Your question:

I would like a little more information on your house church. You call yourself a Christian, however many 'religious groups' call themselves Christians. I have heard mormons, catholics, etc call themselves what I am (a born again Christian). I don't mean to sound rude but, where do you fall? Perhaps you could include your statement of faith for me or whatever you feel will help make this issue a little more clear to me.

As promised, I did a little homework last night and I have some questions for you (nine of them). Sorry there are so many.

1.. If the rapture occurs at the second coming, who will populate the millennium?
2.. Why is the rapture missing from Rev. 19:11-23?
3.. Since they both can't be gathered first, who will be first? The wicked
(Matt. 13:30, 49) or the righteous (1 Thess. 4:16-17)?
4.. Since Christians will be rewarded (crowns) at the rapture (2 Tim. 4:8,1 Pet. 5:4, Luke 14:14), how can the 24 elders in heaven already have their crowns (Rev. 4:4-10) if the rapture hasn't taken place?
5.. Why do the sheep and goats need to be separated if they are already separated by a rapture at the second coming (Matt. 25:31-33)?
6.. At the end of the millennium, where do the non-Christians come from (Rev. 20:7-10)?
7.. How can Jesus return from the wedding if the wedding hasn't taken place (Luke 12:36)?
8.. Who is the "one who restrains" that must me taken out of the way before the antichrist is revealed (2 Thess. 2:7)?
9.. Jesus promised He would prepare a place for Christians in heaven, then would return to take us there (John 14:2-3). According to the post-tribulation theory, Jesus returns to earth and stays here with the church. Why would Jesus prepare a place for us in heaven and then not take us there?

I really do look forward to your reply to the above questions. I love the debate. I don't know that we will ever necessarily see eye to eye on this issue. I'll be happy whenever Jesus returns for His church, whether it is pre-trib, mid-trib, or at the end of the tribulation. We can't be dogmatic about something that hasn't happened yet.

 My answer:

Hi J.,
Thanks for responding. It is always good to meet a seeker! I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of combining your last two email for the ease of answering them.

You said: I would like a little more information on your house church. You call yourself a Christian, however many 'religious groups' call themselves Christians. I have heard mormons, catholics, etc call themselves what I am (a born again Christian). I don't mean to sound rude but, where do you fall? Perhaps you could include your statement of faith for me or whatever you feel will help make this issue a little more clear to me.

My response: I agree with this statement. I do not consider myself to be religious. I am a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is a link to my 'About' page http://lastday.info/about.html. It should help clarify things. Also here is a link to my 'Meet Jesus' page http://lastday.info/meetjesus.html which also should help you understand where I stand.

You said: 1.. If the rapture occurs at the second coming, who will populate the millennium?

My response: There will be mortal survivors on the earth after Jesus comes back. They will be few in numbers but they will be the nations we rule from Jerusalem under the LORD Jesus. Isaiah 13:11-12, 24:6 & 13.

You said: 2.. Why is the rapture missing from Rev. 19:11-23?

My response: It is missing from verses 11-23 because it happened in verses 1-8. First I must ask you to use the biblical term resurrection rather than rapture. This is a beautiful picture of the saved multitude clothed in white and wedded to the Lamb. verses 11-16 depict this multitude clothed in white following their conquering king as he pours out his wrath upon the earth. Another depiction of this is in Revelation 6:12-17, notice the signs in the sky. In Joel 2:10-11 we see the same multitude follow Jesus after the signs in the sky. These same signs in the sky are also given by Jesus as the final sign before the resurrection in Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28.

You said: 3.. Since they both can't be gathered first, who will be first? The wicked (Matt. 13:30, 49) or the righteous (1 Thess. 4:16-17)?

My response: The gathering is more of a separation rather than a whose gathered first scenario. Since it is at the 'end' of the age or last day this is when the separation occurs (Matthew 13:49). The faithful will be separated from the wicked and wicked separated from the righteous. Jesus explains the Matthew parable in verses 36-43. The separation is at the resurrection followed immediately by the wrath of God upon the rest of the earth. The perfect view of this scenario is in Revelation 14:14-20.

You said: 4.. Since Christians will be rewarded (crowns) at the rapture (2 Tim. 4:8,1 Pet. 5:4, Luke 14:14), how can the 24 elders in heaven already have their crowns (Rev. 4:4-10) if the rapture hasn't taken place?

My response: We would have to make a broad assumption that Christians would be the only ones with crowns of righteousness or the first. Scripture does not tell us who the twenty four elders are. Indeed they could just as well be 24 righteous prophets from the Old Testament. The depiction in Revelation 4:4-10 is one where John is called up into heaven to see what happens later. Immediately he is in heaven and begins to describe what it looks like, somewhat like a reporter. The scenario doesn't move to the future until chapter five. Those elders were wearing those crowns in John's day, not just the future.

You said: 5.. Why do the sheep and goats need to be separated if they are already separated by a rapture at the second coming (Matt. 25:31-33)?

My response: This is talking about final judgment, after the thousand year reign. No one is thrown into the eternal fire until after the second resurrection. They will be destined for the second death. This is the picture we see in Revelation chapter 20.

You said: 6.. At the end of the millennium, where do the non-Christians come from (Rev. 20:7-10)?

My response: This question really is answered the same as question number 1. The survivors have repopulated the earth over a thousand years and still in their flesh are easily corrupted by Satan against the Holy City.

You said: 7.. How can Jesus return from the wedding if the wedding hasn't taken place (Luke 12:36)?

My response: Luke 12:36 is and example. The KJV says, "And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord . . ." and the NIV says, "like men waiting for their master . . ." Both versions use the word 'like' which denotes a comparison and not an exact representation. Also the lower case spelling of lord or master supports this as only an example of how good servants wait. The emphasis is not the wedding banquet but on being ready and watching.

You said: 8.. Who is the "one who restrains" that must me taken out of the way before the antichrist is revealed (2 Thess. 2:7)?

My response: First, let me say that absolutely nowhere does the Bible ever say that the Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth. The burden of proof would be totally on the pre-trib believer to prove such an outrageous assumption. Now who is this 'he' the Bible does speak about? It is Michael the Archangel. Michael is the chief prince of Israel and her protector (Daniel 10:13 & 21). Because of the covenant he repels all invasion attempts etc. Whenever Israel has rebelled against the covenant Michael must stop protecting her. When Israel rebels against the covenant by giving away covenant lands to a people God did not promise them to and then allows the antichrist to access the temple Michael will be removed from his guardian role. Subsequently he then will engage a like rebellion in heaven with Satan at its head. Satan and his followers will be cast down to earth to make war against the Jews and gentile believers (Revelation 12:6-17). On the last day Michael will arise to protect Israel as the LORD conquers the earth (Daniel 12:1).

You said: 9.. Jesus promised He would prepare a place for Christians in heaven, then would return to take us there (John 14:2-3). According to the post-tribulation theory, Jesus returns to earth and stays here with the church. Why would Jesus prepare a place for us in heaven and then not take us there?

My response: These verses do not say that Jesus was preparing a place for us in heaven. He is preparing a place for us in His Father's house. Yes, the house is in heaven, but it doesn't stay there. In Revelation 21:1-5 we see the new Jerusalem (The Father's house) descend from heaven. The context of chapter 20 shows us that this is after the thousand year reign. I will also add that the last day resurrection is not a theory - at least according to Jesus ;)

You said: I really do look forward to your reply to the above questions. I love the debate. I don't know that we will ever necessarily see eye to eye on this issue. I'll be happy whenever Jesus returns for His church, whether it is pre-trib, mid-trib, or at the end of the tribulation. We can't be dogmatic about something that hasn't happened yet.

My response: I love to debate, but this topic grieves me deeply. Like Jeremiah I weep for the many who claim to know him but will not enter the kingdom through the resurrection because they will not be found watching for our LORD. They will be deceived and that day will close on them like a trap. Why? Because of the myth of the pre-trib resurrection. No one who believes this myth knows the signs of his coming or believes in their validity in their own lives. It is like throwing away 3/4 of the Bible.

If you believe that the church won't be here when the antichrist comes, and your wrong, will you be able to discern his presence? Will you be able to discern that it might be his mark they offer you for your shopping convenience? These are but two of many signs that will come. If we are to be dogmatic at all shouldn't it be on the true word of God? I emphasis the word true. Not what man teaches, but what God teaches. Yes, I know there are so many different teachings, this is all the more reason to not sit on the fence but seek God's truth in his word and by his Spirit. "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17

I pray that I have served you well. I had to reply kind of quick because I am leaving town for a few days and have other email to attend to as well. Sorry it is so messy. When I get back (LORD willing on the 14th) We can pick up where we left off.

In the service of the LORD Jesus,

Randy