Last Daze

Okay, I see what you're getting at. I never meant to imply that being spiritually ready nullifies the need for knowledge of the things to come. If that were true, we wouldn't have been told in advance what to expect. It takes both knowledge and spiritual preparedness, or discernment and endurance. There are obviously many different ways to interpret prophecy, yet only one fulfillment. If we err in understanding, the Holy Spirit will guide us. There's no way to compensate for being ill-prepared. That's why I see being spiritually prepared as more important.

I have no idea how what I said prompted that response. I think you missed the point.

Those who walk in the Spirit will be guided into the truth and shown the things to come. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13 This is why being spiritually prepared is more important than trying to prove our point. If we are led by the Spirit, we will adjust as He reveals. The fact that people see things differently at this point is irrelevant. Look at all the denominations out there. The end times will separate the contenders from the pretenders; those who are alert and prepared from those who aren't. Five were prepared. Five were foolish.

Believe whatever you wish, for whatever reasons seem good to you. None of us has an exactly accurate understanding of what's to come, and even if we did, it wouldn't guarantee that we would be ready. What is of greater importance is whether or not we are living the truth. Are we worshiping God in spirit and truth? Are we being transformed by the renewing of our minds? Are we separating ourselves from the things of this world? These are the things every believer should be engaged in regardless of eschatology and the things that will give us the discernment and strength to endure whatever may come our way. Five were prepared. Five were foolish.

No. No, its not like that.

Yes, from earth. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. Mark 13:27

You're saying the covenant is "forced on Israel" for 3.5 years then broken? The prophecy says it is confirmed/strengthened for seven years. It can't be confirmed for seven years if its only confirmed for 3.5.

Agreed. Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. Matthew 12:33 Christ is coming back for those who are His. The events leading to His return will show whether a tree is good or bad.

The first resurrection also happens on the last day according to John 6:39, 40, 44, 54 which is the day of the Lord per 2 Thess 2:1-2.

Is there scripture to support the underlined? If so, how do we know that wasn't accomplished before He appeared back on earth? And why would that preclude Mary from touching Him?

And will they be able to recognize when the time has come to rethink their eschatology, if and when the great escape has failed them? I certainly hope so. All believers should be prepared to go through the great tribulation, regardless of their view on the timing of the rapture. Failing to be ready, and worse, promoting ill-preparedness, is nothing short of what Jesus describes as foolishness. Feel free to hope for the best, as long as you're prepared for the worst. Its the prudent thing to do. I wonder if pretribbers advise others that they should be ready to go through the great tribulation, as a matter of preparedness? It would be a wise thing to do, just in case. Wouldn't it?

Excellent point! I've often asked pretribbers that . . . to no avail. You can't even characterize the seals as "judgments" which they routinely do, for the same reason.

Why is it that Mary could not touch Jesus before He ascended but then when He came back it was okay to touch Him? Any scriptures that speak to that? Have you considered the possibility that the greek word for "touch" might mean "adhere to" or "cling to", essentially meaning "don't cling to Me" for the reason that He is going away?

The coming of Christ is only referred to as a singular event. It is never "a coming of Christ" or "the comings of Christ." It is "His coming" or "the coming." Those who are Christ's are made immortal "at His coming." On what do you base this "fact"?

Not true. Premise: All black dogs are Labrador retrievers - false Premise: My dog is black - true Conclusion: My dog is a Labrador retriever - true

Its a preparation issue and it is a big deal.

Exactly. They believe there are the super-spiritual, pretrib, A-team saints who are restraining the Antichrist and the not-so-spiritual, B-team, tribulation saints who can't restrain anything and aren't even worthy to be called "church." However, somehow, these B-team saints, who are beyond number, are willing to give their lives as a testimony for Christ.

The pretrib fallacy relies heavily on manufactured terminology, confusing terminology, and dubious interpretations to keep it propped up.

Yes, this is very disturbing because it strikes at the heart of preparedness. We don't have any control over how God will fulfill prophecy but we do have control over our response which is why I see preparedness as the single most important issue in eschatology. Jesus emphasized being ready and alert, watching, being prepared. The net effect of the pretrib fallacy runs contrary to what Christ taught. Its been my experience that the extent of the eschatology of most pretribbers I've conversed with is "glad we won't be here for that." They're clueless as to what to expect. Why? Because they've been taught they won't be here for that so why should they care. Why should they prepare for something they won't encounter? I have to wonder as well what the 'source' of the pretrib fallacy actually is since it promotes a mindset that runs contrary to what Jesus taught. It doesn't even pass the smell test. The fruit of the pretrib doctrine is a false hope and spreading it is foolish. Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Matthew 25:1-4 What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!' Mark 13:37 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Matthew 24:13 Don't be foolish. Be wise. Heed the words of Christ. Be prepared to endure. Bring extra oil.

True. Just like this but in reverse. And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

I agree. We'll just have to wait and see. Regardless, things seem to be accelerating.

I've had similar thoughts, although I don't think it necessarily has to happen before the election. My guess is most likely before the next election cycle. I think they can deal with the Trump (nationalist) phenomena this time but not again. What it does show is that people are waking up to the failure of the globalist agenda pushed by the NWO. In that sense, I agree that this election serves to prod the NWO to pick up the pace before things unravel and a populist uprising takes hold. It's also evident in Europe that nationalism is on the rise, adding a bit of urgency to the matter as well.

Satan wears seven of them. He is an angel. There is a hierarchy in the domain of darkness and its not unreasonable that these supernatural princes and kings are seen as having crowns which represent their power and authority. The white horse rider, in my estimation, is the angelic prince which brought about Rome. When the first seal is opened, he is released from the abyss.

Jesus also describes the falling away in Matthew 24, another indication that the church is present. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Matthew 24:10

Matthew 24 doesn't pertain exclusively to Israel or the Church. It pertains to both. We see throughout scripture the spiritual and natural aspect of things and Matthew 24 is another of those passages. It expounds on: And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 12:13,17 The desolation of natural Israel forces them to flee into the wilderness where they are protected. When that attack fails, the desolation of her spiritual offspring, the great tribulation, follows. The abomination which causes this desolation? The false prophet who speaks like a dragon, performs supernatural displays of power, and demands worship. Matthew 24 clearly references natural Israel by referring to "those who are in Judea." It also clearly references those who believe in Jesus: Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. Matthew 24:9 Matthew 24 refers to natural as well as spiritual Israel.