Your question:

Dear Brother Randy,

thanks for the e-mail. I felt that you assumed some things about all people who believe in the rapture and assumed that we don't know the scriptures or the power of God and that we are "Pharisees". The Pharisees were filled with religious, legalistic, and condemning demons. Jesus said to them,"you are of your father the devil"

I have experienced the power of God in my life on numerous occasions so I know his power to some extent. I busted out of my doctrinal "box" when I realized years ago that there was more to being a Christian than the Baptist doctrine I grew up in was providing me with and I began to search the scriptures a pray for more of God in my life. That's when I was Baptized in the Holy Spirit alone in my bed one night and spoke in tongues in all my dreams that night! The power of God was all through every fiber of my being- flooded in the river of life. The most incredible and wonderful and life changing experience I ever had. This was followed by some deliverance from a spirit of rage that had entered through my bloodline. My "cleansing" still
continues to this day. I am being washed clean so I will one day be without spot or wrinkle on the day my Husband comes for his bride. To not do this is to be asleep (like in the parable of the virgins). Getting "saved" happened to me around the age of three so God has always been there for me. Being water baptized at 10 was another mountaintop experience. But the fruit just wasn't that steady until I got filled with the Holy Spirit. I lacked the power to abide in Him until then. Now I can abide in
him as much as I want- I'm free to. I have continued to search the scriptures every since then. All of us can be deceived. You and I are no exception.

Don't assume that just because some believe in the rapture that they are so weak in the faith that if they find out they are wrong and the rapture doesn't happen that they will fall away from the faith!!!!! Some might but a serious Christian recognizes that they make mistakes and that it really doesn't change a thing!!!!! God still loves us-we still love him. He is still the same God and a very present help in times of trouble.

Personally, the more I read the word the more I do believe in the rapture. In Rev. after the voice from heaven that sounds like a trumpet says "come up here." This is a picture of the rapture because after that wrath is poured out on the earth.

Many of the Jewish customs point this way too. Take the old Jewish wedding customs I read about. A couple gets engaged. The groom must go to his fathers house and begin building a house for his bride. He is not free to marry until his father says the new house is suitable and until his father says it is the right time. When the day comes the father says to the son,"Son, go and get your bride!" The groom then collects his friends and they all go to the brides house. She also has been making preparations and getting ready and is waiting for her groom. He calls out to her from the outside of the house to come and be his bride. She comes out with all of her friends (Who have been with her). They are wed immediately and there follows a seven day feast and celebration. Then he takes her to her new home he has prepared for her. The Jewish customs were used to teach them about their Messiah. The Pharisees made them into meaningless rituals. A Christian can plainly see Jesus in every one of them. I believe the Jewish wedding is a picture of the seven year tribulation. Why a tribulation? The Bride is gone to her wedding just outside her old house (this earth) and surely the Holy Spirit is invited as well to the seven year feast and celebration.

The parable of the virgins is very similar to this. Also, the feast of trumpets point to the 2nd coming as well. Another traditional name for the feast of trumpets is "no one knows the day or the hour". Jesus knew this, the disciples knew this too. When they asked him about the coming of his kingdom he said that no one knows the day or hour except our Father in heaven (just like the wedding). The messianic Jews believe her was telling them it would be during the feast of trumpets!

Have you studied the festivals? They create pictures of God's word. God established those festivals for good reason! I also find it interesting that so many of the messianic Jews do believe in the rapture. But Even if there isn't one it really doesn't matter. I will not worship Baal and my God will still supply all my needs and I will not be burned by the fire!

Iron sharpens iron
Godspeed -- R. W.

 My answer:

Hi R.,
Thanks for the e-mail. Sorry it took so long to reply, I had to go out of town for awhile.

You said: I felt that you assumed some things about all people who believe in the rapture and assumed that we don't know the scriptures or the power of God and that we are "Pharisees".

My response: I did not refer anywhere that "all people who believe in the rapture" were Pharisees. The term is not rapture, it is resurrection. And I am not simply fussing over semantics here, the resurrection is key to our hope and faith. If you mean the people who believe the pre-trib myth then your right, they do not know the scriptures. My reference about Pharisees is in regards to the false teachers and false prophets of the pre-trib doctrine. The people who follow them I referred to as the masses.

You said: The Pharisees were filled with religious, legalistic, and condemning demons. Jesus said to them,"you are of your father the devil"

My response: What else can we blame the devil for? To be religious and legalistic does not condemn one to demon possession more than other types of sinners. Man's flesh needs little help in gratifying its own nature, just like today's Pharisees - no difference. Before I was saved my spiritual father was also Satan, as was yours. To be born-again releases us from the bondage of sin that traps us in Satan's kingdom. Through obedience we long for the kingdom to come and indeed is within us now. The Pharisees were sons of the devil because they served his interests and not those of the kingdom of God.

You said: I have experienced the power of God in my life on numerous occasions so I know his power to some extent. I busted out of my doctrinal "box" when I realized years ago that there was more to being a Christian than the Baptist doctrine I grew up in was providing me with and I began to search the scriptures a pray for more of God in my life. That's when I was Baptized in the Holy Spirit alone in my bed one night and spoke in tongues in all my dreams that night! The power of God was all through every fiber of my being- flooded in the river of life. The most incredible and wonderful and life changing experience I ever had. This was followed by some deliverance from a spirit of rage that had entered through my bloodline. My "cleansing" still continues to this day. I am being washed clean so I will one day be without spot or wrinkle on the day my Husband comes for his bride. To not do this is to be asleep (like in the parable of the virgins). Getting "saved" happened to me around the age of three so God has always been there for me. Being water baptized at 10 was another mountaintop experience. But the fruit just wasn't that steady until I got filled with the Holy Spirit. I lacked the power to abide in Him until then. Now I can abide in him as much as I want- I'm free to. I have continued to search the scriptures every since then. All of us can be deceived. You and I are no exception.

My response: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 1 Corinthians 15:19

You said: Don't assume that just because some believe in the rapture that they are so weak in the faith that if they find out they are wrong and the rapture doesn't happen that they will fall away from the faith!!!!!

My response: It is not an assumption to say that many will fall from faith, scripture says many will fall from faith. I have never said all will. I grieve for those who won't awaken before the master returns and it is to these ends that I strive to wake some before it is too late. Daniel prophesied, "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them." Daniel 11:33-34 The danger of the pre-trib myth is its ability to create hope from a lie.

You said: Some might but a serious Christian recognizes that they make mistakes and that it really doesn't change a thing!!!!!

My response: Most will. The serious Christian, even a pre-trib believer, will search the scriptures, acknowledge the signs to come and be found obediently watching as Jesus commanded. "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him." Luke 8:18

You said: God still loves us-we still love him. He is still the same God and a very present help in times of trouble.

My response: "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17

"Not everyone who says to me, 'LORD, LORD,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23

You said: Personally, the more I read the word the more I do believe in the rapture. In Rev. after the voice from heaven that sounds like a trumpet says "come up here." This is a picture of the rapture because after that wrath is poured out on the earth.

My response: You are referring to Revelation 4:1-2. The problem with your theory is that wrath is not poured out on the earth until 6:16-17. The desolation (tribulation) doesn't start until the first seal is broken in 6:1. God's wrath during the desolation is against Israel through her enemies. God's wrath is reserved for the last day.

You said: Many of the Jewish customs point this way too. Take the old Jewish wedding customs I read about. A couple gets engaged. The groom must go to his fathers house and begin building a house for his bride. He is not free to marry until his father says the new house is suitable and until his father says it is the right time. When the day comes the father says to the son,"Son, go and get your bride!" The groom then collects his friends and they all go to the brides house. She also has been making preparations and getting ready and is waiting for her groom. He calls out to her from the outside of the house to come and be his bride. She comes out with all of her friends (Who have been with her). They are wed immediately and there follows a seven day feast and celebration. Then he takes her to her new home he has prepared for her. The Jewish customs were used to teach them about their Messiah. The Pharisees made them into meaningless rituals. A Christian can plainly see Jesus in every one of them. I believe the Jewish wedding is a picture of the seven year tribulation. Why a tribulation? The Bride is gone to her wedding just outside her old house (this earth) and surely the Holy Spirit is invited as well to the seven year feast and celebration.

My response: You have imposed a pre-trib mentality on this custom. When the bridegroom calls out to her what happens? She comes out with her friends to meet him and escort him back to her house where then in your words, 'they are wed immediately.' Revelation chapter 21 shows the Father's house coming down that Jesus had gone to prepare for us. This happens after the thousand year reign of Christ that starts with a wedding feast. There is nothing whatsoever of the tribulation represented in the custom. How do I know this? Read tomorrow's Daily WATCH article.

You said: The parable of the virgins is very similar to this. Also, the feast of trumpets point to the 2nd coming as well.

My response: I agree, but for the same reasons I just gave you.

You said: Another traditional name for the feast of trumpets is "no one knows the day or the hour". Jesus knew this, the disciples knew this too. When they asked him about the coming of his kingdom he said that no one knows the day or hour except our Father in heaven (just like the wedding). The messianic Jews believe her was telling them it would be during the feast of trumpets!

My response: Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that day should surprise you like a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4

You said: Have you studied the festivals? They create pictures of God's word. God established those festivals for good reason!

My response: Yes I have. Yes they do, but like scripture they also are subject to misinterpretation via preconceived notions.

You said: I also find it interesting that so many of the messianic Jews do believe in the rapture.

My response: Actually many are puzzled by the 'rapture' doctrine and as in Jewish traditions refer to it as the resurrection.

You said: But Even if there isn't one it really doesn't matter.

My response: WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I beg you to refer to 1 Corinthians 15:19. Please read the surrounding context as well.

You said: I will not worship Baal and my God will still supply all my needs and I will not be burned by the fire!

My response: That is my prayer.

I pray that I have served you well.

In the service of the LORD Jesus,

Randy