Are You waiting for the Second Coming?
One church of 45 members in Strong
City New Mexico recently waited till midnight.
Wayne Bent, claims to be anointed by
God as the Messiah. Recently, he and
his followers hopes were dashed while
they waited till midnight for the Rapture.
They were tired of the burden’s of earthly
life and wanted to checkout early, via
deliverance from the Lord.
Somehow, they miscalculated on the
date of the Lord’s return. They expected
to hear the last trumpet sound to end
the year of Jubilee.
Unfortunately, all was silent and according
to reports from Strong City, Mr. Bent, went
to jail.
This is a clear example and logical end
of the erroneous Rapture doctrine.
It leads to the escape mentality desired
by Bent’s 45 adult followers who shared
his disappointment in hope of Christ’s
imminent return.
Are you waiting for the Second Coming?
Before you settle in, Check out the errors
made by the Bent followers:
- Missreading Matthew 24
- Ignoring Jesus’ comments on the
year of Jubilee, Luke 4 - Liberalizing the last trumpet, Rev. 10:7
- Selfishness versus serving, Phil. 1:22
Mis-reading Matthew 24
The context of Matthew 24, also called the
Olivet Discourse is the Parousia of Christ,
the end of the age and the destruction of
the Jerusalem temple.
It is with this event that Jesus assigned his
return, (Matthew 24:3, 30–34). The clear
and precise wording of Matthew’s account
of the event accords with first century history.
Josephus, a Jewish historian who witness the
Jewish conflagration, recorded his eyewitness
account in Wars of the Jews, Book VI, Ch. 5,
Sec 2–4.
Jesus predicted the event to come upon his
very own generation.
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will
by no means pass away till all these things
take place.” (Matthew 24:34)
Why some have difficulty accepting that Jesus’
return occurred in the first century. Partly
because he says no one knows the day or
the hour of his return, (v. 36).
However, this is not an objection but a miss-
interpretation of the text. The meaning
revolves around the distinction between
“general” time and “precise” time.
Accurately predicting the generation in
which events would occur does not
indicate that the precise day and hour
was known.
Signs were given so that the disciples would
not be misled by false christ’s or even the
natural calamities, wars and rumors of wars
that preceded the event.
These were all well documented in both
Biblical and secular history. For example,
Acts records the great famine which
occurred in Judea, 11:28; Matt. 24:7).
If the precise day and hour were known,
there would have been no need to give
signs.
A simple announcement of the date
would have sufficed, especially since it
was the Lord’s purpose to forewarn his
disciples and lead them to safety.
The coming of the Son of Man was just
as it was in the day of Noah. God told
Noah early on that he would bring a
flood to destroy the inhabitants.
At that time, Noah knew the flood would
occur in his life time. Yet, he did not now
the day and the hour it would occur.
Thus, he knew the general time without
knowing the specific time. God said Christ’s
return was of like nature. (24:37–39).
The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9)
Once again, the Bible text is ignored by those
hopeful of a future return of Christ. Jesus
declared he had come to proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18, 19)
The “acceptable year of the Lord” is the year
of Jubilee, when God would set at liberty all
those who were oppressed.
However, coupled with the promise of setting
the captives free was the vindication of God’s
martyrs and the day of vengeance upon the
wicked nation.
The first century Jews understood well Jesus’
quote, which conspicuously omitted the
“day of vengeance from Isaiah 61:1–2,).”
However, the Jews well acquainted with the
text, understood the implication from the
reference.
He laid out their plans and subsequent
rejection of him as their Messiah, words
that ignited their wrath.
Their reaction was so strong that they
attempted to murder him on the spot,
by throwing him off a cliff, but he escaped.
(Luke 4:23–30).
Thus, he set the stage for the coming of
the year of Jubilee within the time of the
ancient Jews of Palestine. This is why the
last trumpet is mentioned in Matthew 24:31).
It corresponds with 1 Cor. 15:52, 1 Thess. 4:17,
and Revelation 10:7. Note that the Revelation
passages states that when the last trumpet
sounds God’s mystery would be finished.
Since Matthew 24:31, says the trumpet would
sound in connection with the fall of the ancient
city all before that generation passed, (v. 34)
then the last trumpet sounded in the first century.
No amount of hoping, ranting and rapture ready
rabble rousing will change that fact.
The current premillennial prophetic speculation
originated in the minds of Morgan Edwards,
(1722–1795), Manual Lacunza, (1731–1801)
Edward Irving (1792–1834).
Later, John Nelson Darby (c. 1800–1882) borrowed
and popularized it. The modern influence of
premillennialism doctrine received wide influence
through him.
Prior to the Morgan Edwards, it was unknown to
students of Bible prophecy.
Literalizing the Last Trumpet
As we have alluded to the texts on the last
trumpet, we shall briefly not that the time
references to the first century generation point
to a figurative or apocalyptic use of the term.
Early on Dispensationalists were warned about
literalizing scriptures, a concept borrowed from
Jewish interpreters, that landed them into much
fanciful speculations about the future.
Selfishness Versus Serving
Paul, certainly believed in the imminent return of
the Messiah, albeit in his own generation. He
along with other apostles taught that Jesus’ return
would come in their life time, Rom. 13:11, 12, Phil.
4:5, James 5:7, 8; 1 Peter 4:7, 17; Rev. 1:1, 3, 22:
6, 10).
Yet, Paul recognize that as desirable as a departure
from the earthly life might be [through natural death,
not escapism through an imagined rapture], he
sought a more practical end.
“For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a
desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far
better.
Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful
for you. And being confident of this. I know that
I shall remain and continue with you all for your
progress and joy of faith. (Phil. 1:23–25).
Paul’s aim was to remain on earth, serving the
church, deeming it more beneficial than his
own departure to be with the Lord.
Those who want to be swooped up out of this
world to leave the wicked behind are expressing
one of the most anti-gospel sentiments imaginable.
They want to be served, rather than be servants.
Yet, Jesus said, he that is greatest among you
let him be your servant. There’s lots of work to
do on earth.
Paul likewise warned the Thessalonicans, who
got overly enthusiastic about the imminent
return of Christ, placing it about 20 years to
soon.
Many of them had quit working and serving
society to become busy bodies. He offered
them severe rebuke.
“For even when we were with you, we commanded
you this; If anyone will not work, neither shall
he eat.
For we hear that there are some who walk among
you in a disorderly manner, nor working at all
but are busy bodies.” (2 Thes. 3:10, 11)
None of us will escape alive, so we might as well
forget these notions of Rapture and dig in to
service.
How many times can we allow Tim LaHaye,
Hal Lindsey, and Thomas Ice, to falsely predict
the coming of the Lord?
Once is too many! See Deuteronomy 18:22.
Apparently Mr. Bent, got too caught up in the
false notions invented in the mid 18th century
and appears to be a victim of more “Left Behind”
errors.
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