False Teachings
The following sections refute some widespread FALSE teachings concerning end time prophecies.
Jesus will NOT Come Secretly to "Rapture" the Saved
Rapture - "Transport" (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
When Jesus comes, all the world will witness this colossal event. (Jer 25:30,31, Mt 24:23-27, Mt 24:30,31, Lk 21:27,28, Jn 5:28,29)
The Wicked will NOT Get a Last Chance After a Secret Rapture
When Jesus comes, all the wicked will be slain. (2Th 2:8, Rev 19:16,21)
Today is the day of salvation. (Ps 95:6-8, 2Co 6:2)
There is NOT a Final 7-Year Tribulation
A 7-year period of tribulation is widely believed to occur after a secret rapture.
The only rapture will be the second advent of Christ, and will be no secret.
Immediately after the second advent, the only inhabitants of the earth will be Satan and his fallen angels, all of whom will be chained by circumstance for 1000 years (the Millenium). (Rev 20:1-3,5)
The 7-year period is erroneously pulled out of the 70 weeks prophecy and thrown forward 2000+ years.
The 7-year period of the 70 weeks prophecy refers to the final "week" of Jewish probation. (Da 9:24-27)
It begins with the baptism of Christ (27 AD) and ends with the stoning of Stephen (34 AD).
The 7-year tribulation is believed to be divided into two 3 1/2 year periods: the first of peace, the second of tribulation.
The dividing event is believed to be a blasphemous abomination and seizure of power by the anti-Christ (Satan).
This erroneous view is due to a total misunderstanding of Da 9:27.
The correct event is the crucifixion of Christ in the middle of the 7-year period (31 AD). (compare Mt 27:50,51 and Col 2:12-14)
Several periods of tribulation are foretold in Bible prophecy.
The Ancient Babylon siege and 70 years captivity (Jer 25:11)
The Roman Empire siege and destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) (Mt 24:1,2, Lk 21:20,21)
The Roman Empire persecution of the early (underground) church (Mt 10:17,18, Jn 16:2, Rev 2:10)
The Roman Church persecution of the wilderness church (1260 years) (538 - 1798 AD) (Da 7:21,25, Rev 11:2, Rev 12:6,14)
The modern Babylon persecution of the final remnant church (Da 12:1, Rev 12:17, Rev 13:15-17, Rev 17:5,6)
The 7 last plagues (Rev 16:1-21)
The time durations of the end time tribulations are not foretold.
The Anti-Christ does NOT Remain Hidden until a Final Tribulation
Since the time of Christ, the world has been saturated with many anti-Christs. (Mt 12:30, 1Jn 2:18,22, 1Jn 4:3, 2Jn 1:7)
The Bible has already revealed the primary anti-Christ system. (2Th 2:1-3,7-9)
God's messengers are already sounding the loud cry of warning. (Rev 14:8-13, Rev 18:1-4)
The Anti-Christ does NOT Wait to Sit in a Rebuild Jewish Temple
The Bible verse that many falsely intepret in this way is 2Th 2:4.
The Church is God's Temple.
We are the temple of God. (1Co 3:16,17, Eph 2:19-21, 1Pe 2:5)
The purpose of God's temple is for God to dwell with His people (Ex 25:8, Ex 29:44-46)
God lives in us. (1Jn 4:13-15)
The Holy Spirit lives in us. (Jn 14:15-17)
Jesus lives in us. (Jn 17:22,23, Ro 8:9-11, Col 1:27, Col 3:9-11)
God's law is in our mind and heart. (compare Heb 9:1-4) (Heb 8:10, 2Co 3:3)
A rebuild Jewish temple could never be called the "temple of God".
To be like the original, an ethnic Jewish temple would have to include animal sacrifices.
Animal sacrifices would be a blatant denial of Jesus as the Messiah. (Lk 23:45,46)
The anti-Christ deception already sits within the Church. (2Th 2:3,4,9-11, Rev 13:3,4,8,9)
Note that a "seat" represents authority/power. (Da 7:9, Mt 23:2, Lk 22:69, 2Co 5:10, Rev 2:13, Rev 11:16, Rev 13:2, Rev 16:10)
144,000 Literal Jews will NOT Evangelize the World
The nation of Israel is no longer God's light-bearer for evangelizing the world. (Mt 21:43, Mt 23:37,38, Jn 19:15)
The Biblical name Israel no longer applies to ethnic Jews. (Ro 2:28,29, Ro 9:6-8, Ro 10:12,13, Gal 3:7-9,26-29)
The end time prophecies about Israel refer to spiritual Israel - the Christian church. (Eph 2:8-13,19,20)
The 144,000 refer to all genuine Christians. (Rev 7:3,4,9,10,14, Rev 14:1-4 compare name in foreheads Rev 22:3,4)
Christ's disciples are already spreading the eternal gospel message throughout the world. (Mt 28:18-20, 2Co 5:19,20, Rev 14:6)
The Righteous will NOT Bypass the Final Persecutions
Gods people were delivered in the midst of the plagues of Egypt. (Ex 8:22,23, Ex 9:4,26, Ex 12:13)
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were delivered in the midst of flames. (Da 3:16-19,25-27)
Daniel was delivered in the midst of lions. (Da 6:7-23)
Some will be martyred. (Rev 13:15, Rev 14:9-13, Rev 17:5,6, Rev 20:4)
True deliverance is to overcome this world. (Da 3:16-18, Jn 12:27,28, Heb 12:2-4, Rev 12:11)
Difficult
What is the meaning of the texts that refer to Christ coming like a thief?
Two men in field, two women grinding (Mt 24:36-44) - Unexpected destruction (verse 39)
Thief in the night (Lk 12:38-40) - Be ready (verses 38 and 40)
Two people in bed, two women grinding (Lk 17:26-35) - Unexpected destruction (verses 27 and 29)
Thief in the night (1Th 5:1-3) - Unexpected destruction (verse 3)
Thief (2Pe 3:10) - Unexpected destruction
Thief (Rev 3:3) - Unexpected, be ready
Thief (Rev 16:15) - Unexpected, be ready
From the full contexts it is clear that:
Christ's advent will be unexpected by many.
As in the flood and in Sodom, some will be saved and the others destroyed.
We are to watch and be ready.