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Doctrine of Imminence
Saints of Jesus,
The late trinitarian John Walvoord, one of the most revered pre-trib
dispensationalists that has ever lived, called imminency "the heart of
Pretribulationism." The doctrine of imminence states that Jesus can return
at any moment now, and that there is nothing else which has to happen before
Jesus returns for the Church.
Since the doctrine of imminence is the heart of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture
belief, let us examine the Word of God to determine if this is sound
doctrine in the Word of God, or false doctrine from the mouth of the Serpent
sent to deceive the Church world.
As you study deeper into the pre-tribulation rapture heresy with a critical
mind, you will see that many assumptions are made by those who preach this.
Let us begin by clearing up some of these assumptions and exposing them as
the Scriptural and logical flaws that they are.
DID JESUS TEACH IMMINENCE?
The first thing that we need to clear up, is the misconception that Jesus
taught imminence. This is assumption #1 made by a pre-trib preacher or
believer. Jesus taught no such thing, and I would dare challenge anyone to
produce any proof from any Bible text that He did teach any such thing. Let
us read carefully what He said, so we are not confused. Did Jesus teach
that no one will have any idea when He comes, or did Jesus teach us the
season of His coming just not the day and hour? We will find the latter to
be totally supported by the Word of God.
Now let the Master of Israel, Jesus Christ, teach you about His own
Coming...
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the
Son, but only the Father (Matthew 24:36)."
"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when
you do not expect him (Matthew 24:44)."
"The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him
and at an hour he is not aware of (Matthew 24:50)."
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew
25:13)."
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the
Son, but only the Father (Mark 13:32)."
"But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the
thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also
must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not
expect him" ... The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not
expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and
assign him a place with the unbelievers. (Luke 12:39-46)"
Notice that in every instance, Jesus is addressing the specific day or hour,
not the general time. This means that theoretically we may know the
century, decade, year, month, or week of the Lord's return, it is just
impossible to know the day or the hour. Jesus repeated himself so many
times about this; it seems that He is warning us not to be deceived.
Nevertheless, many Apostolic scholars and church lay members say that Jesus
says that we cannot know the general time of His return. However, upon
close evaluation, we can see that this is not what Jesus said.
IS JESUS' RETURN FOR THE CHURCH A SURPRISE?
Some have even said, "Jesus repeatedly said that His return for the Church
would be a surprise." That is not true, Jesus never said that. However,
Paul wrote to the Church in Thessalonica telling them that the Day of the
Lord would not surprise them, but it would surprise unbelievers.
Here is what Paul wrote.
"Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for
you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the
night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on
them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you
like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not
belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others,
who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled (1 Thessalonians
5:1-6)."
Some have also said, "The Lord even went beyond that by saying He would
return 'as a thief' when believers generally won't be expecting Him to come
for them." This, also, is not true. The Lord does not come as a thief to
the faithful in the Church, but THE DAY OF THE LORD comes as a thief to the
unbelievers in the world and to the unfaithful in the Church.
Here is what He said regarding His coming as a thief.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will
come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time
of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have
let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of
Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:42-44)."
"But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the
thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also
must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not
expect him." Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to
everyone?" The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager,
whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food
allowance at the proper time? (Luke 12:39-42)"
"Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found
your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you
have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I
will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to
you (Revelation 3:2-3)."
Jesus is saying the same thing that Paul said; His return will be like a
thief in the night to the unbelieving world. To the unbelievers in the
Church, He will come as a thief. 'IF YOU DO NOT WAKE UP,' I will come as a
thief, the Lord says. But true followers of Christ will know the general
time of His return and they will not be surprised, BECAUSE of the signs
given to us in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, II Thessalonians 2:1-3, and
other places. We will see these signs and know that the Coming and our
gathering is close.
DID PAUL TEACH IMMINENCE?
The Bible nowhere teaches the imminent rapture doctrine. On the contrary,
Paul the Apostle said that two things must happen BEFORE the Lord's Coming
and the Church's gathering together unto Him. A falling away must happen,
and the man of sin must be revealed. Read this in II Thessalonians 2:1-3.
There was a belief and attitude troubling the Saints of the time, saying
that this 'day of the Lord' could happen at any moment now or was 'at hand.'
Paul condemns the imminent doctrine for the deception that it is. Paul
himself says that this 'imminent' idea did not come from the Apostles and
was to be refused, and then Paul proceeds to refute this erroneous idea of
imminence concerning the Coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto
Him.
II Thessalonians 2:1-3
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor
by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition;
Jesus also stated that our gathering together unto Him would occur
IMMEDIATELY AFTER the great tribulation of those days in Matthew 24:29-31.
Matthew 24:29-31
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be
darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall
from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then
shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man
coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they
shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven
to the other.
People quote numerous verses which they say indicate that Christ could come
at any moment. However, upon careful examination, there is not one verse or
passage of Scripture which says that.
Jesus and Paul both taught that things must happen before we are gathered
unto Christ at His Coming. Jesus gave a list of things, and Paul only said
two things. However, both agree that things must happen before His return
and our gathering together unto Him, that have not happened yet and are
still future from happening today.
CONCLUSION
Once again, we find that the teachings of man can be very misleading, even
deceptive.
The doctrine of imminence is false.
Think about it, why would Jesus tell us over and over again to keep watch,
if there was nothing to watch for? Why give signs to the Apostles for the
Church to watch for, IF the Church was going to be gone from the Earth
before these signs during the great tribulation even take place?
How can the pre-tribulation rapture theory supporters who hold to the
doctrine of imminence, say keep watch? If there is nothing that has to
happen before the return of Christ for His Church, then what are they
watching for?
This reasoning is self contradicting and reveals more of the error of the
pre-tribulation rapture heresy, and further exposes it as the fable that it
is.
Not only did Jesus tell us what to watch for, He commanded that we wake up
and keep watch!
Why, then, is the church asleep and almost no one watching because their
heads are full of false doctrine? Why watch if it could happen at any
moment now and there is nothing to watch for? The Truth is just the
medication needed to clear up clouded heads, for light casteth out darkness.
Let the Scriptures speak for themselves and stop perverting them in the
Name of Jesus!
Agape and Grace upon the Truthseekers,
Minister Johnson
A Scribe Instructed Unto The Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:52)
Matthew 13:52 - Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is
instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
http://www.johnson.jesus-messiah.com
Praise King Jesus,