Jesus and Paul Warned Us Not To Be Deceived About The Second Coming

Written By: Gail Green



I am not here to defend the pre-trib, post-trib, or pre-wrath rapture. I am only here to defend the word of God. If it is in the Bible it is the word of God and therefore I believe and trust in it. I take it for face value and except it rather I like it or not because I know it is the wisdom of God. Every word, dot, and tittle is there for a reason. If I am studying a verse relative to a particular subject I don’t just read that verse, I read the whole chapter. You cannot jump to the end of a chapter and understand the context of one verse. When you read a regular book do you skip the first part of the chapter? No you don’t, if you did you would miss a lot of the story. All who “defend” the pre-tribulation rapture use verses in the middle or at the end of a chapter to prove their point with the exception of the ridiculous claim that Rev. 4:1 is the rapture. They skip the beginning and make the end out to be what they want it to be.
Many believe that it doesn’t matter which view you take to heart in the controversial debate of the pre-trib, post-trib, etc but contrary to popular belief the Word of God is not open for someone to have their own opinion and it does matter what you believe. 2 Th. 2:10 is a verse that lays slap dab in the middle of a chapter that is used to confirm both the pre-trib and post-trib theory. This verse tells the followers of Christ that they must love the truth or they will parish. There is only one truth as to the timing of the Lords appearance. One of the theories is not the truth and must be excluded as a lie. Jesus and Paul warned us not to be deceived about it.

2 Th. 2:10-11—And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Delusion (Vine’s Dictionary)—is always used in the NT, of mental straying, wrong opinion, error in morals or religion (deceit, error).

In the accounts given in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 after Jesus is asked the questions: when shall these things be, what shall be the sign of thy coming and the end of the world? He began His answers in all three chapters by first saying, “Take heed that ye be not deceived." In Luke 21:8 He gives us a little more detail than He does in the other chapters as to what He means: "for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]";the time draws near: go not therefore after them.” In Matt. 24:6 Jesus tells us the same thing Paul does about fretting His coming, "see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Then he goes on to talk about other things that will come to pass before His appearing just like Paul does.

When Jesus was explaining these things He was talking to Christians (Jew and Gentile) about what would be coming on the earth but in particular he tells those Christians that live in Judea that when they see the abomination of desolation they are to flee to the mountains. He is talking to the Christian Jews: not all Jews. The theory of the pre-trib rapture concedes that the non-Jew Christian will be raptured first and that the Jews as a whole will suffer tribulation but Paul writes in Romans 1:16—For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. A Jew who does not believe in Jesus will not know to flee because they don’t read, believe, or study the New Testament. So the theory that Jesus is talking to the average ordinary everyday “Jew” in Matt. 24 is simply not so. He is talking to all Christians (Jew and Gentile) that live in the last generation: The ones who keep his commandments, and love His Word.

Paul an Apostle and teacher to the Gentiles (1 Ti. 2:7) wrote about the coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto him in 2 Th. 2. In verse three of 2 Th. 2 he also warns the Christians not to be deceived into thinking the coming of the Lord is nigh at hand. He tells us that two things have to happen before that day comes. In the pre-trib theory it is claimed  "that day shall not come" in 2 Th 2  is talking about the antichrist. That is simply not true. If you believe in the pre-trib let me ask you a question. When you read the first few sentences of the news paper don’t you usually get the main idea from the first few sentences. Well when you read the Bible the same thing happens. In 2 Th 2 Paul starts by saying: I beseech you brethren by (in behalf of) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him. There is no way that verse three is talking about anything other than the day the Lord comes.

2 Th. 2:2—Be ye not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled…as that the day of Christ is at hand

2 Th. 2:3—Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Many believe 2 Th. 2:7 is the Church being removed before the Antichrist is revealed but that's not true either. In fact 2 Th. 2:7 is an instance of Paul repeating himself stressing that the people understand that before the Lord comes and gathers us up to Himself  the truth of Jesus is taken out of the way so the apostasy can flourish and then the antichrist will be revealed.   
2 Th. 2:7—For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (withholds) [will let (withhold)], until he be taken out of the way. 2 Th. 2:8—And then shall that Wicked be revealed…

2 Th. 2:3—except there come a falling away first
 
2 Th. 2:8—and then that Wicked be revealed
2 Th. 2:7—until he be taken out of the way
 
2 Th. 2:3—And the son of perdition be revealed





See how these verses fit together and that 2 Th. 2:3 can be finished with 2 Th. 2:8 and 2 Th. 2:7 can be finished with 2 Th. 2:3?  

Now you should be able to see how 2 Th. 2 and Matthew 24 coincide with one another and that Christ is not coming until after the tribulation.

Please always search scripture for yourself. Never take the word of man.
 



This is a must see for all who believe in the Pre-Trib Rapture!

The author of this blog is in no way affiliated with the creator of this video and does not claim any rights to it. All rights belong to those responsible for it availability. Thanks!


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References:

KJV
Vine’s Dictionary

8 comments:

colin said...

Gail,
Did you know that there are certain pre-trib teachers that teach the 'falling away' in 2 Thess 2.3 is the rapture!?
The identity of the restrainer in 2 Thess 2.7 as you know has perplexed many. I believe it alludes to the end of gentile dominion as described in Luke 21.24. All governmental authority has been ordained of God; Romans 13.1-7, 1 Peter 2.13-17. Daniel 4.25 reveals that God will give the kingdom of men to 'whomsoever He will'.
Law is for the Lawless 1 Tim 1.9. This restraining power is going to end.
May God be pleased to bless your efforts.

Gail said...


Hi Colin,

It has took me a while but here I am (-smile!-. I haven't got your email yet but I will.

You said:

“Did you know that there are certain pre-trib teachers that teach the ‘falling away’ in 2 Thess 2:3 is the rapture!?”

Yep, I did. The first time I ever heard that fabulous tale was from Grand Jeffrey. He was one that would run circles to prove a pre-trib rapture. This brings to mind what Jesus said in Matthew 23:24—Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” What I mean is to accept that as valid it is like swallowing a camel. There is no way apostasy means a “catching away” clearly it means a falling away. Again we have a fellow who had taught prophecy for fifty years straight out of the commentaries of other men. It saddens me to no end!

“The identity of the restrainer in 2 Thess 2:7 as you know has perplexed many. I believe it alludes to the end of gentile dominion as described in Luke 21:24.”

I’m sure you expected it and you were right (-smile-!); I have to disagree with love and all due respect. The time of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24) doesn’t end until Jesus comes. Gentiles are the entire human race minus the Jews, so, only at the coming of Christ can the government of the Gentiles end.

Rom 2:9—Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

Rom 2:10—But glory, honor, and peace, to everyman that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.

On the bright side; I do agree that God ordains all governmental authority, and glory be to Him, He has ordained our Savior Jesus Christ to be King over the world in a very short time!

“May God be pleased to bless your efforts.”

Thank you, I pray so!

Many blessings to you Colin! I am so glad to have you around! I hope many people will be blessed by what we discuss!

Gail

Gail said...



I meant to say I haven’t gotten to your email yet to answer it but I will here shortly.

colin said...

Gail,
Yes I see! Gentile dominion can only end at the Lord's coming!
I bought this theory from Hogg & Vine Brethren Scholars I have a book 'The Epistles To The Thessalonians' 1908. They analyse minutely these two Epistles, they were Greek Scholars. But they believed in the pre-trib rapture, which explains it! They didn't believe that the restrainer was the Holy Spirit which set them apart somewhat.
It must be the truth of Jesus?

colin said...

Gail,
I was interrupted by my evening meal, before I sent that last comment.
I cannot believe how I didn't see that!
This is particularly why we must make EVERY effort to be very gracious and long suffering in our endeavours at contending for the truth.
Oft when witnessing, I always say that a correct understanding of eschatology saves no man. The repentant thief on the cross bears testimony to that fact. This IS the sovereignty of God at work.
However, that said, when we come to faith, and are relatively young and healthy, what do we do with the Word of God? Ignore it? Verily I THINK NOT!
One could argue that the repentant thief was most blessed? And indeed he was! I don't know what his eschatological views were? I would imagine he didn't have any?! Election was certainly at work here, he must have heard the fame of the Saviour whilst he was a pillaging and came to his senses when he was on his tree next to the One who was on His tree?
God bless you sister

Gail said...

Colin,

“I cannot believe how I didn't see that!”

“This is particularly why we must make EVERY effort to be very gracious and long suffering in our endeavors at contending for the truth.”

Agreed!

That is why I study the Word myself and then look for validation. I have found that most scholars get their information from other scholars. As in the case of Perry Stone; he is one I heard declare the pre-trib rapture was true and he was sure of it because of the thousands of books in his library. Perhaps this is why the Lord tells us to study His Word for ourselves!

"Oft when witnessing, I always say that a correct understanding of eschatology saves no man."

I agree, the correct understanding of eschatology does not save a person but the study of it is very important! Jesus testimony is the spirit of prophecy (Rev 19:10) and He tells us just how important it is for us to know about it in Rev 1:3—Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear (pay attention to) the words of this prophecy, and keep (observe) those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand; and in Rev 22:7—Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

God bless you brother!

Anonymous said...

Well to be fair to pre tribbers the first 7 english versions of the bible did have the word 'departure' in where we know find 'falling away'. No one knows why it was changed to falling away. As for the rapture non of us know, pre, mid and post tribbers can all use scripture to prove their theory, some post tribbers can out debate some pre tribbers but some pre tribbers can out debate some post tribbers. I'm not sure why post tribbers appear to get so angry with the pre tribbers for daring to believe this doctrine,it appears not to be a doctrine of Christs coming anyway as He doesn't come, He takes.

Gail said...

Hi Anonymous,

Thanks for leaving a comment!

The pre-trib club has so many misconceptions about people who don’t believe in the pre-trib rapture and one of them is the point you make. They think the non pre-tribbers get angry because people believe in the pre-trib. We don’t get mad; we get frustrated because we know that they believe a lie and we want everyone to be saved. The Bible plainly states that to believe a lie is to be damned.

2 Thessalonians 2:12—That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

I’m not sure where you got your info from: “the first 7 English versions of the Bible had the word departure” and it really doesn’t matter because the word departure can also be used in the place of falling away i.e. falling away (apostasy: forsaking or departing from the true God). The true God does not tell us we will be saved from tribulation and contrary to pre-trib belief tribulation is not God’s wrath.

John 16:33—These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Rev 2:7—He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life…

Rev 2:11—He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna…

Five more times Jesus tells the churches of their reward if they overcome. If we are not to endure the things spoken of in the book of Revelation then what is it we are to overcome?

Many blessings,
Gail