is a composite of Mt. 24:36 and Mk. 13:32-33]. The proponents of this teaching will always quote Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32 and Acts 1:7 to support their position. In addition, they will use 1 Th. 5:2 and ignore 1 Th. 5:1 and 1 Th. 5:4-6.

The true teaching:
            The day of the “Rapture” and the day of the “2nd Advent” will be known. Only someone who gave the day, time and place of their arrival, could expect to be met by those who were given that information. The watchman must know what to watch for!

The reason for the true teaching:
            When the Lord Jesus Christ said, "But of that day and (Mt. 24:36a; Mk. 13:32a) that (Mk. 13:32b) hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels (Mt. 24:36b; Mk. 13:32c) of heaven (Mt. 24:36c), who are in heaven, neither the Son (Mk. 13:32d), but (Mt. 24:36d; Mk. 13:32e) the Father (Mk. 13:32f), my Father only” (Mt. 24:36e), it was true when it was said. His knowledge was dependent upon the Father (Jn. 5:19-20, 30). However, that did not mean that it would remain true at the time when it took place (Mt. 10:24-26). This was His answer to the question, “And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled” (Mk. 13:4b)? What is overlooked, by proponents of the false teaching that no one can know the day when the “Rapture” will take place, is that the father of the “bridegroom” was the one who said when his son was to go and claim his “bride” (Mt. 25:1-13; Jn. 4:34-35; 14:1-3). Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ would not have known the day of the “Rapture” when He was asked this question!

            Questions that need to be answered include, “is anything now unknown to the Lord Jesus Christ who presently sits at the right hand of “God the Father” (Heb. 1:1-3)? Also, “how could the apostle Paul say that the "Rapture" should not overtake us as a thief” (1 Th. 4:13-5:2, 4-5)? The false teaching that one cannot know when the "Rapture" or the “2nd Advent” will take place is contrary with God's practice of "always" telling mankind WHAT He was going to do, WHY He was going to do it, and WHEN He would act. There is not one time where it can be shown, by way of the Holy Bible, where God has ever played the game of "gotcha" with mankind (Isa. 44:6-8; 45:21; 46:9-10; 48:3, 16; Amos 3:7; Mk. 13:23; Rev. 1:19). Thus, God is a date-setter!

            There is another question that must be answered by those who teach the Lord Jesus Christ never taught about, referred to, alluded to, or ever mentioned the teaching known today as the "Rapture." The question being, "How can you quote something the Lord Jesus Christ said, to refute the belief that we can know when the "Rapture" will take place?" Have you forgotten that your stated position on the subject is predicated on your belief that He never taught about the “Rapture” or ever alluded to the subject? The fact of the matter is that the two teachings cancel each other out. Thus, to champion both of these beliefs is illogical and intellectually dishonest!

#4 - The fourth false teaching is that the “Rapture” could take place at any moment:
            This teaching is known as the "Imminency of the Rapture." This means the "Rapture" could take place at any moment, in any day, of any year.

The reason for the fourth false teaching:
            This teaching is based upon the fact that the “Church” at Thessalonica believed the "Imminency of the Rapture" to be true. Since the apostle Paul did not correct this “Church” by telling them that their belief was false, it has been assumed that this belief must be true. Thus, the teaching of the “Imminency of the Rapture” was “revived” by students of “eschatology” and is believed to be true by most today (1 Th. 1:3, 10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:2, 9-11, 23; 2 Th. 3:5).

            A new argument to support this false teaching is that the warnings given by the Lord Jesus Christ to watch for the "Rapture" is further proof that this blessed event could take place at any moment (Mt. 24:42-44, 48-51; Mk. 13:33-37; Lk. 21:34-36). This is but another example of an “assumption” that is being taught as a fact. The context for these warnings is they were given to alert both “Christians” and “non Christians” alike so they might know when the "Rapture" is soon to take place and for them to be alert. It would seem that after 1,900 plus years, people would realize the members of the “Church” at Thessalonica were incorrect in believing this teaching to be true. Unfortunately, this is not so.

The true teaching:
            The "Rapture" can only take place on the “Feast of Trumpets" and on no other day!

The reason for the true teaching:
            The “Feast of Trumpets" was the third and final “harvest” feast of the year for the people of Israel (Lev. 23). This festival was to be observed in the seventh month of the year or four months after the “Feast of Weeks” [Pentecost] (Jn. 4:34-35). The third and final “harvest” of the year was to end the moment the field workers of Israel heard the sound of the “shofar” which was blown by the high priest. The hearing of the “shofar” would cause the field workers to immediately stop their work of harvesting and assemble together to worship the LORD. The “Feast of Trumpets” would then begin to be celebrated! The field workers knew when the “shofar” would sound and that they were not allowed to return to the fields to harvest any crops that remained when this festival ended. Thus, they would work ever harder to insure that as little of the crop as possible would be “left behind” (Ex. 23:16; 34:22; Lev. 23:23-25; Num. 29:1-6).

            There has been a great harvest taking place ever since the "Day of Pentecost" in 30 A.D. It  is  a  harvest  comprised  of  Jewish  and  Gentile  “believers”  (Jn. 10:11-16),  who  have  been redeemed through the hearing of and trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for their “personal” salvation (1 Cor. 15:1-4), by faith alone (Rom 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 1:14). The work of the members of this assembly of “believers,” who are alive on the earth, will cease immediately upon the sound of the “shofar” from heaven when they will be snatched-out of the earth by their great high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. They will then assemble with those of the “Church” who had preceded them in death and worship their “Savior” in the holy Temple in Heaven (Mt. 24:36-42; 25:6-10; Mk. 13:32-37; Lk. 17:26-30, 34-36; Jn. 4:34-35; 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; Col. 3:2, 4; 1 Th. 4:13-5:5; Heb. 3:1; 4:15; 5:5-10; 1 Jn. 2:28; 3:2-3; Rev. 3:3, 10-11; 4:2-3, 6, 10-11; 22:12-13, 20). The faithfulness of Christians who are alive on the earth will become known at the time of the "Rapture" (Mt. 24:45-51; Lk. 12:42-46; 1 Cor. 4:2).

            The reason why the apostle Paul did not correct the “Church” in Thessalonica for having the false belief of the "Imminency of the Rapture" is because he did not know that the “Seven Holy Feasts of the LORD" were “prophetically significant” for Christians during the "Age of Grace," since the Scriptures were not yet complete. Paul only knew in part (1 Cor. 13:12), and did not know that the Lord Jesus Christ would “literally” fulfill each of these seven feast days!

            The English word "feast" is translated from the Hebrew word "moed," meaning: “appointed sign, appointed time, appointed season, place of assembly, set feast.” A synopsis of  how the Lord Jesus Christ has and will fulfill each of these festivals or feast days now follows.

            The Lord Jesus Christ HAS fulfilled: 1. "The Feast of the Passover" with His death. 2. "The Feast of Unleavened Bread" with His burial. 3. "The Feast of First Fruits" with His bodily resurrection from the dead. 4. "The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)" with the birth of the “Church.” This assembly of Jewish and Gentile “believers” is commonly known as the “body” (1 Cor. 12:12-14), the “bride” (Rev. 21:9), and the “Church” of Christ (Heb. 12:23)!

            The Lord Jesus Christ WILL fulfill: 5. "The Feast of Trumpets" [Ingathering] with the "Rapture." 6. "The Feast of a Day of Atonement" with His “Second Coming” to planet Earth. 7. "The Feast of Tabernacles" [Booths] with His 1,000 year reign on earth from Jerusalem.

            The Jewish field workers knew when their high priest was to blow the “shofar” and that it would signal their work of harvesting was over for the year. The same will be true of those Christians who become aware of the many “signs of the times.” The “sign” that will wake up the “sleeping” bride of the Lord Jesus Christ will be the gathering of armies under the leadership of Russia to invade Israel as described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. The troops of this army will come from Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Turkey (Ezek. 38:1-5). It is this event that will wake-up “sleeping” Christians to enable them to know the “Rapture” is about to take place (Mt. 25:1-13).

             Knowing their time of service during the “Church Age” is coming to an end will cause many to share the “Good News of Jesus Christ” with vigor and strive so as not to let anyone be “left behind.”  The doctrine of the “Rapture” of the “Church” has always caused Christians to be zealous in sharing their faith with others. It is the doctrine of the “Rapture” that motivated the “Church” in Thessalonica to evangelize their city, state and country (1 Th. 1:1-10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:18; 5:11, 23; 2 Th. 3:5). The “Church” was never to look forward to the “Second Coming” to earth by the Lord Jesus Christ. It has always been the “Rapture” that the “bride” of Christ was to eagerly anticipate. The “Feast of Trumpets” has been supplanted by the Jewish holiday known as "Rosh HaShanah." Unlike the “Feast of Trumpets” (Lev. 23), there is no authorization from the LORD to be found in the holy Scriptures for “Rosh HaShanah.”

#5 - The fifth false teaching is that “nothing needs to happen” prior to the “Rapture”:
            This teaching is based upon the “Imminency of the Rapture.”

The reason for the fifth false teaching:
            The Thessalonians expected the "Rapture" to take place at any moment. Thus, nothing was necessary to happen prior to it taking place. There is no Scripture to support this teaching!

The true teaching:
According to the apostle Paul, three things must happen prior to the "Rapture."

The reason for the true teaching:
            The apostle Paul wrote, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him” (2 Th. 2:1). The “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him” is the “Rapture.” However, prior to the “Rapture” Paul says, "Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come [the] falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition (2 Th. 2:3). Thus, Paul is saying these two things must take place prior to the “Rapture.”      

            The first thing that must happen according to the apostle Paul, was "the falling away" (2 Th. 2:3a). This prophecy has now been fulfilled with the apostasy of many “church movements” and “professing” Christians from the fundamental, biblical truths of historic Christianity. These “churches” and “professing” Christians do not believe the Holy Bible to be infallible nor interpret its contents “literally.” Thus, they pervert what it says about God, mankind, sin and salvation!

            The second thing that must happen prior to the “Rapture” is, "that man of sin ['the Antichrist'] be revealed" (2 Th. 2:3b). The meaning for the word "revealed" is, "to uncover," or "unveil," or "disclose" from the Greek word, "apokalupto." Thus, to reveal who the Antichrist is before he comes into a position of power (2 Th. 2:8-10) would be simply a fulfillment of Paul’s prophecy. I, personally, have believed the Antichrist to be Mr. Romano Prodi from the day he became the President-designate of the European Commission on March 24, 1999. This influential position allowed Prodi to oversee the currency known as the “Euro” for the European Union. This is a man who has twice been prime minister of Italy and is a renown economics professor.

            The third thing that must happen according to Ezekiel and Paul, is for Israel to have peace and a sense of safety (Ezek. 38:8, 11-12, 14-16; 1 Th. 5:3). This third thing has yet to happen!

#6 - The sixth false teaching concerns the inability to be “saved” after the “Rapture”:
            This teaching says that all who hear of the “Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ” before the “Rapture,” and are “left behind” when it takes place, cannot be “saved” afterward (2 Th. 2:6-12). In other words, they cannot ever become “believers” [Christians] after the “Rapture.” 

The reason for the sixth false teaching:
            A faulty interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 and a disregard for the “grace” of God towards sinful mankind (2 Pet. 3:9). This false teaching could cause “Christians” NOT to share the "Gospel of Christ" for fear the hearing “unbeliever,” who is “left behind,” will be forever lost!

The true teaching:
            The "Age of Grace" which began after the Lord Jesus Christ gave up His spirit while on the cross at Calvary will not end until He physically returns to earth on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12). The “way” of salvation will remain the same for those who are "left behind," as it was for the thief on the cross (Lk. 23:39-43), and for the “Church." That “way” being to simply “believe” [trust] (Jn. 3:14-18; 20:30-31), the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient as “payment in full” for all sin and to justify “believers” before God (Heb. 9:16-28; 10:4, 10, 17)!

The reason for the true teaching:
            The Scriptures tell of seven ministries being performed by “God the Holy Spirit” in the "Age of Grace". They are: 1. regeneration (Jn. 3:3-8; Ti. 3:5). 2. baptizing [identifying] (Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27-28; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:9-12). 3. indwelling (Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20; 1 Jn. 3:23-24; 4:11-16). 4. sealing (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30). 5. filling (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 5:16; Col. 2:6; 1 Th. 5:19). 6. convicting (Jn. 14:26; 16:7-11). 7. restraining (2 Th. 2:7).

            It is ONLY the “restraining” ministry of “God the Holy Spirit” towards sin in the world that will cease with the "Rapture" (2 Th. 2:7). “God the Holy Spirit” will continue to perform His other six ministries until the "Second Coming" to earth by the Lord Jesus Christ. This event will end the "Age of Grace" and begin the 1000 year “Age of Messiah’s Kingdom” (Rev. 20:4-6).

            The number of people who will come to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior” during the seven years or 2520 days that precede His "Second Coming" to earth is so great that the apostle John could not number them (Rev. 7:9-17). These people, who will have been "left behind" after the "Rapture" has taken place, will hear of the "Good News of the Coming Kingdom of Christ" from Enoch and Elijah (Mal. 4:5-6; Rev. 11:3-12), and the 144,000 Jewish evangelists chosen by God (Rev. 7:1-8), and an angel from Heaven (Rev. 14:6-7). The "Rapture" will be the “sign,” that people will be reminded of, to authenticate their message. The world will not be able to explain the “Rapture” in a natural or scientific way and will not be able to forget it took place. This includes the Antichrist (Rev. 13:6). The "Rapture" will truly be the greatest supernatural event, since the “bodily” resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!