Is episunago a rapture term? Get into any discussion about Matt 24:31 with a non-pretribulationist and you're bound to see the Greek term episunago (gather) used. It (and other Greek terms) occurs in almost every statement of beliefs. You'll be directed to 2 Thess 2:1 and referred to Paul's rapture language … [Read more...]
The Rapture of Enoch
The Rapture of Enoch - was Enoch raptured by God? And who cares anyway? The other day I was reading through a commentary on Hebrews by R. Kent Hughes. Enoch is one of the examples of faith modeled in that book and one of the antediluvian patriarchs. While I'm familiar with some of the conjectures surrounding Enoch, … [Read more...]
Heaven and the New Jerusalem
Many people struggle to imagine what Heaven and the New Jerusalem will be like. We are only granted glimpses in Revelation chapter 21. There are varying interpretations of what the Heavenly City will look like. Is it a cube or more like a pyramid? What will the New Jerusalem be like? We'll never know for sure this side … [Read more...]
Reign of the LORD’s Anointed
The Reign of the LORD's Anointed is the sub-title under Psalm 2 in my NASB Bible. It could as easily be titled, "Why do the nations rage?" As we look all around us it's obvious that the nations of the earth are indeed raging against God. We see rebellion in the secular community, and even a rebellious spirit … [Read more...]
Pseudo Ephraem and the Pretrib Rapture
Pseudo Ephraem and the Pretrib Rapture. To P.E. or not to P.E., that is the question! Years ago Grant Jeffrey excitedly announced that he'd found a pre-Darby pretribulational statement in Pseudo Ephraem (P.E.). My eschatological life began as a posttribber. In some ways I'm still wired to be skeptical about … [Read more...]
The Two Witnesses of Revelation
The Two Witnesses of Revelation have been the subject of a lot of prophetic speculation. Who are they, or what are they? When do they appear? Is it during the last three-and-a-half years before Christ returns, or before? And what do they do? Right from the beginning I want to say that I don't have definitive answers … [Read more...]
Revelation 3:10 Rapture Redux
Revelation 3:10 Rapture Redux: It has been around a year since I last touched upon this much contested topic. So here we are again. As far back as I can remember, Revelation 3:10 has been used as one of the supports for the pretrib rapture. Times have changed, apparently. If you're really bored and have nothing … [Read more...]
Antichrist, Nations and God’s Sovereignty
Is there a connection between the Antichrist, nations and God's Sovereignty? Does the future Antichrist appear of his own volition? What about the nations and God's sovereignty? In his seminal book on the rapture Marvin Rosenthal asserted that, "To attribute the emergence of the Antichrist to God is … [Read more...]
A note from Renald Showers
Dr Renald Showers went home to be with the Lord this year (1935-2019). He was involved with the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and the author of many books. In 2015 Dr. Showers sent a note to a friend, who recently passed me the information. I was granted permission to comment. So, here are my thoughts on a note … [Read more...]
Pre-Trib Rapture Defense Offense (Part Three)
This is Part Three of my series: Pre-Trib Rapture Defense Offense. See Part One and Part Two. Pretribulationism is a lie! Last time I talked about bad old John Darby who caused havoc by inventing the pretrib rapture. The goes that Darby influenced Scofield, who wrote a contagious Study Bible. Thus pretrib spread … [Read more...]
