FOREWORD by James Fire:
The issue of the rapture, especially of late, given the apocalyptic nature of our headline news, has become increasingly controversial (even more so than before, that is). While Greg Reid and I hold different views on the rapture in regard to eschatological prophecy, we are nonetheless united brothers and warriors in Christ.
There have been many that share my view of what's commonly referred to as a 'pre-trib rapture' (I prefer the term 'pre-70th week rapture myself) that seem to believe that we are going to get "caught up before anything bad happens" which I have always found troubling (as does brother Greg as you will soon read).
It's right about then that I reply to such a statement with, "Why should Christians in America be allowed to escape what the Christians have experienced throughout the world and history, namely, persecution for righteousness sake"?
The doctrine of immanency supports the idea that the rapture can happen at any moment, that nothing need to occur before, as there appears to be nothing in Scripture to suggest anything precedent -but by the same token, because we don't know the timing of the rapture, we could very well experience persecution before we are 'harpadzo'd' off Planet Rebel.
The LORD promised us "tribulation" (trial, hardships, turmoil, suffering, evil, etc.; JOHN 16:33), as did the apostle Paul (2 TIM 3:12). As anyone can attest to who's read my TTUF treatment regarding the rapture and the seven year period colloquially known as "the tribulation" I believe this seven year period is not about persecution of the church, but rather persecution of the tribulation saints, but above this, GOD's judgment upon the earth-dwellers who vow their allegiance to the Beast (REV 13) at the expense of rejecting salvation through Christ. Yet at this time, a final and merciful invitation is granted to believe "the everlasting Gospel" (REV 14:6) which reaps an innumerable number beyond count that will be washed in the blood of the Lamb" (REV 7:9-17).
Be that as it may - far more intelligent and well-versed men have debated this issue than I; and there is no debate between Greg and I, whatsoever - we respect one another and the personal views we hold.
This article is not so much about eschatology (though this is addressed) as it is about ecclesiology, that is the church - the body of Christ, that has slumbered (or slept) through the 20th century, either unaware or ambivalent to the creeping leaven that has now all but "leavened the lump" and has left the church ill-prepared for the coming storms, though the harbingers of these Extreme Times (the podcast of Greg Reid, worth listening to!) have been witnessed by such watchmen on the wall like Greg and many others and proclaimed with dire warning but largely ignored.
I pray that the time of such ignorance has come to an end; that the church is waking up to the times we are facing that are just ahead, and putting it into 'high gear' with spiritual preparedness. We neglect it to our utter peril! Please read the following article with a heart of prayerful, open willingness to do what must be done to weather these storms.
And if you think COVID-19 was such a storm, might I strongly suggest that this has been the calm before the storms!
MATTHEW 7:24-27
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Read more!
