Paul of Tarsus: Renegade Nazarene

            Paul was once known as Saul, a young militant Pharisee under the command of the high priest Annas to persecute the Nazarenes in Judea. He is apparently converted as written in Acts 9 and becomes a zealous Nazarene preaching the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth. There are numerous speculations that Paul was a renegade Christian who taught contrary to the Law and that of James, the successor of Jesus. The introduction of Gentiles into the Nazarene sect marked the downfall of the movement. The book of Acts seems to be bias in someway towards Paul who constantly declares he is innocent of the charges heaped upon him.

            It is important to understand what Gamaliel said within his council about being easy on the Nazarenes, for there were others like Jesus who stood up to change the corrupt leadership of the Jews and bring them closer to the Torah.  One of which he says, "After this man rose of Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing and drew away much people after him: he also perished and all who obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say to you, refrain from these men, and leave them be: for if it’s the council of men this work is, it will come to naught. But if it’s of God, you can’t overthrow it lest you find yourselves fighting against God". (Acts 5:37-39). The Sanhedrin commanded the Disciples not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus, clearly because it would cause a sense of sedition against Rome.

            Paul comes upon the scene having warrants to search the synagogues in Damascus for zealot Nazarenes. He is converted and brought into the circle of Nazarenes located at Damascus where he with them for an unspecified period of time. Paul teaches in the synagogues where the Nazarenes there, who are, mind you, zealous for the Torah and the uprising against Rome. They are astounded for they say of him, "Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for that purpose, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?" (Acts 9: 21) However Saul became more confident in him and surprised the Jews there. But most of the Jews were not assured of this man and sought to kill him whereby he fled to Jerusalem.      

            At Jerusalem, the disciples, under the authority of James, the brother of Jesus, are wary of Paul. While most of the Nazarenes accept him, the Grecians, who are part of the Nazarene uprising (Acts 6:1) are at odds with Paul and sought to kill him. The other disciples, most likely from Damascus, send Paul to Tarsus, his birth country.  While abroad, the disciple Simon Peter received a vision in which God tells him that Gentiles will receive the Holy Ghost and take part in the Nazarene sect. It was necessary that the Uprising take on outside assistance in their numbers and it was only possible that Gentiles could be permitted amongst them only if they adopted the Hebrew God.

            This is not a foreign concept. The traditional way in which Gentiles could only be in favor with God was to take upon themselves the Noachide Law. This Law was common among the Oral Traditions of the Pharisees and still is in modern day Rabbanite Jewish theology. It is taught that Noah was given these basic guidelines of living by God after the flood. According the Talmud, this Law is binding upon all Gentile nations. It was by these laws that even Abraham and the Hebrews up until the Torah kept.

            Paul returns to Jerusalem to report back to the Elders from his missions abroad, regarding how God had "opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).  Already there were those of the Nazarene sect teaching the Gentiles that they must be circumcised and follow the Torah, otherwise they cannot be saved. These were the Torah-zealots among the Nazarenes who believed that it was imperative that the Gentiles adopt the Torah of God. Paul, with Barnabas says Gentiles do not have to be converted to Judaism. The dispute ends up in front of the Jerusalem Council led by James.

            In the midst of the dispute, Peter arises and says, "Men and brothers, you know that a long time ago God favored us, that the Gentiles, by my mouth, my hear the matter of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows their hearts, gave witness to them, giving them Holy Ghost, even as he did to us. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christi we shall be saved even as they" (Acts 15:7-11).

            Peter was saying that God judges by the heart, as a matter of faith. And while it is upon Israel to keep the Torah of God, the Gentiles are not required to do so, as it was understood according to the Noachide Laws. However, the belief on Jesus' death was the unifying factor of the Gentile and Jewish factions of the Nazarenes. At the time, it is agreed that the doctrines of Trinity and deity of Jesus were not upheld. For, as new revelations regarding the Dead Sea Scrolls have come about, believe in the messiah, or Jesus to be saved was not what we consider it to be now. To believe on him to be saved, was to do what he did which was following the Torah and follow the One Hebrew God. The Gentiles were to believe on Jesus as well, not as the absolution of sin but rather his authority as the messiah, now transferred to James, his brother, who as we shall see, commands the Noachide Laws to be followed by the Gentile Nazarenes.

            As touched on above, the Noachide Laws were seen mandatory now that Gentiles were sought out for conversion to the Nazarene sect. James, brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem Council commands, "that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name (James is quoting Scripture loosely) is called, says the Lord, who does all these things...Therefore my declaration (James speaking for himself)is that we don’t trouble [the gentile Nazarenes]them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but we write unto them, that they abstain from pollution of idols, fornication, things strangled and from blood" (Acts 15:17-20).  These commandments are actually encapsulations of the tradition of the Noachide Laws that are traditionally held as the criteria for a righteous Gentile.

            The seven Noachide Laws were written down, and finalized if you will, in the Talmud in Sanhedrin 56a. They consist of

·                    Abstaining from idolatry [Shown above in James' exhortation]

·                    Blessing the Divine Name of YHVH [Worship of YHVH God]

·                    Prohibition of murder

·                    Prohibition of sexual transgressions [This is also shown in James' exhortation as 'fornication'. Though according to Qumran terminology may be a metaphor for consorting with pagan religion]

·                    Prohibition of thievery

·                    Establishment of righteous gentile court systems

·                    Prohibition of eating a limb torn from a live animal [This includes the 'things strangled' and 'drinking blood' prohibition]

            The Jerusalem Council writes letters to the Gentile Nazarenes abroad saying the commandments from Jewish Nazarenes telling them they must be circumcised and keep the Torah are invalid (Acts 15:24). In good faith, the Jerusalem Council informs the Gentiles abroad that they are sending Paul, Silas, Barnabas and Judas to minister to them.

            Another interesting thing occurs in Acts. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, wants to take with them John Mark, one of the original 12 apostles of Jesus. Paul however refuses to do so and Acts writes, "And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder from one another: and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed. . ." (Acts 15:39-40). Why would Paul refuse to travel with this time-honored disciple of Jesus himself? We don’t know. But we can assume that it has something to do with Paul's motive for teaching a different Gospel than that of Jesus and the Jerusalem Council.

            Paul and company return to Jerusalem for one of the 3 Festivals. Paul has been among the Gentiles and Jewish Nazarenes abroad for many years now.  Paul speaks in front of the Jerusalem Council to James and declares what things in particular God has done among the Gentiles by the hand of his ministry. James praises God but tells Paul something disconcerting.

            Before we get into that we must recall that in Judea, there are numerous Jewish Nazarenes who adhere to the Torah. There are also the countless factions of the Uprising that have come to Jerusalem for Passover. The Uprising was in the spirit of the Maccabees who were determined by any means to rid Judea of Roman occupation and corrupted Sadducee priesthood appointed by Herod. These Nationalists consisted of the Sicari, which were stealth assassination squads. They would rather kill themselves rather then be captured by Rome and reject the Torah (hence Macadam, the Galilee and Massada suicides). To the surprise of most people, all of the Jewish Nazarenes were zealots of this type in one way or another and they were gathered in masses in Jerusalem for Passover.

            As mentioned above, James glorifies God but tells Paul in Acts 21: 22,

            "Do you see brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are zealous for the Torah? They have been informed that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither walk after the customs. What is that all about? The multitude will surely come together for they have heard that you are here".

            This is indeed disturbing news! James is telling Paul that there are Jewish Nazarenes (hence the term 'thousands of Jews which believe') that are zealous for the Torah. The word zealous is a key term that is prevalent in Qumeranian documents as well as the motives for the Maccabees in the Apocrypha and Phineas in the Torah!

            These Nazarenes have heard that Paul has been teaching the Jews not to circumcise and not follow the Torah! James tells Paul that the Jewish Nazarenes will mob sooner or later and go after him! Now mind you that Christians have always taught that these Jews are non-believers and they want to kill Paul. That is NOT true! These are followers of Jesus, Jewish Torah Zealots who have heard Paul teach against the Torah to Jews abroad. They will certainly come to kill him by the judgment of a false prophet as determined in Deuteronomy 13.

            You see, it was permissible to teach the Gentile Nazarenes to not keep the Torah. It was commanded by James that they follow the tradition of the Noachide law. But to teach Jews to forsake the Torah, which is binding on them is heresy!

            James then says to Paul, "Do this what we tell you: We have four men which have a vow on them. Take them and purify yourself with them and be at charges with them that they may shave all their heads, so that all may know that those things, which they heard about you are nothing; and that you yourself also walk orderly and that you keep the Torah" (Acts 21:24).

            James tells Paul to do a very strange thing. He tells him to take part in the purification rites of the Nazirite as outlined in Numbers 6. To understand this, we must look into what the Nazirite vow is all about. A Nazirite abstains from all manner of grape product from wine to fresh grapes. A Nazirite, during the period of his vow shall never cut his hair. Sound familiar already? Samson and Samuel were both life-long Nazirites! James, the Jerusalem leader and many Nazarenes, according to early Church history were Nazirites. The Nazirite is in a super state of holiness, he is also commanded not to come near a dead person or graveyard.

            Now, what purpose does this purpose take a vow for? It could be anything. Why does James tell Paul to take this vow with them? Perhaps James told Paul to swear that he would never teach Jews not to forsake the Torah. Anyhow, James also tells Paul that he is to pay for all of the offerings associated with the completion of the Nazirite vow. This is costly, but it will also show Paul's humility and allegiance to the Torah whereby James said, "so that all may know that those things which they heard about you are nothing and that you yourself also walk orderly and that you keep the Torah".

            The offerings that constitute the completion of the Nazirite vow are:

·                    One unblemished sheep in its first year

·                    One unblemished ram

·                    One unblemished ewe

·                    A basket of unleavened loaves smeared with olive oil

·                    At the entrance to the Temple, the Nazirite will shave his/her head and put it on the fire under the offering

·                    After this, he takes portions of his offerings and performs a wave offering with them

            Now purchasing these items for 5 people is very expensive! Like I said before it is done so that the Council will know that Paul still keeps the Torah. Acts does not say if Paul was troubled with this, rather it shows that he simply obeys James' command

            No sooner than after Passover, zealot Jewish-Nazarenes see Paul in the Temple. These Jews were from Asia and have come to the Festival. Acts says that these Jews once saw Paul with a gentile companion in Greece and recognized him. They assumed that he was bringing Gentiles into the Temple, thereby defiling it. These Jews shout, "Men of Israel help! This is the man that teaches all everywhere against the Torah, and this place; and further brought Greeks into the Temple, and has polluted this Holy Place!" (Acts 21:28).  Now according to the Torah, these men were justified in their concern, although they were wrong about Paul bringing Gentiles into the Temple grounds.

            Acts says that the entire city of Jerusalem was moved. Understand how many zealous Jews there were in Jerusalem during Passover for the entire city to be moved. Mobs came and took Paul and threw him out of the Temple. Acts 21:31 says that "all Jerusalem was in an uproar". In an uproar all because of Paul! The chief guard Lysia amassed troops and dispersed Paul's attackers. Then they arrested Paul and asked of the people who he was. The crowd was so huge that the chief couldn't determine what they were saying, so they took Paul into the fortification.

            Paul asks the Lysia if he speaks Greek, a clever maneuver. Already Paul is using his foreign born priviledges to amass sympathy. He asks to address the mob that has tried to kill him. The chief allows him and Paul begins with the following: "I am truly a Jewish man born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the perfect manner of the Torah of the fathers, and was zealous toward God as you all are today" (Acts 22:3). Paul continues to tell them about his conversion to the Nazarene sect. As he gets toward the part of his speech in which he confesses to the consenting of Stephen's death, the mob of zealots goes furious and demand that Paul be executed (22:20-22). This is evidence that this furious mob is Jewish-Nazarene!

            Paul is taken into the tower and beaten by the Temple guards. Paul pulls out his wild card saying, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? (22:25). The Chief being afraid of this free-born Roman citizen, turns him over to be interrogated by the Sanhedrin. Paul knows the minority of Sadducees to the Pharisees in the Sanhedrin and pleads to the Pharisees, claiming brotherhood in doctrine and faith. The Pharisees find him innocent based on a superficial affirmation of faith and there arose an uproar within the Sanhedrin. Lysia then takes Paul away and puts him in the prison.

            We find that the next day, a mob of Jewish zealots joined up and vowed not to eat or drink till Paul was dead (23:12). Again you will hear the Church expound these Jews as non-Nazarenes, but they are in fact Nazarenes! Out of the blue, Paul's "nephew" warns the Chief to the mob's schemes. This nephew of Paul is never mentioned before neither is it mentioned again. He could have been a gentile or Jewish sympathizer.  With this information, along with Paul's Roman Citizen status, he is allowed to appeal before Rome for his case.

            Note the amount of guards that Lysia sends with Paul, "Make ready 200 soldiers to go to Caesarea and 310 horsemen and 200 spearman at 9 o clock and provide them animals that they may set Paul upon and bring him safe unto Felix the governor" (23:23-24). Now, if you add all of the guards together, you get 710 soldiers guarding Paul on his journey to Felix! 710 for one man! This attests to the amount of zealots there were looking to kill Paul. Lysia also insists that Paul have a cushy ride, so he gives him probably a horse or camel to ride on. Caesarea is a long way from Jerusalem!

            Paul is brought before Governor Festus and the corrupt high priest Ananias brought a "prosecutor" named Tertullus of some type to condemn Paul. Tertullus begins by claiming Paul as, "... a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: who also has gone out to profane the Temple...we would have judged him according to our law" (5-7). Paul says that no one can prove the claims against him. He defends himself again, as if talking to the Pharisees that he believes in the Torah and the Prophets and the one God of Israel. Paul lies saying he was alone in the Temple during the purification (23:18). This entire statement tells us a number of things: Paul indeed was among the Nazarene Torah zealot group, his conversion and departure from the former high priest’s command made it so. However, why wasn’t he ever punished by the High Priest for doing so until now? Paul was indeed a ringleader of the Nazarenes. This one claim by Tertullus about causing sedition against Rome with the Jews around the world is true. For Paul, with his citizenship, Torah knowledge and knowledge of Hellenistic language and culture, was more than adequate enough to recruit both Jews and Gentiles to the Nazarene sect and for the greater uprising against Rome and the corrupt government/priesthood in Judea. However, Paul denies all of it.

            Felix however, keeps Paul in prison for 2 years, looking to please his Jewish subjects. When brought before the next governor Festus, the high priest and the Jews condemn him for the same crimes. Paul defends himself saying, "Neither against the Torah of the Jews, neither against the Temple, nor yet against Cesar have I offended anything at all" (25:8). With Paul pleading with Pharisees and claiming his authenticity as a loyal citizen of Rome, both of which are against the zealot principles followed by the Nazarenes, he apparently confesses to sever ALL of his ties with the Jesus-oriented group. Paul does what is unthinkable of a zealot and plays on his Roman ties and requests an appeal before Cesar himself.  Festus approves of his request.

            Paul is then sent to be tried before Agrippa, the last Jewish king. Here, he tells about his conversion story all over again. After hearing this lengthy and intense tale, Agrippa says to Paul, "Paul, you are beside yourself and too much learning makes you mad!" (26:23). Agrippa nearly being converted by Paul's words, also finds him innocent and determines that Paul be sent to Rome to appeal to Cesar.

            Paul makes his way to Rome after numerous trials and once he is apprehended by Rome, the chief of the Jews of Rome tells him, quite remarkably, “We neither received letters out of Judea concerning you, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm about you. But we desire to here of you what you think concerning this sect, that we know is spoken of against everywhere" (28:21-22). Thus Paul is miraculously saved from all charges that were brought on him by the high priest. Paul has escaped the zealot Nazarenes and even avoided a trial under Cesar. Paul is actually admonished to teach the Jews there about the Nazarene sect!

            This entire introductory chapter is meant to show you some of Paul's life. He was a Roman Jew. He played on both his Pharisaical ties and Roman citizenship when it was necessary for his life. As a persecutor turned convert to the Nazarene sect, there is no doubt that the main corpus of the Jewish Nazarenes watched him closely and did not trust him. Paul first admonished the Jews to keep the Torah and the Gentiles to keep the Noachide laws. Then all the sudden, he is accused of telling the Jews abroad to forsake the Torah. From that point on, he his hunted, beaten and sought to be murdered by zealous Jews which could only be those of the Nazarene sect.

            Paul uses his Roman citizenry and Pharisaical ties to escape the clutches of both the Sanhedrin and the land of Judea where he is sought by both the Jewish Nazarenes for heresy and the Roman-loving priesthood and Sanhedrin for sedition and rebellion.  The sect of the Nazarenes and its famous nationalist uprising counterpart are known throughout the empire.

            The book of Acts pointedly favors Paul above all odds and seems to be biased in his favor. It encompasses most of his missionary history. The epistles of Paul were written in between his travels and trials. Was Paul guilty of teaching people to forsake the Torah? It is one thing to tell the Gentiles that they aren’t required to keep Torah, but to tell them it is a curse and profits no one, not even the Jews is blasphemy. Paul denied these charges before James and took a vow not to do so. However Paul's epistles tell us differently. Were these anti-Torah epistles written before his trials before James and Felix? Or were they written after in Rome where, once he was free from Judea, he could write all he wanted about his new theology of anti-Torah. And how do we know that the dates which suggest authorship are accurate?

            It is even quite possible that Paul did write these things anti-Torah theologies and, hesitantly took the Nazirite vow to appease James while he was in Jerusalem. Strangely, Paul stresses his Pharisee roots and Roman citizenry before his captors. Paul may have gone on his own theological twist of Jesus' teachings, considering himself to be a Pharisee and Roman being smarter and more sophisticated than the Apostles and Elders. Maybe he was a Roman plant put into the Nazarene sect, which would explain the deviation of Jesus-Christian teachings and his ease of escape from Judea. All of these actions by this man resulted in the further dichotomy between the Jewish and Gentile Nazarenes, now called Christians.

            With the firm doctrine of the Torah suppressed by Paul in his teachings, like we shall see, and the allowance of further Roman and Greek thought entering the religion, the Gentile Christians became an overpowering majority over the Jewish-Christians. Gentile influences within the sect included with pagan notions and beliefs. Dichotomy continued and there appeared numerous Christian sects with differing beliefs about Jesus.

            Eventually the gentile Christian beliefs took greater root and though everyone did not agree on every doctrine, the seeds of consolidation were in the ground. Constantine converted Rome to Christianity and forming the Council of Nicea to condense all of the scattered beliefs into authoritative doctrine. Here also was the New Testament canonized. All of those who did not follow the Catholic doctrines were persecuted and killed. This included the minority of Jewish-Christians who adhered to the Torah. With a gentile-Christian consensus formed, all other Christian sects were considered heresy, such as the Ebionites and Nazarenes, which were synonyms for the original Nazarene sect formed by Jesus and James.

            Effectively, the spiritual revolution sought by John, Jesus and James were destroyed along with the militant nationalist uprising against Rome in the second century A.D. Remember Gamaliel's advice?  Though Nazarene ambitions were honorable, the movement came to naught, inadvertently creating a new, anti-Torah religion. If Christians were careful to look into history and not only in their own writings, they would see the disturbing division between Jesus and Paul's teachings. They would understand the Nazarene movement has come to naught and that Jesus did die in vain, having failed to reconcile all of Israel back to YHVH.

Rethinking the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

Section One- Introduction

I’ve been studying the rapture for years now and after having studied, I've came to the conclusion, like maybe some of you, that what we are being taught is wrong. What is wrong? The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is wrong. I think it’s a bunch of hype to evangelize the masses into Christianity.

            There are many dangers that come along with this doctrine:

            1) Those who convert to Christianity on an emotional level and not on a truly                   repententant level can believe that they will be just swept away on having believing.      Conversion is not emotional it is spiritual.

            2) Those lukewarm Christians that think grace grace grace is all they need believe they too will be swept away without having to really commit themselves to the        Lord.

            3) The third and most dangerous is: WHAT IF THERE IS NO PRE-TRIB          RAPTURE???

            Yeah, could you imagine all those who believed this, all those who were sucked into Tim La Haye's "Left Behind" Series, all those who put their trust in a doctrine and not the Son of God Jesus? What would happen?

            I believe a mass apostasy would take place in the hearts of non-committed believers. These would include those who professed Jesus but those whom Jesus never knew.

            And therefore, that may be my point. They didn't believe on him, they didn't believe on what He said. They believed on what their pastor or some author wrote.

Section Two-Seven Years of Tribulation?

            The Rapture is a Christian doctrine. However the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is not. The history of the pre-trib goes all the way back into Catholicism. Ecumenical "movers and shakers" like Tim La Hayes and Jack Van Impe like to remind us of this. It is as we are supposed to owe our going up to the Vatican. Authors have written and expounded many thick books and sermons on why the pre-trib is doctrine. And most of it, I’m afraid to say is based on postulation, not on scripture.

            What I want to do is go with you on why I believe the pre-trib to be heresy. And I want to show you why "post- trib" rapture is the most verifiable.

            First, a massive mistake that would make your English 1A teachers cringe is that "pop-culture theologians" have called the Anti-Christ the one who shall cause the sacrifices and oblations to cease. Within the context of the text, the one who causes the sacrifices to cease can only be the Messiah-- Jesus.

            Daniel 9:26-27 AV: "After threescore two weeks shall messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

            Please note that there are only two references to people here. The first reference is the "messiah", who is being spoken of in the third person singular. Then the "people of the prince to come" is spoken of in the third person plural. When we get to "he shall confirm the covenant", who is the angel talking about???? Well, the only "he" (third person singular) that is referred to with the context of the passage is the messiah!

            Note the error that many make on this: They say that "he" is the anti-Christ, because the angel says the "people of the prince who shall come". Pardon me, but the SUBJECT of 'the people of the prince who shall come' IS NOT the prince but the PEOPLE!!!

            Sorry to have to do that to you after high school and college.

            PLEASE note there is no use of the word TRIBUALTION here!!! This part of Daniel is what is known as the 70th Week of Daniel, not tribulation. For the purposes of this paper, I will refer to what is known to most as “the tribulation” as the “70^th Week of Daniel” (SWOD).

            So what does this mean? It means that Jesus caused the sacrifices to cease after his death! Officially, the sacrifices were over and not necessary, correct?? "Okay", you ask, "So the first half of the 70th week of Daniel was Jesus' three and a half year ministry. And he died in the middle, being crucified, so what about the last three and a half years?"

            Well here's the point I’m trying to get to you to chew on. There IS NO SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION. But I believe the final THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF THE LAST WEEK OF DANIEL IS WHAT IS CONSIDERED THE TRIBUALTION.

            You say, "Justin, you’re a nut case." I say, “Let’s get nuts!”

            Let’s go to Daniel chapter twelve. Here, the angel is done with telling Daniel all the mysterious end times’ prophecies. But poor Danny is still confused. The angel tells Daniel to close up the scroll. Then sometime important comes our way. Daniel records this:

            "Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 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 his right hand and his left hand and sware by Him who liveth forever and ever that,

            "It shall be for a time, times and an half and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these shall be finished."

            How fascinating!! Here we see a reference to three and a half years!!            

            Here’s what I propose to you so far:

             1) There shall only be a 3.5 year time of great persecution and trouble.

             2) Jesus fulfilled the first half, leaving the last half for a latter time                                       (possibly very soon)

             3) The gathering together of the saints will take place moments before                                           the end of the 'tribulation in those days

Section Three-3.5 Year Evidence in Revelation

            Let me ask you a question, why are there no references AT ALL in the new testament regarding a seven year tribulation? It is VERY INTERESTING that in the book of Revelation, the only time frame ever mentioned is THREE YEARS!!!!!

            Here are the texts:

            Revelation 11:2b: “…for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city they shall tread under foot forty and two months.”  42 months is three and a half years!!

            Revelation 11:3: “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.”  1230 is three and a half years!

            Revelation 12:6: “And the woman fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days” Three and a half years!

            Revelation 12:14 emphasizes this again: “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place where she is nourished for a time, and times and half a time…” That’s the same language used in Daniel 12! It means three and a half years. Are you getting the picture???

            One more, very important, Revelation 13:5: “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” Again, THREE AND A HALF YEARS! Are you questioning the evangelists yet?

Section Four- When In Rome

            A special note on the book of Revelation: there are a couple cases in which prophecies appear to repeat themselves.

            It is obvious, though obscured by the Roman Catholic Church and even some Protestant churches that the Pope was a picture of the great beast in the book of Daniel and Revelation. However much hasn’t been fulfilled which leaves us to believe there will be a future fulfillment.

            Without getting off the subject too far and I want you to keep this in mind: the Roman Empire was the last empire foreseen by Daniel and John the Revelator. And although there was a past fulfillment and more than likely a future fulfillment of these prophecies, we must remember that Rome has never died.

            Rome has existed as the Roman Catholic Church. The title of Pontifax Mamximus of which was one title given to the Caesars, was given to the Popes.

            Remember that the Pope made the Roman Empire into the Holy Roman Empire and thus created the first theocratic empire. Using the religion of Catholicism as an excuse to wage war, the Pope succeeded in nearly bringing the world to its knees.

            When Rome fell into ten nations as predicted in the writings of Daniel, the Pope lost much worldly influence but nevertheless continued in the struggle to dominate the world.

            And very much so today, Rome manipulates more than what we know. Using its “warrior-priests” known as the Jesuits and other global organizations, the beast intends to make a comeback.

            It was during the great persecutions of the Christians in the Roman Empire during the early 1rst century did John record the book of Revelation. Clearly, he knew that Rome was what Daniel was speaking about as the great terrible beast. Jesus appeared to John to give him a look farther into the future; even further than Daniel.

            As an interesting side note, even the Jews of today knew that Rome was the last empire seen by Daniel. This must mean both of our religions know that the end days are closer than we think.

Section Five-Revelation In Detail

            Let’s go now and examine this three and a half year period that is shown in the book of Revelation. Remember, there is no mention of any seven years here; that is more than likely a heresy created by the Vatican to disguise the true nature of the man of sin.

            Referring to Revelation 11, we read that John is told to measure the temple of God. This must me the actual temple in Jerusalem. He is told to not measure the outer court for it is occupied by the Gentiles. Any reference in Jewish history about Gentiles occupying any part of Israel or the Temple means occupation. Occupation I mean as of military occupation.

            The angel says these Gentiles shall take over the outer court of the temple and they shall occupy Jerusalem for 3.5 years.

            During this occupation, God shall send his two witnesses to prophesy within Jerusalem for the 3.5 years.  These two witnesses will more than likely be prophesying to the occupying Gentiles in Jerusalem as they also send plagues upon the earth and shut the heavens like Elijah.

            After their 3.5 year tour of duty, the beast which ascends from the bottomless pit shall kill them. But the witnesses will return to life after 3.5 days and will ascend into heaven.

            Now referring to Revelation 12, we see a wondrous vision of the Jewish people and of Satan, the Dragon.

            The vision tells how Satan tried to destroy Jesus as soon as he was born referring to Herod’s attempted murder of him.

            It then says how the Jews would flee into the wilderness for 3.5 years to be protected by God.

            Starting in verse 7, we see a celestial war between Michael the archangel and the heavenly legions versus Satan and his fallen angels. I want to make a point here that many theologians say this is about Satan’s fall from heaven way back before the world was created.

            I believe this to be incorrect because of the context of the rest of the chapter. Revelation chapter twelve is very chronological and gives us a clear presentation of struggles in the heavenly realm.

            Verse 9 says that Satan with his angels was cast out of heaven onto the planet called earth. Following this, a loud voice in heaven says, “Now is come salvation, and strength and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice ye heavens…”

            How can casting out of heaven have taken place already? Since when did salvation and the kingdom of God happen before the creation? Since when has Satan before his expelling from heaven accuse the Christians were not even yet born? And how could the Christians have overcome by Christ’s blood when humans weren’t even created?

            In the book of Job, it is clearly seen that Satan has access to God’s throne and earth to accuse the righteous. God is using Satan to test us for our love of Him. But here in Revelation, near the time of the end, Satan’s accusations have no longer any place in heaven. He is kicked out, he no more right to accuse the righteous.

            How do you think that makes Satan feel? Verse 13 tells us: “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

            Verse 13 continues the narration, “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time from the face of the serpent.”

            When Satan sees he is cast down unto the earth, he knows how much time he has left, and it isn’t very long. Who does he attack first to get back at God; the Jewish people of course. Before he can touch them God saves them and keeps the safe for 3.5 years.

            By now we can see a time line forming. Just prior to the beginning of the last half of the SWOD, Satan is cast out of heaven and attacks the Jewish people. But the Jews are kept safe for 3.5. This must also be the point where Gentile are occupying Jerusalem and the two witnesses appear. These references to the 3.5 years and the occurrences must happen at the same time.

            Since Satan can’t destroy the Jews, verse 17 of chapter 12 states: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

            Satan is unable to touch the precious Jews so he goes after the Christian to destroy them. This also marks the beginning of persecution, otherwise tribulation upon the Christians.

            Chapter 13 of Revelation deals with the rise of the Anti-Christ. We see a beast which has elements of the four beasts of Daniel’s vision—a global governance.

            One of the beast’s head were wounded but has been healed and all the people worshipped the beast. Please note the beast is the government and not a man.

            In verse 5, we see that a mouth is given to the wounded head of the beast: “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”

            John first shows us distinction between the beast-government and then the anti-Christ who is here called a “mouth”. Then, for the rest of Revelation, the two are used homogenously. We see that a “mouth” is given unto the beast to speak blasphemy against God and to the saints in heaven (verses 6-8) and to blasphemy his name and to make war against the saints and to overcome them. All the people of the earth shall worship the “mouth”. The mouth is allowed this for 3.5 years.

            This mouth is the anti-Christ, the man of sin, the son of perdition. He is revealed in the beginning of the last half of the 70^th week of Daniel. Note my proposed time line so far:

1)      Just prior to the beginning of the last half of SWOD Satan is cast out of heaven. He is angry, knowing he has a short time left. He comes down to reveal the man of sin: the mouth of the beast, the Anti-Christ.

2)      In the form of a Gentile military power, Satan as the Anti-Christ, comes against the Jewish people in the beginning of the 3.5 years. Thus, we have the Jews fleeing into the wilderness for 3.5 years and the gentiles occupy Jerusalem and the outer court of the temple. (Chapter 12)

3)      During this occupation the two witnesses prophesy for the 3.5 years also. (Chapter 12).

            In conclude this section; I want to point out that there are only references to 3.5 years in Revelation because that is how long the specified tribulation will be. Theologians who preach the seven year tribulation say that the first 3.5 years are called mere tribulation while the last 3.5 are called “great tribulation”. Again there is no evidence for this.

            Can you imagine lukewarm or cold Christians who find themselves in the midst of the tribulation when they were taught that they were to be taken up before all of this would happen?

            What makes us think that us as Christians would not suffer persecution? Paul said that all those who live godly in Christ would suffer persecution. Why aren’t we suffering? Are we not living godly enough in Christ?

            What also would make us think that Christians would not have to go through the fires of tribulation? Didn’t we go through that with Rome and what about the Christians in Moslem and Communist countries? Are they not more righteous for being martyrs? Are they living more righteous than us? I believe so.

            Theologians like to quote Paul saying that there is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Do you call persecution condemnation? Do you call trial and tribulation condemnation? Is God sadistic? Do you even know what condemnation means? It means that us as Christians are not condemned to eternal damnation. It never means that we wouldn’t suffer persecution or tribulation. Ask John Fox or Antipas!

            Persecution and tribulation is like gold being tended in the fire. The fire purges the dirt and impurities. Likewise, persecution purges the worldly tendencies out of the Christian. Persecution refines us and makes us stronger and more pure before God. It tests our faith and our testimony of Jesus Christ.

            Would Christ pluck up lukewarm, spiritually dead Christians to take them away from persecution when they would deny him at the first chance to save their own skin?

            You tell me. Look at history. Are we any better than the church at Smyrna? Are we better than the Apostles who suffered terrible torture for Jesus’ Gospel? No! We deserve the same tribulation and persecution if we are living righteously in Christ Jesus.

Section Six-Raptured

            First Thessalonians 4:14: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them that are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend form heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

            First Corinthians 15:52: “In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

            These two passages are from Paul’s writing regarding resurrection and the rapture. He says at the sound of the last trumpet and the voice of the archangel the dead shall be raised and the living shall be transformed into immortal bodied. We shall all then be gathered together in the sky and then be together with Lord Jesus Christ.  As an interesting note, understand that the rapture itself doesn’t take place in the “twinkling of an eye”, the transformation of the living and the resurrection of the dead is what takes place in the twinkling of an eye. Jesus’ own words prove this, but we shall see that later.

            I guess what I’m trying to say is a person wont just disappear into thin air.

            Now comes the greatest of all theological passages in the New Testament: Second Thessalonians chapter two. For the purposes of this paper, I will divide the chapter into sections so I can point out important things.

            Verses 1-2: “Now we beseech you brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him that ye be not soon shaken in mind nor be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by a letter from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”

            Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that the return of Jesus and the gathering together (which is the Rapture) wasn’t going to happen very soon. This also proves that Christ’s return for us and the rapture is one event. There aren’t TWO resurrections of the righteous! Revelation 20 proves this.

            Verses 3-4: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away at first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

            What “day” is Paul referring to? He just told us that the “day” is the coming of our Lord Jesus and our gathering together unto him. So the Day will not until:

1)      There comes a falling away. It is he apostosia in Greek. This is a specific event. He is a definite article. It literally means “the falling away”.

2)      The man of sin is revealed, who is also called the son of perdition. He will oppose and exalt himself above everything that has to do with God and with the worship of God. He will do this so well that he will be as God sitting in the temple of God showing himself to be God.

            I would like to make a note of this particular verse in accordance to what we have seen so far. The man of sin is understood by most to be the Anti-Christ. But also to the Christians during the Dark Ages, the man of sin was the Pope.

            Remember history? The Pope is considered to be God on earth. The Vatican was also considered the temple of God to the Roman Empire. But could this prophecy have a future fulfillment? It could.

            Many believe the Anti-Christ will sit in the rebuilt Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. However the Jews understand that the Temple will be built upon the advent of the Messiah and not before his arrival. The Temple will be constructed after the War of Gog and Magog, which the Messiah will come to stop.

            Within the context of the verse, an apostasy will come first. Perhaps the Man of Sin will come out of an apostate Christian religion; much like the Pope did from Catholicism. We know that the Man of Sin will originate from the Roman Empire. But only the future will show us for sure what will occur.

            The most important thing we must understand from this verse is that the Rapture, which is synonymous with Jesus’ return, will not happen until there is a falling away and the man of sin reveals himself.

            What does that tell you? When is the anti-Christ revealed in Revelation? He comes on the scene after Satan is cast out of heaven (chapter 12). How long do the gentiles tread on Jerusalem? How long is Israel kept safe in the wilderness? 3.5 years, correct? How long is the Mouth in Revelation 13 allowed to blasphemy God and persecute the saints? For 3.5 years.

            Even the same words are used to describe the man of sin as John does in Revelation chapter 13. They both blasphemy God and exalt themselves above God. They must be the same. That being said, the gathering together (rapture) can only take place after the Anti-Christ comes on the scene.

            Does that mean we will be taken out right after the last half of the SWOD occurs? No! Remember there is only one resurrection of the righteous. And further more, how can we be taken out during that time when Revelation chapter 12 and 13 state that Satan and the Mouth will persecute and overcome the Saints? FURTHERMORE, how can Paul say that we who are alive and remain at the time of Christ’s return will be taken up after the resurrection of the dead? We are going to be here! Time to act!

            Don’t believe that the Man of Sin is the Anti-Christ if Revelation 13?

            Verses 7-8: “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let until he is taken out of the way and then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming…”

            Theologians say the restrainer is the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t make sense though, that they say the Holy Spirit will be removed at the time of the man of sin’s revelation   but enough of Him will be here for the rest of those not taken up in the rapture.

            The restrainer can only be Jesus Christ. He will remove himself from blocking Satan’s final attempt to take over humanity.

            The Man of Sin is the Anti-Christ at the end of days. In Revelation 19, it says Christ returns and shall slay the Beast and the False Prophet with the Sword of His mouth. The Man of Sin is the anti-Christ, he is the mouth, and he is the beast. And the Church won’t leave this planet till after the 3.5 years.

Section Seven-What does Jesus Say?

            If we could put prophesy into perspective, into a nutshell, more specifically, we would ask ourselves, “What does Jesus have to say about it?”

            While we may search Revelation and the writings of Paul with the best intentions, it seems that most theologians overlook what Jesus himself says. And they do so because Jesus’ own words are against the pre-tribulation doctrine.

            Matthew Chapter 24 expounds Jesus’ panorama of prophecy. Starting at verse 15, we read: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the holy place, then let them that in Judea flee into the mountains: let him which is on his housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!”

            Jesus is telling his disciples to take note, when the abomination of desolation is seen in the holy place—run! Flee and leave Judea. He expounds on this saying don’t even go back to get your coat! Why?

            Verse 21 says “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

            Note that when the abomination of desolation is set in place, then shall there be great tribulation like there never was since the beginning of time till the end of time.

            Verse 22, Jesus says, unless those days of great tribulation were shortened, no body would be saved.

            Now verse 28-30 says: “Immediately after the tribulation of those says shall the sun be darkened and moon shall not give her light…and then shall appear the sign of the son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming with power and great glory.”

            Now, what tribulation is Jesus talking about? He’s talking about the “great tribulation” he just spoke of in verses 15 and 21. From the time of the abomination of desolation and his appearance is the great tribulation.

            Right after the great tribulation shall the great luminaries not give forth their light. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man and he will come in the clouds of heaven with glory. Now read verse 31: “And he (Jesus speaking in the third person) shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

            This is the rapture! Note the sound of the last trumpet (First Corinthians 15:52, First Thessalonians 4:14), notice the words gather together (Second Thessalonians 2:1). Does this happen in the twinkling of an eye? No! Jesus sends the angels to gather us together!

            Does this help you to understand the Rapture? In Jesus’ own words, after great tribulation which starts with the abomination of desolation and ends in his return, shall the Rapture occur!

            Why do all the tribes of the earth see this sign and mourn? The theologians say the rapture will take place invisibly. They say that Jesus is coming as a thief in the night, correct? Jesus only comes as a thief to those who aren’t prepared for his coming. A thief won’t come to those who are watching diligently. Think upon it! Luke 12:35-48.

Section Eight-Gems from Revelation

            Recall Matthew 24:29-31: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather the elect…”

             From this dissertation from Jesus, you can understand the chronology of the book of Revelation quite well. Turn to Revelation 6:12:

            “And I beheld as he opened the sixth seal, and , lo, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became as black as sackcloth and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as the fig tree casts her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hid us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall able to stand?’”

            It is a truth that the book of Revelation cannot be understood chronologically from Chapter 1 to 22. The book sets up scenes that are at times in chronological order and then sets them up as if they are backwards. But remember this, that most of Revelation is based on the prophetical books of the Jewish prophets and Jesus’ teachings.

            Note the similarities between Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-17.

1)      The sun and the moon do not give forth their light

2)      The stars of heaven fall to the earth

3)      The powers of heaven are shaken

4)      And the tribes and peoples of the earth see Jesus in his power and glory.

            Within the context of Jesus’ narration in Matthew, these signs precede the rapture. Therefore it is wise to accept that the sixth seal in revelation is opened right after the 3.5 years of the SWOD. When the people of earth see Jesus in the clouds they are frightened and they mourn. They understand that Jesus’ wrath is going to come upon them!

            When we note that they say the Lamb’s wrath is coming, that means something significant. Wrath is the key word here, remember that for later.

            When the people see Jesus in the sky, the saints must have already been raptured to him. The people see Jesus, this isn’t a secret rapture.

            Turn to Revelation 11:15-17: “And the seventh angel sounded (he sounded the seventh trumpet, the last trumpet!) and there were great voices in heaven saying, ‘the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever’. And the 24 elders [were] …saying, ‘We give thee thanks O lord God almighty, which art, and wast and art to come; because thou hast reigned.”

            What is happening here? According to John, this is the “last woe” (11:14) and this is also the seventh trumpet. In fact this makes it the last trumpet (First Corinthians 15:52).        Here we read that all the kingdoms on earth have become God’s and Christ’s. We read that he shall reign forever. This last trump is when the Rapture occurs (Matthew 24:31). If this is to occur before the seven years of tribulation as proposed by most evangelicals, how can the kingdoms, which are to be under the Anti-Christ’s rule, become God and Christ’s? Doesn’t this sound like voices in heaven are making a victory announcement?

            Revelation 11:18, the 24 elders continue: “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath has come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets and them that fear thy name, small and great and shouldest destroy them that are destroying the earth.”

            The elders are saying that God’s wrath has come, yet another reference to wrath. The elders say that the dead are to be judged and that he should reward his righteous servants and destroy those destroying the earth.

            When did we see God’s wrath occur before? Was it not in Revelation 6:17 when the luminaries of the skies are darkened and when everyone hides them selves when Jesus revealed himself? And according to what we learned from Matthew 24:29-31, does this not occur at the last trumpet after the “tribulation in those days”? It does!

            The elders are telling God to reward the righteous and judge the dead (those who are spiritually dead) and to destroy them who are maiming the earth. “Your wrath is come!” they say. This is during the same time as in Revelation 6:17 when the people of the earth cry, “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”!

            Then in the last verse of chapter 11, an awesome celestial occurrence takes place:

            “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament; and there were lightinings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake and great hail.”

            God’s temple in heaven is opened and the people of earth see the ark of his testament. Maybe this is a reference again to Jesus or the actual whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant.

            What can we say about this part of chapter 11? Obviously this is the last trumpet and the rapture occurs and the time for the wrath of God is to be poured out upon the remaining sinners on earth.

            We can conclude then that Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 6:12-17 and Revelation 11:14-19 are the same event. They occur after the great tribulation of which Jesus spoke of. Therefore the rapture occurs at the last trumpet which is after the 3.5 years.

            Understand that while the Church does through this tribulation, they are removed prior to God’s/Christ’s outpouring of wrath upon the earth.

            We read of another vision of Jesus’ rapture of the Church in Revelation 14:14-16.

            “And I looked and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in the sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap: for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

            Note the symbolism, the Son of man on a cloud, as he reaps the earth of the harvest of the righteous- rapture! And yet another occurrence takes place.

Section Nine-The Wrath

            In Revelation 14:17-20, we read of the harvest of wrath.

            “And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in thy sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.’ And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”

            Another angel reaps symbolically the sins of the peoples of earth which are seen as clusters of grapes. He throws them into the winepress of God’s wrath and the winepress was stepped on. In the place of wine coming out of the winepress, blood comes out representing the blood that will be come from the wicked on earth.

            What does God think about those who take the mark of the beast? He says, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation…” Revelation14:10.

            How do we know the Church misses this outpouring of God’s wrath? Revelation 15:1-2 states: “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God…”

            These people have already been redeemed from the earth and overcame the Anti-Christ and Satan. The angels have not yet gone out into the earth to pour out God’s wrath.

The Church is spared, and although we go through trial and persecution during this terrible time, Christ redeems us. And we watch as the wicked receive the punishment they deserve in Revelation chapter 16.

            Note the chronological sequence of these verses with Revelation 11:19:

            “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of heaven, from the throne saying it is done. And there were voices and thunders and lightings…and there fell upon men a great hail of heaven…” (Revelation 16:17, 18, 20).

            Perhaps the wrath of God occurs in short timing just after the seventh trumpet because we also read in 11:19 that there is thunder, voices, lightning and great hail.

Section Ten-Conclusion

             I would like to go over the points I’ve made throughout this paper. I’ve tried to make everything as clear cut as I can. I don’t wish to expound all of prophecy but just when the Rapture takes place.

            I believe that if Christians don’t study these issues for themselves, and build all their faith on their own heart or on what their pastors say, they will fall prey to false doctrine.

            Like I said before, those who expect to go up before any type of tribulation and don’t study for themselves what the Bible says may fall prey to apostasy when they discover they have to endure persecution.

            This, I believe could be the falling away that Paul speaks about in Second Thessalonians chapter two. Note how he said first a falling away would occur. You can only fall away from Christianity if you profess Christianity in the first place. And then the man of sin will be revealed.

            It is clear that before rapture, the Anti-Christ must be revealed. And that only takes place during the great tribulation. There’s no doubt about it.

            Even Jesus says that after the great tribulation will he appear and shall we be gathered together.

            I’ve shown the areas in Revelation where only 3.5 years are mentioned. And there is no reference at all in the New Testament regarding a seven year tribulation.

            I hope I’ve given you something to study and pray about.

Author’s Note 1/1/2005:

            I look upon this paper 4 years after I wrote about refuting the “pre-trib” rapture and wonder how I too had been seduced by interpretation based solely on faith. While the comparative work was done effectively to refute this doctrine, it was solely on faith that the messiah in Daniel was Jesus of Nazareth. It was also based on faith that Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24 was supposed to take place in the future and not during the lifetime of his disciples. Remember that this prophecy must be fulfilled in the future otherwise Jesus is a false prophet! (Recall the chapter, ‘Jesus’ False Prophecy’)

            While watching a program on the History channel recently about Judeo-Christian end-time events I watched as Tim Lahey and his co-author were autographing copies of their newest hit sequel in the Left Behind Series, The Glorious Appearing. I can only shake my head as these men who are deceiving possibly millions through deceitful literature and then have the doctrine fossilized in their heads by their pastors and silk-tied tele-evangelists. Hate, you say? Spite, speak you? I will only concur with David who said ‘Your enemies are my enemies’. You can take that and walk, if you wish.

            What do I now think about the Rapture? It’s Christian dogma. Perhaps a product of the Gentile-Paulite remnants who are scathing in persecution and were hoping for a glorious appearing of Jesus. It also could be Paul who was pounding out this unique Gnostic-like doctrine at the Gentile-Nazarenes. Who knows? I don’t know. Coming from a former Christian who formerly was duped into Post-Trib theology, I thought ‘Well the truth is better than lies’. I say that now, on the way to conversion to the Hebrew religion.

            What to tell Christians? If there’s anything you will have “Left Behind”, it’s probably your intelligence you insult believing in this pop-culture fantasy of pre-trib rapture. No offense, you see, for “even the devil’s servants come as ministers of righteousness”. The only words, Christian, that you ought to read about this matter should be from your Rabbi Jesus the Nazirite the Jew and not Tim Lahey, the Gentile-Paulite.