Pre-Trib Reasoning Refuted - Part 1

PRE-TRIB REASONING REFUTED

This person offered ten reasons why he believed in a pre-trib rapture. His comments are in plain text and my replies are in bold text and follow each point. Please feel free to comment on this or any other post on the blog.
Point 1
In Luke 21:25-28, Jesus gives a wonderful promise of a pre-tribulation Rapture.
The context you showed that the "these things" of vs. 28 include all of the events in vss. 8-27, is incorrect. There are several thought lines that are mentioned and closed out as Jesus is giving his Olivet Discourse. For example the thought-line mentioned in vss. 8 is concluded in the latter part of vs. 9. The thought-line of vss. 10-11, is concluded in vs. 12. The thought-line of vss. 12-18 is concluded in vs. 19. The thought-line of vss. 20-23, is concluded in vs. 24 and finally it is only the thought-line of vss. 25-27, that is concluded in vs. 28. The signs in the sky are what we are to watch for. When we see them, we know our redemption draws nigh. "These things" only include the signs mentioned in vss. 25 and 26, which are comparable in scope to Rev. 6:12-16, and they occur at the 6th seal. Pre-wrath believes that it is between the 6th and 7th seal, that the rapture will occur.
Point 2
In Luke 21: 34-36, we have the promise of Jesus that some will be worthy to escape the tribulation. A. Three-fold warning of verses 34 and 35."So that day come upon you unawares." (a reference to the rapture.) B. Jesus warns in verse 36 - "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things (things of verse 28 and Rev. 4:1) that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (who is in heaven) How shall we stand before Him in heaven? By the rapture!
The conclusion that, "that day" in vs. 34 is speaking of the rapture is a gigantic assumption. 99% of the time when the bible uses, "that day" or "the day" in regards to end time events, it is speaking of the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:30-32). The Day of the Lord begins with the signs in the sky which are a fore-runner to the rapture and immediately afterwards, judgment and wrath are to follow. This is what the example spoken of in the Noah reference of Matt. 24:37-38 means. Yes, we do want to be counted worthy to escape "these things", but they are only being used in reference to the events that will occur when the wrath of God begins with the 7th seal and onward. As I will show later, this is after the midpoint of the 70th week. We are told to watch. If His return was imminent and signless, what are we to be watching for?! It would be the ultimate exercise in futility. The vs. 28 analogy is correct but this in no ways infers anything at all in regards to Rev. 4:1. Unfortunately much of pre-trib theory is based on assumptions of incorrect conclusions from biblical truths.
Point 3
In I Thess. 5:1-11 (v. 9) we have another definite promise assuring us that the Saints will escape all the WRATH of the Tribulation.
This verse in no way suggests that the so-called tribulation period is the wrath of God, it is another assumption that tribulation and the wrath of God are the same thing. They are not! In fact nowhere in the bible does it say that tribulation lasts for seven years. The only tribulation spoken of is the great tribulation which as Rev. 12:7 & 13:7-10 shows is Satan’s wrath upon the church, which will be shortened for our sake, Matt. 24:22. God gives the world judgment and wrath, not tribulation.
A. Note verse 9: "God has not appointed us to WRATH." (See Romans 5:9; I Thess. 1:9,10; Rev. 11:18; 15:7; 16:1.) These verses clearly define the entire tribulation to be the time of God's Wrath. B. Therefore God hasn't appointed the Christians to go through the Tribulation, but according to verse 9, God has appointed us "to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." C. Notice verse 10 carefully: "Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, (live or die) we should live together with Him."
I agree that we are not appointed to wrath, but as the verses you gave, Rev. 11:18, 15:7, and 16:1, show, the wrath of God starts with the 7th trumpet, which contains the 7 bowls of wrath. Rev. 6:17, is using the present/future tense and shows us that it is at that time, after the signs of the 6th seal that the wrath of God has come. The wrath of God begins with the seven trumpet judgments that are within the 7th seal. The seals are nowhere in scripture mentioned as being part of God’s wrath. That is another assumption of the pre-trib theory. Another verse to consider regarding the seven seals is in 1 Peter 4:17, "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God." It is this verse that can be used in conjunction with Rev. 3:10.
Point 4
In II Thess. 2:6-8, we have further proof that the Church will be raptured before the Tribulation begins:
A. Note Verse 6- "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time." (This verse reveals a restraining force that is holding back the coming of Antichrist.)
B. Notice in v. 7 - "only HE who now letteth (hindereth) will let, (hinder) until HE be taken out of the way." What, besides governments, the Holy Spirit, and the Church, could be hindering the powers of darkness and preventing the revelation of the Anti-Christ (verses 8-12)? (See Is. 43:13; Rom. 1:13)
The idea that the church or the Holy Spirit must be the restrainer is a fallacy that has been taught for decades. Do you want to know who the restrainer is? It is theArchangel Michael. (See Dan. 12:1 & Rev. 12:7). It is when Michael arises, which means to stand up from his fighting and restraining posture (picture two men grappling and then suddenly one stands up straight and pushes his attacker past himself as he is being rushed) and lets Satan go on by to fulfill his destiny upon the world. The idea that the church of this day and age is restraining the force of evil from coming into the world, is laughable. It is a case of the church "thinking of itself, more highly then it ought to think." They seem to be under the delusion that once the church departs, the world will immediately fall into a greater immoral state with blatant sinning and orgies happening everywhere. That only happens in comic books. For most of the first 3 ½½ years of the 70th week, life will be no different on earth then it was before it began, as far as the amount of sinning in the world goes. It won’t change until the Mark of the Beast comes on the scene, and yes we’ll still be here at that time.
Point 5
A. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee FROM the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, etc."
B. What is the world's hour of temptation? Is it not the Tribulation?
So, God's Word promises to keep believers FROM (not in and not through) the whole Tribulation.
Sincere christians who hold to the pre-tribulation rapture theory often cite this verse, among others, as "proof" that their eschatology is correct. They focus on the second part, ..."I will also keep you from the hour of trial...", meaning they expect to raptured, but ignore the first part of this verse, "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently...". This verse has a cause and effect relationship. Since you have done this, I will do that. How does one endure patiently and what does it involve? Here are a couple of other references that will give us a clue to what Jesus is telling us. Col. 1:11, "...so that you may have great endurance and patience...", James 1: 3, "... the trying of your faith worketh patience" (KJV) and James 5:10, "Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering..."
The word patience in these verses conveys the idea of "endurance in the midst of adversity." This idea can also be found in the prophetic scriptures of Luke 21:16-19, 2 Thess. 1:4, Rev. 13:10 and Rev. 14:12. One can not assume that because some christians in other parts of the world are being martyred and others are going through various trials of sickness, loss of loved ones, minor persecutions, etc. that these qualify what this verse is talking about. They don't! We have had these problems since the day of Christ's Ascension and will continue to have them. This verse is talking about events that will affect all christians around the world, as the "hour of trial" will affect the whole world.
The word temptation as used in the KJV of this verse, means a time of testing separate from the Day of the Lord's Wrath. His wrath is for those who didn’t partake of the test and those who failed the test! The test is the Great Tribulation, that short time in the midst of Daniel's 70th week that consists of Satan's wrath against and persecution of the church. Those who "keep the word of His patience" (KJV) are those still living believers who will overcome the difficulties of the first 3 1/2 yrs. and the great trib that follows.
We have been given the Armor of God with which to fight Satan with. The armor of God is found in Eph. 6:10-18. Let's read, Eph. 6:13, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground..." Does this sound like Paul is teaching that christians will be rescued prior to the day of evil? It doesn't to me!