Are We "Left Behind" In Our Understanding?

ARE WE “LEFT

BEHIND”

IN OUR

UNDERSTANDING?

By Gerry Pratt

ARE WE “LEFT BEHIND” IN OUR UNDERSTANDING?

Copyright 2001

By Gerry Pratt

Are We “Left Behind” In Our Understanding? Published by:

PEPCO PUBLISHING CO

623 W. Illinois

ENID, OK. 73701

All rights reserved. No part of this

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Gerry Pratt

623 W. Illinois

Enid, Ok. 73701

(580) 237-3306

http://homestead.juno.com/bloodboughtchild/Home.html

e-mail - bloodboughtchild@juno.com

3.

ARE WE “LEFT

BEHIND” IN OUR

UNDERSTANDING?

So much is being put out, today, about the second

coming of Christ and the events that will lead up to that

time.

A. A movie now confirms what has been taught,

by many, for many years.

1. The movie is called, “Left Behind”........ an

exciting dramatic portrayal of a popularly

held and widespread doctrine which has

been labeled, “premillenialism”.

a. This movie has had a great impact on

the religious and the non-religious

world, alike.

1.) Just how accurately does this

movie portray events preceding

the second coming of Christ?

Let us address the doctrine that this movie is based upon

and some issues which arise from our study.

4.

I. The second coming of Christ.....how, when, where,

and what will precede it and/or accompany it.

A. The movie “Left Behind” is based upon a fairly

modern concept of “premillenialism”.

1. This doctrine has surfaced within the last

one hundred years and has gained

widespread acceptance in the religious

world.

2. The movie does not attempt to portray the

complete doctrine, but does portray part of

this doctrine....namely, “The Antichrist”,

“The Rapture”.

B. Premillenialism presents a concept which rests

upon several premises and lends itself to a

fairly universal scenario.......do understand,

there are slight “adjustments” made from one

group to another, but the basic scenario is

universal.

1. Christ came to earth, the first time, to set

up a kingdom.

a. Because the Jews rejected Him, Jesus

set up a temporary institution....the

Church...instead.

1.) It is important to note that this

doctrine specifically and

adamantly states that the

Church and the Kingdom....ARE

NOT ONE ANDTHE SAME!

5.

2. Premillenialism also proposes that Christ

will be returning.....VERY SOON....

IMMINENTLY!

a. Those professing this doctrine point to

signs that are mentioned in scripture,

as their proof of this belief.

3. The first major sign of Christ’s coming is

the “rapture”.

a. During the “rapture”, all those who

are righteous will be literally taken up

from the face of the Earth.

1.) The disobedient...the sinful...the

wicked....will be left behind.

4. Next, there will come the “anti-Christ”.

a. This will be a monstrous being which

will have his literal head cut off, but

will have it re-attached and shall exert

power over all the earth.

1.) During his reign there will be an

order put out that every person

will have a mark....666...put on

his/her forehead.

a.) The penalty for not

following this decree, would

be death.

5. This period of time will also be known as

the “great tribulation”.

6.

a. It is at this time that the nation of

Israel will come under great

persecution which will eventually lead

to war.

6. That brings us to “the battle of

Armageddon”.

a. This battle will be fought in the valley

of Megiddo....a very fertile valley in

north western Israel.

1.) All the nations of the world will

either fight against Israel in this

battle, or else they will remain

neutral......nobody will fight on

the side of Israel.

2.) This battle will be fought with

bow and arrow; horses; swords;

and basically all form of ancient

weapons and devices.

3.) In this battle, the blood will flow

so freely, that it shall come up to

the height of the horses’ bridles.

4.) Just as the Jews are about to be

defeated, Jesus Christ comes

riding in on a white charger.

a.) Together with His angels, He

defeats the enemies of Israel.

8. This, then, brings us to the setting up of the

Kingdom which will last for one thousand

years.

7.

a. Christ, of course, is to be the King in

this Kingdom.

b. He will sit on the literal “throne of

David”.

c. The Temple will have been rebuilt and

the throne of David will be placed in

the temple.

9. At the end of this thousand year reign,

there will be a skirmish between Gog and

Magog and Christ. (Gog and Magog are

names for Russia).

a. Christ will win this skirmish

hands-down and with no effort.

10. Then we will have the judgment.

11. Then the Earth will be destroyed.

II. Let us take a look at these doctrines and scenarios in