Many Christians wrongly believe that because they are saved, correct understanding is an automatic process, and that the scriptures can not be difficult to understand. The Bible does tell us that when we are saved, the Holy Spirit will aid our understanding (John 14:26,16:13), but this is not an automatic, nor effortless, nor error-free process (1 John 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15), and it is not guaranteed for everyone (James 3:1, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:28). Often overlooked, the Bible also warns us repeatedly to not be deceived. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 2 Timothy 3:13, Revelation 19:20)
I think one of the biggest reasons people err is because they reason, "I'm saved, I can't be deceived," or "If I was deceived then that would be evidence that I'm not saved, and I KNOW I'm saved so that proves I can't be decived," or "The elect cannot be decieved (Matthew 24:24) and I'm the elect, therefore I cannot be decieved." I think this is nothing more than pride, which is one of the greatest sins of all. They that have not studied well, but have read and thought about things enough to come to conculsions on their own, often refuse to admit they can be wrong. And they that have learned much can become puffed up with knowledge, and prideful, and similarly refuse to admit mistakes.
I hope and pray that I'm not decieved, and that I'm not deceiving you, my readers, in any way. If I am wrong, I hope you will bring it to my attention by sharing with me a scripture or two that you may feel that I have not taken into consideration or that you may think I have forgotten. I'm not asking you to trust me, nor trust my studies, nor trust my logic. I am not appealing to myself as an authority, the Bible is the only authority. I ask that you remain watchful and cautious as you read my commentary. I might be right on 98% of the things I write, but you, as a reader, must remain alert in order for you to keep from being decieved by any of my mistakes, and in part, I rely on email from readers to help me figure out if I'm wrong about anything.
On a related issue, many Christians who teach the pre trib rapture claim that because the rapture is a "mystery", like other mysteries which are revealed in the New Testament by Paul (Ephesians 3:5), then it couldn't have been taught in the Old Testament.
In contrast, I believe the Old Testament does teach about the rapture, but perhaps this doctrine was not yet revealed to man. Just as the death of Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament, and Jesus even spoke to his disciples about his upcoming death, they did not realize it because it was not revealed to them. Thus, a thing can be written in the Bible, even spoken of, and prophesied, but not revealed.
God often goes to great lengths to get our attention, and it seems the purpose of many of God's miracles is to wake us up, to pierce our self-induced slumber and deception. One example of this, might be Balaam and his ass. (Numbers 22:21-34) There certainly was an angel in Balaam's path ready to kill him, and even the animal knew it and even spoke, but the angel was not yet revealed to the man.
I believe the Old Testament does show the pre tribulation rapture. I believe that the scriptures can be hard to understand, containing mysteries and hidden things, that must be searched out, prayed about, understood with a humble mind, showing faith, with the aid of the Holy Spirit.
People will often remark that the Bible cannot be hard to understand because they will quote the "God is not the author of confusion" verse of 1 Corinthians 14:33. People use this verse justify their simplistic reasoning and unlearned understanding, thinking that it must be impossible to understand the scriptures wrongly. They also use this verse to claim that God would not hide things in scripture, which is exactly the opposite of what scripture says repeatedly, as we will see. And they forget there are "doctrines of demons". But let's examine this verse:
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
confusion = 181 akatastasia {ak-at-as-tah-see'-ah}
from 182; TDNT - 3:446,387; n f
AV - confusion 2, tumult 2, commotion 1; 5
1) instability, a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion
As we can see, neither the verse, nor the word, "confusion/akatastasia" has anything to do with promising an automatically correct understanding from scripture. The word has to do with dissentions, disorder, tumult, commotion. And the context is that these this disorder and confusion will happen unless rules for order are followed. The context shows the ways to avoid such confusion; to let the prophets speak and teach in accordance with scripture and in order, one at a time, with time to let another judge and examine another. It also says to avoid "private interpretations", verse 36.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.In fact, the context guarantees that there WILL BE CONFUSION if certain practices are not followed. They are told to make sure that what is said is in accordance with scripture and in harmony with other believers, and that such doctrine is comforting, and peace making.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
In fact, Christians who have not taken time to learn, can easily come to an incorrect understanding from many scriptures:
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.Note the verse in 2 Peter above, it says that there are "some things hard to be understood" in Paul's epistles, which make up the majority of the New Testament.
Not all Christians understand all things, nor are spiritually mature enough to understand all things:
John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.Perhaps it is very possible that God may lead one to believe one doctrine or another; pre trib or post trib rapture, depending on what a person is able to bear.1Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Cor 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.1Cor 14:22 ... prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
God hides knowledge from unbelievers:
1Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:Something to think about: If God had decided to withhold understanding from you or me, would we be able to know it? How can one cut through a deception sent by the Almighty? Obviously, we will need HIS help!
1Cor 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.Isaiah 44:18 They have not known nor understood: for he [God] hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Thess 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Ezek. 14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:1 Kings 22:23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Christ also spoke parables to the multitudes who followed him. And why?
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?And even the Apostles had a difficult time understanding Jesus (or did not understand at all) on many occasions! They did not see the Death of Jesus coming, despite all the plain statements to the fact, because God HID IT FROM THEM.
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.These verses make it clear that God can speak clearly and directly about a matter, like the coming death of Jesus, while the meaning can be hidden completely, hidden even from HIS OWN PEOPLE, for a divine purpose. So, what was this purpose? Why then, did nobody understand, not even the disciples, about the upcoming death of Jesus?Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.Luke 18:33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:But the death of Jesus was certainly a doctrine that can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures, in the teaching of the Passover, and in the Psalms, and in many other places too numerous to mention.
1 Cor 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Thus, accurate understanding is not automatic, nor is it even promised to all Christians nor all followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter how dedicated the followers might be. Perhaps it simply was not yet time for God to reveal something, and so it was not revealed to men or understood by men, even though it was spoken plainly, or contained in scripture!
Do you still think it is unlike God to conceal things from his own?
Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.End Time knowledge was also hid from the Apostles of the early age.2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?Correct understanding is not a guarantee, just because you may be a believer, or even wise and prudent!
Acts 1:7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.1Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Speaking of Moses in Acts 7, who supposed the Isralite elders would understand the prophecy about being delivered out of Egypt after 400 years which was given to Abraham in Genesis 15:13:
Acts 7:25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.Even Daniel did not understand everying he was writing:
Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.Thus, Daniel's words confirm that God may not reveal things to man, but keep them hidden, until the proper time. And it is God's Glory to do this, to conceal prophetic knowledge.
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.The following, Eph 3:5, is oft used to say that the Pre Tribulation Rapture was not spoken of in the Old Testament, but that is not the correct interpretation.
Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,The subject matter of this "mystery previously unrevealed" is not the rapture, but the reality of the Church consisiting of Gentiles, or non-Jews. But even Old Testament law contained rules for how Gentiles could become Jews, and the Book of Ruth is all about this subject. Therefore, the Old Testament DID contain information that forshadowed salvation coming to the Gentiles, even if this truth was unknown to men, or unrevealed to men before Paul. Similarly, the rapture may not have been revealed to men in Old Testament times, but the Hebrew Scriptures certainly contain lots of information about the rapture.
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Just as the many prophesies about the death of Jesus which were contained in the Old Testament, and spoken plainly by Jesus were hidden from the diciples, the many Old Testament prophesies about the pre tribulation rapture have been hidden until today, the end times.
Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.In fact, the words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ prior to when the New Testament was written, testify to the fact that the Old Testament contains information on end time things:
Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.In fact, we are directly told that the many stories of the Old Testament are prophesies for the last days:
Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.1John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Isa 46:8 "Remember this and consider, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
Isa 46:9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, `My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.The Feasts of the Lord are prophesies and shadows about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ:
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:By preaching about the Feasts, I am not saying Christians are under the law, but simply that the law provides a shadow and prophesy of good things to come, the pre tribulation rapture.
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.Yes, prophesies come by shadows, parallels, similitudes, doubles, shadows.
Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.Job 11:6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
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