Pre-Trib. Or Pre-Wrath? - Study 2

"PRE-TRIB. OR PRE-WRATH?"

Study One

Matt. 24:1-51

INTRODUCTION

In the past few years, there have been many who have taken in hand to write on the

subject of "The Second Coming of Christ." So someone will say, "Why do we need

another book on the subject? I must say that I do not consider myself to be an authority

on the subject, but on the other hand, I believe that I can understand the Word of God as

well as any other. However, that still doesn’t answer the question as to why I am writing

this book? The answer is I have some questions I would like to raise and possibly cause

someone to think about this all important doctrine. Even if they draw a different

conclusion than I, it will still be worthwhile. This is a teaching that will effect the lives of

so many and could very well have a direct effect on you. I am not interested in changing

your mind about anything but it is my prayer that anyone reading these pages will examine them in the light of the Word of God.

The Bible has much to say about the last seven years before the return of Christ to

the earth. This time is called "The time of Jacobs trouble," "The seventieth week", in the

book of Daniel. Jesus told of this time of tribulation in Matthew 24; Mark 13; and Luke

21. The entire book of the Revelation is largely centered on this period of time. Much of

the books of Daniel and Ezekiel are dealing with this last seven years of earth’s history as

we know it. The second coming of Jesus Christ which is the blessed hope of every child

of God is most definitely tied to this seven years. All Bible believing people that I know

anything about believe that Jesus will come again during this time of the history of

mankind. The rapture, the resurrection, and the second coming of Jesus are all tied

together and cannot be separated. None of God’s people differ on the first 2,000 years

since Jesus went back to heaven with the promise, "I will come again and receive you to

myself, that where I am there you may be a/so." It is only this last seven years that we

cannot seem to agree. Baptist don’t argue "If’ Jesus is coming, for we all know He is

coming, we just can’t decide "When". I would add that all this confusion may indeed

have a message in and of itself. Our Lord did say, "No one knows that day or that hour"

and the great truth of the Second coming is not to learn "When" but "BE READY

WHENEVER HE COMES".

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT HERESY!

One of my preacher brother made a statement in a recent message which went

something like this, "We don’t all dot our ’I’ and cross our ’T’ the same way," When we come to our conclusions, or when we examine the Scriptures and discover this view or that one to be contrary to what we believe is proper interpretation, we much be careful

not to brand those with whom we disagree heretics, or their doctrine heresy.

Now, please don’t misunderstand me. When the person and work of Christ are

involved we need to take a ridged stand on truth. I cannot have fellowship with anyone

who denies the deity of the Lord Jesus or who does not believe in the inspiration of

Scripture, etc. What I am saying is there are doctrines that will separate us and that we

should brand those who teach them falsely as heretic but when the person and work of

Christ is not in question there needs to be tolerance and liberty.

All who are true believers, who are indeed, looking for His coming, are members of one

family. Whatever view they hold as to the time and manner of Christ’s coming for His

church in relation to the tribulation, they are earnest Christians, and there ought not to be

division among us. It is regrettable that this has not always been the case but that, on the

contrary, fellowship has been broken between brethren who differ on such matters, and

doors of utterance have been closed to gifted and godly saints because they understand

some of these Scriptures differently from each other. "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." There are far to many things that should join us together to let things like this divide us. Members of the same family should be able to disagree without being

disagreeable.

So, the only thing I could ask of the reader is that they read this prayerfully and with an open mind. If at the end of this study, you say, "I don’t agree with this" – we will still be fellow members of the Family of God.