Rapturists Misunderstand Bible
A Shofar made from an animal horn is the type of trumpet the Bible normally speaks of.
The past week or so, I have been reporting a lot about what many consider to be “Jewish Holy Days”. Many do not seem to understand how God’s Holy Days help explain His plan of salvation.
But additionally, understanding and observing the Holy Days can help prevent certain major prophetic misunderstandings.
Millions of Protestants around the world (and especially within the United States) believe in something called a pre-tribulation rapture. Essentially they believe that before the tribulation, that Jesus will return and remove all the saints from the earth.
Notice what one Protestant scholar, Dr. J.F. Walvoord wrote:
As is brought out in the doctrine of the Rapture (1 Thes. 4:14-17), not only will living Christians be caught up into heaven without dying, but those Christians who have died will be resurrected. Both will receive their bodies which are suited for heaven. As Paul stated, they will be imperishable and never subject to decay. (Walvoord JF. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook: All the prophecies of Scripture contained within one volume. Victor Books, Wheaton (IL), 1990, p. 464)
On page 485 of that same book, Dr. Walvoord shows that (he believes) the tribulation starts after this. And that Jesus’ Second Coming is years later.
And even though he actually quotes ! Corinthians 15:51-53, he does not seem to understand what it says. Notice:
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed– 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
And what did Dr. Walvoord and the other pre-tribulation rapturists not notice?
Well, that this resurrection occurs at THE LAST TRUMPET!
Those of us in the Living Church of God realize that there are many trumpets to be blown. And this is normally mentioned at least as often as every Feast of Trumpets. And while people COULD look into the Bible and determine this on their own (cf. Revelation 8 & 9), many simply do not.
Bizarrely, Dr. Walvood does teach that seven trumpets are blown after his claimed rapture (p. 551) and that Jesus comes at the seventh one (p. 575), yet does not seem to understand that since Jesus comes at the LAST TRUMPET (1 Corinthians 15:52), that it is the seventh and LAST TRUMPET in Revelation 11:15-19.
Thus there is no possible pre-tribulation rapture as he and Dr. Timothy LaHaye (Left Behind series co-author) teach. Actually Dr. LaHaye seems to teach the same as Dr. Walvoord about 1 Thesalonnians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 as well as the seven trumpets of Revelation (LaHaye T., Jenkins J. Are We Living in the End Times? Tyndale House, Wheaton (IL), 1999, pp. 96-97, 186-192).
Yet, one does not need to be a doctor to realize that the LAST TRUMPET comes after the first six. And apparently at least two Protestant doctors are confused–and have misled many.
Some articles of possibly related interest include:
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
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