Jul
14
The pretribbers teach that Christians will be judged in heaven during the Tribulation Period. “The believers’ evaluation judgment, called the judgment seat (bema) of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), transpires in heaven after the rapture of the church, during the seven-year Tribulation on earth.” (Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson general editors, Wayne A. Brindle managing editor, The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, article written by Robert Dean Jr., page 339.) But Paul, Peter and John contradict the pretribber’s doctrine by telling us that we will receive our crowns and be judged at the public coming.In 1 Peter 5:4, Peter writes to us, the church: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (NASB). The word “appear” is the Greek word “phaneroo” which means “appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self)” (Strong’s). “Phaneroo” comes from the Greek word “phaneros” which means “publicly, externally, abroad, appear, known, manifest, openly, outwardly” (Strong’s). Words have meanings; God chose this word to show that He is coming back to reward the Christians with a crown of glory at His brightly, shining, glorious, public coming.
In 2 Tim. 4:8, Paul tells Timothy and us, the church: “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day [the Day of the Lord]; and not only me, but also to all who have loved His appearing [epiphaneia]“ (NASB). Epiphaneia means: “a manifestation, i.e. (spec.) the advent of Christ (past or fut.) appearing, brightness.” “Epiphaneia” is related to “epiphaino” which means “to shine upon, (lit.) visible, appear, give light” (Strong’s). Paul is saying we will be judged and will receive our crowns at the time of the epiphaneia which is the public coming.
The pretribbers teach this word represents the public coming also. Tim LaHaye, a pretribber, in an effort to show two comings, writes that there are two comings in Titus 2:13 in one verse.
The blessed hope is a reference to the Rapture of the Church–the cause of great rejoicing by the Church. The Glorious Appearing, however, refers to the public coming of Christ in his majesty and power to rule the earth. They both refer to the Second Coming but to different stages of that coming.” (Tim LaHaye, The Beginning of the End, page 24.)
In Titus 2:13, this is how the pretribbers want us to interpret this verse: “Looking for that blessed hope [secret Rapture], and the glorious appearing [epiphaneia, the public coming] of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (NASB).
According to the pretribbers, the Greek word “epiphaneia” becomes a technical word referring to the public coming. This is a serious mistake the pretribbers make because it contradicts other passages of scripture which then, contradict their doctrine. For instance:
(1) Paul tells Timothy and us, the church to: “…keep the commandment…until the appearing [epiphaneia] of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tim. 6:14; NASB). (2) Jesus slays the antichrist, “…with the brightness [epiphaneia] of His coming [parousia]“ ( 2 Thess. 2:8; KJV). The pretribbers falsely teach the “parousia” is the secret Rapture. This verse proves them wrong.
Another technical word the pretribbers like to use is the Greek word “apokalupsis.” In Luke 17:30, “the Son of man is revealed,” the word “revealed” is the Greek word “apokalupsis” which means: “disclosure: appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation” (Strong’s). Apokalupsis means revelation. It is the title of the Book of Revelation (apokalupsis).
Grant Jeffrey, a pretribulationist, describes the public coming (the Revelation) like this: “The Rapture of the saints will not be a public event. It is for the Church, not the world…In contrast to the private Rapture, the Revelation will be witnessed by the whole world.” (Grant Jeffrey, Apocalypse, page 119.)
Here again the pretribbers make a huge mistake. They contradict their own doctrine because Paul and Peter promised that the church would be caught up at the apokalupsis. Again apokalupsis means revelation, the public coming of Jesus.
(1) In 1 Cor. 1:7, Paul is telling the Corinthians and us, the church “…awaiting eagerly the revelation [apokalupsis] of our Lord Jesus Christ” (NASB). (2) In 1 Peter 1:7, Peter writes to us, the church “that the proof of your faith…may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation [apokalupsis] of Jesus Christ” (NASB). (3) In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter writes to us, the church “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation [apokalupsis] of Jesus Christ” (NASB). (4) In 1 Peter 4:13, Peter writes to us, the church “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation [apokalupsis] of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation” (NASB).
As you can see the pretribbers are wrong in their teaching of the secret Rapture by these verses. John tells us exactly when the saints will be judged, it’s after Armageddon. Revelation 11:18 gives us the sequence of events.
And the nations were enraged [and gathered for battle], and Thy wrath came [battle of Armageddon on the Day of the Lord], and the time came for the dead to be judged [first resurrection], and the time to give their reward to Thy bond-servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear Thy name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroyed the earth. (NASB)
The small and the great include all saints from every age. Jesus said in Rev. 22:12, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to render to every man according to what he has done” (NASB). Every man includes every man in the church because He is bringing rewards for them which Jesus so well points out in verse 16. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches” (NASB).
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.