The Rapture vs. Witnessing

For those of us who lean towards the possibility that the Lord may return for the church before the 7 year tribulation (whenever that may occur), here is some wise counsel from Ron Graham.

Mr Graham's article is applicable to all Christians regardless of their eschatological beliefs. What are we doing with our time? I confess that he hits a nerve with me.

The end times are approaching and the signs spoken of by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 are spilling out continually onto the scene today and are pointing dramatically to Christ’s soon return. Believers can see the signs if they are alert and watching. As Dr. Chuck Missler puts it "We must be well versed in the scriptures to accurately ascertain the time of the signs”. There is a preordained time that the signs are going to appear, and what we see happening all around us are the birth pangs that are so aptly spoken of in the scriptures.

I for one can’t imagine this world going on the way it has in the past. Signs that point to the end time when Jesus will return aren’t just subtlety appearing on the scene, they are exploding with a fierceness that’s unparalleled in mans history. We can watch this explosion on our television sets, radios, internet, newspapers, and from every other direction one can imagine. This was not the case even ten years ago; the birth pangs have arrived.

So just what are our options as believers now that we are beginning to witness a plethora of recurring signs which we are assured will occur just before Jesus' return? We have many options. They include such things as witnessing fervently to our family and friends. Being in constant prayer is an admonishment from the Apostle Paul, maintaining a close relationship with our Church family. Create and maintain an atmosphere of love and support for those who are shut-ins and especially provide for those who lack provisions.

In these last days all Christians should be intent on always keeping abreast of whatever intrusions the enemy might devise against the brethren. In these last days Satan is going to hit hard against anyone who promotes the name of Jesus and diligently proclaims His message. The last thing any Christian will want is to be caught alone and off guard when the evil comes down, and it is coming. Solitude creates evil bedfellows. Continue in fellowship, the breaking of bread together, encouraging one another... Read more

Are Pre-Tribulationists in danger of delusion regarding the Tribulation?

A further response to some comments I have picked up on in different forums…

Shouldn’t we prepare for the Tribulation?

“One of the weakest arguments for rejecting the pre-Trib position is that we should be preparing the church for the coming Tribulation; otherwise, Christians will be unable to endure the sufferings of those months of calamity. After all, the thinking goes, the church today is so self indulgent that it will crack under the attacks of the Antichrist, or will become disillusioned if it expects to be raptured prior to the Tribulation but wakes up one day to find the church is entering the Tribulation. Some ministers even say that those of us who offer the hope of a pre-Tribulation Rapture will be attacked by angry Christians if it turns out that believers have to go through the Tribulation after all.”

“Such a pessimistic view not only blasts the Rapture but sells short the enabling ministry of the Holy Spirit. If the church were forced to proceed through the Tribulation, we would not be abandoned by the Spirit of God. Philippians 4:19 would not be torn from our Bibles, for God would still supply all our needs. Besides, how would one prepare for such a time of tribulation? True, we could memorize more Scripture, but you don’t need the threat of tribulation for that.”

“All agree that people will be saved during the Tribulation. These Tribulation saints will be martyred for their love for Christ. The Holy Spirit will provide these Tribulation martyrs supernatural grace to be faithful until death. It seems ridiculous to me to promise God’s sufficiency to these new baby believers and then warn today’s Christians that unless they are prepared properly, they won’t be able to make it during the Tribulation.”

by Tim LaHaye “The Rapture - Who Will Face the Tribulation?"
pages 71-72

Amen to that!

I might also ask this of those who privately hold to some loftier moral position just because they believe in a Mid-Week, Three-Quarter-Week or Post-Week Rapture;

What is it, exactly, that you are doing that you think your pre-Trib brothers and sisters aren’t doing, to prepare for the Tribulation, or even a possible pre Daniel’s 70th week persecution/martyrdom?