Common Lies Related to the End-Times
If you are new in studying the End-Times, be braced that the Jesus seen in many End-Time Scriptures is very different from the Jesus that some think of when they picture Him. Jesus is not a heavenly Santa Claus committed to making life easy in this age. He is a zealous Bridegroom King coming to establish His Father’s glory and to vindicate His persecuted Bride. He will dash nations to pieces that refuse His leadership. It is important that we are loyal to what Scripture says and not to our Christian traditions or religious sentiments.
The most controversial stand I take is found in my conviction that the Church will go through the Tribulation. This differs from the popular pre-tribulation rapture view that teaches the Church will be raptured at any minute and will therefore miss the great End-Time revival and crisis. The Bible teaches that the Church will be raptured. The issue is one of timing. The Church will be raptured at the end of the Tribulation rather than at its beginning.
Again, I am not asking that you quickly accept all I say without searching the Bible yourself for divine revelation. If you cannot clearly see in Scripture what I propose, then let’s talk about it. Please understand that I honor the godliness and wisdom of many who hold the pre-tribulation Rapture view, but I see it as a serious mistake that will leave many unprepared and even offended at Jesus in the coming time of worldwide pressure and revival.
So, all that to say, I believe that the following is very small list of:
common lies related to the End-Times and End-Time prophecy:
- A common lie is that End-Time prophecy is not relevant, but is just for the curious. Studying information about the End-Times is one of the keys to preparing the Church to be victorious in the most extreme glory and pressure in history. It provides us with a compass in the storm.
- A common lie is that End-Times prophecy is to be interpreted symbolically instead of taken literally. The events and numbers in Revelation are taken in their plain meaning (literal) unless specifically indicated as symbolic by the Scripture (Rev. 1:20; 5:6; 11:8; 12:1,3,9; 17:7,9).
- A common lie is that End-Time prophecies are impossible to understand except only by scholars. The Scriptures on the End-Times were written to be understood by all. The majority of people throughout history have been uneducated peasants.
- A common lie regarding End-Time prophecy is that the Church in every generation believed they were the final generation. While it is true that small numbers of many generations thought they were at the end, only in the generation of the early apostles was there a universal sense among the majority of God’s people that they would see the return of Jesus.
Next post: How serious is the problem… and what about the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord…
I, too, believe saints of the most High will face the tribulation.
The Seventh Trumpet (1 Thess.4:16-17, which many refer to as “the Rapture”) will occur at the CONCLUSION of the tribulation.
Based on the Scriptures below, I believe that the church (1 Cor.10:32 below - saints of the most High, Dan.7:25 below) will face the tribulation under the beasts of Revelation chapter 13.
The “tribulation” will occur between the Sixth SEAL (Re.6:12-17) and the Seventh TRUMPET (1 Thess.4:16-17)..
1 Cor.10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Matt.24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Dan. 7:21 I beheld, and the same (little) horn (king) MADE WAR WITH THE SAINTS, and prevailed against them (Dan.7:25 below);
Dan.7:25 And he (the little horn/king - Dan.7:8, Dan.7:24) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High (Re.15:3), and think to change times and laws (Re.13:15, Dan.11:31): and they (the saints) shall be given into his hand until A TIME and TIMES and THE DIVIDING OF TIME (3 ½ years/1260 days)
Dan.8:24 And his (the king’s - Dan.8:23, little horn’s - Dan.8:9, Dan.7:24) power shall be mighty, but not by his own power (but Satan’s - Re.13:11-12): and he shall destroy wonderfully (Re.13:15), and shall prosper, and practice, and SHALL DESTROY THE MIGHTY AND THE HOLY PEOPLE (Dan.12:7 below, Col.1:22, Eph.1:4).
Re.12:17 And the DRAGON (Re.12:9, Re.20:2) was wroth with the woman (the church of God - 1 Cor.10:32, Col.1:22, Col.1:24), and WENT TO MAKE WAR WITH THE REMNANT (the rest) OF HER SEED, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Re.13:7 And it was given unto him (the beast of Re. 13:1) TO MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS, AND TO OVERCOME THEM: and (Satanic) power was given him (Re.13:2) over ALL kindreds, and tongues, and nations (Dan.7:23, Re.17:15).
Re.13:15 And he (another beast coming up out of the earth - Re.13:11) had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as WOULD NOT WORSHIP the IMAGE of the beast SHOULD BE KILLED .
Re.16:6 For they (those who had the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image) have shed the blood of SAINTS and PROPHETS, and thou hast given them blood to drink (Re.16:4); for they are worthy. (of this punishment)
Re.17:6 And I saw the woman (that great city Babylon - Re.17:5) drunken with the blood of the SAINTS (Dan.7:21, Re.13:7, Re.13:15, Re.11:7), and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Re.18:24): and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Dan.12:6-7 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the END of these wonders?
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for A TIME, TIMES, AND AN HALF (3 ½ years or 1260 days); and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people (Dan.8:24, Re.11:3, Re.11:7), all these things shall be FINISHED (Re.10:7).
Patricia © - Bible Prophecy on the Web
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982