premillennialism pt. 3: the last days & great tribulation

Premillennialism Pt. 3: The Last Days & Great Tribulation

Text: Mt. 24:34

Defining Premillennialism


“Rapture”: Latin rapere in the Latin Vulgate for the

Greek word harpazo [har-pad'-zo] (G726: “To snatch, or catch away”) in I Thess. 4:17,

which isrendered by the phrase “caught up” in most

English Translations.


Intro

We have looked at how the Scriptures are silent about a

“rapture of the saints” The word is Latin for the Greek word “harpazo” (G726) and is

used to describe something or someone “snatched away, caught up, etc.” (Acts 8:39; I Thess. 4:17)

The passage that is mainly used to both defend and refute it is I Thess. 4:13-18 (Recap on that later)

We have looked at Mt. 24 and seen that Israel is not to

rise again as God’s chosen people Rom. 11:26: “And all Israel shall be saved” refers to the saving

power of the gospel, the same power that saves the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16).

Mt. 24 is cited as referring to Israel as the “budding fig tree,” which is said to have happened on May 14th, 1948, then again later in 1967 when Jerusalem became its capital.

Mt. 21:43: Jesus said their kingdom was removed from them


Intro

Part of understanding the false nature of thePremillennialism doctrine is to see how the Bible

definesthe “last days” and what it does and doesn’t say

about a “Great Tribulation!”

Premillennialists refer to these events as the “last days”

and look to any war/catastrophe to signal the end


The “Last Days”

Premillennialism teaches the “last days” are yet in the

future: Preceded with signs

Wars Earthquakes Tsunamis, etc.


The “Last Days”

Scriptural doctrine on the “last days” started 2,000 years

ago: Joel & Peter – Acts 2:16-21 (Quoting Joel 2:28-32) Paul & John – I Tim. 4:1-2; I Jn. 4:1-6 Heb. 1:1-2

Wars Earthquakes Tsunamis, etc.Acts 2:17 (Joel 2:28-32)

17. 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS…’

I Tim. 4:1 (I Jn. 4:1-6)1. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some

will fall away from the faith... (I Jn. 4:3)

Heb. 1:22. in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…

Church built according toGod’s eternal

purposeEph. 3:9-11

Christ sacrificedFor the Church

Eph. 5:25Live faithfully

II Pet. 3:14-18

Christ returnsDead raised

JudgmentEternity

II Pet. 3:9-13

The “Last Days”

We are living in the “last days” now!


The “last days” will continue till

Christ comes again!


“The Rapture” (Brief Recap)

The rapture speaks of a “secret, quiet” coming of the Lord

in which He will remove His saints from the earth before

the tribulationIt is the doctrine that the church will be

“translated” intoParadise for 7 years while those left behind on

earth willsuffer a “Great Tribulation” for 7 years (Dan. 9:27): J. Dwight Pentecost in his Things To Come, says:

“The present age, in respect to the church, terminates with the translation of the church into the Lord’s presence.”

“The doctrine of translation of the church is one of the major considerations of the Eschatology of the New Testament…(1 Thess. 4:13-18).”


“The Rapture” (Brief Recap)I Thess. 4:13-18 (Acts 1:9, 11)13. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep,

so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him

those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain

until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the

archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the

clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.18. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

“The Rapture” (Brief Recap)


“Rapture”: Latin rapere in the Latin Vulgate for the

Greek word harpazo [har-pad'-zo] (G726: “To snatch, or catch away”) in I Thess. 4:17,

which isrendered by the phrase “caught up” in most

English Translations.

Quiet & Unknown VS. Shout, Voice, Trumpet (I Thess. 4:16)

Separate comings VS. That “day” (I Thess. 5:1-4; II Thess. 1:6-10)

Resurrections 1,007 years apart VS. Same hour (Jn. 5:28-29)

7 years in Paradise VS. Be with the Lord forever (I Thess. 4:17)

The doctrine of “The Rapture” is man-made, not taught by

the apostles or N.T. writers!


The “Great Tribulation” Rev. 7:14 mentions a “Great Tribulation” and Premillennialists teach this refers to Jesus’

teachings in Mt. 24, but nowhere does either text mention 7

years! (Dan. 9:27: 1 week) J. Dwight Pentecost in his Things To Come, quotes from Scofield

(a major proponent of Premillennialism): “Not only is there no syllable of Scripture which affirms that

the church will enter the great tribulation, but neither the Lord nor the epistles so much as mention the great tribulation.”Tribulation for whom? Mt. 24:21

Mt. 24:1-3: Jesus was speaking to His disciples (Mk. 13:3: Peter, Andrew, James & John): Tribulation facing saints – Mt. 24:1, 3, 9 Localized in Judea – Mt. 24:16 (can be escaped from, not

taught by Premillennialists since 7 years globally) Faithful told to flee – Mt. 24:16


The “Great Tribulation” To refute Premillennialism one must properly

understandMt. 24-25: Jesus was answering 2 questions from Peter, Andrew, James, and

John (Mk. 13:3), who said, “Tell us” in Mt. 24:3: 1st Question: “When will these things happen?” Answered in

24:4-35 2nd Question: “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of

the end of the age?” Answered in 24:36-51 Mt. 24:4: Jesus responded, “See to it that no one misleads

you.” Who? Not people hundreds of years later, but the “you”

refers back to the “us”: Peter, Andrew, James, and John! Mt. 24:33: Throughout the chapter Jesus says “you” and

ends with saying, “When you see all these things…” and says, that “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (24:34).

In answering their questions, He said they would see it! Two Events: Destruction of Jerusalem, and Christ’s 2nd

Coming!


The “Great Tribulation” Divided into 2 sections:

The two sections are separated by a time text – Mt. 24:34: Jesus said, “This generation” would see the fulfillment, so everything discussed up to 24:34 would occur within that “generation.” (Not a generation after 1948!) Judgment against the Jews Rome to destroy Jerusalem – Lk. 21:20-24 Temple destroyed That generation will see it come to pass – Mt. 24:34 The Jews lost their nation till 1948 when they came

back as a political entity, not anything like in the 1st century!

Judgment on Jerusalem Judgment at the End of the World

Preceded by signs (24:5-15) No signs of 2nd Coming (24:36-39)

Can be escaped by flight (24:16) Cannot be escaped (24:42; 25:31)

No personal coming of Christ (24:23) Personal coming of Christ (24:44)

Judgment on earth (24:15) Judgment in Heaven (25:31-46)


The “Great Tribulation” “But what about Mt. 24:40-41?” One taken, another left – Consistent with I Thess. 4:16-17 – end of

the age! Faithful & unfaithful separated Faithful taken to meet Christ in the clouds Unfaithful banished to hell! (Mt. 25:41-46)

Tribulation as used in N.T. refers to some calamity, especially persecution In Mt. 24 it refers to the judgment on Jerusalem (Mt. 24:4-

35). In Rev. 7:14 it refers to those saints who lost their lives for

Christ.The doctrine of the “Great Tribulation” is not found

in God’s word!


Conclusion The doctrine of “The Rapture” & the “Great

Tribulation”gives false hope False hope to Israel that they will rise again False hope to unbelievers that they will have a 2nd chance – after

witnessing the rapture!We are living in the “last days” and will continue topreach the gospel till Christ comes again!

Of that day and hour no one knows but God the Father!

(Mt. 24:36; I Thess. 5:2)

Now is the time to hear and obey the gospel to be saved!

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?”

Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17)

Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24)

Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38)Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom.

10:10)Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16)Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10)

For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9),

Pray (Acts 8:22)

premillennialism pt. 3: the last days & great tribulation

Documents

days great tribulationintro

days great tribulationtext

days great tribulation

end premillennialism

paul john i

rapture definition

joel peter acts

latin rapere