Pondered Question 6 - Falling Away FIRST
Dear Pastor, in this Blogsite we examine two things Paul explained, actually re-explained, to the Thessalonians. He wrote, "Remember ye not when I was yet with you, I told you these [2] things" (2Thess.2:5)? Those two things are:
1- Jesus will not come before Antichrist is revealed.
2 - The Church will apostatize and Antichrist will emerge at the same time.
Pastor, it is likely that everyone teaching Pre-Trib has read the following Scripture and had a serious pause and ponder moment. Paul prophesied that Jesus would not "Gather" His people and take them to Heaven until after Antichrist is revealed. In the text, note especially the words "Falling Away": "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, no by word, nor by letter as from us, as that Day of Christ is at hand. 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 [Antichrist]be revealed, the son of perdition" (2Thess.2:1-3)! Can we read this from Paul and still conclude that Jesus is going to gather His people and take them to Heaven before Antichrist is revealed and does his work? How does Pre-Trib deal with this Pondered Question? Some actually claim that the words "Falling Away" mean "Rapturing Away." The original Greek word Paul used for "Falling Away" is translated "Apostasy!" Pastor, let's be totally honest and look at what Paul is saying. Is there any possible way we can read this prophecy from Paul without at least wondering what that forged letter really said?
Forged Letter To The Thessalonians
Someone presented a letter to the Thessalonians claiming it was from Paul. The letter was obviously an attempt to reverse something Paul had explained to them before. The theme in 2 Thessalonians centers upon Christ's return and Antichrist. Paul was annoyed that the fake letter claimed that Jesus was going to return and take His people to Heaven before Antichrist. Again, Pastor, let's be honest and ask ourselves the obvious question. How can our popular Preachers teach a whole belief system claiming it to be Bible truth, even though Paul wrote his entire letter of 2 Thessalonians to refute exactly that Doctrine?
Satan and Antichrist
Satan and his Demons were constantly attempting to overpower Paul and the Apostles as in the Early Church. Let's follow the logic Satan would have for reversing the appearance of Christ and Antichrist. Satan infiltrated the Early Church from the very beginning with fake believers, using these evil persons to do his work. If Satan could inspire an evil agent to lie, saying he had a letter from Paul, and if Satan wanted to prepare the way for Antichrist, what better lie to tell than to claim that Antichrist COULD NOT APPEAR or WORK until AFTER Jesus took His people away to Heaven. If Christians believed this, they'd have no reason to watch for Antichrist, or prepare for his deceptions. Antichrist could set himself up as a Church official, maybe even the head of the Church, and no one would be the wiser. Could anything be more beneficial for Satan and Antichrist? Could anything be more devastating to the Church? For sure that fake letter was Satan's doing! Now if Satan wanted to deceive the early Thessalonian Church by reversing Antichrist's work and Christ's Coming to take His people to Heaven, how about now? Could it be that Satan wants us to believe that Antichrist cannot have any impact on the Church because the Church will be Raptured Away before he is allowed to work? The answer is all too obvious, and we should definitely Ponder this question. Jesus never said the Church will not be here on earth during the Tribulation. Paul didn't either, nor did any Bible Prophet. Conclusion
Pastor, if Paul gave the exact order of events in 2 Thessalonians, has that order really been reversed? Since Pre-Trib has been introduced in early 1800s, it has been the fastest growing movement within Christianity. Let's prayerfully study this subject carefully. If it is true that the Church will deal with Antichrist, we will want to do all within our ability to help the Church become prepared. We'll want to teach the Church everything the Bible says about the Mark of the Beast! We'll want the Church to know when Antichrist is allowed to work! We'll want the Church to know what and when Antichrist's Deadly Wound really occurs! God has promised to send His Spirit to, "guide us into all Truth...and to show us things to come" (Jn.16:13)! Let's pray for this guidance!!
Thank You, Pastor, for your time and interest.
Your Brother in Christ
Walter C. Martin JrFor a more detailed look at this, see "Is there a Pre-Trib Rapture - Does it Matter." Also see "One Left Behind."
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Walter C. Martin Jr. |
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Let's pray that God will continue sending His Holy Spirit to guide as we prepare for Jesus to come. Thank You!
Your Brother in Christ!
Walter C. Martin Jr
Your Brother in Christ!
Walter C. Martin Jr